Feb
20
Written by:
Steve Kent
2/20/2009 11:32 AM
 As your new Chief Commissioner, my very first duty following the Annual General Meeting was to invest the newest members of the 1st Mount Pearl Beaver Colonies and Cub Packs in my hometown.
My local group is relatively new. Other groups in our community had folded, so in the fall of 2007 we gathered together a few former members of Scouting and worked to engage parents and re-establish Beavers and Cubs in Mount Pearl. We distributed flyers through schools, held a meeting, and invited parents to help us in our pursuit. Several weeks later, our sections were up and running.
This fall, we opened a second colony. We did so in order to build capacity to reach more children. If we really believe in Scouting's Mission, we need to ensure that as many young people as possible get the opportunity to participate in our programs.
Several dedicated parents stepped forward in year one to launch our new colony. To Tony, Raquel, Tammy, and Steven, thanks so much for your continued commitment. Two former members of Scouting returned to our organization to help open the Cub pack. Chad and Mike, thanks for agreeing to lead. These volunteers, and those who have since joined them, are the heroes of our Movement. Every Tuesday evening and on multiple weekends throughout the year, they bring the Scouting program to dozens of children in our community. The program continues to grow thanks to their leadership.
In the role I presently play, I will continuously remind fellow Scouters that those of us in support roles need to always be mindful of how we can better provide support our section leaders. They are obviously the most important volunteers in our organization, and they have the greatest impact on the quality of our programs and how many children and youth ultimately take part. Let's all remember to say thanks to our leaders for the important work they do.
Tags:
4 comments so far...
Re: Great New Beginnings for Mount Pearl
Hi Steve, we had a similar siutuation over here. In June 2004 Scouting in Europe effectively died. We found out later that even the last two years of Scouting over here were "illegal" The few youth and one leader were never registered. Anyway to cut a long story very short, in May 2007 Dean Parsons, who was being transferred to GK from 1st Kingston Group, got in touch with Glenn Armstrong about a group in GK. Glenn contacted me, and when Dean got here we decided that he would resurrect 1st GK. He was appointed Group Commissioner and managed to enlist the support of a very enthusiastic LCol Michel Robitaille CD1, the Commanding Officer of the CFSU( E) there. With the support of the CO and the assistance of some great leaders who he got back into Scouting again, the group got off the ground and now includes some 43 Youth and Leaders. Not a bad re-start from ZERO. To me this proves that Scouting still is a very important way of life. It has been my way of life for some 60 years, boy and man, now. G.K. has 350 families and some 500 personnel. So our potential "pool" is not large; I consider that almost 10% of the available pool being now in Scouting is great...but we expect ot get a little larger as we have many inquiries. Just for the record, there are as many potential activities for the Youth at G.K. as in Canada...we figure that because of the three year rotation periods we can, and will, achieve about 60 total Youth and Leaders, and stabilize around that figure. The support from Baseline Staff, on all fronts, is also in great part responsible for helping us grow.
By Errol Feldman, Scouts Canada Europe - 1st Geilenki on
3/4/2009 10:26 AM
|
Re: Great New Beginnings for Mount Pearl
Errol,
Could you please clarify GK.
Thanks
Hans
By Hans Viergever on
3/9/2009 9:40 AM
|
Re: Great New Beginnings for Mount Pearl
1st Geilenkirchen Scouting Group, Geilenkirchen NATO Base, Germany
By Errol Feldman on
3/9/2009 1:40 PM
|
Re: Great New Beginnings for Mount Pearl
Thanks Errol
Steve, Is that Mrs Kent in the picture with you?
After 40 years outside of active Scouting, I get re-invested as a Cub leader tomorrow night, with my Grandson Jack's group, the 3rd Aldershot pack.
Then a week later, Elizabeth Barrow and I will start a new pack in North Hamilton, in an area which hasn't seen Scouting for quite awhile.
Very exciting, will keep you posted/blogged.
Hans
By hans viergever on
4/6/2009 3:45 PM
|
|
|
|
 |
|