If you have not been to the Commissioner Service page on the BSA web site, you should stop by and check out some of the updates. In addition to cleaning up some old information, there is a new section, Council and District Operations, that has some great resources available for download. Some of the resources I have linked below are from that site.

I want to thank each of the area's unit commissioners for being present to help with re-chartering at Roundtable, Thursday night. We were only missing a couple of our 10 UCs, and had the best attendance of any of the areas -- and there was a LOT of work to do! While the re-charter process may be automated, it seems there is still a lot of manual tallying required to ensure the units are not overchanged. But everyone did a great job, and I appreciate all your assistance.

The 2011 Commissioner's Conference will be held March 12th at Camp La-No-Che (in conjunction with the annual Board Retreat) - There is no charge for attending, but, you do need to register for the conference in advance. ALL Commissioners, including Roundtable Commissioners and their staff, and invited to attend.

I have found some additional resources for Commissioners. You will find the list of documents available for download in this week's 10 Best Practices for Commissioners.

I listed the NESA Scholarship information in a previous newsletter -- just wanted to pass along the fact that the 2011 Scholarship Applications are now available on the NESA web site. Deadline for submission is January 31, 2011.

If you are a member of OA, you can now pay your 2011 dues for Tipisa Lodge online.

And since our next regular communication will not be until next Sunday, I wish for you and yours a most wonderful Thanksgiving.

I know I will be giving thanks for all the unit commissioners that work so hard to provide the best service they can for their units! Thank you!

Since we need to ensure that unit contacts get entered into UVTS, and we know, that not all Commissioners like using (or even can use) UVTS, I have decided that I will pilot a new program.

I am asking all my Unit Commissioners to please email me (ron@blaisdell.com) when you have completed a Unit Contact - (Unit Meeting, Leader Meeting, Unit Outing, phone call, email, face-to-face conversation).

For those who do use UVTS, I will wait and ensure you have entered the information within one week.

Otherwise, I will enter the contact, and credit the appropriate Unit Commissioner in the Comments. I did this recently when our District Commissioner, Harvey Francisco, visited Pack and Troop 836 at Midway, and conducted Youth Protection training for Pack 507. Those were unit contacts, and needed to be recorded for those units. So, as the "administrative commissioner" for the area, I made sure the contact was entered.

Let's try this process for the next six months, and see what the outcome is. If you have any questions or concerns, please, let me know.

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 7th - Council Commissioner's Meeting at the Service Center 7:00 p.m.

December 9th - District Committee Meeting at Holy Cross Church 6:30 p.m.

December 9th - Commissioner's Meeting at Holy Cross Church 7:30 p.m.

December 10-12 - Fun with Son at Camp La-No-Che - Flyer - Online Registration

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

2011 Future Events

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

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

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

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.

November 18-20 - Seminole Springs District Fall Camporee

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

Commissioners need a full "toolkit" to effectively function as a unit commissioner, because sometimes talking won’t cut it — you might need some paperwork. You might want a briefcase or book bag to contain your "toolkit." The Commissioner Fieldbook for Unit Service (No. 33621) is our basic manual and should be carried with you at all times. You can purchase a loose-leaf copy for your three-ring binder, or you can download a copy of the Fieldbook. The download is around 15 MB, and it should still be printed out for your toolkit. Along with your Fieldbook, you should have these other items with you during visits:

• Commissioner Helps for Packs, Troops, and Crews (No. 33618A)
• Scouting forms
• Map of the district
• Council and district calendar
• Your personal calendar, notebook, and contact list

In addition, I have found some additional resources for Commissioners:

• Council Commissioners' Manual (contains some great information on the history of the Commissioner Service, and for Administrative Commissioners)
• Venturing Monthly Program Forum (Venturing RT)
• Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner and Staff Training
• Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner Training
• Commissioner Helps for Packs, Troops, and Crews
• District Roundtables
• The Chartered Organization Representative

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