News For Members

Scouting and Rotary Events Upcoming - Exhibit Booths

Meeting Schedules for 2022-23

Below is the most current information we have on upcoming Scouting and Rotary events. if anyone has ZI information for her/his zone, or any major world Scouting events, I would welcome receiving that and adding it to the list – the zone (or world scouting event), the location, the hotel or conference center (or Scouting location) involved and of course the dates.

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IFSR Supplies & Materials

IFSR has IFSR - Rotary Z-fold flier that describes what Rotary is on one side and what IFSR is on the other side. This joins an impressive list of materials available to IFSR Scouting Rotarians:

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Publicize IFSR in your District & Club Newsletters

William Litton, the IFSR Coordinator for District 6980, wrote an article in their district newsletter about IFSR. Here is a version of his article that could be used in the U.S. in your district's or club's newsletter. For a Word .doc version click here. This can be modified slightly for other countries.

Were you involved in Scouting as a youth or do you have a son that is currently in the Scouting program? If so, there is a Rotary Fellowship for you, The International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians. IFSR is an international group of Rotarians that are also involved in the Scouting program at the local, national, and international levels. Membership dues are $35.00 for new members and include the IFSR pin. If you are interested in joining the IFSR visit their website at http://scoutingrotarians.org. Two of the documents available at the website are the IFSR Membership Application and the IFSR Brochure which is also available in Spanish. The Spanish version also has the membership application in Spanish.

Membership in the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians is open tony Rotarian, in any country, who was formerly or is presently a member or supporter of any (girl or boy) Scout or Guide Association. Spouses of members and Rotaractors may become members.

The principles and goals of Rotary, Scouting and Guiding are closely aligned. Character building; service to country, to others, and to self; teaching leadership skills; and becoming aware of the world around us-these are all incorporated into the programs and activities of each organization. The values expressed in Rotary International's Motto and the Four Way Test greatly parallel those articulated in the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan.

In addition, the local Scout councils are working to find former scouts that are not connected and involved with the local Scouting movement. If you are former Scout alumni, it is time for you to reconnect with the Scouting program and re-engage in Scouting. Visit the BSA Alumni Website at to reconnect with Scouting and find out the great things that are happening in Scouting.

If you would like to have more information on the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians (IFSR), please contact your District IFSR Coordinator or visit the IFSR website http://scoutingrotarians.org .

[NOTE: you need to replace "your District IFSR Coordinator" with the IFSR contact for your district.]

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IFSR World President, PDG Mark Kriebel Receives the Silver Buffalo

Left to right: Dr. Robert Gates, Immediate Past President of the BSA and former US Defense Secretary, Randall Stephenson, BSA President and Chairman/CEO of AT&T, Mark Kriebel, Mark’s wife, Pat, Michael Surbaugh, Chief Scout Executive, and Tico Perez, Immediate Past BSA National Commissioner.

It is our rare honor to welcome yet another Silver Buffalo winner as our IFSR President for 2016 - 2017. Mark joins our outgoing president, PDG Harold Friend, MD at the lofty heights as a Silver Buffalo winner. In 89 years only 750 (out of many millions of volunteers) have been so honored. These are two incredible men who powerfully confirm lives of “Service Above Self.” Harold will continue to serve on the Executive Board and Mark’s biography is below. Let’s join these men to move ahead the mission of IFSR.

Mark Kriebel first joined Rotary in 1977 in Ebensburg, PA, and is currently a member of the Endwell, NY Rotary Club, where he is Treasurer, and served as President in 2001-2002. Mark’s District 7170 work has included chairing most District operating Committees, Assistant Governor, and 2006-07 District Governor. Since his year as Governor, Mark has served Rotary as Zone and Regional Membership Coordinator, Regional Public Image Coordinator, GETS, DGN, and DG trainer and Zone Institute training coordinator, and he has had multiple assignments as President’s Representative, International Convention speaker, and Training Leader and Plenary speaker at the International Assembly in San Diego.

Mark also served on the 2013 and 2016 Council on Legislation, and he’s a popular speaker at mul -District PETS across the Rotary World.

Mark joined Cub Scouts in Akron, Ohio’s Pack 3094 in 1960, and after moving to New York State, received his Eagle as a Scout in Troop 225 in Vestal, NY. During his youth, he was senior crew leader for his Council’s Philmont contingent, Council representative to “Report to the Nation”, and a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow.

Mark became extremely active in the Boy Scouts of America as an adult, where he has served as President of the Baden-Powell Council, President of Northeast Region Area 3, and Regional Vice-President. Mark currently sits on the National Council's Executive Board of the Northeast Region. In addition to chairing the national BSA committee dealing with membership growth and retention, he has led the Northeast Region contingent to both the 2002 Thailand and 2015 Japan World Scout Jamborees, and served as Chief of five National Jamborees. He will again serve as Chief of Echo Base Camp (staff housing) for the 2017 National Jamboree and will be the Base Camp operations liaison for the 2019 World Jamboree. Mark has been named a Distinguished Eagle Scout, is a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow, and is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, and Silver Buffalo awards.

Outside of his Rotary and Scouting service, Mark has served as President of Endwell Baseball, founding Board member of Maine-Endwell Dollars for Scholars, and is currently Treasurer of the Center for Technology and Innovation. He is a familiar voice on radio, television, in stores and "on-hold", and, for nearly 40 years, has been the principal in the MUZAK franchise serving a 10 county area of New York.

Mark‘s wife Patricia has served as Endwell Rotary Club President, and served as District 7170 Governor in 2014-15. She has been a Scout leader and merit badge counselor. Mark and Patricia have hosted Rotary Youth Exchange Students, and they are Rotary Foundation Major Donors, Benefactors, and Bequest Society Members. They are parents of an Eagle Scout son and Girl Scout Silver Award daughter, and have two grandchildren.

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New IFSR Domain Name: ScoutingRotarians.org

The IFSR Website has a new address: ScoutingRotarians.org. Currently the actual home of the IFSR website is Scouters.us/IFSR, but that can change at anytime. The permanent address will be ScoutingRotarians.org .

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Directory of IFSR Website

Last Updated: July 18, 2020