The Mayflower Council is utilizing the power of Scoutbook to enhance the functionality of our merit badge counselor list.

HOW DO I ACCESS THE LIST
Go to Scoutbook.com and login to your account. If you have the proper rights, you will see it towards the bottom of your troop’s page in Scoutbook (MB Counselor List on your dashboard).  This list is available to adults who are indicated in Scoutbook as adult leaders and committee members in your troop.

If you do not see it, go to My Dashboard > Administration > My Account > My Positions and make sure there is a green shield next to your troop leadership position. If it is missing, one of your unit admins will need to approve your position.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who will be on the list? 
Registered and council-approved merit badge counselors in the Mayflower Council.

Who will see the list?
Adult leaders in troops who are on Scoutbook will see all the merit badge counselors who have indicated to Mayflower Council that they are willing to counsel within your unit or ones who have indicated they are willing to counsel more broadly.

What does it mean for me?
When adult leaders (including committee members) search for merit badge counselors in Scoutbook, you can be confident that the listed counselors are qualified to counsel on the merit badge, have been approved by the Mayflower Council advancement personnel, and have stated a willingness to work with your unit or units across the council.

Why can’t parents see the list? 
The merit badge process directs the Scout to the Scoutmaster for a recommended merit badge counselor.  That is why the Scoutmaster has access to the list and the Scout and parents do not.  It keeps the Scoutmaster in the process.  The merit badge process is as follows:

1. The Scout develops an interest in a merit badge and may begin working on the requirements.
2. The Scout discusses his interest in the merit badge with his unit leader (i.e., Scoutmaster).
3. The unit leader signs a blue card and provides the Scout with at least one counselor contact.
4. The Scout contacts the counselor.
5. The counselor considers any work toward requirements completed prior to the initial discussion with the unit leader.
6. The Scout, his buddy, and the counselor meet (often several times).
7. The Scout finishes the requirements.
8. The counselor approves completion.
9. The Scout returns the signed blue card to his unit leader, who signs the applicant record section of the blue card.
10. The unit leader gives the Scout the applicant record.
11. The unit reports the merit badge to the council.
12. The Scout receives his merit badge.

How often will the Scoutbook list be refreshed? 
We will be refreshing the list by the seventh of each month.

What do I do if a Scout earns a merit badge at summer camp or with a merit badge counselor not on the list? 
If the Scout earned a merit badge from a registered and approved merit badge counselor, then a troop adult who has the authorization inside Scoutbook to mark merit badges or merit badge requirements as completed or approved will still be able to do so.

Can troop leaders and troop advancement coordinators sign a Scout off on a merit badge? are not authorized to sign a Scout off on a merit badge if they are not also a registered and approved merit badge counselor for that badge.
Troop leaders and troop advancement coordinators are only authorized to sign a Scout off on a merit badge if they are also a registered and approved merit badge counselor for that badge. However, you can record it in Scoutbook as completed and approved after the merit badge counselor has signed off (even if he/she does so outside of Scoutbook) after verifying that the Scout has a signed blue card from a registered and approved merit badge counselor.

Where can units who do not utilize Scoutbook go to find a list of registered and approved merit badge counselors?
Units should activate the Scoutbook account for their troop in order for leaders to be able to see the current list of merit badge counselors. Click here to find out how to get your unit started with Scoutbook.

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and Mayflower Council are committed first and foremost to keeping youth safe. Part of that commitment includes continually updating our youth protection policies to help ensure we are always on the forefront of youth safety.

As you know, one of the BSA’s many barriers to abuse is a mandatory criminal background check during the adult volunteer application process. The BSA will now also perform periodic rechecks of criminal backgrounds to support the continued safety of youth in our programs.

In order to conduct these background checks, we need a couple things from all registered leaders. Please complete the process listed below at your earliest convenience to help us continue to provide the safest environment possible for our Scouts and leaders. Please note that these steps must be completed before your 2020 membership renewal and unit rechartering can be processed.

1. Review the Background Check Disclosure.
2. Then, review the additional disclosures on the “Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization” form, then complete and sign it using an ink/wet signature. Note: Digital signatures from third-party providers are acceptable. Email confirmations, permissions or typed names on the form are not acceptable substitutes for wet signatures.
3. Turn in the signed “Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization” form promptly depending on your registration.
   • If your primary registration is with a unit, please give the form with your original signature to your unit leader who will submit it with the recharter paperwork.
   • If your primary registration is NOT with a unit, please give the form with your original signature to your district executive, mail it to the Marlborough Service Center, 2 Mount Royal Avenue – Suite 100, Marlborough, MA  01752 or you may email it to membership@mayflowerbsa.org.

If you choose to decline the background check, or if you do not complete and return the Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization form, your personal registration for 2020 will not be processed; this may delay the processing of your unit’s rechartering paperwork. Please note we need a signed authorization form from every registered adult leader.

Thank you for making this investment of time to help protect our Scouts. We are truly grateful for your continued commitment to keeping youth safe and for helping them learn, grow, and thrive through Scouting programs.

FAQ on the background check disclosures & authorization form

As a valued member of our Mayflower Council Scouting family, we know we owe it to you to be transparent and communicate information we receive promptly.

Late Tuesday afternoon, the National Council informed us that registration fees for the Scouting program will increase effective January 1, 2020. This change is primarily due to increasing liability insurance costs associated with delivering a quality program across the country.

While we do not know the exact amount, the National Council committed to having the amount finalized in the next six weeks, once the National Board reviews the recommendations from a task force of volunteers and professionals assigned to review this matter. Unfortunately, this change will impact registration fees to be collected at rechartering.

We sincerely apologize for the timing and the inability to convey the amount of the new registration fee at this time, but felt compelled to quickly communicate what we learned as soon as we learned it. We recognize the timing of this fee increase creates challenges as units have already begun collecting fees for their 2020 registration renewal process.

Thank you for all you do to support and deliver Scouting to the youth of the Mayflower Council.

Yours in Scouting,

Michael Rotar
Council President

Bryan Feather
Scout Executive / CEO

Mark Niedzielski
Council Commissioner

Registration Fee Frequently Asked Questions Document

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Virus Information

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced on 8/19/19 that EEE virus has been detected in mosquitos collected from areas within the Mayflower Council boundaries. As a consequence of this detection the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has raised the EEE risk level for many of these areas.

EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 years of age or over 50 years of age are at greatest risk for serious illness.

By taking a few, common-sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant. Avoid outside areas with obvious mosquito activity
• Clothing Can Help to reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin. Sleep with mosquito netting.
• Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin. Wear mosquito repellent when outdoors, especially between dawn and dusk.

The Mayflower Council will continue to work with the Boards of Health, the MDPH and other agencies.

For the most up to date information about EEE and reports of current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts visit the MDPH website at www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito

If you’re a den leader, you’re going to love the latest update to Scoutbook! The Boy Scouts of America’s online tool for tracking Scouting advancement just rolled out a new update that’s going to make it easier than ever for den leaders to prepare for and lead meetings, track advancement and attendance, and more. 

Mayflower Council congratulates Michael P. Healy for receiving the National Duty to God Award at the Duty to God Award Breakfast at the 2019 Boy Scouts of America National Annual Meeting posthumously.

Michael P. Healy was the leading figure in enabling youth and adults of Unitarian Universalist faith to enjoy Scouting. He founded the Unitarian Universalist Scouter’s Organization and served as its first President. He led the creation of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta Living your Religion religious emblem for Unitarian Universalist youth. He worked tirelessly with Boy Scouts of America leadership and with the leadership of the Unitarian Universalist Association to resolve policy differences. He organized Unitarian Universalist participation in several Boy Scouts of America National Jamborees.

Mike also was a leader in the Boy Scouts of America’s National Religious Relationships Committee. He also founded the Religious Relationships Committee of the Northeast Region and served as its first chair. Mike served as unit level leader, Council President of Knox Trail Council, Area President of the New England Area of the Northeast Region and member of the Northeast Region Executive Board. Mike was awarded the Eagle Scout Award, National Eagle Scout Association Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, Silver Beaver Award and Silver Antelope Award. He was a founder and vigorous supporter of the Harbor to Bay bicycle ride to combat AIDS.

Mike had an interesting career. He initially was an engineer working with Raytheon Corporation as part of the team with the Apollo Moon Landings. He then wanted to work more with people and for almost 30 years was a general practice attorney in Holliston Massachusetts. Finally, he was preparing to become a Unitarian Minister, earned a Master of Divinity degree and was completing internship in preparation for ordination as a Unitarian Minister when he Went Home on March 6, 2016.

Mike is survived by his wife Cathy, three children and nine grandchildren.