Meridian District page for Smoke Signals

Meridian Matters
March 2015 (Corrected dates)
Website: www.bsa-meridian.org
Contacts
District Chair
Kent Screechfield
(925) 570-1999
OA Advisor
Dennis Bleile
Commissioner
Sue Oki
(925) 831-9380
Popcorn
Mike Hoffman
(925) 973-0420
Executive
Tim Welty
(925) 674-6125
Program & Activities
Adrianne Kordelos
(650) 224-2143
Advancement
George Gavrell
(925) 837-6248
R/T Commissioner
Gregg Ankenman
(510) 813-8051
Camping
Dave Newton
(925) 963-8065
R/T – Cub
Steve Tom
(510) 772-0229
Camporee
Dave Newton
(925) 963-8065
R/T – Scout
Ray Chan
(925) 548-6179
Communications/Website
Jim Bergsten
(925) 838-4615
R/T – Venturing
James Reeve
(925) 552-6582
Training
James Reeve
(925) 552-6582
Scouting for Food
M’Lu Knaus
(925) 934-3493
Finance
open
Eagle Packets
Debbie Wiley
(925) 788-4805
Friends of Scouting
Rand Mahoney
(925) 899-3840
Eagle Projects
Nicholas Hall
(925) 837-3165
Membership
Dan Chevez
(925) 837-0936
Eagle Board
Brent Henderson
(925) 212-5453
Meridian Matters Editor
Chris Knaus
(925) 934-3493
Calendar
April 2015
2 Eagle Orient./Packet & Proj review (D-LDS)
11 Blackhawk 500
15 District Committee (D-LDS)
23 District Roundtable (SR-LDS)
24-26 District Camporee - Rancho Los Mochos
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Message from Meridian’s District Executive,
Tim Welty
I would like to thank everyone for their efforts over these
last seven years. What a ride it was! I would like to inform
everyone that I have received a promotion with the San
Francisco Bay Area Council. Starting April 16th I will be
serving as their Field Director.
I really can’t thank the Meridian District enough. With
your continuous support you have made Meridian what it is
today. I am so fortunate to have been a part of it and met
so many outstanding people over the years. I am truly
going to miss being part of this alpha district. Please feel
free to contact me anytime.
April Roundtable Preview
Our next Roundtable meeting will be Thursday April 23rd,
7:30-9:00 p.m. at the San Ramon LDS Church at, 5025
Crow Canyon Road. Break-out sessions include:
• Cub Breakout - Changes in Cubs / Outdoor Cooking /
Back Yard Fun.
• Boy Scout Breakout – Scout Skills (with a Twist and
Sharing Tricks & Tips).
• Unit Committee Breakout – Leadership Training.
A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
Friends of Scouting (FOS)
We are right in the middle of our 2015 FOS campaign and
things are going well! Our district is currently at $59,169
or 50% our our $118,500 goal. As of March 25 we have
had at least 30 packs and troops give their FOS
presentation. Please continue to turn in your FOS
donations and pledges weekly or contact Rand for it to be
picked up. THANK YOU for your support and help us
have a great 2015 campaign! For questions, contact Rand
Mahoney, (925) 899-3840, [email protected].
District Dinner
Celebrate another great year in Scouting at the annual
District Dinner. Mark your calendar for Thursday May 28st.
Great food, great fellowship, and a wonderful Italian
theme.
Troop tables still available! Register at April Roundtable.
Unit Scouter of the Year Nominations
Always a favorite at the District Dinner is recognizing the
contributions of each Unit’s Scouter of the Year.
Nominate and recognize your Unit Scouter of the Year.
Nominations are due to Adrianne Kordelos at
[email protected] by May 1st.
Camporee 2015
Camporee 2015 will be Friday April 24th – Sunday April
26th at Rancho Los Mochos. How are your Troop’s
preparations coming along? The March Roundtable will
focus on Camporee Preparation!
Membership
If you need ideas or assistance with recruiting, contact
District Membership Chair, Dan Chevez, at 925-837-0936.
[email protected].
Correction Issued: Fri 27 Mar 2015
May 2015
Eagle Orient./Packet & Proj review (D-LDS)
District Committee (D-LDS)
Eagle Project Review
District Dinner (SR-LDS)
Blackhawk 500
All Cub Scouts and race fans are welcome!
Bring your engines (Pinewood Derby Cars) to the 15th
Annual Mt. Diablo Silverado Council Pinewood Derby
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Meridian Matters
March 2015 (Corrected dates)
Website: www.bsa-meridian.org
Open. It will be at the Blackhawk Auto Museum at 3700
Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville on April 11, 2015! All
Cubs from within the Council are invited to participate.
NOTE: This event is OPEN TO ALL - not just pack
pinewood derby winners!
There will be racing, a design competition and an
open/sibling class. During the event the whole family can
participate and tour the Blackhawk Auto Museum's
magnificent collection. The registration fee is $15 per race
entry but wear your Class-A Scout uniform and your whole
family gets museum admission for FREE.
Key dates:
• Online registration open through April 8 at 5pm.
• Mandatory Impound/Pre-Race Weigh-In at the council
office April 6, 7 and 8 from 6:30 to 8:00pm.
Please visit www.blackhawk500.org and for any questions
or contact Tom Schneider 925-674-6173 or
[email protected]
[email protected]; or Dennis Bleile (Chapter
Advisor) at (925) 216-1086 or [email protected].
Youth Protection Training
Did you know that it is a requirement that all Scouters
are trained in youth protection? MDSC policy is that all
Scouters to submit proof of YPT with any original
registration or recharter. Training is easy and readily
available online at www.scouting.org/training/adult.aspx.
Ensure your YPT training is up-to-date for your benefit and
the benefit of your Scouts.
Upcoming Basic Leader Training Events
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)
4/18/2015 - Camp Herms, El Cerrito
4/25/2015 - Camp Fetterman, Brentwood
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
4/18/2015 to 4/19/2015 - Camp Herms, El Cerrito
4/24/2015 to 4/25/2015 - Camp Fetterman, Brentwood
Outdoor Webelos Leader Training (OWL)-Herms
4/18/2015 to 4/19/2015 - Camp Herms, El Cerrito
Scoutmaster Specific
4/11/2015 - Concord LDS Church, Concord
Varsity Coach Specific Training
4/11/2015 - Concord LDS Church, Concord
Wood Badge Training - Herms
9/18 - 20; and 10/10 - 12 - Camper Herms, El Cerrito
Easy to register for training classes at http://www.bsamdsc.org/training/basic-leader-training
Opportunities to Support the District!
Our committees are recruiting for additional
support. If you’d like to get involved more at
the District level just let us know – there are
always opportunities. All levels of
commitment are possible; it’s only an hour a
week. 
In particular we are seeking to fill the following roles:
-
Unit Commissioners
Communications Coord.
Finance Chair
Asst FOS Chair
- Training Chair
- Asst Camping Chair
- Asst Finance Chair
High Adventure Training
Our Council is offering the following High Adventure
Training this spring:
• HAT Core & Basic Backpacking Awareness –
• Cycling Awareness –
• Canoeing Awareness & BSA Paddle Craft Safety –
• Sailing Awareness –
• Swimming and Water Rescue • Wilderness First Aid & CPR Learn more – including dates and prerequisites and register
at the council website: www.bsa-mdsc.org under Training
> Adult > High Adventure. Additional questions? Contact:
Joanne Tan at (925) 878-1992 or e-mail
[email protected] .
-Youth Protection Coordinator
Contact: Kent Screechfield, [email protected], or Sue Oki, [email protected]
Order of the Arrow
Attention Arrowmen! Meridian OA Chapter
(Moluk Apanuc) upcoming OA events include:
- Support Blackhawk 500 April 11 (Blackhawk
Museum)
- LEC meeting & Spring Fellowshi; May 1 – 3 (Camp
Lindblad)
- Ordeal – Herms; May 8 – 10 (Camp Herms)
- OA Fages II June 6 (Camp Herms)
- Ordeal – Wolfeboro; June 12 – 14 (Wolfeboro)
- OA Centennial Arrow Tour; July 8 (Piedmont)
- National Order of the Arrow Conference ; August 1 – 8
(Lansing, Michigan)
- Ordeal - Wolfeboro ; August 21 – 23 (Wolfeboro)
- Section W3N Conclave ; August 28 – 30 (Sonoma
Raceway)
To confirm details or for more information, please contact
Christian Campbell (Moluk Apanuc Chief) at
Correction Issued: Fri 27 Mar 2015
WoodBadge
The ultimate in Scout Training! 2015 Course Dates:
Weekend 1: Fri 18 Sept 7:30 a.m. – Sun 20 Sept 5 p.m.
Weekend 2: Sat Oct 10 (7:30 a.m. – Mon 12 Oct 5 p.m.
Course is filling fast! Register now at http://www.bsamdsc.org/training/adult/wood-badge
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