The Northeast Iowa Council is pleased to honor Tom Mayer as the Spotlight Volunteer of the month! Tom began his Scouting career as a Scout in Troop 170 in Milford, Iowa – part of the Mid-Iowa Council. He enjoyed campouts, troop activities and became an Eagle Scout. He eventually became a Troop leader where his love of Scouting took hold as he helped guide the younger Scouts while being a role-model for how Scouts behave.
Tom’s last summer camp as a Scout was Camp C.S. Klaus where he earned merit badges and worked with the adult leaders to make sure the troops were meeting the guidelines for the camp. He even got to lead his troop in a song at the campfire! Although he had no intentions of working at Klaus, or even volunteering with the NEIC, Tom applied to work at Klaus the summer after his freshman year at Iowa State University. He was hired as the BASE Camp director and loved every minute of that summer, so he decided to come back for more! The next summer, Tom was surprised to be called-out at the camp’s OA call-out ceremony. He was inducted as a formal member of the OA by that August.
Tom has been flooded with many opportunities to help the NEIC. He has helped with the Dellaykee District Fall Camporee, the Council of Chiefs for the OA, and became the communications chair for Timmeu’s LEC. He will also be helping with the NYLT course this spring and picking up sticks during the OA Stick Pick-up for the Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast.
Tom says of his Scouting experiences, “I’ve loved every moment and am happy volunteering my time to help promote the Boy Scouts and the principles of Scouting — after all Scouting has given me, the very least of what I could do is give back.”
Outside of Scouting, the brunt of Tom’s volunteerism is at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ames, Iowa. He has helped with various dinners, been a Catechist to help the youth broaden their faiths and volunteered at a plethora of Masses to help facilitate the liturgy.
On behalf of the Northeast Iowa Council, please help us say thank you to a very dedicated Scouter, Tom Mayer.
