District Executive Corner

(We congratulate Herb Schmidt in his new career in construction materials sales at John H. Black Company, and welcome our new Red Jacket District Executive - Greg Voyzey)

Dear Fellow Scouters,

                Our fall membership campaign is in its final steps, and am I asking each and every one of you to help Red Jacket finish the year strong.  Our committee has kicked off an exciting “Invite a Friend” campaign, and our Scouts have the opportunity to earn the recruiter patch by inviting his friends to come and join Scouting.   We have recruiter patches available, and we are more than happy to distribute them.   We will be sending to you invite cards that are writable PDF’s.   That way you have the opportunity to send personal invites. 

                I also wanted to mention the importance of training.  I am asking that every unit leader checks and see if they are trained.   Our youth deserve the best quality program that can be given; training is one of the key elements that help us deliver our mission in the Boy Scouts of America.   If you discover that you do need training, or are approached from our training team, I ask that you take the time and complete whatever is needed.  Our team is more than happy to take the time to make sure you are trained.   

                I hope that this fall has been good for each and every one of you, and I hope that the Red Jacket team has been able to provide you with the resources that you may need.  I want to personally thank each of you for all you do in Scouting.   The many hours you put into this program pays off in the lives of our youth that you positively influence every day.  If there is anything that you need, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Yours in Scouting,

Greg Voyzey

District Executive

716-512-6209

Greg.voyzey@scouting.org

Red Jacket Commissioner Meeting - October 24th 

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 

More at the Event Page >>

Red Jacket Committee Meeting - November 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.  Core agenda includes committee reports from:  Advancement, Training, Activities, Membership, Finance, Camping, and Marketing.

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

Meeting is held in:
Hamburg Central School District Administration Office

For more details, see the Event Page >>

Leader Recognition and Awards Corner

by Ron Krawczyk (rongkrawczyk@gmail.com)

Powderhorn Training was held September 7 – 10, 2012 at the Schoellkopf Scout Reservation, Cowlesville, New York. CONGRATULATIONS to the following Red Jacket District members successfully completed this arduous, high adventure training:

Louise Cymerman       Troop 230

June Dieter                   Troop   59

R. Paul Hutz                   Troop 603

Ron Krawczyk                Dist. Com.

Marty Odachowski        Troop  290

Martin Pietruszewski    Troop 230

Thom Slomka                 Dist. Chrmn.

Robert Zink                     Troop  483

 Special thanks to the following Red Jacket District members who either served on staff or were visiting instructors for this Powderhorn Training:

Wayne Dieter - Paul Kendzierski - Darlene Kilhberg - Keith Lang - Daniel McCarten - Michael O’Sullivan - Jim Pankow - John Pankow - Jamie Prowse -  Fred Thornley

 For more information on recognizing leaders and volunteers in your unit, contact Ron Krawczyk (rongkrawczyk@gmail.com)

  Cub Scout Recruitment Planning

  Ideas for Increasing Membership and Building Unit Visibility

  Scouting is a year round program that demands a year round approach to developing membership and

  building Unit visibility in your community.  Use this sheet at your next committee meeting to begin

  the process of adding recruiting and visibility into each of your Packs program planning meetings.

  There’s more to it than School Night Roundups

 
• 
    Tell them about it!
   
  
   
  • 
      Talk about Scouting – You talk to two people and they talk to two people… word of mouth is the gold standard in promotion. Encourage your membership to have one conversation a week.
  
   
  • 
      Personalized invitation or letter – Identify new families at schools and churches and send them a personal letter from the Pack inviting them to an event.
  
   
  • 
      Telephone call to families – Have each family contact two families they know who have Scouting aged children and invite them to a Pack event.
  
   
  
   

 
• 
    Walk the Talk!
   
  
   
  • 
      Cubs and Leaders wear your Uniform – Promote Scouting by staging public activities where Cubs and Leadership are seen in their uniforms having a good time.
  
   
  • 
      Show and Tell – Encourage Cubs to talk about their uniform, derby car, rocket, patches etc at school.
  
   
  • 
      Prospecting for Scouts – Cubs are the best resource for new cubs, give them an incentive like a recruiter patch or a ice-cream for each Cub they recruit.
  
   
  
   

 
• 
    Get the word out there!
   
  
   
  • 
      Pack Information Sheet – Keep it to one sheet and focus on program.
  
   
  • 
      Recruitment Night Flyer – Above document with a date and time…with invitation to attend!
  
   
  • 
      News Releases to Local Newspapers and Community Cable Stations – Develop a news release template and send it out often.
  
   
  • 
      School, Church, Community, or Business Newsletters and Websites – Develop reciprocal links with local businesses. Get an electronic version of your Pack information sheet linked on other sites.
  
   
  • 
      Pack Website – Get your message out 24/7. Keep it updated and use it in conversation.
  
   
  
   

 
• 
    Show off all around town!
   
  
   
  • 
      Display Cases and Bulletin Boards – Make a quarter page version of your Pack info sheet, or call to action ads and give them to members to tack up when they see an opportunity.
  
   
  • 
      School, Church, and Civic Functions – Get to know them and attend as many things as Den or Pack events or have a table or booth promoting your Pack.
  
   
  • 
      Business Window/Counter Displays – Create a display and rotate among local merchants.
  
   
  • 
      Church, School, or Business Marquee – Convince your charter to add Pack info to signs or provide space for you to put up your own. Update signs or info regularly.
  
   
  • 
      Yard Signs – Give each family a sign and have them put it on their lawn prior to events. Convince local businesses to do the same.
  
   
  
   

 
• 
    Read Deeper! – http://www.scouting.org/filestore/membership/pdf/50MethodsofCSInvitation.pdf

 

  “Invite a Friend” Program

  Give each of your Cubs a copy of these PDFs and have them distribute the cards to 10 of their school mates and activity chums.  Have them put the door hangers on doors in your neighborhood.

 
• 
    “Invite a Friend” cards >>

 
• 
    “Invite a Friend” door hangers >>

 

  Remember…     

  if it’s never too late to join Scouting,  

        then it’s never too late to promote Scouting!

  Birchbark Expeditions:

  Reservations for the 2013 Season are now being accepted!

  Birchbark Expeditions, the Nationally Accredited BSA program hosted by the Greater Niagara Frontier Council operates one and two-week long high adventure canoe expeditions in Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park and nearby waters.  One of the best values in a turn-key high adventure program, a fully-guided Birchbark Expedition teaches the back country camping skills and canoeing techniques needed to explore the interior waters of Upper Canada.  With a custom itinerary that fits the needs of any crew, your Birchbark Expedition will surely be a memorable experience.

  Secure your unit reservation for the 2013 season with a $400 deposit using the Birchbark Expedition 2013 Application.  To learn more, visit the Birchbark Expeditions information page or use the Information Request Page to request an on-site presentation for your troop/crew.

  High Adventure,

  the call of the Loon,

  the still water of Algonquin

  awaits your Boy Scout Troop or Venture Crew!

  We expect the available crew slots for 2013 to fill rather quickly, so don’t delay!

Tech Corner - Building a Snow Shelter

A fun activity for a winter camp-out is building a Quinzhee snow shelter and spending the night in the shelter.  You'd be amazed how comfortable a snow shelter can be, getting you out of the wind and holding heat.  Check out this great video from YouTube showing how to site, build and spend the night in a Quinzhee:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHQITrghbR8

Life to Eagle Orientation

For all Life Scouts that are planning on making the rank of Eagle.  Attendence in at least one of orientation session is required before initiating your Eagle project. 

November 7th - 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Hamburg United Methodist Church

For more information, see the Event Registration Page >>

Is Your Unit Ready for Old Man Winter?

Winter camping offers an opportunity to see nature in a whole new perspective.  Admit it, living here in Western NY requires camping in some cold weather.  There is nothing like waking up to a beautiful dusting of snow and a blue sky to warm your heart.  Other benefits of winter camping include a total lack of bugs, easy reservations and no loud parties in the campground.  The trick with winter camping is knowing how to be prepared.  The GNFC Training Committee is offering two opportunities to prepare your unit for fun in the snow:

Cold Weather Training

OKPIK 2013

Camp Scouthaven
February 8-10th, 2013
For more information, see the Event Registration Page >>

Random News and Updates

Congratulations to Herb Schmidt on the arrival of his son Herbert Hans Carl Schmidt IV!

The October QLE was a huge success - congratuations to Lou Saad and the QLE committee on a great event.  The next QLE is December 12th - mark your calendars!

Congrats, to T325, did a great job as Honor Guard at the Ralph. Bills/Pittsburg game.

Contacting the Red Jacket District Newsdesk

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 >>

Can't wait 'til next month for your news?  Join us in the Red Jacket District GNFC group on Facebook where you can share your ideas or just catch up on Red Jacket District "buzz"?  .  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 >>

This newsletter is edited and distributed by the volunteer committee of the Red Jacket District, Greater Niagara Frontier Council of the Boy Scouts of America and is solely responsible for its content.