Volume 3 | Issue #12- December 2015
                 January 9th @ BMCC

The 2016 Training Extravaganza is almost upon us.  As in previous years, the TrEx will once again offer over dozens of courses to help assist you in your Scouting program, whether that be Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Order of the Arrow, or District Committee operations.  This year, there are 18 new courses being offered, including: Social Media & Digital Technology, Working With Adults - Course for Scouts, District Committee Training Workshop, BSA Online - my.scouting.org Tools, Wildlife Safety & Awareness hosted by NYSDEC and Essentials of Merit Badge Counseling, among others.
 
Register today and download course schedule/descriptions at 

Camping Department Now Holding Monthly Webinars

Each month, we will offer both a Cub Scout and Boy Scout version, to keep you in the know. In our first edition, we talked about the changes coming to Alpine, Pouch, and Ten Mile River this summer. Our next edition, scheduled for the evening of January 14th and the morning of January 15th, will focus on Forms and Finance.  Be sure to check www.bsa-gnyc.org/webinar for where and when to log in to get all the important information and ask any questions you may have.

'Tis the Season... 
for rechartering!

If you have not received your recharter packet yet, your DE's are currently working to get it to you!  This is the ideal time to fix current registrations, drop or change leadership, and add any additional members.  Visit Scoutnet to get to the Internet Rechartering homepage and be sure to get in everything you need: a printed, signed charter, signed charter agreement form, Journey to Excellence form, any new applications or YPT forms, and payment.  As of 2016, the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America has implemented a strict deadline; there is no longer a grace period for rechartering.  Therefore, if you fail to submit all necessary items by your District's deadline, your unit will no longer be registered.  If you have any questions, concerns, or need help with rechartering, contact your District Executive today!

    It is our pleasure to announce, that effective December 15th, Greg Mustoe has  been promoted to Field Director of the Staten Island Council.
     Greg began his Scouting journey as a member of Pack and Troop 37 on Staten  Island. He spent many summers at camp, attended a National BSA Jamboree and  eventually achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
     He worked for the Staten Island Council as a Program Specialist supporting our  Scoutreach Packs in 2009. He was hired as a District Executive in 2011 and was   promoted to District Director in 2013. During his time as the Aquehonga District  Director, Greg led a wonderful group of volunteers to strong membership  growth, increased volunteer engagement, and continued excellence in program  activities. Over the past few years he reinvigorated the SI Golf Outing Committee  and brought the total raised from $10,000 to nearly $40,000 this year!
     In his new role, Greg will work with Staten Island Council President Chris Williams  to guide and grow the Board of Directors, continue to grow sustainable  membership, build a strong funding base and lead the Staten Island professional  team. Greg will also advise the Archdiocese Catholic Committee on Scouting and  assist the Deputy Scout Executive in support of the GNYC Commissioner Staff.
     Congratulations Greg! We look forward to working with you and the Staten Island
volunteers as we build our future leaders.
Are you a Merit Badge Counselor?

If so, are you registered in Scoutnet as a Merit Badge Counselor?  A Merit Badge Counselor is a separate position in BSA and requires a separate BSA Adult Application & a Merit Badge Counselor Application. GNYC has a new, easy process in place to make sure Counselors that might have been dropped accidentally are put back on AND NOT DROPPED AGAIN. To find out your status, email  Dave.Swartz@scouting.org (subject line "MBC") with your name and BSA affiliation and we will check your status, and get you registered! Easy!

The Color Fun Run

Missed out on the Color Fun Run? Check out our  facebook page to see some awesome pictures from the event and be sure to mark your calendar for next year's event... November 26th, 2016. 


Last month, GNYC hosted the First Annual GNYC Silver Beaver Reception. Dozens of Silver Beaver Recipients from throughout the five boroughs gathered to not only welcome those volunteers who received the Silver Beaver throughout the Council in 2015, but also to recognize the contributions that ALL Silver Beaver Recipients continue to make to the Scouting movement. Preparations for 2016's Reception are starting soon.  If you have been awarded with the Silver  Beaver and are interested in attending in 2016, please visit www.bsa-gnyc.org/silverbeaverreception

Scout Story Submissions

A great story can captivate audiences and generate interest among those new to Scouting. Maybe it's the one about your son's first week away at Scout camp - how nervous he was (you were probably pretty nervous too) and how when he came back you were both blown away by the experience. Or maybe it's the one about the shy Cub Scout who came out of his shell and transformed into a seemingly different person. It could be the one about the young Eagle Scout who through your eyes was still like a Tiger Cub until his Court of Honor when he became a young man. Or maybe it is the one about that one special Scout and how he alone made all the time, effort, and stress worthwhile.  We know you have these stories, and we want to help you tell them. We would like to share these stories with Parents and Scouters across the city. 
Borough Heritage Societies Celebrate 2015
 
As we celebrate the holiday season, Brooklyn, Queens & Staten Island recently got together past & new endowment supporters for annual borough "Heritage Society" Receptions.
 
Brooklyn Scouting brought together about 25 endowment supporters & Board Members to the home of the Brooklyn Cyclones, MCU Park, on November 24th, where they recognized Mr. Basil Capetanakis, Mr. Gene Hart, Mr. David Turner, and Mr. Walter Forst with the James E. West Award for significant endowment contributions in 2015. Our thanks to Mr. John Vesey, Mr. Ken Hood, and Mr. Andrew Yiannakos for organizing this fantastic event. Contact Justin.Rodstrom@Scouting.org for more info.
 
Staten Island Scouting celebrated it's own Heritage Society at the beautiful Staten Island Hilton last week, where Unit Leaders mixed with Board Members and community leaders to thank and recognize our endowment supporters. Contact Greg.Mustoe@Scouting.org for more info.
 
Queens Scouting recognized their Heritage Society Members at the Manor Oktoberfest in Forest Hills on Tuesday, December 15th. Contact Joe.Schiltz@Scouting.org for more info.
 
The Heritage Society is a collection of Scouters who have made Scouting's future a priority in their charitable giving, by committing to a gift of $2,500 or more over the duration of up to a five year span. James E. West Awardees make a similar commitment, in the amount of $1,000 or more.