We all are very familiar with the term “CSP” which stands for “Council Shoulder Patch” for those patches issued since 1970 meeting national criteria, so it was decided to choose something to represent the shoulder patches/strips that were issued prior to 1970 which includes all of the different colored, plain, lettered strips, i.e.: RWS, BWS, etc. that is “similar”. As a result the term chosen is: “LSP” which stands for “Lettered Shoulder Patch”. This means, that for those that wish to use this new term, that shoulder patches that are plain and just have letters/words on them and were issued prior to 1970 before the CSP came out would be LSPs.

We should be clear that this is the term that will be used in the new CSI Guidebook. We just thought it would be good to have a general term that represented all of these different colored, plain and lettered “shoulder patches” and if you as a collector don’t want to use it, then that is your prerogative.

PRIOR MESSAGE:

CSI (Council Shoulder Insignia) Guidebook: For everyone’s information, the book includes CSP’s (Council Shoulder Patches) and the strips that were issued before CSP’s came to be in 1970. It was decided to give this “before 1970” grouping of patches a name: “BLSS” for “Block Letter Shoulder Strips”. Based on some initial comments, that may or may not be the right name. It does not “replace” anything – it is in addition to what we have, but there may be a better way to describe this whole section of patches that includes: Red & Whites, Blue & Whites, Kacki & Tan, etc. And since we still have a few days before our proof review cycle is complete, we can change it if someone can offer a better name or idea. You can either offer up your ideas here or send an email to: craig.leighty@gmail.com and we’ll make a decision before sending the final proof to the printer. Discussion/comments will be accepted through Sunday, July 23rd. and we will then make the decision. Note: making a change here or keeping it as-is will not impact the publication/shipping schedule for those that have pre-ordered the book.

CSI (Council Shoulder Insignia) Guidebook Publication Update: We are in the final review proof stage and will be going to the printer shortly and expect to start shipping in early/mid-August after people have returned from the Jamboree and have had a chance to settle in a bit. Yes, it has taken a lot longer than anticipated, and we apologize to those that expected it earlier, but we hope everyone will think that it was worth the wait. It will include over 28,000 listings, in 830 pages packed full of information including 24 color pages. We are also planning on having it available on-line on the ISCA website sometime later this fall (probably just a pdf version at first) – check the ISCA website for the latest update (www.ScoutTrader.org) .

To Order a Copy: (of the CSI Guidebook), please post a payment to PayPal (ISCADonations@yahoo.com) for $50.00 or you can pay by check made out to ISCA and mail it to Gene Cobb, 4097 HWY 1153, Oakdale, LA. 71463-4627. Once you post or send payment, please also send an email to gene.cobb@att.net stating that you have ordered a copy and include your shipping address.

The ISCA Board of Directors is rolling out a new way for members to financially support the work of ISCA. With one gift, the new program provides the donor two or more of the following possibilities:

Click the button for details...

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ISCA Through pictures

Brian Ives and others have assembled a nice collection of images of ISCA's involvement in the hobby!

Click the button to go to ISCA's Flicker page...

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NEW Non-Members free Sample

September 2013

A taste of ISCA. Features include 2013 National Jamboree wrap up and more...

...and if you like what you see, please consider becoming a member. Just click on the "JOIN NOW" button on the left. Cost is only $10.00 per year.

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ISCA Policy Regarding Unauthorized Patches

During a conference call board meeting held Sunday, April 14th, 2013, the ISCA Board of Directors adopted the following revised policy in regards member's manufacturing/distributing Unauthorized Patches. The policy takes effect immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

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ISCA Regional Coordinators

Regional coordinators are responsible for coordinating all ISCA related activities and promotions within their respective BSA territorial regions.They will establish and maintain a network of area coordinators to promote the hobby at the local level. They are first line contacts for members in their respective regions.

Contact your Regional Coordinators to volunteer and learn more.

• NORTHEAST REGION
  Todd Rogers trogers17@gmail.com
• SOUTHERN REGION
  Jon Hall camper481@aol.com
• CENTRAL REGION
  Bruce Paulson cricketbpp@comcast.net
• WESTERN REGION
  Rick Bedsworth kwtrdr@gmail.com

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ISCA Roots Trace Back Almost a Half Century

The International Scouting Collectors Association was formed in 2001, when the American Scouting Traders Association (ASTA) and the National Scouting Collectors Society (NSCS) merged to better serve the collecting community. The previous organization were RECOGNIZED WORLDWIDE as leading Scouting memorabilia organizations, devoted to the preservation of the hobby. ISCA will surely follow in their footsteps. ISCA is a not-for-profit corporation with members from all fifty states and from many other Scouting countries. ISCA is operated by volunteer Scouters well experienced in collecting and trading Scouting memorabilia. Our primary purpose is to educate the membership and others regarding Scouting memorabilia and promotion of the ISCA Ethics.

"The ISCA Journal"

The "ISCA Journal", ISCA's quarterly publication featuring ISCA functions, Trade-O-Ree information, history of Scouting memorabilia, news of new patches issued, reports on TOR's, Letters to the Editor and lots more.

Trading By Mail

Expanding Your Trading Opportunities:  Members can access a complete roster of current members giving their name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and their collecting and trading interests. There is also a 1 for 1 trading section in each ISCA Journal.

Trade-O-Rees

ISCA co-sponsors Trade-O-Rees around the country. These Trade-O-Rees provide an opportunity for the membership to gather for fellowship, education, displaying of collections and trading face to face. Meeting your mail trading friend can be an exciting experience. TOR's are listed in the ISCA Journal and on this website.

National Event Participation

ISCA takes a leading part in holding seminars, furnishing displays and providing information to new collectors and traders. These are done at Section Conclaves, National Order of the Arrow Conferences (NOAC) and other opportunities.

You Are Represented

ISCA has four Regional Vice Presidents in the USA. They coordinate activities through the Area Vice Presidents in the many states within their regions. Regional Vice Presidents are members of the ISCA Executive Board. Area Vice Presidents who are appointed by the Regional Chairs see that ISCA Trade-O-Rees are held in their area, seek new memberships, and keep us informed of hobby news and happenings in their area with reports published in the ISCA Journal or by furnishing information to our Column Editors. In addition, you are also represented by ELECTED national officers and an ELECTED Board of Directors.