Scouter Spotlight returns this week with a volunteer who wears many hats—a phrase we hear a lot with so many active Scouters out there. This week we’re introducing you to Jamie Niss Dunn, from the Northern Star Council in Minnesota.
Jamie serves as a pack trainer, troop committee member, roundtable commissioner, and district Cub Scout training coordinator. Now that’s a résumé! Read on to learn more about this great volunteer.
Tenure in Scouting: Involved in Scouting since September 1990.
Scouting Family: Three sons: 19, 23, and 25. They were all Cub Scouts, and the oldest two were Boy Scouts.
What is your favorite Scouting memory?
There are too many to count. I particularly like the expression of joy and satisfaction that comes over a Cub Scout’s face when he and I have worked to hit the target at the archery range. Coaching youth to do their best, whether a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, or Venturer is immensely gratifying.
What does Scouting mean to you?
It means helping young people become better adults. It means experiences I share with family and friends. It means participating in and sustaining the tradition my husband, grandfather, father, and uncle began in our family. I was raised to value service to others. From my youngest days I remember my grandparents and parents volunteering to improve their community.
What would you say to a boy who is thinking about joining Scouting?
That he'll have a great time and make wonderful friends.
How do you make the program relevant to your boys when there are so many other demands on their time?
Exciting, involving programs still engage the Scouts. We try to help them balance Scouting with other activities.
How would you improve Scouting?
Convince more parents that being involved with their children is the best thing they can do for them.
What advice would you give to a new leader?
Get trained! Find and tap all the resources in your unit, your district, your council and the BSA provide for you, and then network like crazy. My best ideas and my inspiration come from other leaders.
Thanks to Jamie for spending a few minutes with us. If you know a worthy adult volunteer for Scouter spotlight, let us know by e-mail.
Go Jamie!!! That's AWESOME and it's nice to see you spotlighted!
Posted by: April Driggers | 07/15/2009 at 03:11 PM