Copied from the e-mailed newsletter sent out from Lou Nester

OSCEOLA DISTRICT NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2006

Reminder that Roundtable is November 2^nd.  The attendance is picking up at roundtable and more information is getting distributed for your use at the monthly roundtables. We have a lot of things to be discussed.   I  Hope that you can find the time to attend.  This is the only place I am aware of where you can find out what is coming up that isn’t on the calendar.  .

Tom Hopkins has advised that the turn out for the Troops was slim at the Spookoree.  He had 2 Troops who signed up but didn’t show up.  He advised that the ones that did show up really had a great time.  He commented that the Cub Packs appeared to have a good turn out.  Al Lee will report later in this newsletter.  All of the workers did a great job so it is a shame that more units do not take advantage of these activities.

The Popcorn orders were due on 26 October so I hope everyone got them turned in and that they were able to sell more than their goal.  This is a good way to keep your treasury in good order.  Congratulations to the best salesman. You are entitled to 35% of the sales this year without prizes.  If you are not using the Fair Share program then I’m sure the units use the money to purchase unit equipment.

We received the recharter packets at the last Roundtable so I know everyone has had time to get them updated and will have them in by 2 November as per the goal set forth by the District Committee.  If you have not done them yet I encourage you to not sit on them.  For any one that has not done one before I encourage you to call your Unit Commissioner or our District Commissioner for assistance.

Now News from Al Lee Watkins our Civic Service and Activities Chairperson:

Al Lee has notified me that the Cub Camporee Scheduled to be held on Feb. 9-11 at Camp Echockotee has been changed to Feb 2-4.  Would all the Cubmasters please change your calendars and plan on attending.  Last years event was fun and full of excitement.  All cub Packs should make arrangements now to attend.

Scouting for Food will be held on Saturday 11 Nov.  Food drop off is at the Mission grounds.  The food will be split between Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army. Please have your Troops and Packs contact Al Lee with the Area that they will be covering.  Drop off is from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M..  These organizations count on our donations to get them thru the holidays.  Everyones participation is needed.

The Christmas Parade is Dec 2^nd.   We are trying to march as a District this year.  Instead of registering separately, lets all register as one.  At Roundtable, your Pack or Troop will need to pay $10.00 (instead of the $15.00) to register. Please see Al Lee at Roundtable with the information.  She will also need a head count with the number of people marching.  All Scouts must be in Class A Uniforms in order to march.  No broken uniforms are allowed.  The money will be used to purchase a Banner and to furnish snacks at the end of the  parade.  Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Cub Scout Day is on Dec. 16^th at St. Francis in the Field.  Please pick up the flyer at Roundtable or online at the website.  The cost is $8.00 per boy. She will need Adult and Boy Scout Volunteers.  Please contact her at 904-347-1388 to volunteer. Activities will go on all day.

Al Lee reported that the Spookoree was great.  We had some bad weather , but made it though.  This was my first campout with out any camp fires due to the burn ban, but we made the best of it with a mock campfire with lanterns.   The trail was excellent and the OA did a great job. She said I do not have the exact number of participants, but I think it was around 220 registered people and 118 children including siblings.

All about the District Recognition Banquet by Banquet Chairperson Bunny Geores:

TUESDAY December 5^th is the annual District Banquet in lieu of the December Roundtable. The event will be at the Elks Lodge.  Social at 6:30 and Dinner at 7:00.  No fee is involved, but you must bring a desert dish to get in. If you are a Scouter,  wear the Uniform.  The Chairman usually recognize their Staff and the Unit Leaders can recognize their Den Leaders and Assistants.  It would be nice if any awards due could be given out at this Banquet.

Mr. Pomar reported that District Advancement was going well.  As usual the active units are advancing more ranks and achieve more Merit Badges than that of some of the less active. Unit Commissioner reports are not available to me to confirm how much emphasis is being put into the overall advancement program in Scouts and Cub units.

The Eagle Program is doing excellent.  It appears that we will have a minimum of 22 Eagle Scout advancements this year.   This exceeds more Eagles in this District in recent history.  The National average for Eagle Advancement is 2 ½ percent.   Our percentage will be 8%.  This will probably exceed the majority of Districts in the North Florida Council.

This milestone is accomplished by the hard work and dedication of man Scout Leaders…Joe Pomar, District Advancement Chairman.

.This newsletter information is sent to the Unit Leaders only.   Please share the

Information with your Charter Representative, your Assistants, and your Unit Committee.

KEY THREE

DISTRICT CHAIRMAN:                                        R.J. Larizza                824-5711

DISTRICT EXECUTIVE:                                        Justin Rutland            388-0591

DISTRICT COMMISSIONER                               Buddy Haynes            501-7011

PROGRAM POSITIONS:   

Program Chairman                    `                                   Lou Nester                   829-6981 Advancement and Recognition Chairman                  Joe Pomar                       824-5936

Training Chairperson                                                     “JR” Rackliff                 823-1984

Camp Promotions and Outdoor Chairman                     Tom Hopkins               692-1271

Activities and Civic Service Chairperson                  Al Lee Watkins           347-1388       

Roundtable Commissioners:                  Cubs:               Patricia Harding            226-3529

                                                            Scouts:             Tim Griffing                  824-1073

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THANKS FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND HARD WORK FOR OUR YOUTH

Lou Nester-Program Chairman,  829-6981,  E-Mail  boyscoutlou@se.rr.com