JAMBO97
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REFLECTIONS GUIDE

 

From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Mon Nov 11 23:37:46 1996
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 1996 23:37:45 -0500 (EST)
From: "Michael F. Bowman" <mfbowman@CapAccess.org>
To: Doug Gentry <dwgentry@polarconsult.com>
Subject: Re: Advice

Doug,

Hope you got my previous message sent just before the server shut me down.

My recommendation would be to send out a series of postings with the subject
lines:

REFLECTION 1: Why Am I Scout Leader?
REFLECTION 2: What Does Scouting Mean to Me?
REFLECTION 3: As a Youth What Scouting Experiences Meant the Most to Me?
REFLECTION 4: What Does Scouting Mean to the Boys in My Jambo Troop?
REFLECTION 5: What Do My Scouts Expect of Me at the Jamboree?
REFLECTION 6: What Can I Do to Make Sure They Have the Best Experience?
REFLECTION 7: How Can I Demonstrate Scoutings Ideals at the Jamboree?
REFLECTION 8: What Can I Share With Other Leaders to Help Others?
REFLECTION 9: Evaluation, Comment and Humor 

I would recommend that you launch one of these every two or three  
days with a short message to get things started.  Examples:

REFLECTION 1: Why Am I Scout Leader?

For the next couple of weeks I am going to send a message to the JAMBO97 
group every few days with the key word "Reflection" in the subject line.
There will be eight topics in all.  Why am I doing this? We are all 
deeply committed to Scouting and ensuring the success of the 1997 
National Jamboree.  We come from many diverse backgrounds and all corners 
of the globe.  We have many ideas, thoughts, and gifts to share.  

For most of the time this list has been in existence we've talked about 
staffing, logistics, "how to" information, and many other things that 
will help us prepare.  Often though it is difficult in a flat medium like 
e-mail to really get to know each other well and appreciate the many 
wonderful things that each might contribute in the flury of e-mail 
exchanges.  I'd like to ask you to hold up on some of the more routine 
message traffic for awhile, unless it is really urgent and to participate 
in a period of reflection.

For the next couple of weeks, I would ask your cooperation in not being 
too judgmental about any of the responses.  The idea is to express your 
thoughts without being critical of anyone else's ideas or thoughts.  We 
want to encourage everyone to share thoughts and ideas without worring 
what another person might say.  There are no absolutely right or wrong 
answers to any of the reflection questions that I'm going to ask.  All of 
them are about you and your Scouting experience and how you will use this 
to lead your Scouts to a wonderful Jamboree experience.  So please 
respect each person's response.

The first reflection topic is "Why Am I A Scout Leader?" Please share 
with us why you became a Scout Leader or why you have stayed a Scout 
Leader. What motivated you? 

REFLECTION 2: What Does Scouting Mean to Me?

Scouting has different meanings for each of us because of our experiences 
and training.  What does it mean to you?

REFLECTION 3: As a Youth What Scouting Experiences Meant the Most to Me?

Many of you experienced Scouting as a youth.  What were some of your most 
meaningful experiences?

REFLECTION 4: What Does Scouting Mean to the Boys in My Jambo Troop?

Take yourself back a few years (okay a lot of years) and put yourself in 
the shoes of the boys your are going to be with at the Jamboree.  What 
does Scouting mean to them?  If you have time ask a few and share the 
results.

REFLECTION 5: What Do My Scouts Expect of Me at the Jamboree?

What do you think that Scouts will expect of you at the Jamboree?  

REFLECTION 6: What Can I Do to Make Sure They Have the Best Experience?

What can you do to make sure that the Scouts at the Jamboree really have 
the best possible experience getting ready for, touring, and at the Jamboree?
What can you do to make it better afterwards?

REFLECTION 7: How Can I Demonstrate Scoutings Ideals at the Jamboree?

At best the Jamboree experience is going to be hectic and the pace fast. 
Weather and other challenges will keep everyone on their toes.  With all 
of this going on, what can you do to demonstrate Scouting Ideals at the 
Jamboree.

REFLECTION 8: What Can I Share With Other Leaders to Help Others?

You are one of the best resources available to help assure the success of 
the Jamboree. What do you have to offer or share with others that can 
help them succeed?

REFLECTION 9: Evaluation, Comment and Humor

We've had a lot of serious thought and consideration in the past several 
days. I want to thank you all for your help and cooperation.  Your ideas, 
thoughts and sharing will help everyone to have a better Jamboree 
experience.  But before we end this series of reflections, I have a final 
request.  Please let us know what you thought about this period of 
reflection, or if you like share with us some humorous incidents from 
past Jamborees - we can always use some good humor. :-)

Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
Dep.Dist.Commissioner-Training, G.W.Dist., NCAC, BSA (Virginia)
U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area)
ftp1 or ftp2.scouter.com/usscouts E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org