June 2008

Breaking News! The National Council will be conducting criminal background checks on all who have not received one since April 2003. By now you should have received the letter from National referring you to go to a specific web site. The letter will give you a unique password and member I D. You will be asked for information to conduct a criminal background check. Volunteers who have been registered in the same position since April 2003 are the group which must authorize for a criminal background check.

The web site will be open from June 1 until August 1, 2008.

As of the first of June we had 1439 that needed to have a background check.

Volunteers who choose "Agree" will proceed and be asked the information.

Volunteers who choose "Do not Agree" or "Disagree" will have their membership revoked immediately. Volunteers in this category will be required to fill out a new application.

Volunteers who do not complete the web site by August 1, 2008 will not be able to renew their membership at the time of recharter without completing a new Adult Volunteer Application.

If you do not receive a letter, then you do not need to do anything. If you are in this category and have an old address, you need to get it changed or you will not receive the letter.

The National Eagle Scout Association is conducting a nation wide Eagle Search. I have had several individuals comment that they had been contacted. I mention this to you to make you aware in case you are asked. It is part of the 100th BSA Birthday Celebration.

For sometime we have been looking to buy a Cub Scout Climbing Facility in Northeast Tarrant County. We have made an offer on a facility and will hopefully be able to make an announcement very soon.

Coy Veach, VP of Facilities has contacted Pala Pinto to start the process to try to get permission for septic. Our history has not been good. What looks like soil around Worth Ranch is really crushed fine rocks and very little soil with plenty of bedrock.
The F-16 simulator has been a big success at SR2. Scouts can now earn the Aviation Merit Badge. All I can say is W0W!

Mark your calendars for the Council's Big Event of 2008. It is the Council Camporee that will be held at Texas Motor Speedway on November 14-16, 2008. We will begin the celebration of our 100th Anniversary of Scouting. Everyone will want to be a part of this super activity. Get your engines ready for the big Council Camporee.

On June 24, we are going for the final review of the new webpage. The next step will to populate it with our information. We should be ready for the fall. Of course as I say that, something will happen.

We are looking for a new Accounting Specialist. If you know someone who has experience as a bookkeeper, have them contact us.

The National Council is asking all units to please not participate in paint ball. We have had to pay out nearly $1,000,000 from a hand full of accidents. Of course, it is not a Scouting activity but we still pay. Apparently the parents do not know it is not a Scouting activity. Please take this to heart. All of them lost eyes.

It appears that a change in the law now requires units to file a 990 with the IRS. The National Council has requested additional information and has asked if they really want all our Packs and Troops to file the report. As it stands now, Units will be required to do so. Stay tuned for additional information.

Like you, we are suffering from the increase in energy costs. It impacts many of our programs and activities. Back in June we signed a contract for 5 years, which increased our electricity rates by 54% over the last contract, which had expired. As a result, it has impacted the prices we have to charge for the use of buildings at camp. Like you, we need some relief in our energy costs.

While it is refreshing to see that we are positive in our traditional membership, we must stay focused on the challenge. Each year we lose all or part of the access to some school systems. We all must do all we can to spread the word and work in every way possible with our individual elementary schools. Many of you are doing your best and we certainly appreciate your diligence.

Jeff Peters and the Camping Committee are surveying your interests on camp, activities and other programs. While it will take some time, please take the time to fill them out and return. You will be able to fill them out on line.

Day Camp Reservations have had problems. Hackers have been trying to take down the registration system. We have been receiving 1000 hits in less than one minute. When the program gets overloaded, it locks up the system. Most likely it is some of our folks who are responsible. It is very disappointing. It makes it very difficult to improve.

Spring activities had great attendance. With the high cost of fuel, we will likely struggle with attendance in the fall.

Keep Scouting and provide a strong program for our youth.

Sincerely,

Dan