Just one month to go!

The year we celebrate our centennial and begin our next century of service.
One of the most exciting moments in our history.
To jump start the celebration, we're bringing together Scouting enthusiasts from coast-to-coast for a nationwide 100th Anniversary Kick-Off Rally. Hosted by AT&T CEO and Chairman and 100th Anniversary Chair Randall Stephenson, National President John Gottschalk, National Commissioner Tico Perez, and me, Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca, we'll recognize your important role and the difference you make - everyday. Through this live audiocast, we'll share important information about how you can be part of the 100th Anniversary. We'll also answer some of your questions (submitted in advance through the link below). Our goal is to rally more than a quarter of a million Scouting enthusiasts - the largest single gathering of its kind in BSA history.
What:              100th Anniversary Kick-Off Audiocast Rally
Date:               Thursday, December 10, 2009
Time:
8:00 - 8:30 p.m. Eastern
7:00 - 7:30 p.m. Central
6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Mountain
5:00 - 5:30 p.m. Pacific
How:       RSVP by clicking on "100th Anniversary Kick-Off Rally" at http://audiocast.scouting.org. That's also where you'll find the link to the audiocast on December 10th.
You are the reason this great movement works - the passionate supporters and boots on the ground serving youth across America. The 100th Anniversary celebration is meant to inspire, excite, and engage the entire Scouting family. Join us as we embark upon this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Save the date! And, tune in on December 10th.

A Gift of Timeless Values

In February 2010, the Boy Scouts of America will  celebrate 100 years as an organization. The  program was founded as an outlet to prepare every eligible youth in America to become a participating citizen and leader. Although the program continues to evolve with the changing needs of today’s society, Scouting’s mission continues to help develop a strong value system and hope for the future.  Scouting teaches young people pride, provides recognition for growth development, and reinforces the lessons of life needed in today’s world.  As we celebrate our first 100 years, we not only reflect on our rich history, but lay the foundation for a strong future as well.  Help to keep Scouting available to youth of future generations with a Centennial James E. West Fellowship Award !

This award is a national recognition for individuals who contribute $1,000 or more in cash to the Councils  endowment fund. Your     contribution is in  addition to, and does not diminish or replace, your annual gift to the Friends of Scouting  Campaign. 

One way to become a James E. West Fellow is to enroll yourself.  You can also honor someone else with this special award.  Your gift is safely    invested in the council permanent endowment trust fund. Only the interest earned from that investment will be used for current programs. The principal amount is never invaded or expended.  Therefore, your gift will last forever and will continue to support Scouting in perpetuity beyond your lifetime.   For more information please contact Ted Karns at the Council Service Center. 

2009 Eagle Scout Class
Recognition and Reunion Dinner

Friday, February 19, 2010 is the date set for the Calumet Council Eagle Scout Class Recognition and Reunion Dinner. The dinner will take place at the Villa de Bruno banquet hall located at 19825 Stony Island Avenue in Lynwood, Illinois. This year’s honoree is David Wickland, an Attorney from Munste,r Indiana.  Dave received His Eagle from the Calumet Council as a boy and has been active as an adult leader since.   All Eagle Scouts and friends are invited to come out and enjoy this evening of honoring the Class of 2009. This is a chance for the Eagle Class of 2009 to be recognized for all of their hard work and accomplishments.  The gathering time will take place at 6:30 pm, and the dinner will start at 7:00 pm. We hope to see all of the Eagle Scouts from the Class of 2009, there! We are presently securing sponsorships for our Eagle Class of 2009 the cost to sponsor an Eagle Scout is $150.00. To be a table sponsor the cost is $300.00, Bronze Palm Event sponsor is $600.00; Gold Palm sponsor is $750.00; and Silver Palm Event benefactor is $1,000.00. Parents, family members, and other guests are encouraged to attend at the cost of $35.00 each. The Eagle Scout Class of 2009 and their Scoutmasters will be our invited guests.  Questions, contact Ted Karns at the Council office, 219.836.1720 or 800.513.2343.

MIKE CREAGH GOING AWAY PARTY

On Thursday, December 10th, 2009, the Calumet Council Executive Board will be holding a going away reception in honor of our Scout Executive, Michael Creagh, who has led us for the past nine years.

The event will be held be held between 7:30 PM and 9:00 PM. We will be celebrating at Charlies Ale House on located at 8940 Calumet Ave, in Munster, Indiana.   Spouses are invited to attend. The council will be providing Hors d'oeuvres. You will need to purchase your own drinks.

Come out and help give Mike a great send off to his new position in Southern Illinois.

new scout execuitve . ...james lakeman

On Tuesday, December 1, 2009, the Scout Executive selection committee met and hired James Lakeman as the new Scout Executive to replace Mike Creagh, who is leaving on Decem­ber 31 to accept a new position in the Lewis & Clark Council.  Jim comes to us from the Three Fires Council in St. Charles, Illinois, where he currently serves as its Director of Field Service.   Jim was born in Virginia Beach Virginia, and is a graduate of Winona State University in     Winona Minnesota, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.  He and his wife Sandy have two children, Madelyn (age 5) and Adam (age 3 and soon to be a Tiger Cub), and are expecting yet another addition to the family any day now.  Jim plans to assume his new   duties here at the Council right after the first of the year, and looks forward to working with the staff and volunteers to continue building the Scouting program in our region.  Please join us in welcoming Jim to his new home.

THANK YOU!

As you might have heard I have accepted a position in the Lewis & Clark Council effective January first. In September of 2000 I arrived in Munster to serve as Scout Executive for the council and have enjoyed working with you to help bring alive the scouting handbook for the thousands of young men and women who have been in our program the past nine years.

Thank you for what you have done to serve as mentors to the Scouts in your care. Thank you for your leadership in dens, patrols, crew’s packs and troops. Thank you for your “countless volunteer hours at meeting activities and camp. Thank you for your continued financial support either through the United Way, Friends of Scouting or selling popcorn. Thank you for taking that extra time with a Scout who needs it when he needs it, not just when it’s convenient.
I’m proud my two sons are Eagle Scouts from the Calumet Council. The leadership they received from Cub Leaders, Scout leaders, Order of the Arrow leaders and Jamboree leaders have helped to shape them into fine young men, again THANK YOU.
2010 is a special year in the Scouting program. On February 8th we will be celebrating our 100th anniversary. 2010 will also be a special year as a new Scout Executive will begin his term with the Council, I want to thank you in advance for the strong support you will give him as the council goes forward. We are all about changing the lives of youth; I look forward to hearing about all the great things in the Calumet Council in the future.

SILVER BEAVER NOMINATIONS
BEING ACCEPTED

The Calumet Council Silver Beaver Nomination deadline is January 1. The Silver Beaver Award is the highest award the council can bestow for exceptional volunteer service to youth.  Listed below are the rules for nomination.  Nomination forms are available on the Calumet Council Web site (www.calumetcouncil.org) or at roundtable.  Silver Beaver Nomination Rules:

1) The award is made for noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth by registered volunteers within the Calumet Council. 

2) Nominations must be completed on this form and received at the Scout service center no later than January 1, 2010

3) Your statements must be typed or clearly printed within the space provided on this form. Other correspondence will not be considered.

4) All nominations are confidential and will be retained by the Silver Beaver Committee.

5) In order to qualify for consideration, it is desirable, but not necessary, that volunteers have completed ten years of registered service. However, it shall be clearly understood that length of service, while an important factor, does not constitute, in itself, distinguished service to youth. All nominees must be at least twenty-one years of age.
6) It is not necessary that a volunteer
have a record of service in each of the three areas listed in Section A to be considered.

7) Use Section D to describe in clear detail how this candidate made a positive impact of noteworthy service to the Calumet Council.

Click here to download the application