New district-level volunteers.

Please welcome two outstanding volunteers to their new roles with Merrimac District.  Christian Tynch, from Pack 212 has stepped up to be the District Commissioner for unit service.  We look forward to helping him be successful in this role.  He has a contagious, positive attitude.  Thank you Christian!  Also, please welcome CJ Holmes to the District Committee.  CJ will be the Camping Promotions Chairman.  He has served on numerous camp staffs ranging from Chickahominy to Bayport and Pipsico.  In 2009, CJ was the Camp Commissioner at Pipsico, and this year he was the Climbing Director.  As a youth, CJ was the Lodge Chief for the OA Lodge at Colonial Virginia Council, and then served as an OA Section Officer for Section 7a of the Southern Region.  Welcome CJ!

How you can have excellent fall programs for an amazing price!

ScoutFest 100 is upon us and it is shaping up to be the ultimate Scouting experience and it is happening right here in Tidewater Council from October 15-17.  Sinbad (professional comedian), local bands, exhibitors, and units are all contributing to this remarkable event.  Make sure ScoutFest is on your calendar.  For more information, please visit www.BSAScoutFest100.com. 

What can popcorn do to make your unit even more successful?

the 2010 Popcorn sale is on now!  The Tidewater Council hosts the popcorn sales efforts locally to help units like yours!  This is a great opportunity to participate in a coordinated effort to minimize the out of pocket expense for Scouting families for a whole year!  There are special initiatives to reduce the cost at recharter time, have discounted admission to ScoutFest 100, apply for camperships for summer programs, get free patches and more!  This is huge.  If you want more information, please don't wait to ask!  Call, email, or get the information online at www.tidewaterbsa.com. 

Unit Budget Plan:  You should really have one!  Really!

How 5 minutes in your annual calendar planning meeting can save hours of time.

A critical element of Scouting in the community is ensuring that local Councils have the financial resources to support the units in camping, administration, and professional support.  January, February, and March are big months for the District Friends of Scouting presenters to visit your units and give families the opportunity to contribute the this annual campaign.  As your unit schedules Pack meetings and Courts of Honor, please let the District know when and where they can make a 10-15 minute presentation.  Doing this now will save hours of time this winter.

Finance
 

Family Friends of Scouting - If your unit has not yet scheduled its Family presentation on a Pack, Troop, or Crew, please contact us to schedule a date.  Every family deserves the opportunity to give.

Corporate & Organizational Support - We are very eager to deliver a presentation on the BSA to any company, civic organization, association, union, church or institution.  Presentations can be made for the Friends of Scouting Campaign, Council or Pipsico Endowment contributions or for public relations.  Please assist us in being a community organization with any leads, scheduled events or creative ideas.  This is our 100th anniversary year to celebrate.

To make an unsolicited contribution please make checks payable to Boy Scouts of America and in the notes write "Merrimac FOS Campaign" or to schedule an appointment for a visitation or to host a private fundraiser, please contact Evan Sommerfeld at esommerf@bsamail.org, (757) 952-6609, or (540) 537-6305.  These contributions remain local.

District Committee
 

We would also like to extend an open invitation for Chartered Organization Representatives to participate in the District Committee meetings.  We welcome your input on the Scouting program and want to hear how Scouting can help your organization grow because of Scouting.  Your position is a District Committee position and your input is important to us.