kcshrader

Oh, this is an old thread, but I haven't been around for quite some time. Are there still any questions that didn't get answered? KC

CalicoPen wrote: To be a leader in AHG, you must be an American Citizen. You can delude yourself into thinking this isn't anti-immigrant, but I can't think of a better way to discourage immigrant families from joining than requiring leaders to be American citizens. Actually, the stated requirement is "a legal resident of the United States". The document you originally cited is outdated and the language has been replaced.(This message has been edited by kcshrader)

>>AHG is probably at that point where they need to have a national convention and have a good solid four days of working committees looking at organizational problems and solutions, rewriting what has gone before, looking at best practices from other youth organizations, deciding how to handle some of these growing pain issues.

You know, we do pretty well at running our own program. It's some of the "extra" stuff that we could use a little help. For example, we recently participated in a Memorial Day flag planting at the local Natl Cemetery. It's a long-standing event -- some troops have been doing it 20+ years -- and it's open to many different organizations. BSA and GSA were both well-represented. Unfortunately, the organizers have gotten the idea that since so many troops have been doing it for so many years, they don't need to give instructions any more. To say we floundered a bit in figuring it out is

>>"I'm about to call our BSA District Office and ask for help in finding a local BSA Troop that is interested in partnering with my AHG Troop.">Partnering how? Why? >"the families in my Troop already know where to find the Boy Scouts if they're interested in that. I doubt I'm going to be able to draw boys into Boy Scouts, at least not in large numbers.">So your AHG Charter Organization is not interested in chartering a BSA Boy Scout Troop. Your AHG families are not interested in putting their sons in a Boy Scout Troop that is affiliated with the AHG Charter Organization. The Boy

OK, let's turn the question on it's head. I'm about to call our BSA District Office and ask for help in finding a local BSA Troop that is interested in partnering with my AHG Troop. What can I offer in the way of benefits to the BSA Troop? So far, I've heard lots of folks say that they'd like to see an increase in BSA membership. I can try, but the families in my Troop already know where to find the Boy Scouts if they're interested in that. I doubt I'm going to be able to draw boys into Boy Scouts, at least not in large numbers. I think I can offer to share some of the adul

"So AHG will accept girls of any faith ... just tell them that their parents can't help out because they're nonbelievers?" Which I take to mean "we just want to have your girl involved because she is young and we want to proselytize to her without you around." No, the adult leaders are the ones who have to sign the statement of faith. Lots of other adults can help out -- they just simply have to pass the background check (safety regs and all that). Believe me, I have lots of non-leader parents "hanging around" during a meeting, keeping an eye on what's going on. They're even we

I don't think the "AHG/BSA alliance" is to merge the two programs into one, but rather have some common groupings like camporees or summer camp programs. Exactly. At the local level, I haven't actually tried to connect with a BSA Troop yet, but we're hoping to possibly do a joint service project, or perhaps an all-family campout... something where sons & daughters could work together. Maybe we could eventually do some joint work on some badge requirements, or perhaps have one troop teach the other? I know I'd love to have some boys come in and do a "real" flag ceremony for u

Mark me as another one who thinks the AHG/BSA alliance is the way to go... What about for non-Christian girls? I'd suggest their parents take a very close look at the program. Believe it or not, AHG's non-discrimination policy means that the girls only have to promise to say the Oath (love God, cherish my family, honor my country, serve in my community) and abide by the rules & regs. The Statement of Faith only applies to the adults. Yes, the girls are going to hear about the Bible and Christ. But the program isn't intended to convert anyone -- this isn't Sunday School.

Mark me as another one who thinks the AHG/BSA alliance is the way to go... I'm the troop coordinator for a brand-new AHG troop, and many of the parents are very enthusiastic about partnering with a local BSA troop. It looks to be a wonderful way for the boys and girls to work together on some things (because that does offer valuable experiences) and yet still allow for the same-sex benefits/refuge aspect as well. Though the funniest comment I've heard about it was "Will they teach us to build a fire?" Yeah, my adults have a long way to go to become safe in the woods .

Yup, you read that right, American Heritage Girls. I'm the brand-new Troop Coordinator for a brand-new Troop near Kansas City. Truthfully, I've got little to no real idea what I'm doing yet, so I'm just going to lurk around in a dark corner of the forums and soak up some of your been-there-done-that stories, okay? KC