The Great Central West Region

[eisely]

BSA used to have more regions than it has now. Growing up in Missouri, we were in the Great Central West Region. This region even had a song, sung to the melody of My Wild Irish Rose. I remember being taught this song by the great Roe Bartle at an OA gathering. I wonder why these regions went away. Why do we have regions at all? What do they do for us?

 

Just reminiscing a bit...

[mk9750]

Kind of funny you asked...

 

I got a call from a boy in our Troop who is completing his NESA Scholarship application, and it asked for our region. although I kind of vaguely remember that there is a layer in the system called region, for the life of me I can't remember ever being told what region we are in, and I certainly don't know what purpose it serves.

 

I eagerly await an explaination (and you've just got to know it'll be Bob White, right? - Just kindin' on ya Bob!).

 

Mark

[dsteele]

Mark:

 

This isn't Bob White, but I'll go ahead and answer your question.

 

You are part of the Central Region, or CR on the NESA scholarship application.

 

Regions are part of the National Council, BSA. There are currently four regions (Northeast, Southern, Central and Western.) There used to be more Regions, but the invention of fax machines, email, etc. allowed the BSA to consolidate and save money by eliminating duplication of positions, etc.

 

The regions provide services to local councils such as background checks on DE candidates and other personnel issues, approving national tour permits, administering Wood Badge and National Camp Schools, maintaining standards of membership, and all kinds of other, dry, "big picture" issues.

 

The regions are further divided into areas, much like councils are divided into districts. Each Area has an Area Director who is in frequent contact with his or her Scout Executives and serves as a resource when needed.

 

Now don't plan on hopping on the nearest plane and going to your regional office for a tour. They'll just look at you funny. They don't operate Scout Shops -- it's just an office.

 

If you need help or information, contact your local service center.

 

DS

[mk9750]

DS,

 

thanks for the info and the extra private note. If Iwould have guessed on my own, most everything you said is what I would have guessed, including the Central region. I even told the Scout that, but told him that the scholarship application was too important to answer based on my guess.

 

Is there any thought to eliminating this layer too? All of the work you described is important, but it seems it could easily be split up between National and local councils. I'm not recomending this, but just asking.

 

I also truly did not mean to suggest no one else but BW could answer, and I hope that no one took offense, especially BW.

 

Thanks again for the info.

 

Mark

[acco40]

eisley,

 

May I be so bold to ask what part of Missouri you grew up in? Just to rile up Irving, do you know the difference between a Missouri boot and a Texas boot? On a Missouri boot, the BS in on the outside. Go Tigers!

[dsteele]

If they got rid of Regions, who would award the Silver Antelope?

 

Seriously, although anything can happen, I doubt they'll get rid of the Regional Offices. In spite of technological advances, people still like to see one another in person and build relationships. Having four offices (plus Irving, TX) around the country, the support takes on a more human feel than it would if it were all in Texas.

 

Its also easier for a region to recruit camp visitation specialists, National Camp School Instructors, etc., when representatives of the region -- professional and volunteer -- know the people in their councils.

 

Besides, my Area Director owes me lunch. I'd never get it out of him if he were in Texas!

 

DS

[Bob White]

No offense taken, I could have told you some parts of what our resident professional shared but not as much. As a District and Unit volunteer like most I have very little contact with regional level stuff. There is really no need to. regional services as dsteele explained is more of a middle management support level between the councils and the National office.

 

I think it's great that a couple professional representatives have joined the group. I am more than willing to sit out the conversations that they would be far better trained to respond to. I have great respect for good scout pros and what they do for the good of scouting.

 

So I welcome the gentlemen and I am glad to see that some of their more vocal detractos have been silenced by their presence.

 

Bob White

 

 

[dsteele]

Thanks, Bob. It's good to feel welcome. I certainly didn't want to silence the detractos, but thought they ought to know that there are a few professional scouters in cyberspace.

 

Keep right on responding, Bob. You have a good way of putting things in easily understood terms.

 

You're right about most volunteers having no need to interact with the region. About the only reason I can think of would be to file an appeal for having membership revoked.

 

I just remembered I need to call the region and find out where the professional scouter recruiting materials I requested are . . . They usually send me free pens!

 

 

DS

 

(This message has been edited by dsteele)

[larryfiehn]

I grew up as a Scout and leader in the former Region 8 - The Great Central West.

 

Yes, the song was sung to the tune of "My Wild Irish Rose".

 

The parts I recall now:

 

"The Great Central West!

The Region we love best.

You can search everywhere

But there's none can compare

To our Region, the Great Central West".

 

NOW...do any of you recall the rest of the song?

Or how about the "Region Cheer", not all of which I can now remember, either:

 

LEADER: "What's the name of the river Napoleon crossed on a bar of Ivory Soap?"

 

RESPONSE: "The Powder River. It's a mile wide, an inch deep and flows uphill all the way.

 

ALL: "Ride 'em cowboy. Let 'er rip. Yahoo!"

 

Can anyone help out this poor fellow's fading memory?

 

I still have one of the original Region 8 patches!

 

Thanks!

 

Larry