October Roundtable
Below are the event flyers, training newsletters and other information from our October Roundtable.
2019 Museum of Science Overnight Flyer
2019 Tread Lightly Trainer Course
Mayflower training news Oct 19
Below are the event flyers, training newsletters and other information from our October Roundtable.
2019 Museum of Science Overnight Flyer
2019 Tread Lightly Trainer Course
Mayflower training news Oct 19
The Mayflower Council is utilizing the power of Scoutbook to enhance the functionality of our merit badge counselor list.
HOW DO I ACCESS THE LIST
Go to Scoutbook.com and login to your account. If you have the proper rights, you will see it towards the bottom of your troop’s page in Scoutbook (MB Counselor List on your dashboard). This list is available to adults who are indicated in Scoutbook as adult leaders and committee members in your troop.
If you do not see it, go to My Dashboard > Administration > My Account > My Positions and make sure there is a green shield next to your troop leadership position. If it is missing, one of your unit admins will need to approve your position.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who will be on the list?
Registered and council-approved merit badge counselors in the Mayflower Council.
Who will see the list?
Adult leaders in troops who are on Scoutbook will see all the merit badge counselors who have indicated to Mayflower Council that they are willing to counsel within your unit or ones who have indicated they are willing to counsel more broadly.
What does it mean for me?
When adult leaders (including committee members) search for merit badge counselors in Scoutbook, you can be confident that the listed counselors are qualified to counsel on the merit badge, have been approved by the Mayflower Council advancement personnel, and have stated a willingness to work with your unit or units across the council.
Why can’t parents see the list?
The merit badge process directs the Scout to the Scoutmaster for a recommended merit badge counselor. That is why the Scoutmaster has access to the list and the Scout and parents do not. It keeps the Scoutmaster in the process. The merit badge process is as follows:
How often will the Scoutbook list be refreshed?
We will be refreshing the list by the seventh of each month.
What do I do if a Scout earns a merit badge at summer camp or with a merit badge counselor not on the list?
If the Scout earned a merit badge from a registered and approved merit badge counselor, then a troop adult who has the authorization inside Scoutbook to mark merit badges or merit badge requirements as completed or approved will still be able to do so.
Can troop leaders and troop advancement coordinators sign a Scout off on a merit badge? are not authorized to sign a Scout off on a merit badge if they are not also a registered and approved merit badge counselor for that badge.
Troop leaders and troop advancement coordinators are only authorized to sign a Scout off on a merit badge if they are also a registered and approved merit badge counselor for that badge. However, you can record it in Scoutbook as completed and approved after the merit badge counselor has signed off (even if he/she does so outside of Scoutbook) after verifying that the Scout has a signed blue card from a registered and approved merit badge counselor.
Where can units who do not utilize Scoutbook go to find a list of registered and approved merit badge counselors?
Units should activate the Scoutbook account for their troop in order for leaders to be able to see the current list of merit badge counselors. Click here to find out how to get your unit started with Scoutbook.
ABOUT BEING A MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR
Share your knowledge with Scouts. Merit badge counselors teach Scouts a variety of skills. From American Business to Woodwork, there’s a badge for everything. All merit badge counselors must be registered with the Boy Scouts of America and approved by the Mayflower Council for each badge listed on the Merit Badge Counselor Information form.
REGISTRATION
The Mayflower Council has the responsibility of approving and maintaining a list of current merit badge counselors. A merit badge counselor is a council-level position, not a troop position, which means leaders must submit a new adult leader application even if already registered in another capacity.
There are four steps for a new merit badge counselor to register with the Boy Scouts of America and begin merit badge counseling:
MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR REGISTRATION CONSIDERATIONS
SCOUTBOOK
Once registered with the BSA as a merit badge counselor, your merit badge counselor position will be added to Scoutbook. If you do not already have a Scoutbook account, an account will be created for you and you will be sent login information by email. You can adjust how you display on the list. Sign onto Scoutbook (if you misplace your login credentials, click login then click the Forgot Password link.) Once you login you will be able to adjust your listing preference between: Council list, District list, Unit list, Worldwide or Not Listed.
For detailed instructions on how to use Scoutbook as a merit badge counselor review this resource Scoutbook Merit Badge Counselor Guide.
If you are a merit badge counselor and your listing is not showing in Scoutbook follow these directions to find out if you are registered as a merit badge counselor:
USEFUL LINKS FOR MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS
ANNUAL RENEWAL OF MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS
All merit badge counselors must confirm their registration annually. In May of each year, currently registered merit badge counselors will be sent an email to confirm their desire to continue as a merit badge counselor. Failure to confirm this information will result in being dropped from the merit badge counselor list.
If a merit badge counselor who was dropped wishes to continue as a merit badge counselor he/she must register as a new merit badge counselor again using the forms and processes listed above.
QUESTIONS
Reviewed all of this information and still have questions? We’re here to help! Contact us.
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and Mayflower Council are committed first and foremost to keeping youth safe. Part of that commitment includes continually updating our youth protection policies to help ensure we are always on the forefront of youth safety.
As you know, one of the BSA’s many barriers to abuse is a mandatory criminal background check during the adult volunteer application process. The BSA will now also perform periodic rechecks of criminal backgrounds to support the continued safety of youth in our programs.
In order to conduct these background checks, we need a couple things from all registered leaders. Please complete the process listed below at your earliest convenience to help us continue to provide the safest environment possible for our Scouts and leaders. Please note that these steps must be completed before your 2020 membership renewal and unit rechartering can be processed.
If you choose to decline the background check, or if you do not complete and return the Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization form, your personal registration for 2020 will not be processed; this may delay the processing of your unit’s rechartering paperwork. Please note we need a signed authorization form from every registered adult leader.
Thank you for making this investment of time to help protect our Scouts. We are truly grateful for your continued commitment to keeping youth safe and for helping them learn, grow, and thrive through Scouting programs.
FAQ on the background check disclosures & authorization form
This week the National Council sent out an email about BSA’s efforts to strengthen our youth protection practices by requiring periodic background re-checks for adult leaders. We want to clarify what is needed from you, and how this will be handled in our Mayflower Council.
FAQ on the background check disclosures & authorization form
Now is the time to DRONE up some online business! We will be giving away a drone to our weekly highest online seller in each of the 5 districts! That is 5 drones per week!
STARTS TODAY!
Be the highest online seller in your district, during the dates listed below and you will receive an email stating you are the winner. We will list your unit, number, and first name on our facebook account, MayflowerPOP and on Mayflowerbsa.org/popcorn.
If you haven’t set up your account, there is still time to do so. It will only take 10 minutes.
Click on the picture to download the flyer
Please join the Headwaters District Advancement team in congratulating the following Scouts on their achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout with the completion of their Board of Review in August 2019:
It is an honor and privilege to congratulate these exceptional Scouts for their achievement. As less than 5% of Scouts become Eagles, these are truly the best of the best, the most dedicated, and the most determined to succeed!
Congratulations!
Once an Eagle Scout, Always an Eagle Scout!
Message from the Camp Resolute 100th Anniversary Camporee Chair
Thank you all for registering your units for the Camp Resolute 100th Anniversary Camporee. As most of you are already aware, the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus remains a serious concern in Massachusetts.
There is a strong possibility due to the danger of the virus, and presence of a healthy mosquito population at Camp Resolute, participation at the 100th Camporee may be limited to a Saturday only event. The organizers believe this would be a prudent compromise in the event Camp Resolute does not experience a frost prior to the date of the event. Participants should be aware that the town of Bolton’s risk level has been assessed as “moderate” by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Obviously this is not an ideal situation, but all of the activities are currently scheduled for Saturday and while removing the overnight component of the outing would be disappointing, we believe the program will still be top-notch. There may be minor schedule changes necessary such as moving the scheduled campfire to a bit earlier, but that aside, all of the program activities, awards, contests, and fun will still occur.
We will continue to monitor the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus situation and update as new information becomes available. Even as a day only event, the “Camporee” promises to be a wonderful celebration of Camp Resolute history and a great time for your Scouts.
Gary Bernklow
Camp Resolute 100th Anniversary Camporee Chair
ceo@tosalumni.org
978-886-5650
As a valued member of our Mayflower Council Scouting family, we know we owe it to you to be transparent and communicate information we receive promptly.
Late Tuesday afternoon, the National Council informed us that registration fees for the Scouting program will increase effective January 1, 2020. This change is primarily due to increasing liability insurance costs associated with delivering a quality program across the country.
While we do not know the exact amount, the National Council committed to having the amount finalized in the next six weeks, once the National Board reviews the recommendations from a task force of volunteers and professionals assigned to review this matter. Unfortunately, this change will impact registration fees to be collected at rechartering.
We sincerely apologize for the timing and the inability to convey the amount of the new registration fee at this time, but felt compelled to quickly communicate what we learned as soon as we learned it. We recognize the timing of this fee increase creates challenges as units have already begun collecting fees for their 2020 registration renewal process.
Thank you for all you do to support and deliver Scouting to the youth of the Mayflower Council.
Yours in Scouting,
Michael Rotar
Council President
Bryan Feather
Scout Executive / CEO
Mark Niedzielski
Council Commissioner