District Roundtables
Special thanks to all everyone that have been attending our district roundtables. To all that haven’t been making roundtables, you are missing out on a great opportunity program support and information on what’s happening in the district. Joel Protega and Randy Carr are doing a great job making the meetings fun and informational. Please put the second Monday of the month on your calendars. Starting in December, we are moving our meetings to South Milwaukee High School. The meetings start at 7:00 p.m.

Fall Camporee
Jerry Kratz and Chris Kratz did a fantastic job planning and executing an awesome Fall Camporee. This year’s theme was medieval. Although I was not able to attend, I heard that the trebuchet worked extremely well and was a big success with the boys. The Scouts had a great time launching flour bags and plastic bottles and seeing how far they could go. The camporee had well over 100 people in attendance. Thanks again to all of our volunteers.

Friends of Scouting
Thank you to all units that have signed up for their 2009 Friends of Scouting presentation. The Friends of Scouting presentation is very important for each unit to have; it is a chance for each family to pay for the “true cost of Scouting” and allows the Milwaukee County Council the ability to continue to provide unique program and camping experiences to the young men throughout Milwaukee and our district. If you have not scheduled your presentation, please contact Jerry Grant at 414-443-2858 or Jeff Sokol at 414-766-1314.

Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use and Abuse
Just as a reminder, The Milwaukee County Council wants to make sure that all our youth receive the Scouting program in a clean safe environment.

The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members. All scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted in a smoke-free environment, with smoking areas located away from all participants.

Reference: Scoutmaster Handbook, No. 33009

Unit Meetings
At our last Key III meeting Dennis Carney, Rich Fleischman and I discussed meeting with each unit in the Southshore District in 2009. The goal is to introduce everyone to the district leadership team and offer any assistance that we can to make the Scouting program the best it can be for our youth. If you would like to meet sooner than later please contact me to arrange a meeting date at (414) 443-2858.

2008 Centennial Quality District Awards
Now is the time for all Packs, Troops and Crews to begin the evaluation process and start applying for the 2008 Quality Centennial Quality Unit Award. Unit commitment for increasing program quality began in fall 2007 and ran through spring 2008. Major features of the program were to improve and increase leader training, youth recruitment and retention, parent participation, advancement, outdoor program and annual program planning.

Unit leaders and commissioners should contact each other to get the process moving forward. Although not required, the unit self assessment is an important way for each unit to evaluate just how good a job is being done in delivering quality program, utilizing leaders and parents effectively and meeting Scoutings quality objectives. “We are all in this for the boys” let’s make sure we deliver our promise.

District Executive Message
I just want to take a quick moment to once again thank each of you for your help and commitment in making the Southshore District a success. As many of you are aware my son Tyler started his adventure in the Scouting this fall as a Tiger Cub in Pack 235. To see his excitement on his face is priceless. Our son Bryce, 4 years old, wears his little Scout buddy shirt to every pack meeting and looks up to his older brother. Scouting is such a great family experience.

I look forward to working with everyone in 2009 and helping us reach more youth in our district. If you need anything please call me at 414-443-2858.