District Banquet

Want to thank Mrs. Kidd, Mr. Hardy, Mr. Young, Dr. Hamilton, and Mr. Branin for attending the District Awards Banquet and representing the Troop for the affair. Want to congratulate Mr. Greg Stocks for being awarded the District Award of Merit tonight or the leadership he has taken with Pack 321 and for serving as Cub Scout Round Table Commissioner for the several years. The Troop was awarded it pennants for 100% Boys Life subscriptions by our families and the District Centennial Quality Award pennant for making all the goals and activities we programmed for 2009 in 2008.

Leaders interested in earning "leader" Knots for Achievement, usually worn on the khaki uniform shirt, should go to Mr. Alvie Allison's web site address (www.woodbadgeman.com) and get some detailed instructions on how to earn them at the troop and higher level. most of which can be signed off locally. They require some check off's for work and are designed to benefit the Troop and the Council. Two basic awards of merit are the Boy Scout Leader's Training Award (green on tan) and the Scoutmaster's Key (green and white on tan). Their awards at the Banquet indicate the boys have trained leaders on hand and are complimenting the purpose of the system.

The Boy Scout leader's Training Award requires a minimum of the completion of the SMLT and OLS courses given each spring and fall by the District with some other check off requirements. the Scoutmaster's Key requires additional training and service at the troop and district level. Wood Badge beads are earned by attending a Regional Wood Badge Course either for two or three weekends or a complete week. The OA flap is earned by being nominated and completing the Ordeal weekend with the Order of the Arrow; the Brotherhood OA Flap is earned by passing OA requirements, and the Vigil award is earned with more service and requirements voted upon by the Lodge Leadership.

The District Award of Merit (silver on deep purple) is usually awarded for work done simultaneously for the Troop but with emphasis on District level activities and leadership. The Silver Beaver (blue and white on tan) is a Council level award and focuses on efforts taken simultaneously at the troop, district, and council level..all of which we are all eligible. Then there are the denominational religious knots (white on deep purple) Cub Scouts and WEBELOS have distinctive ribbons also usually in shades of blue, gold, or yellow. Then there is the Eagle knot for leaders and the Arrow of Light knot which precedes it from youth to leader.

"Each Scout deserves a trained leader."

Last Monday, Mr Greg Stocks came to the Hut during the meeting and asked for Scout and Leader assistance at the Pinewood Derby at the Bluff Park United Methodist Church gym. It starts at 8:00 AM and continues into the early afternoon. It make a great deal of difference if we have some Scouts and leaders there to assist and act as recruiters for the Troop anytime during the day. Please encourage attendance.

OA members..Don't forget that Saturday coming is the Winter Fellowship you should be attending. Go to Coosa50.org for information.

Thanks for all your support and encouraging attendance...

YiS Dan S "Delivering the Promise"