Author: Jeffrey Heck
Our Next Secretary of State
What do you know about Distinguished Eagle Scout and Past BSA President Rex Tillerson who is tapped to be our next Secretary of State?
UPDATE 12/19/16: A vignette of Tillerson when he served as a juror in 2007.
Scholarships and Recognition for Eagle Scouts
While we all know that scouting is more than just the attainment of Eagle, earning the Eagle rank does offer some perks.
First, the Council has several Council-wide scholarships or recognitions. Take a look at the Council website for more information. Many have deadlines in the next 30 days. District Advancement Chair Mark Pishon reports that new forms for those programs were just issued.
The John Price Scholarship is named for the late Judge John Price who sat on the Marion County Municipal then Superior Courts bench for many years. He was an avid member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club and Crossroads of America Council. I had the honor of knowing him from court and Kiwanis. His grandsons were recently members of a North Star Troop.
Second, Eagle Scouts who enlist in the military automatically are promoted upon completion of basic training. Here is some information about the Marine Corps version.
Third, many scholarship programs and recognitions are available at the local, state, and national levels. More exist than I can count.
The most famous scholarships are the National Eagle Scout Association scholarships.
Many other programs not officially seeking Eagle Scouts look favorably on Eagle Scouts, so look everywhere!
Call for Faculty for Cub Classes at Univ. of Scouting
The Crossroads of America Council badly needs instructors for the Cub Scout Program at the University of Scouting Saturday, January 14, 2017. Can you either volunteer or scour up some talent? Only three classes remain without teachers and we have the materials and lesson plans to make it Easy Stevie.PC131 Cub Scout Awards and Recognition: One comprehensive course covering special awards (outside of rank advancement) for Cub Scouts and adult Cub Scout Leaders (outside of training knots). Learn how to help your pack get the most out of the program and to get special recognition for those who deserve it (1 credit, Period 5).PC137 Cub Scout Advancement Basics: Learn about advancement and record keeping for the new program (1 credit, Period 6).PC140 Unusual Cub Scout Advancement Ceremonies: Cub Scout advancement is at the heart of an enjoyable learning experience for each boy. Jazzing up advancement ceremonies can highlight the benefit for boys, parents and leaders alike. Come learn new and unusual ceremonies that can be used to enliven your pack meetings (1 credit, Period 6).Please consider this opportunity and get back to me ASAP.Mark Pishon
Advancement Chair
North Star District
Cell 317.374.2262
Urgent need for Advancement Reports
I attended the councils advancement meeting last night and we have an urgent matter. Rank advancement paperwork needs to be sent into council ASAP or we will miss our JTE goals.We are sure that the advancement is occurring but the paperwork is not getting processed timely.Cub Scouts:We calculate that we need at least 20 additional boys to advance by year end. That is doable. (Editor’s Note: this includes the Bobcat Rank reports that seem to be understated across the Council, even if not especially in North Star.)Boy ScoutsWe calculate that we need at least 30 additional boys to advance by year end. That is doable.Please take action today and make sure all your Packs and Troops get their advancement paperwork turned in at council ASAP.Con has volunteered to process our district paperwork so contact him directly at cosulliva@crossroadsbsa.org or 317.797.1545.Mark PishonAdvancement ChairNorth Star District
Mental Health Benefits of Scouting
A new study shows scouting gives mental health benefits along into adulthood. It also gives the ability to adapt to socioeconomic situations throughout life.
The study does not explain why the benefits exist. There are extrapolations based on prior research including increased mental resiliency, adaptability to stress, exposure to the outdoors providing stress relief, and communal activities.
Earlier studies going back a decade had also shown the lack of problems in the criminal system was another benefit.
Wood Badge Dates Set
Wood Badge Training for advanced adult leadership has been scheduled for 2017.
The Spring Session will be April 20-22, 2017 and May 11-13, 2017.
The Fall Session will be September 17-19 and the following weekend September 22-24, 2017.
Start recruiting your Pack, Troop, and Crew adult leaders now. The more notice they have on their calendar, the better the chances of their participating.
Units with more Wood Badge trained adults tend to be healthier and more successful.
Remember you must be Trained in your current position to be eligible.
What’s your critter?
Back to Gilwell, happy land . . .
Publicity Material for Winter Camporee 2017
Here are the materials to use for publicizing the Winter Camporee beginning Friday, January 20, 2017 at 6:00 pm. (Inauguration Day. Let the arguments begin!)
2017-wintercamporee flyer as PDF.
flyer in MS Word Format.
University of Scouting 2017
Online registration and information for the 2017 University of Scouting at Warren Central High School are now open. The classes are on Saturday, January 14, 2017 from 7:00 registration to 4:00 pm end of classes. The Course Catalog can be downloaded here, too.
The University of Scouting (often the coldest day of the year, so great to be indoors!) is a one-stop offering of many of the mandatory and elective trainings offered in the BSA. Many of the common online trainings are offered live, like Den Leader, Cubmaster Specific, Committee Challenge, and Venturing Advisor Specific! Many live-only classes are offered, too: Scoutmaster Specific and Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills.
If you have scouters who will need training for future rechartering or scouters will be assuming new position in Fall 2017, this is the time to get them trained. If you have prospects that you would like to recruit but are hesitant, get them in the class to learn more about what they are being asked to do.
The most popular classes fill up quickly and discounts for early sign up are available, so sign up today!
Needing conservation projects?
Looking for Environmental/Conservation hours? Look no further than the Indiana’s DNR. You may contact Jeff Cummings, the naturalist, at Fort Harrison State Park at (317) 591-0904 or (812) 849-4004. He is always looking for help. Please note that he is very well versed in YPT process so he will require appropriate adult participation.
CAC North Star Unofficial Website 
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