RE: Advisor training
Wirthlin, Robert (wirthlir@lir.hill.af.mil)
Mon, 27 Jan 1997 13:17:24 -0700
Mikele and Susan,
You both wrote about training and an Explorer District. We have a very
active training program in our District and the support has been
outstanding. Now what I am not sure of is what you (Susan) were
referring to as an Explorer District. Is it distinctive from the BSA
Districts set up on the council level? How are they the same? How then
do BSA Districts service Explorers vs. "Explorer" Districts?
I think our post is in a "BSA" District. We (the advisors) meet with
the other BSA units for monthly training in the same building (but, of
course, separate meetings). Or maybe 'old habits die hard' and we are
using the same conventions as before. I don't know.
We are in an area with lots of LDS-chartered posts and there doesn't
seem to be a problem. In fact, most, if not all, of the activity in the
Council and the District are with LDS-chartered posts.
The training the District provides is similar to the monthly Scouting
Roundtable but it is called Explorer Advisor Exchange or Explorer
Exchange, for short. The Exchange is taught by different Advisors that
have already been through a "Basic Training" course for Explorer
Advisors. Basic Training is on the council level and is comparable to a
Post Officer's Seminar for Adult Leaders. It is taught 4 times a year
at a BSA facility usually on a Friday night and Saturday morning.
On the council level, there are two big events. One is a Basketball
tournament with the championship game being played at the Scout-O-Rama.
It is one of the highlights of the Scout-O-Rama. The other is called
the Turkey Shoot and is held in November. The posts go to a shooting
range and compete on trap shooting for prizes, etc.
On the district level, there have not been any joint activities lately,
but I have been hearing that some are being planned.
I know the council is offering Advanced Explorer Leader Training (a.k.a.
Wood Badge for Explorer Advisors) later this year as well as training
for youth leaders.
There is no Explorer Officer's Association as of yet in our district,
but that will be changing soon. The council one appears to be
functioning, but I have not had any communication from them (neither has
the Post President).
As you have probably figured out, our District is slowly "spinning-up"
to meet our needs locally. I have been one of the "squeaky wheels"
making all of the noise in the District. Now it is getting a lot of
attention and things are happening. You may want to politely, but
noisily, stir up things about the conditions in the District. Point out
obvious omissions in their support. Ask when the next EOA meeting is so
your Post President can go to it. Call the district commissioner and
then call the council and talk to the Explorer rep. Ask about the
training alluded to in the Advisor manuals. When will it be? At what
location, etc.? How often? Is there a "Professional Development"
Program in the District? Why not? You catch the drift.
I hope this is some help.
FYI: I have been an Advisor for about a year. My biggest challenge has
been overcoming the prior attitudes that existed in the post. I just
recently had enough support to conduct a Post Officer's Seminar (only
half the officers showed up). It was, however, a big success. Now, two
post meetings later, we have a realistic 3 month calendar, a less
specific plan for the year, and a good start on planning our
SuperActivity. I have never seen this kind of excitement before.
Finally, they have caught the 'vision'! Of course, the key has been the
training I have received as well as having a fully functional and
trained Post Committee.
Well, time to quit rambling. Good luck.
YiS,
Robb Wirthlin, Post 9654
Silver Mesa District
>Great Salt Lake Council
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