Rdtble Characteristics & Needs Pt 3/4
Gary Apfelstadt (apfelsta@UIUC.EDU)
Sun, 12 Jul 1998 23:33:48 -0500
Hello Part 3 of 4
Recently, I posted three sections for an E Rdtble Survey. With some members
on Scouts-L I hoped to learn about your experiences with District
Roundtables, to gather information that will be useful for the building of
and reflection on my district's Cub Scout & Boy Scout Roundtables, and to
post the gathered information on SCOUTS-L to aid your program reviews as well.
As with surveys generally, I have ended up with more questions from the
results.
Many thanks are owed for the cooperation of the wired Scouters on SCOUTS-L
Please feel free to contact me by email if you have a question, or further
observation.
YIS, Gary Apfelstadt, Prairielands Council, Champaign, IL
Included here will be some observations drawn from the Surveys, and all the
comments shared from your experiences.
Unit program responsibility ?
- the BS RT commissioner finds new people each month to do a
presentation, which he promotes at the previous RT
- At the beginning of each school year each unit is asked to lead a
monthly Roundtable usually on the subject of the following month's theme.
- generally troops are not approached individually. My feeling is that
troops don't get a lot of consideration. The offer is generally made, but
with the
exception of the main topic (speaker) troops have not taken a major role in
other program areas (i.e. preopenings, openings, etc.).
- A specific individual, usually a pack leader will provide a portion of
the program, but outside resource leaders provide at least half of the
presentations.
- Units are scheduled to provide opening, closing, skits, songs, snacks.
- We have about 12-18 attending each month, so we don't do further
breakouts from the general Cub RT session. We try to include these
features each month: Skit, Craft, Game, Webelos, Other (special
presentations), Treats.
- At the beginning of the year monthly topics for Boy Scouts are
determined. Presenters are then recruited, in part from district people.
- We rotate asking a unit to provide; (1) Menu of the month. (2) Hike of
the month. R/T leader has a (1) Quiz of month (past issues of Scouter). (2)
Song of
the month with printed words for all.
- One unit each month is asked to provide an opening and closing ceremony and
refreshments.
Outside of Scouting program resources ?
- City & local programs (our district covers 7 cities), Military programs
(reserve base, naval weapons station), Regional parks, etc.
- Red Cross and Disaster Preparedness have been recent speakers
- Our last program had representatives from "E company of the 2nd
Wisconsin Brigade" a Civil War reenactment group. The year before, we had
a representative from the Department of Natural Resources.
- Health club manager in regards to Physical Fitness and boy development
- Ambulance Co. Manager in regards to First Aid Community -- Civic Club
President talking about community beautification/good turns/government --
Forrest Service Mgr. with regard to forestry planning and opportunities for
Troops. -- Local REI representative talking about equipment -- Outdoor
Store representative talking about mainly biking (trails and equipment).
- Science Center Presentation by employee, Archeologist on Indian digs in
the area, Indian enthusiast on building and keeping a "kit", Cub camp
promotion from
district committee, amateur astronomer on sights in the sky, bird watcher
on migratory birds.
- Sheriff's Aid, Food Bank Rep, Wildlife Rehab Worker...
- A presentation on taxes by a former IRS agent, A discussion on school
leadership by a school board member.
- Unit leaders are often asked to contribute in their area of expertise
e.g. cooking, working with ADD/ADHD kids, whatever.
- Two this year come to mind: County Sheriffs and police on gang and drug
awareness and a social worker on ADD (she is a mother of a Scout but not a
Scouter.
- We use local craft shops, library resources and magazines to supplement
our program.
- Sometimes we have had REI people come and give demonstration on camping
equipment.
- Hobbyists bring in their unique expertise in crafts, wood, etc. We've
brought in a psychologist to discuss ADD. Red Cross to discuss emergency
preparedness.
- An outfitter who spoke on gear, an EMT who reviewed proper first-aid
kits, somebody from the Dept. of Environmental Conservation, speaking on
programs
available for kids... maybe others, this is all I remember at the moment.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
