There’s enthusiasm for the launch of Scouts BSA everywhere you look. Today, let’s look at the top 10 Scouts BSA questions volunteers are asking.

As many of you are already aware, membership registration has fallen behind due to an unexpected and prolonged situation leaving the Council Service Center short handed for several months.  A solution through Registration Shared Services with the National Council is now in place and we are working feverishly with their help to get all membership entered.  Because of the backlog, your District Executive might ask you for something that has already been submitted. Please understand it is our intention to get through the stack of papers without asking you for something twice but we may fail in this attempt.  We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused for all of our Scouts and units and look forward to the day we serve you with efficiency.

All future registrations can be emailed to:  membership@mayflowerbsa.org.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Click on Photo to view or download here

Click here for PDF of all February Roundtable Handouts

Our next District Roundtable will be on March 5th at 7:00 pm.

The Center At Medfield

A great time was had by all in Hudson as Pack 3104 held their Pinewood event at Hudson’s Mulready Elementary School.   One of the assistant judges of the colorful Pinewood cars was Mulready Principal, Kelly Costa.

Pinewood preparation included every Scout customizing their own laminated “ID Racing Pass” that they got to wear while watching the heats.  Boy Scouts from Hudson Troop 77 were present to assist Cub Master Andrew Hermann retrieving cars and running the Track’s operations.

The races this day were matched up as Lions/Tigers, Wolfs/Bears, and Webelos/Arrow of Lights. Halfway through the day, Cubs and parents were treated to snacks and a pizza lunch as well as a group photo of the Pack and it’s leaders

After all the Scouts had their races but before trophies and awards, there were additional races for the ‘Siblings Group’, a race for Unified participants, and finally, a race for the adults.  Check out some of these photos from this amazing day of fun!  Photos were taken by Eric Leger.

Let us know about your Pinewood Derby!

Share photos on our Facebook page for Headwaters District

Or right an article and get it posted on our web page like this! Contact headwaters@mayflowerbsa.org

The Boy Scouts of America will offer a one-time, limited exception to its age requirements for the Eagle Scout award, giving new Scouts BSA members, male and female, a fair chance to earn the program’s top honor.

The Worcester Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting is calling for nominations for Adult Catholic Religious Awards due by February 20, 2019. The awards are to recognize those adults in Scouting who have participated in promoting and teaching Catholic Faith Formation in Scouting through religious emblem programs, Scout Sunday observance, and various other activities relating to the Faith.

The Bronze Pelican and the St. George Emblem are for those adults involved in the Cub and/or Scouts BSA programs. A nominee for the Bronze Pelican has significantly influenced Catholic Scouting for at least three years. Nominees for the St. George emblem have previously received the Bronze Pelican and have made significant and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youths through Scouting. Nomination forms should give a detailed description of how the nominee provides such outstanding contributions.

Please send nominations to Bob Ryan, CCOS Nominations Chair at rhrljr@att.net or mail it to 8 Colonial Drive, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.

Nomination Forms:

• St George Form
• Bronze Pelican Form

Is Your Pack Ready To Crossover?

Tantamous Lodge is here to help!  If your Unit would like the Order of The Arrow to assist in your crossover ceremony, just let us know by filling out the following form and we will contact you.

SIGN UP HERE

Not every community, church, school, or organization has a Scouting pack, troop, or crew associated with it. Sometimes, starting a new group is the best way to bring Scouting to your community. With a willing group of volunteers and interested youth, it’s easy to get Scouting started near you.

How Scouting Units Are Organized

Every Scouting unit requires adult leaders, youth, and a chartering organization. First the chartering organization agrees to adopt the Scouting program. Then you must recruit and train the leaders. Once you have trained leaders ready to start, recruit the youth. From there you can plan your program year, complete the paperwork, and hold your first meeting.

Resources:

• New Unit Organization Process
• New Unit Development
• BSA Fact Sheet

What is A Chartering Organization?

A chartering organization, such as a church, school, concerned citizen’s group, agrees to work with the specific pack, troop, or crew. They’ll provide meeting space, help find and approve adult leaders, and appoint an individual as the Chartered Organization Representative. This representative works as a liaison between the organization and the Scout group.

Any organization can be a chartering organization and there are no special qualifications. The chartering organization falls under the insurance of the Boy Scouts of America.

Resources:

• Chartered Organizations Resource Guide
• The Charter Organization (tri-fold)
• The Chartered Organization Representative
• The Charter Organization Representative Guidebook

What Leaders Are Needed?

There are different leader requirements for different types of Scouting units. All units must have a Chartered Organization Representative. If a single organization sponsors more than one unit (like a Pack and a Troop), that representative must be the same person for both units.

For a Pack you need:

• Cubmaster (plan and lead the monthly pack meeting, keeping the youth and families engaged and excited)
• Committee Chair (lead behind the scenes administrative tasks and support efforts to run the pack)
  Chartered Organization Representative (act as a liaison between the pack and chartering organization)
• Two Committee Members (work with the committee chair to run the pack in roles like treasurer or secretary)
• Den Leader (plan and lead the den meetings for one age group, helping the youth earn advancements)
• Not required but recommended: Assistant Cubmaster(s), Assistant Den Leader(s), additional committee members

For a Troop you need:

• Scoutmaster (support and guide the youth leadership as they plan and lead the troop meetings)
• Committee Chair (lead behind the scenes administrative tasks and support efforts to run the troop)
• Chartered Organization Representative (act as a liaison between the troop and chartering organization)
• Two Committee Members (work with the committee chair to run the troop in roles like treasurer or secretary)
• Not required but recommended: Assistant Scoutmaster(s), additional committee members

For a Crew you need:

• Advisor (support and guide the youth leadership as they plan and lead the crew meetings)
• Committee Chair (lead behind the scenes administrative tasks and support efforts to run the crew)
• Chartered Organization Representative (act as a liaison between the crew and chartering organization)
• Two Committee Members (work with the committee chair to run the crew in roles like treasurer or secretary)
• Not required but recommended: Associate Advisor(s), additional committee members

What Paperwork Needs to Be Filled Out?

For a new unit, you’ll need to turn in a new unit application, a signed charter organization agreement, and applications for every adult leader and youth member.

You get to pick your unit number, but we can’t guarantee that every number is available. Don’t get your hopes up about being Troop 123 without first checking to see if that unit already exists!

Resources:

• New Unit Application
• Annual Unit Charter Agreement
• Youth Application
• Adult Application

William D. Boyce New Unit Organizer Award

Organizing a new unit can be hard work, between corralling people and filling out the paperwork. To recognize the volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy to expanding Scouting to new communities, we give out the William D. Boyce New Unit Organizer Award. William D. Boyce was the founder of Boy Scouts in America – he learned about Scouting in England and organized the first ever Scouting units here. In his honor, you’ll receive a certificate and a knot to wear on your uniform.

Resources:

• William D. Boyce New Unit Organizer Award Info & Application

Want to Get Started?

Contact your district executive or district membership team and they’ll get you started on your journey!