IEEE emeritbadges.org Project

IEEE Electronics Merit Badge Booth

at the

2005 National Scout Jamboree Merit Badge Midway

Walter L. Elden, Volunteer Coordinator

welden@cfl.rr.com

Volunteers Questions and Answers

December 12, 2004

1. You mentioned before about taking a class for risk management with the scouts? How and where do I take

this? Will it be provided at the jamboree? 

All adult volunteers must take the BSA Youth Protection Training.  Registered adult Scouters can take the training through their local Boy Scout Council web sites or other training programs.  Volunteers can also receive the training at the IEEE Electronics Merit Badge Booth pre-Jamboree training session.  All volunteers should attend either the training session on Saturday, 23 July 2005 or Sunday, 24 July 2005 in Glen Allen, VA at the Dominion Virginia Power office.  Volunteers that arrive at the Jamboree without the Youth Protection Training, must take the training at the Jamboree.  This will delay the volunteer working with the scouts at least an hour.

2. When do you plan to select and notify volunteers of their assigned classes and days?  I'd like to finalize my travel plans based on that information.  Thank you. 

Initial volunteer assignment should be complete during December 2004.

3. It is not clear how to obtain the appropriate background check.  I visited the local Boy Scout council to obtain an application to be a Volunteer Leader, but they did not know how to complete the form and referred me to the BSA national office.  I left a message there and expect a call when the point of contact returns from vacation on Monday.  If you know the details, please consider providing them to the volunteers that are not currently registered with the Boy Scouts. 

We have just received the BSA form for part-time Merit Badge Midway volunteers from the BSA.  We need to clarify one item on the form with the BSA and will then post the form on the www.emeritbadges.org web site.

4. You might consider suggesting sources of lodging for the volunteers. 

The Jamboree will be held at Fort A. P. Hill, VA which is near Bowling Green, VA which is in Caroline County.  Bowling Green is about half way between Richmond, VA and Fredericksburg, VA.  Here is a link to lodging in Caroline County: http://www.visitcaroline.com/food.html.  Hotel rooms within a 50 mile radius will be filling up quick.

Here is a heads up list of web links for finding lodging in the area north and south of Ft. A.P. Hill.
Let me know how you make out. You must make your own arrangements.

Here is a good one for Caroline County, includes Bowling Green:

http://www.co.caroline.va.us/food.html

And for Richmond:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/SmartDeals-g60893-Richmond_Virginia-Hotel-Deals-GTEST214516C.html

Greater Fredericksburg

http://www.fredericksburgvirginia.net/

General Lodging

http://www.fredericksburgvirginia.net/dining_lodging.asp?parent_name=dining_lodging

Motels

http://www.fredericksburgvirginia.net/hotels_motels.asp?parent_name=attractions

5. Thanks for sending out the email to the volunteers.

For item 8, please clarify with volunteers that the booth construction and the training programs are two separate events.  We only need a few people for booth construction.  Most volunteers need to attend either the Saturday or Sunday training program.

For item 12, if anyone asks you about the fee, please let them know that we don't think there will be a fee.  We need to clarify with the BSA.

6. I would be driving out from the Chicago area and would need some place to stay. I would be glad to camp if there is someplace available. A list of motels would be helpful. I was at the ’93 Jamboree as a scout leader and I know that motels are full for a long way from the site. I could adjust my schedule if staffing were needed later in the session but would miss the initial training session. 

Attendance at the pre-Jamboree training session is not required but it will slow down the process of getting the volunteer working with the scouts.

7. I haven’t taken the ‘class’ you were talking about in your last email for ‘young people training’? You said it’s needed before being able to volunteer. I can’t remember what you called it. Anyways, how and where do I take it? 

Please see the answer to the previous question on Youth Protection Training.

8. Also, is there a minimum age requirement? I’m 23. 

Volunteers must have been born prior to 25 July 1984. 

9. What about the computer merit badge? I would be willing to setup and man a computer merit badge booth. 

The IEEE emeritbadges.org Project is sponsoring the Electronics Merit Badge Booth.  It is not known who is sponsoring the Computer Merit Badge Booth. 
 
10. Who can be qualified as full time volunteers? Any housing support for full time volunteers? 

Four full-time Electronics Merit Badge instructor and two public relations positions are still available.  The instructors need to be IEEE volunteers that are willing to promote the IEEE emeritbadges.org Project in their local area after the Jamboree.  Full-time volunteers can elect to have their Jamboree registration fee of $595 paid or receive a lodging/food allowance of $595.
 
11. Will there be provision for sheltered areas for the sessions in case of inclement weather? 

The booths are in large 120 ft. x 20 ft. lawn tents.  The instruction continues in rainy weather.  Instruction stops during severe weather such as lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms, etc.
 
12. Since I noticed that partime volunteers are required to stay for at least 2 days except the training day, so I may just need to spend one night there during the event, in that case, I can afford my own housing and food. Would be good if I can find another volunteer to share a Hotel/Motel for further cost reduction. Pls kindy consider my case. 

It is not required that part-time volunteers work two days but it sure helps with the learning curve.  We will accept any amount of time that a volunteer has to offer.  The pre-Jamboree training is not required but it speeds up the necessary training of volunteers

13. I am an IEEE member too. I would like to be in the volunteer's list.

We would be glad for you to volunteer.  Please provide your personal information at our web site at http://www.emeritbadges.org/volunteer_sign_up_forms.asp.

14. I would also like to initiate help in all the Computer and IEEE related activities at Washington DC,
Maryland and Virginia. 

Please give me more details on this suggestion.   

15. Please do let me know if I am eligible to volunteer in the activities as well as conduct regular local chapter
meetings for this section. 

We are recruiting for part-time Electronics Merit Badge instructors.  The personal data submitted by the volunteers will be given to the Boy Scouts of America and they will perform a background check.  Make sure you provide us with the date(s) that you can help and we will assign you to a position and date.  I'm unsure of your comment about conducting regular local chapter meetings for this section.  Would you please give me more details on this suggestion?

 16. I still donot know who is the local chapter leader and how to contact him. I would be very thankful if I get a
chance to be a Volunteer.  

Ralph W. Russell, II
Project Manager
IEEE "emeritbadges.org" Project
emeritbadges@ieee.org
http://www.emeritbadges.org
804-283-0198