BoatDaddy

I run a website service for Packs and Troops. We have hundreds of customers. One of our most popular features is the EBlast - a weekly automatic personalized email to all unit members. The idea is that all leaders have to do is post their content to the website - 1 action. Then once a week the website automatically pulls all this information together into a single email. Based on den/patrol, leadership status, etc the content of an individual EBlast will vary but it provides each unit member exactly what they need to see and avoids items they don't. The format is two column - The first column contains items (Announcements, Events, Files, etc..) that have been added/updated in the last 7 days - THe second column contains details for events in the next 7 days and summary info for events in the next 30 days. This concept simplifies information distribution. For more details go to www.mytroop.us. As was stated above, it does not solve the "feedback" issue with email. From my experience only unit leaders will respond quickly to email. For the rest, they take what they need, and then "file" it appropriately (i.e. the delete button!). Mike Kabot President - SOAR

"Treasure Hiking is an outdoor program for Cub Scout Packs that kids (& parents too!) will absolutely love. At the same time it promotes a large number of scouting ideals. This combination is a guaranteed success for your Pack. Visit www.treasurehiking.com for all the details on this exciting program." Last summer I got my Pack involved in geocaching - a outdoor "sport" enjoyed by hundreds of thousands worldwide - where there are "treasures" hidden in public parks right around the corner that you can find using an electronic device called a GPS unit. I quickly realized that our Pack could augment our summer Pack Program significantly by participating in hikes that included geocaching and other scouting ideals. The program was a great success. As an owner of a scouting based business, www.soarol.com , I decided that this would be a great way to give back to the scouting community and share a great idea that all Packs could use. Over the last few months I have fully documented how a Pack can use geocaching. I have named this program Treasure Hiking to help differentiate the program components that were added and are scouting specific. To help share the idea, I have setup a dedicated website at www.treasurehiking.com . On this website you can learn what Treasure Hiking and geocaching are, follow the steps to create your own Pack Treasure Hiking Program, and the steps to a successful Treasure Hiking with the boys. I hope you all find as much enjoyment with this activity as the families in my Pack and I have. Michael Kabot President - SOAR www.soarol.com mkabot@soarol.com

Thank you to all who participated in the Blue & Gold Survey ! Very interesting results with 118 people responding. Here are some of the highlights. - The majority (81%) of units hold their B&G in Februrary - Over half (58%) believe the primary B&G purpose is to celebrate the birthday of scouting and the majority (77%) celebrate the birthday at the B&G. - The majority present rank advancement (including AOL) and hold cross over at the B&G. - The majority of B&Gs are held at a church (50%) and school (30%). - Over half of the units (54%) do not charge for attendance at the B&G. The full results of the survey can be found here - http://soarol.com/survey/index.html What would be another good topic for a survey?? In service, Michael Kabot Pack 230 - Penfield, NY - Committee Chair SOAR - www.soarol.com - President

Cub Scouters, During a recent taping of Scout Roundtable Podcast #9 (avialable at http://www.scoutroundtable.net) Cubmaster Chris, Den Leader Bob, and guest Michael Kabot (myself) shared what our Packs did for the Cub Scout Blue & Gold event. Surprisingly, the answers varied greatly and a lively discussion began. It would seem there are a great many thoughts as to what the Blue & Gold should represent and how each Pack runs their own Blue & Gold. - Should the Blue & Gold be just a celebration of the birthday of scouting? - Are rank awards and cross over performed at your Blue & Gold? - Is your Blue & Gold held in February, June, or somewhere in between? We would like to hear what your Pack does for Blue & Gold ! Please take this quick survey by visiting http://soarol.com/survey/index.html to share what your Pack does. If you would like to share more about what your Pack does for Blue & Gold, please visit http://scoutroundtable.wordpress.com/2007/02/20/scout-roundtable-9/#respond In about a month, I will post the results for all to see. In Service, Michael Kabot --------------------- Pack 230 - Penfield, NY - Committee Chair SOAR - www.soarol.com - President mkabot@soarol.com