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E-Letter Archives

These are the archived monthly e-letters that are sent to registered Scouters that are serving in the various commissioner positions in Shawnee Trails Council, BSA, and are subscribed to e-letter.  Normal editions are sent within a week of the monthly Council Commissioners' Meeting; supplemental editions are sent as needed.

Subscriptions to the E-Letter are free and open to anyone interested in commissioner service.  To subscribe/unsubscribe to the e-letter, send an e-mail to the webmaster and include the word "subscribe" or "remove" in the body of the e-mail.

2009 Editions (Volume 1)

January 2009

 1st edition of the monthly commissioner newsletter.  Contains an article discussing the placement of commissioner patches (position patch, trained strip, and Arrowhead Honor) on the new centennial uniform.
February 2009  
March 2009  
April 2009 Goals for Commissioner Service throughout the council for 2009 are introduced to the commissioner service staff throughout the council are discussed by Council Commissioner Tom Carr.
May 2009 E-Letter edition changed to The Arrowhead.  First edition to contain the column Ask Andy (Can den leaders have more than one position in a pack?) as featured on http://wwww.usscouts.org site.  Introduction of the William T. Hornaday award as a part of the "Know your Knots" series. 
June 2009 Ask Andy addresses the issue of Venturers wearing Den Chief position patches and awards.  The "Know your Knots" featured knot/award was Philmont Training Center Masters.
July 2009 Ask Andy addresses the issue of altering merit badge requirements.  The "Know your Knots" featured knot/award was the Pack Trainer Award.  Other articles include the new ScoutParents Unit Coordinator Role and the Unit Visit Tracking System: Position Codes and the UVTS.
August 2009 Ask Andy addresses the issue of adult training "refreshing" and what the national standards require.  The "Know your Knots" featured knot/award was the Tiger Cub Den Leader Award.  Other articles include Cub Scout Retention:  How Commissioners Can Help and The UVTS:  Reporting Observations in a Meaningful Way (Part 1) which addresses the five main areas of observable areas the UVTS tracks.
September 2009 Ask Andy addresses the importance of having merit badge counselors registered as such within the council.  The "Know your Knots" featured knot/award was the Medal of Merit.  Other articles include National Council Announces Registration Fee Increase, Best Methods for Commissioners Serving Rural Units,  and The UVTS:  Reporting Observations in a Meaningful Way (Part 2) which addresses using a standard commissioner "shorthand" to record meaningful comments in the limited length text field.
October 2009 Ask Andy addresses the issue of troop youth position advancement and Scouts in the ranks above Star signing off lower ranking Scouts' requirements.  The "Know your Knots" featured knot/award was the Venturing Leadership Award.  Other articles include Commissioner and the Order of the Arrow and The 2010 Cub Scout Program - Reinventing Cub Scouts (Part 1)  which addresses some of the changes to be unveiled before the 2011 Scouting program year.
November 2009 Ask Andy addresses the issues of OA events and when a local tour permit is required and new Boy Scout merit badges that are to be introduced in 2009/2010. The "Know your Knots" featured knot/award was Professional Training Award.  Other articles include Promoting District Roundtables, and The 2010 Cub Scout Program - Reinventing Cub Scouts (Part 2)  which addresses the overhaul of the Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program.
December 2009 Ask Andy addresses the issue of Scouts injured on troop outings and who should provide liability and injury coverage, particularly when part of the activity is not endorsed by BSA policy. The "Know your Knots" featured knot/award was the Webelos Leader Training Award.  Other articles include an update to the LDS unit registration process , and The 2010 Cub Scout Program - Reinventing Cub Scouts (Part 3)  which addresses the overhaul of the monthly themes to reflect the aims and goals of Scouting.

2010 Editions (Volume 2)
January 2010 Ask Andy addresses the issues of districts and councils refusing to renew charters to units where the chartering organization does not adhere to the responsibilities and standards of the BSA and how the unit committee chair is selected and their position within the unit.  The "Know your Knots" featured knot/award was the ¡Scouting...vale la Pena! Service Award.  Other articles include Scouting and Public Housing/HUD Assisted Housing , and The 2010 Cub Scout Program - Reinventing Cub Scouts (Part 4)  which addresses the new program expectations for the pack, district, and council.
February 2010 Ask Andy addresses the issues of troop bugler does not count towards an Eagle Scout leadership position, but does fulfill the requirements for Star and Life ranks and information for those inquiring about a Paganism Religious Award (none currently exists).  The "Know your Knots" featured knot/award was the James E. West Fellowship Award.  Other articles include Shawnee Trails Commissioner College , and Serving Scouts with Disabilities: Scouting Publications to help the Commissioner,  which presents the various National Council publications that specifically address disability issues and Scouting.
March 2010 Ask Andy addresses the issues of boys being awarded merit badges that have not earned and the role of the unit's board of review when confronted with this problem.  The "Know your Knots" featured knot/award was the Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Knot.  Other articles include Unit Membership Growth, and The Importance of Monthly Commissioner Meetings,  which introduces those new to commissioner service of the importance of attending the monthly commissioner meeting.
April 2010 New format for the Arrowhead.  Ask Andy addresses the issues of how to recruit the right people for commissioner service, Webelos crossovers carrying pocket knives before earning the "totin' chit," and starting a new troop from a graduating Webelos II den.  The "Know your Knots" featured knot/award was the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award.  Other articles include Semi-annual Membership Inventories, a new feature, Unit Charter Renewal Tech, which covers how to handle leader and youth multiples, and Understanding Scouting with Disabilities,  which introduces the ability of the council to register adults with mild to moderate retardation/learning disabilities as youth within the various programs.
May 2010 Ask Andy addresses when to implement new advancement requirements into the Scouting program. improper conduct towards youth by Scout leaders, and a question involving Eagle Scout courts of honor.  The "Know your Knots" featured knot/award was the Pack Trainer Award.  Other articles include Commissioner College 2010 Overview, and Qualified Adult Supervision,  which introduces the first of sixteen points for safe Scouting.  This month's Unit Charter Renewal Tech covers how to handle leader and youth multiples.
June 2010 Ask Andy addresses the issues units imposing participation requirements that must be met before a Scout can advance, and how long partial merit badges are valid.  The "Know your Knots" featured knot/award was the International Scouter Award.  Other articles include New Youth Protection Training Certification and its Impact on Commissioner Service, and Each Activity Must Consider Physical Fitness  which introduces the second of sixteen points for safe Scouting.  This month's Unit Charter Renewal Tech covers the proper use of the transfer form and the steps required to properly register Scouts who have just left the Webelos program.