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Hello, I am new here
Joel Patten (harmon@NEWWAVE.NET)
Fri, 22 May 1998 12:14:59 -0400
Hello folks,
I am new to Scouts-L and look forward to being a part of the group. To
give you some idea of who I am, I am a manager of a Cable TV company,
married for the first time just six months ago, with two step kids.
They are a girl 14 and boy 11...no I didn't meet my wife through
Scouting but it would have been a nice story if I had! Her 11 yr. old
joined the troop after we were married. Basketball and Soccer are his
first priorities but he enjoys the Troop as well. My wife will help
out with an Eagle Reception or snacks for a Court of Honor but
otherwise is not involved with the troop. I hope to change that in
time but I'll just have to wait and see.
I was a Cub and Boy Scout in Texas in the 60's. I got back in the
movement as a Scouter in 1980. I felt I needed a recharge In 1991 and
took a Woodbadge course...great experience and I served as a coach
counselor for our council's Woodbadge course in 1996. I recently
finished 3 years as Buckskin Council's Vice-President of Boy Scout
Program and have served as O.A. Lodge Advisor, Council Camping
Committee Chairman and am on the Council Executive Board. I found out
about SCOUTS-L from the Council VP of Cub Scouting, a great guy named
Jim Wells. I assume he occasionally posts here so perhaps he is known
to you as well.
Most important to me, as far as who I am in Scouting , is that I have
been a Scout Master since 1981. I first became a Scout Master with
Troop 189 in Spring Hill, WV and remained there until February of 1984
when I was transferred to Denver, CO. I transferred back here to WV as
a System Manager January 1, 1985 and discovered that my old Scouting
buddy Al Toney of Troop 68 in Cross Lanes, WV wanted to retire. He
agreed to remain as Committee Chairman if I would take over the troop
as SM. He retired as Committee Chair in 1992 but I remain with the
troop.
Scouting was important for me as a boy until I moved from Texas to
Tennessee but I'd have to say that I learned as much and grew as much
after taking on the job of Scoutmaster when I was 25. Several of the
Scouts from that first troop were from a nearby housing project and
several more were from less affluent and/or "fatherless" homes. I owe
those kids a greater debt than they owe me. They looked up to me and
respected me and let me know that I made a significant difference in
their lives. I felt an obligation to set a good example and not misuse
their confidence. I am sure that I am a better person for what they
taught me. Where else but in Scouting can we have so much fun while we
continue to improve who we are?
It is your turn now...I look forward to what I can learn from this
group!
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
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