10/10/10 - I just love those special date sequences that only come along every so often. This year we seem to have had more than our share, with 08/09/10 11:12.13 and now "triple tens," but they add a bit of fun for those of us who "play" with numbers. Speaking of which, can you tell me what is the criteria for this sequence of numbers: 8, 5, 4, 9, 1, 7, 6, 10, 3, 2? (Answer at the end of the newsletter.)

Last week, I mentioned the new "Journey to Excellence" Quality Unit program that we kick off with our upcoming re-charters. Since then, I have managed to obtain more information, including the award criteria for Packs, Troops, Crews, Districts, and Councils. (Still working on getting copies for Teams, Ships, and Posts.) In addition, BSA has scheduled webinars to help people understand the program, at the unit, district, and council level. You are welcome to download these criteria, so you will have a better understanding of how our units will be assessed. Part of the District requirements for Unit Service (in addition to the unit contacts we mentioned last week), is a written Unit Service Plan. Since this concept may be new to some, let me lay that out ...

Written unit service plans

Consists of 8 key functions and dates a Commissioner should be doing with each unit:

1. Membership Inventory
2. Uniform Inspection
3. Quality Unit Measurement
4. Unit Leadership Inventory
5. Charter Presentation Ceremony
6. Unit Program Planning
7. Youth Protection Training
8. Other Commissioner Functions

Details on each item can be found on page 17 on your Commissioner's Fieldbook. If you don't have a copy of the new 2010 edition, you can see it online, and download a copy for your own reference. (They are also available in a printed format at our Scout Shop in Apopka.)

The written unit service plan can also help a Commissioner qualify for the Arrowhead honor, as many of the above items is part of your scorecard.

At the recent Council Commissioner's Meeting, I picked up some future dates for your calendar: Commissioner's Conference will be on Saturday March 12th, immediately following the Executive Board Retreat at Camp La-No-Che. The Commissioner' College is tentatively scheduled for April 16th.

This Thursday, October 14th, 7:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (map) will be our monthly Commissioner's Staff Meeting.

As I mentioned last week, I will bring my laptop and 23" monitor along, so everyone can see the screen. We will be reviewing the Unit Visit Tracking System (UVTS) and how you enter unit visits/contacts in the system during our break out time.

If you cannot attend this meeting, please, email me, or call me 321-593-4704, so that I have the latest updates on your units.

As was mentioned at the Commissioner's Staff Meeting, Recharter packets will be available for the units at this month's Roundtable (October 21st). The completed packets are due back at the November Roundtable meeting (November 18th). Registered adults who have not completed their Youth Protection Training will not be listed on the forms. Those dropped leaders who wish to continue, must complete a new Adult Leader application, and attach proof of their Youth Protection training, as any new adult would need to do.

Unit Commissioners start working with your units now to ensure Youth Protection Training is completed, lists are turned in, and that your unit is ready to complete their recharter packet!

Information on the Fall Camporee (November 19-21) was passed out at the last Roundtable meeting. Troop 507 has done a great job of planning and putting together a great program, you will want to be there.

The Troops will be divided up into teams of 6-8 scouts of combined ages and rank. These "virtual patrols" will compete in a contest similar to the Amazing Race.

Webelos I and IIs are invited to participate in the events on Saturday in an effort to give them a "taste" of Scouting.

For more information, download the Camporee packet.

Winter Camp 2010 is a Boy Scout resident camp from December 27th through December 30th to be held at Central Florida Council's Camp La No Che in Paisley Florida both sponsored and staffed by the Order of the Arrow Tipisa Lodge Membership. The Camp shall consist of Merit Badge Classes for Boy Scouts from within the Central Florida Council's Troops and Teams, Special Optional Activities for these Boy Scouts, All Camp Activities, and Adult Leader Activities.

You will arrive at Camp on Monday morning with Merit Badge Classes starting right after lunch that same day and then continuing to lunch time on Thursday when you will leave Camp that afternoon. You can either attend Camp as a Troop/Team camping together as a group or attend as a individual Scout or Scouts staying in one of our Order of the Arrow Chapter supported Provisional Campsites.

For more information: Leader's Guide, Registration Form

October 9th - Eagle Scout Workshop, 8:30 a.m. - Noon (flyer)

October 14th - District Committee Meeting 6:30 p.m.

October 14th - District Commissioners Staff Meeting 7:30 p.m.

October 15-17 - Cub Halloween Camp, Camp La-No-Che (flyer)

October 16th - University of Scouting (Registration)

October 21st - Roundtable 7:00 p.m.
- Boy Scout Leader Specific Training Part 2 of 3
- Youth Protection Training

October 22-24 - Cub Halloween Camp, Camp La-No-Che (flyer)

October 29-31 - Cub Halloween Camp, Camp La-No-Che (flyer)

October 30th - UCF Football Scout Day and Pre-Game Clinic (flyer) - UCF vs East Carolina

November 5th - Florida Tuskers Scout Night and Scout Parade at the Citrus Bowl (flyer)

November 6th - Scouting for Food Bag Distribution (more information)

November 8th - Council VOA Cabinet Meeting at Tuskawilla Presbyterian Church 6:30 p.m.

November 8th - Council Venturing Committee Meeting at Tuskawilla Presbyterian Church 7:30 p.m.

November 9th - Council Key 3 Meeting with District Key 3 (important for District Key 3 to attend) Council Service Center 7:00 p.m.

November 11th - District Committee Meeting 6:30 p.m.

November 11th - Commissioner's Staff Meeting 7:30 p.m.

November 13th - Scouting for Food Bag Collection (more information)

The commissioner is a representative. The average unit leader is totally occupied in working with kids. Some have little if any contact with the Boy Scouts of America other than a commissioner's visit to their meeting. To them, the commissioner may be the BSA. The commissioner helps represent the ideals, the principles, and the policies of the Scouting movement.

The answer to the number sequence at the beginning of the newsletter: They are in alphabetical order! (I've been using this at SM/ASM Fundamentals Class ...)

CONTACT INFO:
Ron Blaisdell | 1060 Meadow Lake Way #103 | Winter Springs FL 32708 | 321-593-4704 |  ron@blaisdell.com
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