NEWSLETTER
SPECIAL EDITION - GOLDEN BALLOT NEWSLETTER
Tuesday, February 21st
6:30PM Committee Meeting
7:30PM TROOP MEETING
SPL AND ORDER OF THE ARROW ELECTIONS
WE NEED MAXIMUM ATTENDANCE AT THIS TROOP MEETING!!!
From the SPL
Hey Troop 77,
I hope y'all had a great week!
I am at the Cumberland Island Campout this weekend working hard doing service and having fun enjoying all Cumberland Island has to offer! Please make sure you attend the meeting on Tuesday. It is very important as we have three qualified SPL candidates running for election (Sam Henderson, Carlson Schaffner, and Reese Vaughn—GOOD LUCK Y'ALL!). In addition, we have OA Elections Tuesday night, and we need everyone there to vote in both elections!
As time permits between elections, we will also be doing other Scouting activities.
Hope to see you there!
YiS,
Alex King
(404)-679-8724
from THE SCOUTMASTER
While I am not there, it is my understanding that everyone is having a great time participating in service and other activities so far at the Cumberland Island Campout. I know those of you on the campout will be getting back late on Monday and be tempted to skip Tuesday’s meeting, BUT PLEASE DON'T! It is of paramount importance that we have maximum Scout attendance at this week’s meeting (from those at Cumberland camping this weekend, to those on holiday, to those staying in Atlanta and enjoying a crazy weather weekend). We have dubbed this week’s meeting the GOLDEN BALLOT (Sam, thanks for the name correction!).
We have three qualified Senior Patrol Leader candidates running for election, and all of your votes count and are meaningful. Think of this as a further lesson on the topic of Citizenship from earlier this year. If you do not vote, then your opinions cannot be heard in a meaningful way and you forfeit one of the greatest rights you have. This is true in the Troop, your school, and someday (for those of you not yet 18), your City, County, State, and Country. EXERCISE THAT RIGHT TO VOTE BY MAKING SURE YOU ARE AT THIS TUESDAY’S MEETING!
In addition to SPL elections, we will be having Order of the Arrow Elections. Election to OA is one of the most prestigious honors in Scouting. OA is Scouting’s National Camping Honor Society (and camping in Scouting exemplifies and puts into practice so many of the Scout Skills, Advancement, Merit Badges, and other Training each Scout undertakes on their trail to Eagle). It does not matter if you are a brand new First Year Scout (recent Crossover) or an Eagle Scout about to turn 18, all of your votes for OA are important. We must have a minimum of 50% of the Scouts in the Troop participate in the election for the results to be valid, but I would like to see that number much closer to 100%, especially given we also have the SPL elections at this aptly named GOLDEN BALLOT Meeting. I know all the excuses everyone can make: my vote doesn't make a difference, I have homework, LHS musical practice, tired after the long weekend, my dog ate the homework I was working on, I have other extracurricular activities I cannot miss, etc., but this is one of those meetings that everyone’s presence is critical, so please make every effort to be there.
While you can only vote for one SPL candidate (and we will have a runoff if no SPL candidate gets 50% of the vote), you can vote for as many of the Scouts on the OA ballot as you feel are deserving. If you are a new First Year Scout, it is okay to cast a blank ballot because you might not know the Scouts who are on the ballot, but you should still attend the meeting because your participation matters. All Scouts can vote for as many (hopefully all) of the Scouts on the ballot that you think are deserving.
I want to remind everyone that neither of these elections are popularity contests. For SPL, you need to vote for the candidate you think will put in the time, effort and leadership needed to organize and run the Troop in a positive way for all Scouts for the next 6 month term (including summer camp) and not just because he’s your neighbor, goes to your school, has cool hair, or the like. This is even more true in the OA election. You are voting on these Scouts to earn this honor because they have exemplified being good Scouts, especially in the last year or so. You should not focus on something that happened in the more distant past or any other non-Scouting attribute, but instead, you should focus on who that Scout is today when considering who to vote for at the OA election.
The confirmed OA candidates on the ballot are:
Soren Borja
Charles Brewer
Wesley Cowden
Myles Garber
Evan George
Nathan Hoffman
Charlie Hunter
Smith Jensen
Landon Keith
Wynn Keith
Carpenter Linneman
Zander Parris
Carlson Schaffner
Franklin Shofner
Jon Cole Tjoflat
Spencer Wise
Each of these Scouts has shown great participation in Camping with Troop 77. OA requires that in the last 2 years each prospective candidate must have camped at least 10 nights with the Troop (and many have camped WAY MORE than that) and have attended summer camp. They also must be First Class rank or above (note, there is an outside chance Thomas Iredale and/or Hudson Kraft could get added to the ballot if they finish their First Class rank between now and Tuesday’s meeting). Personally, I think all the Scouts listed above are deserving of being elected, but only Scouts get to vote!
Also, if you think you meet the OA requirements and do not see your name on the list above or you DO NOT wish to be on the ballot, then please email me (ctcole0308@gmail.com) as soon as possible and let me know so we can sort that out.
As a reminder, and continuing the election theme, the new Second Year Patrols (Bull Shark Patrol (f/k/a Water Patrol) and Moose Patrol (f/k/a Earth Patrol) will be electing Patrol Leaders and working on patrol activities like their flag, yell, etc. at this week’s meeting. Also, Patrol Leader elections for all other Patrols will be at the meeting on March 7th, so please make sure to attend that meeting as well.
YiS,
Mr. Clinton Cole
Troop 77 Scoutmaster
Summer Camp Registration is Open!
Summer Camp is the week of June 18-24 at Camp Sequoyah in Delta Alabama. Check out the Summer Camp webpage for all the details and to register!
Scout Day at the Capitol (March 9)
We are proud to invite our Scouts to Scout Day at the Capitol on Thursday, March 9 from 9AM - 11AM.
At Scout Day at the Capitol, young people from across Georgia come together to learn about civics, citizenship, and how to engage in elected forms of government. Through this unique experience, families gain a deeper connection to the State Legislature and enjoy the unique opportunity to be under the Gold Dome.
All registrants will receive a commemorative patch! Scouts attending are encouraged to wear their uniforms. There is a $3 per individual registration fee which includes Chick-fil-A breakfast. Register early. This unique event will fill up fast!
Sign up for Scout Day at the Capitol!
Scout Day at the Atlanta Hawks (March 25)
Join hundreds of Scout families from across Atlanta for Scout Night on Saturday, March 25th as the Atlanta Hawks take on the Indiana Pacers!
Each ticket includes $10 worth of food and beverage credit that can be used at the restaurants inside the arena. Each scout will also receive an Atlanta Hawks-themed Scout Patch (while supplies last). Tickets can be purchased through the provided link below!
Lead and Learn on Summer Camp Staff
Parents & Leaders,
We are searching for excellent leaders, just like your Scouts, to serve on the staff at Bert Adams Scout Camp and Woodruff Scout Camp for Summer 2023. Tell your Scouts about this excellent opportunity for growth, and encourage them to apply!
Camp Staff members must be age 15 or older, but those that are 14 can serve as a Counselor-In-Training (CIT) for a two-week volunteer experience.
Click Here for more information and have them apply today!
CAMPING
March Campout:
March 24-26: Camporee at Bert Adams
Remaining 2022-2023 Campouts
April 21-23: Survivalist Extreme
May 12-14: Backpacking
changes to campout registration
Two guidelines are now in place for campouts. You can read the details on the Campout webpage.
Completion of requirements - If a participant does not have med forms or required (adult) training completed two weeks before the campout, the participant will not go.
Cancellation and Refunds - If a participant cancels their participation within two weeks of the campout, some or all of the fee will still need to be paid.
These guidelines ensure the onus is on each participant to anticipate what they need to do and to plan ahead when they register for a campout.
camp cards
It’s camp card time! Sell camp cards to your family, friends, & neighbors to help earn $ for your escrow account to offset costs for your Scouting trips - summer camp, camping trips, Philmont, etc. Cards sell for $10 each & you earn 50% commission ($5) for each card you sell. Discounts on the card include Dick’s, Waffle House, Papa John’s, Six Flags, Race Trac and more. In addition, the Online Savers Guide offers hundreds of other retailers. The sale lasts until April 1st. See Mr. Rogers at Tuesday’s meeting if you want to pick up some to sell. For questions email jeffrogers0422@gmail.com.
Health Forms - Please review and update
Parents, please check dates on your scouts' health forms (and yours if you go on camping trips) and renew them in a timely manner.
Here is the link to a Blank BSA Medical Form
A few reminders:
· At minimum, please complete Form A, Form B1, and Form B2.
· You must attach a front and back copy of your insurance card to your completed forms.
· Attach an immunization record if available.
· At minimum, you must provide a month and year for the Tetanus immunization on B2.
· Please attach a copy of the front and back of his COVID vaccination card, if he's vaccinated.
· Form C is required for any events longer than 72 hours and for high adventure treks; it must be completed by a doctor and and can take weeks or months to secure, so start NOW especially if your son plans to attend summer camp.
· BEFORE TURNING IN FORMS, PLEASE SCAN A COPY and save for your records.
For those going on the Cumberland trip, your scout (and you if you are going) must have a current "C form" (physical completed by a doctor). If a participant does not have all med forms fully completed and turned in by February 2 that person will not go to Cumberland.
Any questions, let us know.
Best regards,
Jeanne Fell
Sara Henderson
404-229-3190
Troop 77 Medical Form Coordinator team
advancement
Advancement Desk - Parents are always welcome to come hang out at the Advancement Table to get to know the process the Troop uses for scouts to rank up, earn merit badges and awards. And we can usually use a little help at each meeting - filing things, processing merit badges, etc. Feel free to stop by at the meeting any time or reach out to me with any questions.
Board of Review (BOR) - Scouts - If you are ready for your Board of Review, sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44AEAD29A7FF2-troop
Pam Crawford
770-891-0769
advancement OPPORTUNITIES
merit badge minute
Atlanta Area Council
The AAC is offering Aviation Merit Badge class on April 1st. Cost is $20 per Scout. Follow this link to register: https://www.atlantabsa.org/meritbadgedays
The AAC's next Merit Badge Summit is scheduled for April 29th (See below). Registration isn't open yet, but save the date now!
And, finally, registration for the AAC's Aquatic Merit Badge days will open on April 4th. This is a great opportunity to earn Swimming, Lifesaving and Small-Boat Sailing merit badges (and more!) before your Scout goes off to summer camp. Stay tuned for more information.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
The Chattahoochee Nature Center is offering Mammal Study Merit Badge on February 26th. Class costs $45. Sign up here: https://www.chattnaturecenter.org/education/scouts/scouts-bsa/
Dunwoody Nature Center
Dunwoody Nature Center has updated its merit badge offerings for the winter and spring. DNC is offering Bird Study on February 25, Nature Study on April 8, Soil and Water Conservation on May 27, and Sustainability on June 24. For more information, click here: https://dunwoodynature.org/scout-merit-badges/
merit badge summits
Merit Badge Summit is a quality Merit Badge program that helps Scouts learn about different fields of knowledge. By recruiting experienced professional counselors, Scouts receive an unparalleled experience. The per-class registration fee of $20 includes program materials for most classes with only a few exceptions. All classes (with a few exceptions) will be 4 hours in length. Classes will usually be offered either from 8 AM – 12 PM or 1:00 PM – 5:00PM. If you are staying all day, please bring a lunch. There is an additional cost option for Chick-Fil-A box meals for either a sandwich or nuggets at $10 per meal. Follow this link to find out more information: https://www.atlantabsa.org/MeritBadgeSummit.
There are one more upcoming Merit Badge Summit opportunity this Spring:
April 29th: Check https://www.atlantabsa.org/MeritBadgeSummit for details as to when registration will open.
DUTY TO GOD weekend: march 17-19
The Northeast Georgia Council is hosting a Duty to God Weekend at Scoutland campsite (3685 Looper Lake Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506) on Lake Lanier (~1.5 hrs from OGUMC) . The program will offer training specific to BSA Chaplains & Chaplain Aides. Anyone interested in serving in these roles should consider going. Currently, the cost is $50 per Student and includes one free adult attending per student.
The program is also offering the RP3 programs (Protestant) and NCCS Religious Activity programs (Catholic). These programs can be used to meet some/all BSA Duty to God religious emblems requirements for these two faiths. Participants will receive a patch upon completion! Adults can also participate and earn the patch. These Duty to God offerings are open to all youth from Kindergarten through 12th grade and adults. All are welcome (siblings, youth groups, etc.) as a student does not need to be a Scout to participate in these programs.
Registration includes Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast, course workbook, patch, and materials
For more info, go to:
BSA sign up at https://www.nega-bsa.org/DutytoGodWeekend
Protestant* at www.praypub.org/rp3
Catholic at www.nccs-bsa.org/index.php/religious-activities
If you are interested in going or already signed up, please let Mr. Wade know via the Chaplain email address: chaplain@troop77bsa.org
Jamboree band
Attention all Band folks - here is a great opportunity with the Jamboree Band!
If you play a musical instrument in your high school or college band or even just for fun and will be at least 16 on or before July 19, 2023, the Jamboree Band is a great way to experience a National Scout Jamboree at a lot less cost than it is to go with a contingent.
Scouts and young adults who are interested should contact the Jamboree Band Director, George Pinchock at pinchock@aol.com and let him know you are interested. Mr. Pinchock is the Associate Director of Music at Villanova University in Pennsylvania where he works with the concert, marching and pep bands, and advises student performing groups. He served as director of the Jamboree Band in 2013 and 2017 and is the Scoutmaster of Troop 50 in Schwenksville, PA.
Band members get to do just about everything participants do plus play concerts for thousands of Scouts and Scouters.
ORder of the Arrow
Hello everyone, this is Ryan Shimabukuro, your Order of the Arrow (OA) Troop Representative. This newsletter contains important information about current and upcoming OA events, and more.
Events and Registration
The link to our Egwa Tawa Dee Lodge website is https://aacegwa.org. It has a calendar of upcoming events and information on how to register for the events.
Dues
Yes, there are dues in the OA. This year, and every year, dues are $25. They are due NOW! In some situations, if you did not pay dues last year, then you will need to pay those in order to pay your dues for this year and stay current. HOWEVER, this is important, if you attend OA events in which you pay a fee, the fee should cover your dues.
The Troop does NOT reimburse for payment of Adult or Youth OA dues, unless the Adult or Scout is actively involved in OA (e.g., attends monthly meetings, Chapter and Lodge events, Conclaves, Fellowship Events, Service Events, etc.), in which case you need to talk to me or Dr. Gilbert.
The link for paying dues is: https://www.atlantabsa.org/OAMemberRenewal
What is the Order of the Arrow?
According to the Order of the Arrow’s website (https://oa-bsa.org/), the Order of the Arrow is an honor organization that recognizes Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich and help to extend Scouting to America's youth.
Etowah Chapter:
The following are the elected officials (and advisor) in our Chapter:
Chapter Chief: RJ Holloway rj@rj-holloway.com
Vice Chapter Chief: Violet Todd violet.todd.7@gmail.com
Etowah Chapter Advisor: Ramus Caribbean EtowahAdviser@aacegwa.org
If you have any questions about the events, you can contact me or RJ, the current Etowah Chapter Chief at rj@rj-holloway.com.
Thanks!
Ryan
SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCES
Scoutmaster Conferences for Scout, Star, Life and Eagle are conducted by Mr. Cole. You can sign-up for those Scoutmaster Conferences on the Troop's website under Scoutmaster Conferences and follow the instructions and use the Sign-up Genius link under SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCES SIGN-UP FOR SCOUT, STAR AND LIFE RANKS. IF YOUR SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE IS BEFORE 7P, ONE OF YOUR PARENTS MUST BE PREPARED TO STAY FOR THE CONFERENCE TO REMAIN YPT COMPLIANT. Scoutmaster Conferences for Eagle can be arranged by emailing Mr. Cole at ctcole0308@gmail.com.
Scoutmaster Conferences for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class are completed by an Assistant Scoutmaster and should be arranged through the ASM Helpdesk or by contacting Mr. Jensen at garyljensen@gmail.com.
EAGLE COURTS OF HONOR HELP
For anyone (Scouts or Parents) who can volunteer some time to help organize a few things, get things setup, or help take things down at the end of Eagle Courts of Honor, Mrs. Cole could certainly use the help. It’s not an overwhelming amount of stuff to get done by a team, but it starts to get overwhelming if you are having to do it all by yourself. If you’re interested in helping with the Eagle Courts of Honor please contact Holly Cole (hpcole77@gmail.com or (770) 401-4992) and let her know. With a big backlog from COVID and being fortunate to have 1-2 Scouts earning Eagle a month, this is a great way to give some time to the Troop on a night other than Tuesdays and a great place to start volunteering.
community service opportunities
Click the link below to see all of the community service opportunities available now.
https://sites.google.com/troop77bsa.com/scout-parent/service
Communication
Remind Application
Troop 77 Parents –
Or text @troop77p to the number 81010
Troop 77 Scouts
or text @troop77s to the number 81010
Troop 177 Parents –
Or text @troop177p to the number 81010
Troop 177 Scouts
or text @troop177s to the number 81010
Scoutbook
At least one parent/guardian MUST activate their Scoutbook account.
Only the linked parent/guardian can activate the scout's access to their Scoutbook account. (If you scout does not have an email please make them a free account at gmail.com)
To activate your Scout's account complete please click here How to activate your scout's Scoutbook account
Scoutbook has a mobile app. Search for “Scouting BSA” in the APP Store or Google Play and download today! Your login is the same as the web version.
Coming soon a scout will be able to check their escrow account, if medical forms are out of date, swim test status and much more