Commissioner Conference

On Saturday, March 1, the Mississippi Valley Council will hold a Commissioner Conference at Camp Eastman . All Commissioners and any other adult Scouter in the Mississippi Valley Council are invited Details and registration forms can be found on the Council Website at www.mississippivalleybsa.org or by contacting either Council Service Center.

TRANSITIONING TO BOY SCOUTS TOGETHER HELPS RETAIN
WEBELOS SCOUTS
Joe Glasscock, Associate Director
Boy Scout Division

Encourage Webelos dens to transition to a troop together. This is easier when the pack leaders have strong relationships with leaders in a troop. It is a very natural occurrence when the pack and troop are chartered by the same organization.

Although boys are free to join any Scout troop, the transitioning Webelos den is a ready-made Scout patrol. The boys and parents already know each other, and the Webelos leader and assistants may be willing to serve as assistant Scoutmasters or in other troop leadership positions. In addition, keeping the transitioning den together helps facilitate communication.

The passage from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting should be smooth with no time lost. By keeping the group together, the change from Webelos Scout to Boy Scout can be a very seamless process. Instead of every Webelos family visiting and joining a troop of their own, the group stays on the same schedule and there is no break in the Scouting program.

Be sure to use the Webelos transition time to assess your district's need for new troops to serve every neighborhood. The transitioning Webelos group can serve as the strong nucleus of a new troop, complete with adult leadership.

Friends of Scouting

Dear Friends of Scouting,

The entire FOS campaign organization wishes to first thank you for your past financial support of our Council. This year, the FOS team is making a concerted effort to increase contributions derived from the Council's Family Campaign.

We now ask for your assistance in increasing our FOS Family giving in 2008 to offset some of the additional cuts anticipated in our United Way funding in some communities. In this regard, we ask you to take the following leadership steps to keep our local Scouting program healthy:

• Attend an FOS Family presentation at a Court of Honor, Pack Meeting, or other unit family function. Our goal is to have the presentation made by the end of March, if possible. When you receive notice of the presentation, please mark it on your calendar and plan to attend. We firmly believe a Family campaign presentation will allow you and other parents (including grandparents) associated with your unit to make an informed decision on whether to support the Council budget.
• Help your unit join the Family FOS Honor Unit Pacesetters group. Last year we had 47 units join this group by pledging an average of at least $35 per registered youth. We awarded a monogrammed golf shirt to these unit leaders, and will do so again this year. We would very much like to present your unit leader with this award for his or her leadership efforts.
• Consider the importance of the FOS program in advance of attending your unit's FOS Family presentation, and make your 2008 pledge accordingly. Our Council's budget for 2008 has to be funded locally to support the Scouting movement in our Council. While we receive 10% of the budget from the United Way , 21% needs to come from FOS. If you would like to receive additional information to review in connection to making your 2008 pledge, please call your service center and they can mail or fax you additional documentation.

In summary, we need your help in this very necessary effort for our Council. Thank you in advance for your continued support.