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In 1993, 1997, 2001 and this year, that group has solicited funding from private sources to purchase several thousand specially designed patches. Those patches have been given out to Scouts who attempt one or more requirements of the ISMB; and to other Scouts or Scouters who visit that booth during the jamboree. All of the funding for these patches has been donated by pest management professionals, their companies or associated businesses and individuals. Funds have been donated to a B.S.A. Troop in Millersville, Md., where one of the ISMB booth entomologists is a committee member. That Troop has then paid for those ISMB patches. The amounts raised have generally increased from slightly more than $2,800 in 1993 to just over $5,000 in 2001.
These ISMB booth patches have all followed one general pattern with a different insect being featured in the central disc for each different jamboree. In 1993, it was ladybird beetle; in 1997 it was a swallowtail butterfly; in 2001 it was dragonfly; and this year it is a firefly. Specifically, the patch for 2005 features a firefly in flight viewed from behind, with a surrounding area of its “flash” rendered in “glow” threat that fluoresces a pale yellow color after being ‘energized’ by holding it close to a light source for a brief period of time.
Pi Chi Omega and its members have been very generous and instrumental in raising those ISMB patch funds for the past three jamborees. Detailed data were not recorded as to donors’ affiliations in 1997; but in 2001, the fraternity or its members and their companies made up to 61% of total donors, and they donated 77% of total funds provided. As of May 20, funding had reached a little more than 60% ($4,385) of the original goal of $7,200.
Pi Chi Omega directly donated $500 and several of the fraternity’s members of their companies have contributed $2,800 more. Pi Chi Omega and its members had constituted only about 41% of donors, but had given slightly more than 75% of donations received as of that date. At the current rate of contributions, patch donations are expected to reach the original goal of $7,200.
Story written by Harold Harlan, PhD., B.C.E., and provided courtesy of Pi Chi Omega.