Scoutmaster Moment
This holiday weekend has ushered in beautiful weather that reminds us that Fall is coming, and related activities have begun with school in session, and schedules getting busy.  Our troop schedule is also reflecting many coming activities, lots of fun stuff coming up soon!  Please read through the upcoming activities, many have sign ups associated with them (two for this week!).
This week is the election for our next Troop Leadership term.  The Scouts will select a new SPL, each patrol will choose a new Patrol Leader, and Scouts should indicate what position(s) they have an interest in for consideration by the SPL.  Holding a position of leadership serves many purposes.  Most importantly, the Troop is Scout Led, this means the scouts choose what they want to do at meetings and for outings, and then plan them.  Holding a position of responsibility (PoR) is also required for rank advancement for all ranks over First Class (note that some positions do not qualify for rank advancement, these are noted in the position descriptions).  Finally, providing leadership allows you to learn new leadership skills and give back to the troop by helping other Scouts on their Scouting Journey.
Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.
-John F. Kennedy
Important Notes
Sign-up for upcoming campouts
September Horsemanship Campout – Sep 17-19
Sign up for this event closed, looks like great turnout!
Adults: a grubmaster for Big Dogz and someone willing to pull the trailer are both needed.  Please let me know if you able and interested in either.
October Mountainman Rendezvous Camporee – Oct 8-10
Group size is limited, we need anyone interested to sign up quickly before slots are filled.  We attended this event 2 years ago, while it is a new location this year I expect Seneca District to host a fantastic event again.  Last time there was a giant catapult, knife throwing, puzzles, 2-man saws, and much more. Final cutoff for this sign up is 9/28
Adults: this event will also need support with a Big Dogz grubmaster and someone to pull the trailer, please see me if interested
Other Events
Order of the Arrow Fall Candidate Ordeal – Oct 22-24
Candidates from our Spring OA election and callout who have not been through Ordeal yet and are interested in participating in the Fall Ordeal should discuss with OA adult.
Merit Badge Afloat with Sea Scout Ship 1492 – 9/11-12
This is an opportunity to earn 3 badges in one weekend (not an overnight event): Smallboat Sailing, Oceanography, and Weather. See the attached flyer.  Scouts must see me to open badges before this event.
Advancement
Congratulations to the following Scouts for their hard work and advancement
Congrats to the scout that made Second Class and to the scout who made First Class!
Troop Meeting/Activity Outlook 
This Week  – 9/7 – Troop Meeting
Uniform:Activity Uniform (Class B) unless seeking rank advancement
Location: CUMC Activity Field
After Leadership Elections for the Fall term, ASPL for New Scouts Jayna and Troop Instructor Caitlin will review advancement requirements.
Leadership Elections
It is time to select the troop’s Scout Leadership Team for the coming term.  How will you serve the troop for the Fall/Winter term, and give back to those who have helped you advance?
We hold elections each Spring and Fall, with leadership training and Court of Honor to recognize the incoming team (and many other individual recognitions). Positions above First Class have advancement requirements that include holding a position of responsibility to demonstrate leadership.  As a small “young” troop we currently also have an opportunity for all registered scouts to hold a position, regardless of their current rank.
SPL is selected by troop-wide election, Patrol Leaders are chosen from patrol election. Patrol Quartermasters are also needed at the Patrol level.  All other positions require interested scouts to place their name on sign-up sheets on Election Day (ranking your choices is advised) for consideration by incoming SPL and Scoutmaster.  Not all positions listed are needed in a troop our size (such as not all 4 ASPL), final positions are part of SPL decision with SM after elections are held.
In all cases you must be present to be considered.  If for some reason you are unable to attend that day, please see me ASAP.
Anyone interested in SPL or PL must talk with me prior to election.
We have a request for Den Chief support from a local pack, if you may be interested in this talk with me to discuss further.
If you are interested in a position, speak with someone in that position now to understand it better.
The 893GT Leadership Position description document is attached.
Anyone holding a leadership position is expected to attend leadership training (interchangeably called Junior Leadership Training or Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops). Our “ILST” is tentatively planned at the Dance Studio on 3 Oct for most of the day pending any new COVID restrictions.
Ice Skating  – Friday 9/10
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B)