RememberSchiff

11/27/2023: The Maryland Forest Service and the John S. Ayton State Forest Tree Nursery have completed a successful seed collection to grow the next generation of native trees and shrubs in the state. The collection brought in thousands of pounds of seeds, berries and nuts, from white oak to witch hazel, for planting in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ state nursery in Preston, Caroline County. The nursery grows those seeds into bare-root tree seedlings, which are then used in tree plantings across the state. Volunteers collected large hauls of seeds and berries from across the state. Residents, Boy Scout Troop 945, and staff from Forest Service and the Frederick County Division of Energy and Environment harvested more than 250 pounds of plum in one day in New Market. Frederick County Girl Scout Troop 37025 collected, cleaned and sorted more than 50 pounds of chestnut oak acorns. More at source: https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2023/11/27/maryland-forest-service-wraps-up-successful-seed-collection/

A new inspection team will check if local UK Scout groups are following national policies, while an independent panel of abuse survivors will make sure victims get the right support and counseling. The Scout Association says the £2 membership fee increase will help pay for what it calls a new UK assurance function. While half of the money raised will be used to invest in the new safeguarding measures, the other half will cover rising operating costs. It comes after the survivors' campaign Yours in Scouting was highlighted by a BBC investigation. More at source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67496727

Found this from March, 2023. Perhaps needed repairs were funded by county grant. The Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners approved the distribution of just under $400,000 in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to a trio of entities around the county. The county will provide a $325,000 grant to the Boy Scouts of America's Lake Erie Council for improvements to the Beaumont Scout Reservation. Commissioner Kathryn Whittington said the funds will be used to improve the bathhouse at the camp. "Their bathhouse currently does not fit COVID guidelines, new guidelines," she said. ... Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/commissioners-distribute-arpa-money-132100582.html

"We needed to upgrade one of our ovens," said Susquehanna Council SE Dennis Dugan. "There was an opportunity to use matching funds received from other foundations combined with the $20,000 from Union County to purchase a $38,800 Combination Oven. It can do many things: bake, broil, and air fry, which allowed us to remove our deep fryer, making our food healthier for the young scouts and the leaders we serve. It also could be used to keep food warm if there was a delay in scouts getting to meals on time." "The committed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will be used to enhance the Camp Karoondinha experience as well as improve overall operations now and in the future," said Commissioner Chair Jeff Reber. "Identifying projects like this one that embodied a long-term benefit to the community was a primary goal of the allocation process. With one purchase, the camp replaced several outdated, and/or unable to be repaired appliances, while producing healthier food options and lowering utility and maintenance costs. It is a much needed upgrade to the camp that serves thousands of meals each year and I am thrilled that we can support the Boy Scouts in this effort." In addition to the Susquehanna Council, the local Girl Scouts use the camp for one week during the summer and the Mifflinburg-based Camp Koala hosts a weekend for youth who have suffered the loss of a loved one. Union County has received $9 million of the $6.15 billion federal funds allocated to Pennsylvania. Since Oct, 2022 the county has awarded approximately $8 million to 26 local municipalities, organizations and projects; $905,000 remains. More at source: https://www.dailyitem.com/news/boy-scouts-upgrade-kitchen-with-arpa-funds-from-union-county/article_63d8cb6c-88b8-11ee-be67-9b7bbf66b69d.html

Nov 21, 2023: Arkansas It was announced Quapaw (3400 scouts in 39 counties) and Westark (2800 scouts, 17 counties) Area Boy Scout Councils will merge to form the Natural State Council. Sources: https://nwa.pressreader.com/article/281827173508349 https://www.kark.com/news/local-news/quapaw-westark-area-boy-scout-councils-announce-merger/

2023 BSA Roger Krone Thanksgiving Message Nicely done. Thank you.

Update Nov 20, 2023: In a superseding indictment handed down last week, Shores now faces seven total felony charges: Three counts of attempted child enticement, three counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of distributing child pornography. The indictment alleges the offenses took place between July 2020 and August 2023. ... The Boy Scouts cut all ties with Shores upon his arrest. Anyone with information about Shores, or who believes their child or another child was a victim of Shores, is encouraged to contact the FBI at 402-493-8688 or submit information online at forms.fbi.gov/johnc-shores. More at source: https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-courts/former-omaha-boy-scout-leader-faces-five-new-felonies-related-to-child-enticement-pornography/article_4771fe28-87c6-11ee-b232-279ca4840a08.html

Married, with three grown children, Tom Andrew is making a major transition at the age of 67 — from forensic pathologist to Methodist deacon. Deacons are ordained clergy who serve beyond the walls of an individual church and find their own ministries. Andrew said working with the Scouts was a natural fit for him, given his own experience as a Boy Scout. "I want to be part of giving a marvelous scouting experience to the kids who are in the program today," he said in an interview. ... Now, as a chaplain, he says his focus is less on preaching and more about being a "non-judgmental listening presence" for young Scouts. "If you can point them in a certain direction and help them find their own way, all the better," he said. "But it's by and large a ministry of presence and listening." Andrew's new avocation is also about helping the living, after a career as a forensic pathologist, studying the dead. Trained in pediatrics, he went on to spend 20 years as the chief medical examiner for the state of New Hampshire. There, he witnessed up-close the grim toll of car accidents, gunshot wounds, poisonings, assaults and suicides, and runaway drug addiction and deaths. He said it was a job that gave him a particular appreciation for the fragility of life. ... Andrew continues to do consulting work as a medical pathologist, but said his passion now lies with ministering to the Scouts. He said all the effort to become a Methodist deacon will be worth it if he can help kids — maybe even save one of them from making bad choices about drugs. ... "If you're passionate, if you're energized, then I think you use that passion and energy in a way that not only extends your own life, but you might be able to share something with someone else," he said. "And that's exciting." Good story by Anthony Brooks WBUR, more at source including photos: https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/10/23/boston-career-reinvention-tom-andrew ... Added some more background ~RS Nov 7, 2017: Former medical examiner heads to seminary New England Conference, United Methodist Church Dr. Andrew was raised in the Presbyterian church. While he respected the “dour but very warm and nurturing – those two aren’t mutually exclusive – Calvinist towering figure” who was pastor of his home church, it was the “young, hip” Methodist pastor at the church where his Boy Scout troop was chartered who inspired him. The Rev. Joel Baer gave him his first ministry opportunity when he asked a 14-year-old Andrew to preach the sermon on Scout Sunday. “My confirmation classes certainly convinced me that Jesus was my savior, and that there was a way to live one’s life to try and reflect his glory,” Dr. Andrew said. “But as far as reaching other people with it? That never dawned on me until Pastor Baer put me up in front of this congregation, and I felt that sort of magic that occurs when you’re connecting. … I do remember the feeling as if it were yesterday. I think it’s fair to say that was the beginnings of an inkling of a call.” ... Sources: https://www.neumc.org/newsdetail/former-medical-examiner-heads-to-seminary-9909572 Oct 7, 2017 , As Overdose Deaths Pile Up, a Medical Examiner Quits the Morgue New York Times: After laboring here as the chief forensic pathologist for two decades, exploring the mysteries of the dead, he retired last month to explore the mysteries of the soul. In a sharp career turn, he is entering a seminary program to pursue a divinity degree, and ultimately plans to minister to young people to stay away from drugs. “After seeing thousands of sudden, unexpected or violent deaths,” Dr. Andrew said, “I have found it impossible not to ponder the spiritual dimension of these events for both the deceased and especially those left behind.” ... Every day, he said, a pathologist faces the fleeting nature of mortality. The people on his examining table could have lived a lot longer “but for a few millimeters of cholesterol in the wrong blood vessel, a second of inattention by the driver of a car or the lethal potency of a drug obtained on the street.” And after a while, he said, one is bound to ask, “What’s all this about?” His plan is to become an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church, with two goals: to serve as a chaplain for the Boy Scouts of America, and to join the Appalachian Trail Chaplaincy of the United Methodist Church so he can minister to troubled hikers, at least on the 161 miles of the storied trail that cross New Hampshire and its White Mountains. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/07/us/drug-overdose-medical-examiner.html

Apple today announced it is extending free access to Emergency SOS via satellite for an additional year for existing iPhone 14 users. Source: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/11/apple-extends-emergency-sos-via-satellite-for-an-additional-free-year/

Spirirt of Adventure Council (MA): https://www.scoutspirit.org/fema/ July 21, 2023 Spirit of Adventure (Council) Newsletter, Spirit of Adventure Community Emergency Response Team Train the Trainer Course Completed https://myemail.constantcontact.com/This-Week-at-Camp--Membership-Kickoffs---FEMA-CERT-Training.html?soid=1139808170475&aid=VyyvRshSVoQ FEMA: April 4, 2023: https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessConnect/s/article/Partnership-with-Scouts-Promotes-Preparedness

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has begun working with the Boy Scouts of America in a new program to prepare youth for a preparedness role to help communities across the country be more resilient and prepared should the need arise. This has been facilitate in some BSA troops nationwide and there is a movement to bring it to the local Walton County (Georgia) area. Arlene Magoon, with the Spirit of Adventure Scout Council in Massachusetts, has worked with her local Scout leaders, the state Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to work within the Council. She has been advising local CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Team) member John Alderman, who has been attempting to bring the program to local Scout troops in Walton County. “In 2021, the Council created a mission to help communities build on the Scout motto “Be Prepared”. They partnered with local Scout leaders, the State EMA, and FEMA to offer three preparedness programs to Scout troops. The programs are ‘Ready Cub,’ ‘Student Tools for Emergency Planning, STEP,’ ‘Student Tools for Emergency Planning’ | Ready.gov and ‘Community Emergency Response Team, CERT; Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) | FEMA.gov.,” Magoon said. She outlined plans that a local group can do to implement a similar local program. 1. Align Scouts with partners in preparedness such as the local/county emergency manager, State emergency management agency and FEMA. 2. Scout leaders and teens would participate in the Hybrid Basic CERT program. The program is taught in two parts and allows students to learn at their own pace. 3. Leaders and Scouts that complete the 2-part hybrid CERT training can remain in their Troops or join local CERT teams if their town/city has one. CERTS participate in a variety of community events to assist in managing events as the local emergency organization needs. This includes light search activities, crowd organizing and others. Alderman said he has hit obstacles because Scouts cannot participate in search and rescue. However, he believes that learning the basis of Search and Rescue through the program would prepare them as adults to be in a leadership role or significantly contributing members of such organizations. “CERT has difficulties with membership because people don’t meet every week like Scouts do and they are not typically as close nit a group as the Scouts are,” Alderman said. “But the training they get as youths in the Scout / CERT program would prepare them to be leaders when they become adults.” More at source: https://news.monroelocal.org/fema-to-host-zoom-meeting-monday-for-boy-scouts-other-youth-leadership-groups-on-student-cert/

Update Oct. 11, 2023: FREDERICK, MD — The Vernon “Rick” Rippeon Memorial Fund has been created with The Community Foundation of Frederick County to support Boy Scout Troop 735 in Finksburg. Founded by Vernon Robert Rippeon, the fund honors Mr. Rippeon’s son, Rick, who died unexpectedly at the age of 51 while leading a Boy Scout hike. Rick was a college graduate and veteran of the U.S. Navy serving as a gunner’s mate from 1983-1987. He loved spending time outdoors with his family and was a dedicated volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as scoutmaster and assistant scoutmaster for Troop #735 in Gamber. In creating this fund, Mr. Rippeon is not only honoring his son’s legacy and love of scouting, he is also ensuring that this scouting program will be available for future generations to benefit from and enjoy. More at source including photo and audio: https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/community_page_news/boy-scout-troop-to-benefit-from-new-fund-at-community-foundation/article_4a36627d-7565-5018-bdad-c3e610cc9d42.html

“The scouts met at the beginning of the year and reviewed a range of topics” said Scout Leader Joshua Curry. “They reviewed elements of ‘Conservation Good Turn’. We encouraged them to achieve something bigger than themselves. Eventually they settled on building a habitat for birds.” .... “This was a relatively large and challenging project for 4th and 5th graders” said Curry. The scouts acquired plans for a suitable habitat, collecting materials and tools, building the component parts, and finally assembling all the pieces and installing it in the park. ... “The kids were inspired to do worthwhile things and to achieve their goals” he said. “Youngsters are not always challenged to go beyond simple community services. This just shows how capable our kids are to engage, with a bit of supervision and encouragement, in more difficult and complex tasks for the community.” More at source, including great photos of scouts! https://localnews1.org/2023/11/13/boy-scout-pack-97-builds-owls-boxes/ Scout Salute on their Good Turn. P.S. Looks like an Owl Abode Kit or something similar was used.

FYI. Recommend a faster playback speed setting. 1.75 worked for me.

11/12/2023 : Roger Krone's exclusive interview with Newsweek, 'Scouting Is Safer Today': BSA Head Steers Scouting's Rebirth https://www.newsweek.com/bsa-rejuvenation-roger-krone-vision-safety-technology-inclusivity-scandal-1842891

Nov, 2023: "...A total of 164 registered bidders participated, which yielded a total of $218,382, thus setting the world record for the World's largest elk antler auction, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY. Elk Antler Auction by the Numbers 1968: Year the auction began 8,000: Average pounds of antler that are offered for auction annually by the Jackson District Boy Scouts. 13,698: The record total poundage of antlers collected, set in 2014. $17: Average price per pound of antler 2,000: Amount of hours the roughly 200 scouts and adult leaders spend collecting elk antlers, cleaning them, organizing them and generally preparing the dropped sheds. 75: The percentage of proceeds from the auction that is donated by the Boy Scouts to be used for long-term habitat improvement projects at the National Elk Refuge; the other 25% goes towards funding the Boy Scouts’ Friends of Scouting dues. " (Source: Jackson Hole Traveler) More info and photos at source: https://www.worldrecordacademy.org/2023/11/worlds-largest-elk-antler-auction-world-record-in-jackson-hole-wyoming-423539

Veterans Day, posted on on X and Instagram by Roger Krone, President & CEO of the BSA. On Instagram boyscoutsofamerica To: Our Veterans –On behalf of the entire Scouting movement, we salute you, our heroes and defenders of freedom. Your selfless dedication and unwavering courage inspire us to embody the values of duty, honor, and service. On this Veterans Day, youth, leaders and families stand together with gratitude, recognizing the sacrifices you've made and the challenges you've faced. Across the nation and the world there are more than 183,000 youth and leaders in Scouting units chartered to military and veterans’ organizations. We salute each of those organizations as they deliver the fun and character-building adventure of Scouting. Thank you for your service, sacrifice, and your enduring legacy. And thank you for continuing to serve our nation through Scouting.Yours in Scouting,Roger KronePresident & CEOBoy Scouts of America

See Table of Contents for 24 entries (Revised January 1, 2024) https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2024-NCAP-Standards-430-056-Final-web.pdf

My guess from reading the recent Report of the Governance & Nominating Committee (page 6, blue column about half-way down) is that around 5000 scouts would be National's preferred minimum council size.

November 6, 2023: "The BSA’s CEO search process began in the spring of 2023 with the selection of Korn Ferry, which used a robust and inclusive process involving a range of BSA stakeholders. This group, which included representatives from throughout our movement including youth, scout executives, and BSA alumni, was tasked with providing feedback to inform the search. In late October, the chief scout executive selection committee unanimously selected Krone to present to the BSA’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Executive Board (NEB). “Roger Krone has spent his entire career transforming complex businesses and preparing them for what lies ahead,” said Brad Tilden, who serves as the BSA’s national chair. “His experience, combined with his personal passion for scouting, will enable him to look at a familiar organization in new ways and find innovative approaches to welcoming more youth into the adventure of Scouting. Our movement could not be more excited to welcome him as our new leader.” Korn Ferry has previously recruited Girl Scout executives, e.g., Sofia Chang and has a senior partner Lorraine Hack as a Member-at-large on the 30 member GSUSA National Board of Directors. https://www.kornferry.com/insights/perspectives/reimagining-girl-scouts-of-the-future Source: https://huntscanlon.com/korn-ferry-recruits-president-and-ceo-for-the-boy-scouts-of-america/

FYI: https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2023/11/06/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-roger-krone-the-bsas-incoming-president-and-ceo/ Still hoping Mr. Krone holds a town meeting with Scouts and Scouters.

"Antibodies found in early results of a historic new vaccine trial are expected to give endangered California condors at least partial protection from the deadliest strain of avian influenza in U.S. history. The California condor is the only bird species in the U.S. that has been approved for the new emergency-use vaccine, which was administered this summer to condors bred in captivity during a trial at the Los Angeles Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and the Oregon Zoo." More at source: https://apnews.com/article/california-condors-vaccine-avian-influenza-65e27a0751666eee0e3ab3b82ae18251

: "In 2021, Camp Freeland Leslie was purchased by a local family in the hopes of developing it in a manner consistent with the historical use of the property.The new owners allowed the Boy Scouts to use the property after the purchase was completed in order to have their final summer camp at Camp Freeland Leslie. The new owners have embarked upon an ambitious plan to develop the property into Emrick Lake Campground & Resort. This new campground and RV park will be Wisconsin’s Largest Campground. With amenities and services second to none - Emrick Lake Campground & Resort will provide guests with an unparalleled Campground experience." Sources: https://www.emricklakecampground.com/about-us https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wisconsin/crisp-cool-waters-wi/

Update Nov 4, 2023 Next spring, a new outdoor recreation park is set to open at a former Rota-Kiwan Camp. More at source: https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2023/11/see-birds-eye-views-of-a-new-212-acre-park-opening-soon-in-southwest-michigan.html

From what I have read, Mr. Krone as CEO held town meetings at Leidos.