So, word has come to us that the Central Florida Council has been selected to be one of the next Councils to implement the "mandatory direct contect leader" requirement. What does this mean? Well - the "direct contact leaders" in our respective units must be fully "trained" in order to re-charter in 2011. Normally, direct contact leaders are the Unit Leader and their Assistants (Scoutmaster, ASM; Crew Advisor, Associate Advisor; Skipper, Mate, etc.) of the various program. Of course in Cub Scouts that list gets much larger and includes not only the Cubmaster and Assistant, but also all Den Leaders and their Assistants. A comprehensive list of direct contact leaders is available from the CFC web site. For a list of the training courses required to be considered "trained," and an FAQ on these training requirements you can check the BSA web site.

Well, we now have a "proof of concept" Commissioner Information System that I have developed over the last week. This is all based on our "Units and Commissioners" spreadsheet, that just never quite seems to be updated as it should (or one person has the update, but the others don't).

We even have a special page for Units called "Who's My Commissioner?," designed to help a unit leader find not only their Unit Commissioner, but also the Area ADC.

For those of you interested in the technical side of things, this is all based on "cloud computing," and still maintains security as needed. Plus most of the pages have the ability to download the information, or to sort the report in order to help make the information easier to understand. Plus work has been done in the initial design, so this same system could be used for other districts (with some additional development).

As I said, this is a "proof of concept," so we are looking for feedback on the functions that are available, or, if this is even needed at all.

Roundtable this Thursday! Don't forget! Remind your units! We hope to see you there.

The Central Florida Council is looking for Packs, Troops, and Crews to join us in the Orlando Citrus Parade. Our goal is to have 100 unit flags march with us to conclude our 100th anniversary. The parade begins at 11:00am and details will follow on what time to be there and where to meet. Please do not bring your American Flag with you just your unit Flag. Parade is on December 30, 2010. If your unit wants to participate in the parade contact John Rader at johnthescouter42@embarqmail.com or 407-678-1257.

The "Key 3" model transcends all levels of the Scouting program - from National (National Commissioner, National President, Chief Scout Executive) to the Councils (Council Commissioner, Council President, Scout Executive), Districts (District Commissioner, District Chairman, District Executive), and even to the local unit (Unit Leader, Committee Chair, Chartered Organization Representative).

Right now, in the Seminole Springs District, of the 74 traditional units, they are served by 51 different CoRs, only 8 are trained! That's 15.7% of our units' "Key Leadership" that are trained to do their job -- one of the most important jobs in Scouting!

Seminole Springs District will be holding CoR Training on February 12th at the Lake Mary LDS Ward (where Roundtable is held) during our District Training Day. For more information, contact John Lapotaire on class details.

Little Econ District is holding CoR Training on February 26th at St Alban's Cathedral in Oviedo (map) from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Anyone interested in attending the training should email littleecontraining@yahoo.com and include name, BSA ID #, unit #, position, district, phone #, email address, name and date of the class you want to attend.

For additional questions about the class, contact Jim Carten at jimcarten@earthlink.net or Nell Colbert at necolbert@usa.net or 321.303.7445.

Here is the District Unit Contact Summary from UVTS through November 30th:

Remember, we are shooting for 50% of our units with at least 6 contacts in UVTS during 2011!

We need to do whatever we can to eliminate that goose egg for number of contacts to 46% of our units.

If you cannot enter your unit contacts in UVTS, then work with your ADC. Commissioners in the Sanford area who cannot enter their unit contacts, need to email those activities to me, and I will see that they get recorded.

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

Camp La-No-Che has released their Leader's Guide for Summer Camp 2011. This is invaluable information for your unit leaders whose troops will be attending Camp La-No-Che this summer.

Camp La-No-Che is the only camp in Florida to feature a new Alpine Tower, in addition to the Personal Watercraft Program (PWC) that was started in 2010.

For more information: Leader's Guide. In addition, they are accepting applications for summer camp staff (youth - 15 and older, and adult) through January 31, 2011.

Extravaganza is (2) fun filled days (sat/sun), featuring (8) exciting Treks. Scouts choose a Trek and their set. Please see Trek descriptions for more information.

Daniel Boone Adventure: Features a Turkey shoot, wild game food tasting, Archery, Rifle, Black powder and Shotgun target shooting. Scouts will also get a brief Hunters Safety overview. The “Big Bang” finishes the weekend, as Scouts watch demonstrations of large caliber firearms. Fees include shooting sports materials. (Limit 40 Scouts)

Aquatrek: Come enjoy swimming, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking and sailing during this fun filled weekend. Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense and a Scuba demonstration will also be featured. (Scouts will get wet during this Trek)

Rambo.05: It’s back to basics as you hike and camp in the back woods of Camp La-No-Che. Land navigation, Leave No Trace principles, star gazing, night navigation and Camouflage techniques are featured, during this unique trek. Scouts will also participate in a LNT project.

Seekers of "K": Adult Leaders this was designed for you! Come learn new and exciting things about the Scouting program. Various training will be offered such as Trek on Safely, Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense, and Intro to Outdoor Skills . Experience Alpine Tower, Project COPE, Team Building and Climbing. (Adult Leaders Only)

Vertical Extreme: Feel like climbing? This trek is for you, you’ll enjoy Bouldering, Climbing Tower, Low COPE, High COPE, and Alpine Tower. Team building and knots will round out your total Vertical Extreme experience. (Minimum age is 13yrs. With current BSA Physical)

Buckskin Trek: New to the Scouting program, if so this trek is for you! Scouts will take a hike to the buckskin campsite, where they will enjoy fire building, first aid, cooking and basic intro of outdoor skills. A demonstration by the SWAT Team, Crime Scene tech and DARE program training are featured. To finish off the trek you’ll visit the pool, Archery and rifle range.

Pathfinder: This trek starts off with a demonstration by the SWAT Team, Crime Scene tech and the DARE program. Scouts will then take a nature hike down one of the many trails of Camp La-No-Che. The hike ends up at the pool for a nice refreshing dip. A presentation on the Trail to Eagle followed up with Emergency Preparedness, First Aid and CPR training. The “BIG BANG” at the Rifle range then finishes up this exciting trek.

X Trek: Bring your Mountain bike and gear, because you’re bike riding on a trail in the Ocala National Forrest made for adventure. Scouts will spend an overnight out on the trail, enjoying trail food and nature. Then enjoy a swim in Alexander Springs. X-Trek then returns to camp for more adventure.

Where: Camp La-No-Che, located on the Leonard and Marjorie Williams Family Scout Reservation; Paisley, FL

When: February 11 – 13, 2011 Cost: $32.00 per Scout, this includes a patch and prepared meals in the dining hall. If you choose to provide your own meals the fee would be $22. Daniel Boone Camping Fees include shooting sports materials.

If you need additional information, please contact camp at 352-669-8558. Extravaganza Leader's Guide

The Powder Horn course is a resource course designed to introduce and expose Venturing and Boy Scouting leaders to the activities and resources necessary to operate a successful outdoor/high adventure unit-level program. It is intended to help adult leaders get out of the box in finding and using resources and in the way they lead their unit-level high adventure programs. It is designed to have some disciplines introduced with a hands-on segment. Participants will learn where to go to find those who can teach these skills to Boy Scouts and Venturers.

April 8-10 & May 20-22, 2011 at Camp La-No-Che. Flyer

The Central Florida Council Training Committee is proud to announce our Fifth annual training event devoted to Safe Scouting: Safe Scouter Training. Get all the safety courses you need to provide a safe and quality program for your Pack, Troop, Crew, Ship, District or Council event. There are seven different "TREKS" to choose from. Leader's Guide Registration Form

• CPR/First Aid - April 9, 2010 - La-No-Che
• Aquatics Supervision - April 8-9, 2010
• Cub Scouts Shootings Sports Trek - April 9, 2010 - La-No-Che
• NRA Rifle and Shotgun Instructor - April 2,3 & 8-10, 2010
• Climb on Safely, Trek Safely, and Cave Safely - April 9, 2010 - La-No-Che
• BSA Family Camp Directors Training - April 9, 201 0- La-No-Che
• Wilderness First Aid - April 8-9, 2010

December 16th - District Roundtable at Lake Mary LDS Ward 7:00 p.m.

December 17-19 - Holiday Adventure at Camp La-No-Che - Flyer - Online Registration

December 27-30 - Winter Camp at Camp La-No-Che - Leader's Guide

December 30th - Orlando Citrus Parade - Downtown Orlando - 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

January 7-9 - Huracon OA Chapter Ordeal Weekend at Camp La-No-Che

January 8th - Venturing ILSC, and Venturing Advisors Training (VLST) at Council Office

January 17-22 - Volunteer Development Training Conference at Seabase - flyer

January 29th - Trainer's EDGE at Altamonte Chapel - Flyer

February 4th - Tipisa Native American Weekend at Camp La-No-Che - Registration for OA Members, Registration for Packs, Troops, and Crews

February 12th - District Training Day (Cub Leader, Scout Leader, CoR, and Venturing Leader Training Classes) at the Lake Mary LDS Ward

February 11-13 - Boy Scout Extravaganza at Camp La-No-Che

February 12th - Merit Badge University at Florida Institute of Technology.

February 18-19 - Sunshine Trade-o-ree at National Guard Armory, Orlando - Web site

February 18-20 - Venturing and Exploring Super Weekend at Camp La-No-Che - Flyer

February 26th - Chartered Organization Representative Training at St Alban's Cathedral Oviedo 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

February, April, and May Roundtables - Boy Scout Leader Specific Training Parts 1, 2, and 3

March 12th - Commissioner's Conference held in conjunction with the Executive Retreat at Camp La-No-Che - registration

March 18-20 - Tipisa OA Lodge Spring Conclave at Camp La-No-Che - Registration

March 31st - IOLS for Webelos Leaders, Lake Mary LDS Ward

April 1-3 - Seminole Springs District Spring Camporee

April 7th - Seminole Springs Golden Eagle Dinner, Westin Hotel, Lake Mary

April 8-10 - Venturing Powderhorn Weekend 1 at Camp La-No-Che - Flyer

April 8-10 - Health and Safety Weekend at Camp La-No-Che -Leader's Guide Registration Form

April 15-17 - IOLS, Rybolt Field, Camp La-No-Che

April 16th - Commissioner's College, Council Service Center

May 13th - Seminole Springs District Banquet

May 20-22 - Venturing Powderhorn Weekend 2 at Camp La-No-Che - Flyer

May 28th - Daytona Cubs Scout Night Sleepover

June 10th - Council Annual Business Meeting 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

June 10th - Council Annual Recognition Banquet 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

June 11th - Council Program Launch and District Committee Orientation 8:00 a.m.

June 12-19 - Commissioner Training Week at Philmont Training Center - Conference Catalog

July 10-16 - Venturing Kodiak Youth Training on the Suwannee River - flyer

July 31-August 6 - NYLT at Camp La-No-Che

November 18-20 - Seminole Springs District Fall Camporee

December 2-4 - Council Camporee at Camp La-No-Che

I'd like to reinforce the concept of "commissioners of the 21st century." This is a term that I have heard spoken during a national commissioner's podcast. A podcast is like a prerecorded radio talk show that is available 24 hours a day for us to listen to at our convenience. Not all commissioners are ready (or have any desire) to merge onto the information super highway, and that's OK. We just need to be aware that chances are, the newest unit leaders are speeding along that highway at break-neck speeds. Good unit commissioner and unit leader matches need to be made so they both communicate in the same manner, or else no communication at all will take place. Also, commissioners need to be aware that there are parts of America that are still only on dial-up Internet, so know your audience before sending massive e-mail attachments. E-mail and the Internet have become indispensable tools for thousands of commissioners.

Take the time to complete your contacts list in your e-mail program. Be sure to ask the unit leaders for all their contact information—e-mail address, home phone, mobile phone, and work phone. Don't forget to ask for the unit's website address. Your calendar and notebook in your toolkit should have all this information. Cell phones are getting smaller and more powerful every day. Take some time to read the manual, or ask for some help. Get those numbers and e-mail addresses into your cell phone. Learn how to "text." "Texting," or the mobile phone version of e-mailing, is quickly becoming a huge part of our lives. That brand new, 21-year-old Tiger den leader has been texting and e-mailing her entire life, assuming she started e-mailing when she was 6 years old … in 1995.

Nothing says "commissioner of the 21st century" like the online Unit Visit Tracking System, or UVTS. UVTS should be used by all commissioners, in conjunction with the paper worksheets (No. 34125C, 34126A, and 33660B). UVTS helps keep your thoughts and goals organized, and helps to convey to the district commissioner the needs of all the units.

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