Troop 216 Family,

Here is the latest and greatest given the recent announcement of the
closing of Illinois schools thru 30 March. Troop leadership has
coordinated with our Charter rep, Mike Veith, to still have our weekly
meeting on Monday, 16 March at 700pm. All those scouts who choose to
attend will have the opportunity to earn the public health merit badge. My
wife, Karen O’Koniewski, who has a masters degree in public health, has
volunteered to teach the scouts. This is a good time to take real world
events and give the scouts a good perspective on what is actually happening
around the globe. This is also a great time to emphasize how important it
is to remain calm, make good decisions, and be there to help our community;
all strong aspects of the scouting program.

While Karen is teaching the public health merit badge, the adults will
huddle up and come up with a plan for the rest of the month. Some things
to consider for the next few weeks:
**Can we conduct a scout master conference via apple FaceTime or Skype?
**Can we conduct a board of review vie the same platforms? Or can 3 adults
and the scout requesting advancement meet at a public place such as Dairy
Queen to conduct the Board of Review??
** In order to update Scoutbook for rank advancement, can a scout take a
picture of his handbook sign off page, send it to the scoutmaster or ASM
and receive credit for the rank in question.
** Can patrols coordinate via email the meal plans for the upcoming campout
on 27-29 MAR??

I believe the answer to all the above questions is yes, it’s time to take
advantage of modern day communication capabilities and apply it to the
current global crisis. This would be a great lesson to teach the scouts.
However, I’m open to discussion about the above mentioned at the meeting
Monday night.

GSLAC and BSA National have left it to the discretion of individual units
to hold regular meetings during the crisis. We will have an update from
First Christian Church representatives on the availability of our meeting
space past Monday March 16th.

The scout meeting on Monday is not mandatory, and NO attendance will be
taken. If parents feel they don’t want their scouts to participate, we as
a troop totally understand. Just trying to provide a scout program during
the current situation.

In summary, We will meet on Monday 16 March at 700pm, First Christian
Church. Public Health merit badge will be taught. Scoutmaster conferences
and Boards of Review will be available for those scouts who need one.

Please call, email, or text me if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks for your patience and understanding during these challenging times.
We have a great team of leaders at Troop 216 who are thinking outside the
box to not let our scout program suffer during the current crisis.

Yours in Scouting,

Mike O’Koniewski
Troop Committee Chairman
618-791-3956
okie135@yahoo.com