From <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Tue Apr 14 18:20:21 1998 Return-Path: <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Received: from tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (TCUAVM.IS.TCU.EDU [138.237.128.148]) by cap1.CapAccess.org (8.6.12/8.6.10) with SMTP id SAA29899; Tue, 14 Apr 1998 18:20:21 -0400 Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 6903; Tue, 14 Apr 98 17:12:09 CDT Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 9727; Tue, 14 Apr 1998 17:12:11 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LISTSERV release 1.8b) with NJE id 9663 for SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU; Tue, 14 Apr 1998 17:10:37 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM (NJE origin SMTP@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 9662; Tue, 14 Apr 1998 17:08:09 -0500 Received: from ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU by tcubvm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with TCP; Tue, 14 Apr 98 17:08:02 CDT Received: from mx1.dynasty.net (mx1.dynasty.net) by ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU (PMDF V5.0-5 #20456) id <01IVV8264ZHS00G26D@ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU> for scouts-l@ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU; Tue, 14 Apr 1998 17:07:19 -0500 (CDT) Received: from jessica ([208.205.50.68]) by mx1.Dynasty.Net (Netscape Mail Server v2.02) with SMTP id AAD148; Tue, 14 Apr 1998 17:07:15 -0500 X-Sender: blkeagle@mail.dynasty.net MIME-version: 1.0 X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.4 (32) Content-type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Message-ID: <1.5.4.32.19980414220726.00df25cc@mail.dynasty.net> Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1998 17:07:26 -0500 Reply-To: "settummanque, or blackeagle (Mike Walton)" Sender: Scouts-L Youth Group List From: "settummanque, or blackeagle (Mike Walton)" Subject: Re: International representative X-To: me0u70f9@LIVERPOOL.AC.UK, scouts-l@tcu.edu To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Status: RO X-Status: Henry Tan asked: >I have been wonder through something what is the real responsible or >function of International representative where more of our council have! The BSA in 1989 decided that it was not doing a very good job with their Direct Service Council and with the implementation of the International program of the BSA. They decided that in addition to the BSA's national volunteer stucture and senior professionals "doubling" as Direct Service Council Scouters, that they would encourage local Councils to appoint a volunteer to serve as that Council's "conduit" for International activities and information flowing from National to the local Council. This person would also be called upon from time to time to serve as part of the Direct Service Council's volunteer staff. The Direct Service Council is the BSA's "catch all" Council, which serves youth and their adult leaders in 134 of the world's countries without a local Council (that is, outside of most of Europe, the Near and Far East, northern Africa, and much of the Pacific). While the "Direct Service Council" part didn't really catch on, the International Representative (IR) position did, and as of last year, 72 percent of all local Councils have one (mostly on paper, but there are some like Tom Turba and Dan Coberly -- hey, how come you guys haven't posted a response here!!) that are doing a lot of great stuff in their Councils to meet the International Division's mission. I served as International Rep for the Bluegrass Council from 1990-92 and here's what the job description and qualifications are: (from the BSA Council International Representative Resource Kit, under the section "COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES") QUALIFICATIONS: The individual should have, or wish to aquire, an active interest in the program enrichment values of international Scouting as a means of advancing the ideal of World Brotherhood and providing extraordinary Scouting activities for Scouts and Explorers. The Representative should have sufficient stature within the Council structure, preferably membership on the Council's Executive Board, to be able to work at the various levels of the Council's operation involved in unit service. The appointee should be able to attend the international training and information seminars conducted at the Biannual National Council Meeting and Regional meetings. DUTIES: *In coordination with the Council's leadership, make an effort to see that an international emphasis is included in unit and Council programs *Become familiar with all international program enrichment services available to Councils, such as youth exchange programs, European Camp Staff program, International Camp Staff program, Council international camporee, twinning projects, international Scout exhibits at Council-wide events, and international training seminars for adults *Promote and communicate the international program enrichment services to units *Advise unit leaders who are planning international activities *Promote the World Frriendship Fund at summer camps, Blue and Gold banquets, training courses, etc. *Recruit an ad-hoc committee as may be neccessary for a Council International project. The patch that the IR wears symbolizes National Service. It was orignially though that IRs would serve as part of the BSA's International Committee, but that was shelved off for some reason (never could find out why)! A local Council can have but ONE IR per year, and in many Councils, this person is appointed by the Council Scout Executive or by the Council President. In others, he or she is appointed by the Council Commissioner and serves as part of the unit service arm of the Council. Once the appointment is made, the Council Scout Executive provides the name to the International Division and the mailings and other materials are sent directly to the IR as well as to the Council Scout Executive. Other Divisions also send items of interest to the IRs (for example, the Supply Division frequently sends IR a listing of materials and emblems that can be purchased for usage at the Council level). >In some extent, more of them are very ill inform of things happen >internationally as well as very poor knowledge of world scouting. True. In some Councils, this position is on paper only and the Scouter frequently has no clue as to why he or she is receiving this material and a poor comphension of their usage to promote International Scouting. In defense of the BSA's local Councils and their professional staffs, however, most of them have selected volunteers with some degree of knowledge as far as international Scouting is concerned. >should they being refered as professional scouter as some >of them use to call about themselves? Nope. Only those that are paid for their services in the United States are considered "professional (or "career") Scouters". All the rest of us, for the many hours, days, years, and decades we put in, are volunteer Scouters and proudly refer to ourselves as "volunteers". IRs don't get paid a dime for their long and hard work, nor do they get anything special with the exception of the cool-looking fully embroreded position patch (they we had to pay for!) to wear in that role. Hope this answers your and other's questions about this special opportunity to serve youth. If your Council doesn't have a IR, ask why not and if you feel that you can do the job well in light of the description listed above, print a copy of this and take it to your Council Scout Executive and ask about it!! (He or she, if they don't already have someone in that position, will thank you....this is one of those things they get "beat up on" constantly by their Regional partners!!) Settummanque! (c) 1997 Mike Walton ("no such thing as strong coffee,...") (502) 827-9201 (settummanque, the blackeagle) http://dynasty.net/users/blkeagle 241 Fairview Dr., Henderson, KY 42420-4339 blkeagle@dynasty.net kyblkeagle@aol.com or waltonm@hq.21taacom.army.mil ---- FORWARD in service to youth ----