Merit Badge Counselors-- Information

November is the month we round up new Merit Badge Counselors and renew interest in previously serving MBC's.  The boys benefit from having active, trained and interested MBC's.  Thanks for your willingness to help them.

New Merit Badge counselors need to be willing to do the following to serve:

Register with the BSA using an Adult Application in triplicate.  Be sure to fill it out completely and fill in the release for a background check section as well.  It's not on the main page, so look for it.  Use '42' as position code for MBC and use 'Sweetwater' for District.  Sign the bottom-- you don't need any other signatures since it's a District position.  And it's free!

Fill out a MBC Information Sheet.  Be sure to fill in the parts showing your skill set.  Read the informational page and familiarize yourself with the procedures involved with registration and the short explanation of what Merit Badge counselors do.

Take Youth Protection Training.  Print out a certificate showing the training was completed and attach it to the application.  This needs to be renewed every two years.

These packets need to be turned in to Jefferson BSA offices,  If you want to give them to the Troop Committee Chair, he/she would probably be glad to send it off.

Look for training opportunities once you have signed up. Often Districts hold training at Advance-arama.  There is a wonderful power point online here.  Merit Badge Counselor Power Point Training  Let your Troop Committee Chair know that you have completed this training, so he/she won't trouble you further about training.  If you could do this power point at the same time you do the Youth Protection, your Committee chair would be pleased!  A report to the District on your forms that you are trained and no further actions (aside from registering you) are required will be welcome!

Lastly, be willing to confirm each November your continued willingness to serve.

If you're already a Merit Badge Counselor, thanks for your service.  The District requires a renewal of former MBC's to ensure that the list is always updated.  Your Troop Committee chair will contact you each November to confirm you are still willing to serve.  Please make sure your Youth Protection training is still up to date at this time.  It is critical to keep that training fresh.  This training needs to be taken each 2 years, so don't let it lapse.

Little Philmont Training Opportunity

In March, the Atlanta Area Council is putting on a training for LDS leaders called 'Little Philmont.'  When I have attended this training in the past, I have been impressed with the excellent training in coordinating church policies with BSA policies.  I expect this training to be no different.  I urge all leaders to attend this training to get this vital information.  We can learn this on our own through years of making mistakes and stumbling into misunderstandings.  Or we can get it all in a few hours at this training.

Details--

March 21, 9 am to 3 pm.
Atlanta Area Council offices at
1800 Circle 75 Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30339

Not sure if there is pre-registration but will update as I find out.

Hope all of our local leaders can be there.