Brrrr, it's a cold one down here in Antarctica! I'm here because I saw a swingin' deal for a plane ticket to the north pole to see Santa, but I misread the ticket. And now I'm here at the wrong pole. But don't mind me and my bad bearings: here's what you need to know this week:
Award Nominations, Recharter Help Sessions, In-person YPT updates, Roundtables, Scout Shop Sales, Online Advancement Updates, Quiet Time at the office, and merit badge class monitors.
Our office will close at 5:00 p.m. Friday, November 19th, and won't reopen until 9:00 a.m. Monday, November 29th. Additionally, the staff will be unavailable to answer emails, calls, or take any meetings, during this time. It's not because we don't love you all and want to talk Scouting: it's that we need to be able to connect with our families and decompress.
This also applies from 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 22nd, and goes thru 9:00 a.m. Monday, January 3rd, 2022.
Now, if there is an emergency issue, something that truly cannot wait, there will be an "officer of the day," if you will, who will be available via email. Specifically, the lecmembercare@scouting.org email. And only that email.
We ask if you do have questions or concerns, to bring them to our attention before these quiet periods. And, remember: charters are still due by December 10th. We appreciate your understanding and encourage you, also, to spend as much time as you can with your family and loved ones during this holiday season. This year, we hope you can actually get back together and host a big family dinner, unlike last year.
There's a new session of in-person Youth Protection Training offered this coming Monday, the 15th, in Painesville from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. This is in addition to the training offered in Chesterland on Saturday. Go to the council calendar and register today! Contact Paula Puchajda with questions.
Speaking of Paula, Knives are 25% off at the Cleveland Scout Shop now through November 17th: prove just how sharp you are and save!
Did you know: Internet Advancement and Scoutbook users don't need to send advancement reports to the Cleveland office or Scout Shop? (That includes the Firelands store as well.) The system automatically syncs the advancements the Scouts have earned, and we can see that in real-ish time. (Perhaps the system 24 hours to update before stopping in.) Make sure all of your Scouts are synced onto your roster, it's that easy!
Silver Beaver, Unit Scouter Award, and Division Award of Merit nominations are due to Paula Swiner by December 15th. Nominate a Scouter who has given their all in 2021 to keep this movement moving!
Merit Badge Class monitors are wanted for 2022 Merit Badge programming. Folks willing to assist merit badge counselors in the room by providing 2-deep leadership, order with the Scouts, and other general help, is much appreciated! Let Noah Boksansky know if you'd like to share your time as a Merit Badge Monitor.
Roundtable continues tonight at Beaumont! Virtual roundtables are next week, check out the council calendarfor those links.
Recharter help sessions are available for folks in Northfield this Saturday from 1-3pm, in Norwalk this coming Monday, and North Olmstead this coming Thursday. Both of those sessions run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Check the council calendar for details, and don't hesitate to stop by and see your friendly neighborhood commissioners if you have any questions about recharter.
Lastly, as of yesterday afternoon, the Lake Erie Council welcomed 756 new Scouts to our ranks! It's an exciting feat, and our field staff is still working to bring that number to 1,200. Why? Because why stop at 1,000? Be a part of this amazing success, and make sure your unit has turned in all the youth and adult applications you have. (And don't forget: adding members before your recharter process makes your life WAY easier!)
And that's a frozen breakfast wrap for this week! Thanks for all you do and thanks for being you! I'm Jake Brown, and I'll update you next week on my quest to find Santa!
Santa!? Santa?! Santa, are you there?
