Signature Change

You all may be wondering why there was such a drastic change in my signature after my posts. The reason behind this is that I am in the process of switching to a adult leadership role in Denver Area Council after my move to this area. My move lead me to having to change roles to the Cub Scout Level, but Scouting is Scouting at all levels. I am ready to learn a lot about this level and hopefully expand my knowledge and skills as a leader, which is my ultimate goal no matter which unit I choose to serve.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Den Leader Pack 69
Frontier District, Denver Area Council
NSJ '05 Youth Participant '10 Subcamp 7 Youth Staff
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

NSJ 2010 Staff App Update the Last One

It is official, I am going to the 2010 National Jamboee as Staff on Subcamp Seven as one of there youth staff members. I am not exactly sure what I will be doing in regards to a specific assignment but I am sure it will be fun all around. This is a excellent opportunity for me and I in truth ever since I went to the National Jamboree in 2005 I knew I wanted to come back in 2010. In case you didn't know Subcamp 7 serves the following states:

• Washington
• Alaska
• Idaho
• Oregon

Well that is all for know, I will keep you update on Jamboree Information as it comes avialable to me. The next step is to start receiving lodging and travel advisories for the Jamboree and to receive the Jamboree specific Medical Form.

Also I returned my LOA this morning, so hopefully by tomorrow I will recieve confirmation that National has received my LOA.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Den Leader Pack 69
Frontier District, Denver Area Council
NSJ '05 Youth Participant '10 Subcamp 7 Youth Staff
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

WA/AK/ID/O

NSJ 2010 Staff App Update

Recieved word from Subcamp 7 Cheif Dave and found out he still has spots avialable for staff. He said I could either be a dining, commissary, or environmental assistant. I responded that I would gladly take any of these three positions and I should receive confirmation and my LOA or Letter of Appointment in a about 1 day to 1 week, so probably by friday I will recieve the email with my LOA.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

Words to Live By 6

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

Words to Live By 5

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

Words to Live By 4

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

Words to Live By 3

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

Words to Live By 2

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

Words to Live By 1

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

Words to Live By Campaign

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

Scouting Video of the Week

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

Support Eagle Scout that was Suspended for bringing a pocket knife to School

Here is a request for help to support a fellow Eagle Scout in need of our assistance:

I've recieved a few messages about Matt the Eagle Scout who was suspened from school for 4 weeks for a 2 inch pocket knife in his car. I think that as a group we should stand behind him and ask his school;s administration to change their decision. We all know that a 2 inch pocket knife is nothing mroe than a tool, and Matthew was simply being prepared for any emergency that require it, So let's help him out.

Please help by contacting Super intendent George Goodwin by em-amil at ggoodwin@lansingburgh.org or by phone at 518-233-6850 ext. 3400.

I personally choose to send a e-mail and her is a copy of the e-mail that I sent:

Dear Superintendent George Goodwin

Hello. My name is Mark West and I am currently a Assistant Scoutmaster for a Boy Scout Troop in Soldotna, Alaska. I have been involved in Scout as a Youth and Adult for over 12 years. I am also a Eagle Scout and I realize that even without meeting with Matt face to face I know he is a Scout of good character and moral standards. This is just something that every Eagle Scout comes to expect from fellow Eagles.

I know for you as the superintendent it must be really hard to make some of the decisions you have to make. I realize that the School district has a zero tolerance, I know that in this case you had no choice in suspending him but I do not think that it was necessary to suspend Matt for the full 45 days, this to me seems unfair to the student and in this case in particular the punishment does not fit the crime. A punishment is definitely necessary according to district policy and changing for this student would only complicate matters for you, the family, and the district but I do suggest that you decrease the length of the suspension for two reasons. My first reason is that since there was no intention of using the knife or causing harm to others which the student clearly admits this, then the punishment should not be for the maximum length of time. I know that there is a possibility that the student that reported seeing the knife either felt like he was seriously endagered or the more likely story is that it was just another teen trying to attract attention. I just do not believe that the student report Matt ever felt he was endangered. If the student was then obviously something more is going on then the media is leading us to believe. Making this determination will hopefully allow you to reconsider the decision. Second the Scout was completely honest with security and the administration, so I believe that this should be taken into account when making your decision. Matt never tried to hide anything from you in regards to this pocketknife. ALso I do not believe that he was fully aware of why a pocketknife that he would only use in emergency's would cause such a big problem. I think that if Matt was more aware of the problem this would cause, he would have never brought the knife to school. I know from personal experience that whenever I am without a knife is the time when I need the knife the most which is probably along the same thought process Matt was thinking. Without a knife I sometimes feel naked and not able to fully participate in a activity. This nakedness comes from the Scout training both me and Matt have recieved. I know that there are rules and laws about taking knifes into certain places but I do not believe that Matt violated the law and cannot be charged with a crime. Yes he did violate school district policy and he admits that but I just don't think that he was fully aware of the consequences of his actions.

If have any questions or comments in regards to this e-mail plese feel free to e-mail me at:

westybsa@aol.com or west701@regis.edu

You can also reach me via cell phone at the following number:

303-870-2376.

Thank you in advanced for taking the time to read and consider my perspective. It is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely
Mark West
Scouting Volunteer.


Please feel free to use sections or ideas from this e-mail in order to write one to the Superintendent. We all have a duty to act upon this and help this Eagle Scout.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

NSj 2010 Staff App

Just wanted to give you a update on how my application is going.

As you know I have recieved Council, Local, and National Approval. I am just waiting on my LOA which probably got held up in the system because I choose a area that is supposedly already full, so hopefully then will get it to the next area director on my list soon. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

That is all for now. I know that wasn't much of a update but I hadn't posted information for a week on the subject.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 '10 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

Quote of the Week

The most unfair thing about life is the way it ends. I mean, life is tough. It takes up a lot of your time. What do you get at the end of it? A Death! What's that, a bonus? I think the life cycle is all backwards. You should die first, get it out of the way. Then you live in an old age home. You get kicked out when you're too young, you get a gold watch, you go to work. You work forty years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. You do drugs, alcohol, you party, you get ready for high school. You go to grade school, you become a kid, you play, you have no responsibilities, you become a little baby, you go back into the womb, you spend your last nine months floating.

Georg Carlin

“Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid.”

John Wayne

Life is tough, and if you have the ability to laugh at it you have the ability to enjoy it.
Salma Hayek

Yours in Scouting Service

Mark W

Assistant Scoutmaster

Troop 1616

Great Alaska COuncil

Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member

NSJ '05 '10 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

JOTI After action report

JOTA/JOTI 2009 Half a million Scouts, 6500 actions for environment

Since last Friday, thousand of Scouts from all-around the world have met via Air-waves and Internet. At the World Scout Bureau radio station, the JOTA international team welcomed 50 Scouts and Guides de France and Portuguese Scouts. They established connection with more than 50 countries. From Germany, the JOTI international team implemented all the necessary technology to run the event.

At the end of a working meeting on WOSM Governance, Luc Panissod, Secretary general , came to say hello to all participants and broadcasted the following message : “As every year, on the occasion of the JOTA/JOTI, you have been part of half a million Scouts coming together over the air-waves and through the Internet. On behalf of World Scouting, I thank you all, volunteers and young people from all around the world, for having shared a real spirit of brotherhood and cooperation.
In order to demonstrate what the Scout Movement is doing in favour of protecting our common environment, we invited all of you to promote your challenges for climate change. I’m very happy to announce that since 12th October, more than 3000 newactions have been registered by you on the website of the race for environement, adding up to some 6400 actions being undertaken worldwide by Scouts just like you.
On your behalf, we will ensure that all these actions will be brought to the attention of the United Nations Summit on Climate Change which will be held this December in Copenhagen.
This last week end, your friendly and supportive contributions has demonstrated the great capacity of the Scout Movement to concretely act to create a better world. I hope that you will use JOTA/JOTI to all come together again next year and I encourage all of you to continue your positive actions wherever you are.”

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

New Blog Gadget Update

I finished adding the gadget or widget I wanted to but unfortunately it required me to make a few minor adjustments to my template. This I believe has cause the blog to ac somewhat irregularly and take longer to load. I need someone to confirm this because I am on a large scale network at college I do not have the best testing environment and I am not able to adequately diagnosis or support this issue with confirmation.

Also If you think my blog is getting too busy or the template does not look very good then feel free to leave comments about that subject as well.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

NSJ 2010 Staff App

Been approved by National Council.

Just waiting to recieve my LOA or Letter of Acceptance. Can't wait to see which position I will get, I will probably not get subcamp staff but that is okay.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

One of the more important Positions in the NCCS or National Catholic Committe on Scouting is that of the Vice President of the Committee. Recently the Vice President has passed away.

Let our prays and thoughts be extended over him and his family.
Here is a copy of the Obituary which can be accessed online at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/louisville/obituary.aspx?n=john-paul-ribar&pid=134371157

RIBAR, JOHN PAUL, 81, of Louisville, died at home Friday, October 9, 2009.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jean; his children, John (Judy), David (Susan), Richard (Susan), Don (Tracee), and Susan Loveland (Mike); eight grandchildren, Rachel, Beth, Erin, Matt, Thomas, Carly, Zoe and Max; and numerous nieces and nephews.

John was born June 19, 1928 in Wilmerding, PA and was an alumni of the University of Pittsburgh. He served a tour as an Air Force second lieutenant in the Korean War and hiked Mt. Fuji before accepting a sales position with Standard Register in North Carolina. He moved to Louisville in 1959 where he later started a successful family-owned printing company, Bluegrass Business Forms, in 1972.

A founding member of Mother of Good Counsel Parish, he prayerfully served for more than forty years. Most recently he belonged to St. Margaret-Mary Catholic Church.

John began service to the BSA in 1960. He was a cubmaster and scoutmaster, and then held positions at the District, Council and Regional levels. John was a recipient of many Scouting awards, including the Silver Antelope, the Silver Saint George, and the Golden Ad Altare Dei. He was proud of all those he helped to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, including his four sons and two of his grandsons. His daughter married an Eagle Scout.

In 1995 John represented the BSA on a trip to Siberia. He was a leader and course instructor at Philmont, and attended five National Jamborees. John formerly chaired the Louisville Catholic Committee on Scouting and organized many popular Flaget Trail camp-outs. He was a vice chair of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, and was awarded the prestigious Brother Barnabas Founders Award in 2008.

John belonged to the Kiwanis for many years. He assisted the Trinity High School Foundation and donated time and support to many other charities. He was a devoted gardener and sports fan. His sense of humor was renowned.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Margaret-Mary, 7813 Shelbyville Rd., followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. Family and friends may visit from 2-8 p.m. Friday at Pearson- Ratterman Funeral Home, 12900 Shelbyville Road.

Memorials may be made to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015; The Lincoln Heritage Council, P.O. Box 36273, Louisville KY 40233, or another charity of your choice.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

Adding New Gadget

Working on adding a InsaneScouter widget to the site. Having problems but they should be resolved shortly.

Thanks for your patience.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

Here are the answers to the questions:

1. Scouting’s first camp took place in 1907 on Brownsea Island, off the coast of England
2. Global Positioning System
3. Compasses appeared in China about 1,000 years ago
4. Webmaster and Leave No Trace Trainer
5. In bedrolls
6. Severe thirst, dark urine, headache
7. Reach, throw, row, go
8. Every quiz has one give-away…

That is all for right know.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08