2012-2013 Program Planning Calendar Advertising

Each year the Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Boy Scouts of America publishes a Program Planning Calendar. The calendar includes 14 months of dates, activities, maps, directions, fundraising, training and more, for assistance to our leaders in Western New York. We make the calendar available to 10,700 families and distributed to leaders, parents and council level volunteers. It is 100 pages and is bound.

We're asking for your help to pitch advertising insertions in this year's calendar, putting local business in front of the 10,700 families in the council.  Each business card insertion is $75 and goes a long way to help defray the costs of the calendar production.

For more information, see the Program Plan Calendar Advertising Application >>

Red Jacket Commissioner Meeting is February 29th, 2012

Join other Commissioners in the Red Jacket District for a working session to identify challenged units, develop improvement plans and share experiences.  All Commissioners in the Red Jacket District are encouraged to attend and participate.

Meeting starts at 7:00 PM and runs until 9:00 PM.

Meetings are held in the Conference room at the Hamburg Administration Building

For more details, see the Event Page >>

Red Jacket District Committee Meeting is March 7th, 2012 

This meeting is open to all district committee members, members at large, and any other Scouters interested in the functions of the Red Jacket district.  Break-out sessions will include:  Advancement, Training, Activities, Membership, Finance, Camping, and Marketing!

Coffee and Networking starts at 6:30
Meeting starts promptly at 7:00 PM

>> The March meeting is held back at West Seneca East <<

For more details, location and contact information, check the Event Page >>

GNFC Spring Camporee at Woodlawn State Park

Get Ready for a Beach Blast!!

May 18-20, 2012

Show & Do Service Weekend & Leave-no-Trace Camping Adventure

Hosted by the Red Jacket District Activities
& Civic Service Committee

For more information and registration, visit the Spring Camporee Event Page >>

District Executive Corner:
Friends of Scouting and You!

As many of you may know our annual Family Friends of Scouting campaign is in full swing to raise funds to support our camps, activities and programs, many of our units have scheduled a presentation.  If you have not please contact me, Christina Beikirch at 512-6201 or christina.beikirch@scouting.org .  Some of our units have already had presentations, and I would like to recognize one in particular who raised their fair share.  The Greater Niagara Frontier council recognizes those units who meet their fair share goal ($42.00 x number of members in the unit) with a campership to one of our summer camps.  Congratulations to Troop 230 for raising their fair share to help support the Greater Niagara Frontier Council.

Marketing Corner - Hurdles to Spreading the Word

By Alan Percy, RJD E-Communications Chair

Much has been said about how good deeds go un-noticed in the Red Jacket District.  Whether it's a complex Eagle Scout project or a simple clean-up at a park - community service projects are a part of Scouting and included in the rank advancements.  So why don't we tell others about the work we do?  Here's some thoughts:

We're Just Too Humble - I feel as scouts and scouters, we're just too humble. Going all the way back to William Boyce's experience on that London curb, we've been trained to do good deeds and not ask for anything in return.  Certainly passing on a tip or financial remuneration - agreed, but what about some recognition?  Certainly that scout in the fog received an "at-a-boy" for helping out with some directions.

Follow-through - sometimes once a job is done, it's too easy to put the tools away and call it a day.  That's like getting a touchdown and skipping the extra point! 

Missed Opportunities - besides the park being clean tomorrow, or the new benches that the Eagle Scout coordinated, there are missed opportunities by not finishing the job and sharing your story.  When you do share your story, you raise the visibility of scouting in the community and make the parents of potential new scouts aware of our presence.  Especially if they discover that a Cub scouting unit is at their church, school or fire hall down the street.  Connecting the good deed with their potential Cub scout is incredibly powerful part of recruiting.

Make sure you go the extra bit and take credit for what you and your unit have done.  Spread the word! Take a few pictures, write a few sentences and share your "Good Turn".  Local newspapers (The Bee, Citizen and Hamburg Sun) are dying for content.  You'd be surprised how over-stretched and eager their staff is to receive a photo and a short story about a community service project.

Want help?  Send your content to rjdmarketing@wnyscouting.org - we'll offer help with the editing, offer some suggestions on contacts at local papers, then publish your news in this newsletter and on our web site!

CPR / Wilderness First Aid Class

Instructor: Maureen E. Gleason LPN

Starts March 7th, 2012

Offering a one-evening CPR certification class and a four-week Wilderness First Aid class

 For more information, visit the Wilderness First Aid Event Page >>

  Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge at Roycroft

  Roycroft Campus in East Aurora is hosting a "Citizenship in the Nation" Merit badge class on Saturday March 3. As you know, this is an Eagle required badge.

 

  Please pass this information on to your Troops. (Scouts will need to sign up ahead of time and do 2 prerequisites)

 

  For more information, see the Merit Badge Page on the RCC website >>

   

University of Scouting 2012

March 3rd from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Erie Community College - North Campus

A not-to-be-missed opportunity to improve or "fine tune" your scouting program, including session on:

• Cub Scout programs
• Boy Scout camping
• High Adventure
• Recognition Programs
• Cooking
• Unit promotion and marketing

And 87 other different classes/session!

Discounted fees if you register before February 25th, so don't delay!

 For more information, registration and program materials, see the University of Scouting 2012 Event Page >>

Dutch Oven Cook-Off and Trailer Round-up
Scheduled for May 16th, 2012

The Main Dish….Chili!

Open to all GNFC Units
Hosted by the Red Jacket District

Wednesday May 16th 2012
5:00-8:00 PM Cook-off & Trailer Show

ALL CUB SCOUT, BOY SCOUT, VENTURING & EXPLORING LEADERS ARE INVITED!

Trailer Round-Up

Bring your TROOP, PACK, or Crew trailers, polish them up, and show them off!                                               

Prizes will also be awarded for the “Biggest Trailer”, “Best Scouting Design,” & “Best Use of Space.”

For complete event details and rules, see the Event Registration Page >>

Tech-Tip of the Month:  The Proper Way to use the "J" Stroke When Canoeing

Many a canoeist can be seen in the stern of a boat paddling two strokes on the left, then switching sides for two strokes on the right - all in an attempt to keep the boat traveling straight.  While it may not seem like a big deal on a Sunday morning paddle around Crystal Lake in Camp Scouthaven, this unfortunately is very inefficient and will slow your progress on longer expeditions.

Here's a video showing the proper way to use the "J" stroke to keep the boat traveling straight and make every motion count on those long expeditions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSOu0jyuqN8&feature=player_detailpage

The Red Jacket District is now on Facebook

Want to get the latest news, share your ideas or just catch up on Red Jacket District "buzz"?  Join us in the Red Jacket District GNFC group on Facebook.  Just click on the logo below to join the fun!

The Red Jacket District GNFC group on Facebook is intended for for the adult volunteers, parents, or friends of the Red Jacket District.   Enjoy responsibly and be sure to follow the BSA policies on Social Media use >>

Newsletter Submissions Wanted

Share your news, successes, community service projects or upcoming events in the Red Jacket Newsletter.  The Newsletter reaches roughly 1,000 scouting volunteers, parents and staff in the Red Jacket District on a monthly basis.

Send your comments, suggestions or news to rjdmarketing@wnyscouting.org >>

This newsletter is written and distributed by the volunteer committee of the Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Red Jacket District of the Boy Scouts of America.