Alamo Area Council

 
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Alamo Area Council

What you need to know about the Combined Federal Campaign and the Alamo Area Council

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What is the Combined Federal Campaign?

Overseen by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Combined Federal Campaign is the official workplace-giving campaign for federal employees and retirees. Since its inception, the CFC has raised more than $8.6 billion for charities and people in need. CFC pledges make a real and meaningful difference to a countless number of individuals throughout our communities, our nation, and the world. Some people might say it takes an extraordinary person to care enough to give, but it’s more common than you think, and it’s easy! Anyone can be a changemaker through the CFC.

The Alamo Area Council is a Charity Recipient of the Campaign.

CFC Giving System is online

The 2023 CFC online giving system has all the giving options, is easy to renew each year, meets all federal security standards, and reduces paper waste. Visit https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/offerings for more information and ways to donate.

Personal Management Merit Badge

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Understanding the value of money, the cost of debt, and how to develop and follow a budget are all key skills for success in life. Youth often learn about money first within their families when they receive an allowance, are paid to do chores; or listen to their parents talk about paying bills and saving for retirement. To prepare them further, the Scout program has multiple opportunities for youth to engage in practical, hands-on, real-life practice with money, all within a safe space and with adult supervision.  

 Beginning with the foundational recitation of the Scout Law, youth learn that “a Scout is thrifty”, an overarching tenet that directs activities and discussions about the value of money. Cub Scout meetings can be organized around financial management topics and Scouts BSA members plan camping or other group trips and calculate the costs involved; calculate how much money needs to be raised for the group to be able to camp; and plan their meals and shop for groceries within a budget. In addition, many Scout Units raise money to support their skill-building and activities by engaging in fundraising activities. This provides real-world experience for Scouts to learn sales skills, including how to set up goals, add up orders, make changes, and calculate sales per hour.  

 Three times a year, the Alamo Area Council offers the Personal Management merit badge.  The comprehensive requirements help Scouts develop an understanding of core financial literacy concepts including  

  • annual percentage rates; 
  • budgeting;  
  • credit reports and scores;  
  • credit and debit cards;  
  • types of insurance;  
  • types of investments;  
  • return on investment and risk;  
  • savings/emergency reserves; and  
  • loans.  

 The merit badge process teaches youth about mapping a plan for their life, including setting short-range and long-range goals, and leads them through the process of exploring different ways to reach those goals. Working on this badge is engaging and requires youth to participate, discuss, and share as items are presented during three class meetings. Along the way, youth talk with their parents, fellow Scouts, and Merit Badge Counselors to gain additional insight and to be held accountable. The requirements are infinitely customizable, allowing Scouts to create and follow a budget based on their own income and expenses for 13 weeks and research and budget for a major family expense that fits their life and their family’s values. The merit badge exposes Scouts to the concepts and terminology of finances, banking, insurance, investments, and more to help prepare them for financial decisions down the road. 

Helping future generations understand how to manage money and avoid debt are invaluable life lessons that positively impact those individuals as well as the community in which they live. 

For more information about the Merit Badge, see https://www.alamoareascouting.org/camping/merit-badge-university/personal-management-merit-badge/. 

Links to resources are shared on the website at https://www.alamoareascouting.org/news/personal-management-merit-badge-information/. 

The Personal Management Merit Badge promo video can be found at  https://youtu.be/sBnOUhCp5p8. 

Ensuring Safety and Privacy: Introducing Encrypted Applications

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We, at the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council, are committed to maintaining the utmost safety and privacy for all individuals associated with our organization. As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance data security, we have implemented a new policy regarding application submissions. Effective immediately, we will only accept Membership Applications and Eagle Applications via email if they are encrypted. This change is designed to protect both the sending party and the individuals represented in the application itself.

Why is this change important?

In today’s digital landscape, ensuring the privacy of personal information has become increasingly crucial. With the rising prevalence of cyber threats and data breaches, we cannot afford to compromise the safety and confidentiality of our applicants. By requiring encrypted applications, we are taking proactive measures to safeguard sensitive data and protect the trust placed in us by our Scouts, Scouters, and their families.

What does it mean to encrypt a file?

Encryption is a method used to scramble information so that it is unreadable to unauthorized individuals. It adds an extra layer of protection by encoding the contents of a file, ensuring that even if intercepted, the data remains secure. When an application is encrypted, it can only be accessed and deciphered by the intended recipient who possesses the decryption key.

How can you encrypt your application?

We understand that encryption may be unfamiliar territory for some, which is why we are dedicated to providing you with the necessary tools and resources to securely submit your applications. To help you get started, we have curated a series of instructional videos that will guide you through the process of encrypting your files.

  • Choosing the right encryption software. The first step is to select a reliable encryption software that will allow our office to view and print applications once received.
  • Encrypting your application. The videos above will walk you through the encryption process step by step. You will learn how to encrypt your application files effectively, ensuring they are protected during transmission.
  • Send the encrypted file.

Unencrypted applications will not be opened by our office.
This strict requirement is in place to prioritize the safety and privacy of everyone involved in our organization.

At the Boy Scouts of America, we are steadfast in our commitment to providing a secure environment for our Scouts, Scouters, and all stakeholders. We believe that by implementing encrypted application submissions, we are taking a proactive stance against potential threats to your privacy.

We encourage you to access our video tutorials, follow the instructions, and reach out to your District Service Executive if you have any questions or concerns. Together, we can ensure that your applications are transmitted securely, protecting your personal information and upholding our collective dedication to safety.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we continue to strengthen our commitment to privacy and security.

BSA’s SAFE Checklist for Units

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Scouts and their parents expect all Boy Scouts of America activities to be conducted safely. To ensure the safety of participants, the Boy Scouts of America expects leaders to use the four points of SAFE when delivering the Scouting program.

 

SUPERVISION

  • Accepting responsibility for the well-being and safety of youth under their care.
  • Ensuring that adults are adequately trained, experienced, and skilled to lead the activity, including the ability to prevent and respond to likely problems and
    potential emergencies.
  • Knowing and delivering the program of the Boy Scouts of America with integrity.
  • Using qualified instructors, guides, or safety personnel as needed to provide additional guidance.
  • Maintaining engagement with participants during activities to ensure compliance with established rules and procedures.

 

  • Predetermining what guidance and standards are typically applied to the activity, including those specific to the Boy Scouts of America program.
  • Planning for safe travel to and from the activity site.
  • Validating the activity is age appropriate for the Boy Scouts of America program level.
  • Determining whether the unit has sufficient training, resources, and experience to meet the identified standards, and if not, modifying the activity accordingly.
  • Developing contingency plans for changes in weather and environment and arranging for communication with participants, parents, and emergency services.
  • Confirming the activity is right for the age, maturity, and physical abilities of participants.
  • Considering as risk factors temporary or chronic health conditions of participants.
  • Validating minimum skill requirements identified during planning and ensuring participants stay within the limits of their abilities.
  • Providing training to participants with limited skills and assessing their skills before they attempt more advanced skills.

 

EQUIPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT

Safe and appropriately sized equipment, courses, camps, campsites, trails, or playing fields are used properly. Leaders periodically check gear use and the environment for changing conditions that could affect safety.

Confirming participants’ clothing is appropriate for expected temperatures, sun exposure, weather events, and terrain.
Providing equipment that is appropriately sized for participants, is in good repair, and is used properly.
Ensuring personal and group safety equipment is available, properly fitted, and used consistently and in accordance with training.
Reviewing the activity area for suitability during planning and immediately before use, and monitoring the area during the activity through supervision.
Adjusting the activity for changing conditions or ending it if safety cannot be maintained.

Download a copy of this form for your Leader Resourses

 

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