Mornin’, all! I’m coming to you from Sardis City, Alabama, where the news is good: the Alabama possum, better known as Sand Mountain Sam, agrees with his Yankee cousin to the North, Punxsutawney Phil: spring is just around the corner! In fact, Americans across the country turn to 78 large rodents to help predict the turning of winter into Spring. And hey, why not? How could Buckeye Chuck here in Ohio, Concord Charlie in West Virginia, Gertie the Groundhog in Illinois, and all the rest of these little critters’ shadows be any less accurate than most weather reports?
Okay, in this week’s three-minute update, we have updates in: Registration, Training, Special Events, and Camping.
First, effective March 4th, the adult application process will change to require the results of the Criminal Background Check to be received BEFORE a new adult volunteer can assume a leadership role. What does this mean? It means:
Once an adult application is processed (online or paper) the person is put in “pending” status
The adult leader will get an email notice informing them their registration is being processed and they are NOT TO ASSUME ANY LEADERSHIP ROLE UNTIL THE COMPLETION OF THE CBC PROCESS. The unit key 3 will also get an email.
If the applicant is declined or approved with restrictions, the applicant and unit key 3 are notified by phone and mail.
If the CBC comes back with no items to review, the system will finish registering the person and send an email to the person and unit key 3 that they can now be an active leader.
The turn-around time for criminal background checks (CBC) can be a few days to a few weeks, depending on several factors. The unit should allow at least 2 to 3 weeks for processing from when the application is received and paid.
If you have any questions about this change, please contact Member Care.
Second, effective on April 1st: Membership fees are changing. Good news: the one-time new member fee for new youth members is going away! Scout Life fees, Exploring fees, the annual charter fee, merit badge counselor fees and local insurance fees are also not changing. Annual registration fees for youth and adults are increasing $5. For questions, please contact Member Care.
Next, in training, note that the LEC is hosting a University of Scouting on Saturday, March 16th. Send questions or inquiries to Dave Sechnick. There will be a Rangemaster training on February 24th at Firelands. BALOO, Scoutmaster Basic, and Wilderness First Aid Trainings are open upcoming in April, and the Wood Badge and NYLT course registrations are open now!
And speaking of Wood Badge and NYLT, their annual scholarship fundraiser breakfast will be held on March 9th at Lakewood High School. Send questions to Linda Gray; the Early Bird closes this Sunday, February 4th.
In other special event news, The Class of 2023 Eagle Scout Celebration will be on February 24th, and the annual Celebration of Scouting will be held on March 2nd.
And speaking of the Celebration, I have some great news to share! The 2023 Silver Beaver Award recipients are: Erin Bringman, Genny Espinoza, Rob Burnham, Sal Kitko, and Krista Kanuch. Please join me in extending some well-deserved congratulations to these Scouters!
Now in camping, note the Firelands Trading Post will be open from 8:00am-4:00 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday in conjunction with the Kodiak Klondike. And there’s still time to sign up for the, and the rescheduled Beaumont Klondike! The next merit badge university is in March at Beaumont. Sap Camp is March 2nd. Cub Scouts should attend Winter Mud Day at Firelands on March 9th! On March 17th, Scouts can join in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Cleveland, and you can email Julia Hearne for more information. Metalworking Merit Badge is upcoming on April 6th, there’s a Beaumont Spring Camporee the last weekend of April, as well as a service and camping opportunity on Kelley’s Island! And with regard to the upcoming solar Eclipse on April 8th, come on out to Firelands to enjoy it with your Scouting family! Send Anthony or Jess your questions.
Finally, the Diocese of Cleveland Catholic Committee on Scouting is hosting a retreat on April 24th at St. Albert the Great Parish in North Royalton. Attendees will spend a day in prayer identifying their God-given gifts and talents, and discerning how best to use them within their Scouting roles. To register or to ask questions, contact the Committee.
And that’s a wrap for this week’s three minute update! Thanks for all you do and thanks for being you! We’ll see you next week!
