On Saturday, January 4th, our district will hold its annual Re-charter Day at First Baptist Church beginning at 8am. During this event, leaders will learn important information about advancement, district recognition awards, camping, the Order of the Arrow, training, and other topics, in addition to what level of Scouting’s Journey to Excellence your unit has earned. Packets were distributed to every unit throughout the month of November using a variety of methods -- be aware that the on-line re-chartering system is now live! Although this is mostly an on-line process, the final printed charter and associated fees must be physically returned with all required signatures. When chartering information is printed, keep in mind that the fees per individual on the charter are not accurate, so bring a blank check for payment. Not only is the local per person insurance not included, but all Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, & Venturing membership fees in South Mountain District for 2020 ONLY will be pro-rated since our charter year will be moving to a January through December cycle:
Membership Fee + Insurance Fee = Total
$55 + $2 = $57 per Youth
$33 + $2 = $35 per Adult Leaders
$0 + $2 = $2 per Lion/Tiger Parents
$60 Charter Fee per Unit
Come prepared – all units are expected to bring the following items (if they haven’t already been turned in):
- training certificates
- a Family Friends of Scouting presentation date, contact, and location for your unit
- necessary information for Journey to Excellence – this link provides forms, information, and answers to frequently asked questions:
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards/JourneyToExcellence.aspx
All units are expected to send at least one representative – sign-up for a time slot on a first-come/first-served basis at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4bacab22a1f85-recharter5. Please expect the entire re-charter process to last approximately 60 minutes from the start of the appointment. Units will not be able to re-charter individuals who do not have current Youth Protection certification. In fact, we've been advised that the Internet Re-chartering system will not allow those entering the information on-line to proceed with the renewal process to the printing stage if there is a leader on the roster who does not have current YPT. Moreover, leaders will not be able to re-register in their current positions or switch to another direct contact role without completion of required training courses; outdoor courses are the only ones NOT available on-line! Units will be advised to re-assign leaders as Committee Members or remove them from charters if trainings are not completed. Also, be sure to provide all required background check paperwork for registered leaders, as well as parents responsible for the care of youth, mandated by PA Act 15.
Every unit is expected to select an individual as a Star Award recipient and return the paperwork during Re-charter Day on January 4th. Furthermore, the deadline for Fellowship Award and District Award of Merit nominations is 1/31/20. Keep in mind that detailed information on the applications is necessary to determine if the candidate is deserving of either special award. All award forms can be found at:
http://minsi-southmountain.com/SMD_dinner.htm
Finally, below is a link for a map to the church:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir//3235 Linden St, Bethlehem, PA 18017/@40.6621087,-75.4273394,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x89c43ff78d117db3:0xb81f58a66490a6a8!2m2!1d-75.353522!2d40.662002!3e0?hl=en
First Baptist Church
3235 Linden St.
Bethlehem, PA 18017-1918
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