Scouting magazine

Scouter Spotlight: Meet Mike L’Abbé

In our last Scouter Spotlight, we introduced you to an excellent Scouter from Puerto Rico. This time, we’re traveling nearly 2,000 miles away to Maine to show off another fine Scout volunteer.

Meet Mike L’Abbé, Scoutmaster of Troop 648 in Brunswick, a town about a half hour up the coast from Portland, Me. He’s also on the National Camping School faculty in the Northeast Region. And he'll serve on the media group staff at the National Scout Jamboree in 2010.

How long have you been involved in Scouting?

About 108 days. (Editor’s note: Here’s how this veteran Scouter says he came to that number, using the old “Scouting takes only one hour a week” saying. 1 hour/week x 52 weeks/year x 50 years = 2600 hours, which is about 108 days. Judging from his Scouting résumé, we bet he’s spent a little more than an hour per week.)

What was Scouting like as a youth?

I was a Cub Scout and Eagle Scout growing up in Oak Park, Ill., and I served on staff at Camp Shin-Go-Beek in Wisconsin. Scouting in an urban environment was very interesting. Can you imagine an 18-mile ramble or a 50-mile bike ride in Chicagoland? How many people got to know neighborhoods like we did walking on foot or riding a bike? We knew small little airports and forest preserves, railroad yards and broad lawns, ticky-tacky homes and Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. We used municipal and state parks and small weekend Scout Camps. Driving through a town just is not the same thing as walking or biking.

Describe your time as a camp staffer.

Being on the Camp Shin Go Beek staff is one of the most important growth events in my life. It required me to exhibit responsibility, trust, creativity, friendship, and cheerfulness no matter what. Even though years and miles separate us, those staff members who took care of us or served with us are still special. 

Is your family involved in Scouting?

My wife, Chris, served as camp director of Camp Minsi (Pennsylvania) and Lenhok'sin High-Adventure Camp (Virginia). Son, Mac, is a Star Scout and Patrol Leader. Daughter Abby is a Girl Scout.

Tell us about your responsibilities as a member of the media group staff at the upcoming jamboree.

(For this answer and more, follow the jump...)

Scouter Spotlight: Meet Santos Ortiz Perez

It’s time to bring out the Scouter Spotlight again to show off some of the best volunteers in the Scouting program. This week we’re heading to Puerto Rico to meet an impressive volunteer, Santos Ortiz Perez. He’s been involved in Scouting since 1999 and serves as the committee chair for Troop 720.

If his name sounds familiar, it should. Santos was featured in the March-April 2009 issue of Scouting magazine in a story about the Philmont Leadership Challenge. (Read that story here.)

When he isn’t receiving high-level leadership training, Santos volunteers at the pack, troop, and crew levels. Read on to meet this great leader.

Scouting family: My wife, Alicemarie Comas Perez, is a Scouter also. She was on Wood Badge staff and was the one who first got me involved in Scouting. My son earned the Arrow of Light and then became an Eagle Scout in 2007.

What’s your favorite Scouting memory?

I have many. First, my son’s Eagle Court of Honor—wow, it was memorable. Also, serving on the staff of Philmont for the Philmont Leadership Challenge was great. And then there’s the date that I received the invitation to become a Silver Beaver in my council.

What is Scouting to you?

For my family and me it’s a way of life. I’m grateful to the movement for the values and the character of my two sons. There’s no money in the world that I would take for that.

Explain the Scouting message you use when recruiting.

Every day I invite kids to join Scouting because I don’t really know another program in the world that offers what Scouting has to offer: values, the Scout Law, promises to our youth, character, and the ability to make ethical decisions.

Any plans for the 100^th Anniversary?

I’m attending the big party at Fort A.P. Hill for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. My son is attending as a gift for receiving his Eagle Scout Award. He worked hard and deserved it.

What do you tell new leaders?

Every kid deserves at least to be invited to become a Scout. And every kid who joins deserves a trained leader. Also, remember that you sometimes need to adapt your program to the necessities of the kids in your unit. Let them decide what is good and what is bad.

I also like to tell leaders to “get off the bench!” Play an important role in your unit. Get involved with all your kids in your unit. They’re only kids once, so don’t miss that opportunity.

Our thanks to Santos for sharing his Scouting expertise. If you have an adult volunteer who should be spotlighted, let us know.

Scouter Spotlight: It's Your Turn

So far, we’ve celebrated the great work of 15 different volunteers in our Scouter Spotlight series. We’re still looking for great candidates for future editions of that feature (just e-mail us if you have one), but there’s another way to honor great Scouts or Scouters in your life. It’s the National Hall of Leadership, and nominations are being accepted now.

There will be one inductee to the hall from each local council, and the national office will add one more, meaning about 300 of the best Scouts and Scouters will become official inductees. The announcement will be made in May 2010 at the BSA National Annual Meeting in Dallas.

Have someone to nominate? Click here. But first, check out the requirements:

-       The nominee must be a living Scout or Scouter, but he or she doesn’t have to be currently registered in the program.

-       During the Scout or Scouter's time in the program, he or she must have been involved for at least a year.

-       There’s no age limit—nominate your child, spouse, or grandparent!

-       You can submit as many nominations as you want.

-       Entries are due by Feb. 8, 2010.

Even though only around 300 Scouts and Scouters will make it into the hall, we at Cracker Barrel know that millions of Scouts and Scouters have made a great contribution to the program in its 100-year history.

Keep up the great work into the next 100 years!

Scouter Spotlight: Meet George Keene

Some of the best Scouters do their work out of sight. This week, though, all eyes are on Dr. George T. Keene, district commissioner for the San Tan District in the Grand Canyon Council. He’s also in charge of the National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) program for his council.

Dr. Keene has been involved in Scouting for the past 25 years, serving roles in Cub Scout and Boy Scout units. As a youth, he earned the rank of Life Scout and served as a junior assistant Scoutmaster.

Scouting family: Two sons, now 23 and 27, were in Scouting from Tiger Cubs to Life Scout. Dr. Keene’s wife also is involved in the program. In fact, she’s planning the Area Training Conference for future course directors in areas 4 and 6 of the Western Region.

What is your most memorable Scouting moment?

I was a Scoutmaster and had taken the troop to summer camp. When we returned, I was reviewing the feedback cards that were filled out by our youth when I came across one that fascinated me. The young man had stated that when he got older he wanted to be like his leader, me, because his leader knew how to act like a boy.

What legacy do you want to leave behind in Scouting?

I hope that when people talk about me they will say, “He was a great Scout.” Scouting, to me, means living the Scout Oath and the Scout Law 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. I try to set the example all the time—not just when someone is looking.

What’s the central message you want boys to get when they join the program?

I want them to know that they’re embarking on a great adventure, and along the way they will shape their character for the rest of their lives. Everything a boy does in Scouting will be for a purpose, but that purpose often won’t be revealed until much later in life.

What would you tell a new leader?

Take all possible training courses and try to do Wood Badge within the first two years.

What makes Scouting different from other youth programs?

Leadership. It’s hard to argue against that.

What would you say to a boy who is thinking of leaving Scouting?

Here’s what I would say: “As long as you know for sure that you will not regret your decision 20 years from now, and you are secure enough with your accomplishments and achievements to go forward in your career choice without all of the benefits of the leadership training that Scouting offers, then I would wholeheartedly support your decision. Until you can assure me of that, I will make every attempt to keep you involved in Scouting.”

Thanks to Dr. Keene for his time. Do you know a great Scouting volunteer? Be sure to e-mail us so that we can feature him or her in a future Scouter Spotlight.

Scouter Spotlight: Meet Elaine Francis

Ready to meet another great Scouter who has given her time and effort to the program we love? This week, we’re spotlighting Elaine Francis, a committee chairperson for Pack 75 and Troop 527 in the Detroit Area Council.

Elaine is on the council’s executive board and serves as the vice president in charge of programs. She’s also held many positions at the unit, council, area, regional, and national levels. In fact, the list of her past leadership roles is quite impressive—and we aren’t the only ones who think so. The Detroit Area Council recently recognized her for 45 years of Scouting service.

Elaine’s husband, George F. Francis III, is involved in Scouting, too. As is their son, George IV, who’s an Eagle Scout. If you’re curious to learn more about this stellar Scouter, follow the jump for the complete interview.

Scouter Spotlight: Meet Jim Lang

The stars of a Broadway show get the credit. But the people working in the wings deserve a chunk of the praise. So this week we’re pulling back the curtain to reveal someone who does his work behind the scenes so that the stars of Scouting—the Scouts, of course—can shine.

Let’s meet Father Jim Lang, the Diocesan Vicar for the Parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y. He’s vice president for strategic planning in Hiawatha Seaway Council. He’s also a regional committee member and serves on the faculty of the Adirondack Campus of National Camping School. And that’s just a few of the bullet points on his résumé.

Read on to learn more from Father Lang.

Scouter Spotlight: Meet Sherri Moravec

Recognizing fine Scouters is a favorite pastime here at Cracker Barrel. In fact, we just can’t get enough of it. So this week we’ll share another Scouting volunteer with you.

Meet Sherri Moravec, a Venturing crew advisor, assistant Scoutmaster, and district vice chairman from Houston, Tex. She’s been involved with Scouting for 17 years, ever since her oldest son was a Cub Scout. Her two sons, 18 and 23, are both Eagle Scouts, and her husband is an assistant Scoutmaster and associate Venturing crew advisor.

Now let’s hear some meaningful insight from Sherri.

What is your favorite Scouting memory?

I have so many good memories that it’s hard to choose, but I would say that on the top of the list would be my time spent with youth at NYLT and NAYLE. It’s such a rewarding experience to watch the experienced boys leading and guiding other youth into becoming better leaders.

What does Scouting mean to you?

Scouting teaches such good core values and beliefs with a strong emphasis on the outdoors. I was brought up to believe that learning to live with and care for our world would build strong character and values.

What would you say to a boy who is thinking of joining Scouting?

Any boy will learn skills and make many friends that could last a lifetime. What youth gain today from the scouting program far outweighs anything else. 

How will you celebrate the BSA’s 100th Anniversary?

I plan on being at the national jamboree! I have never been to a national jamboree, so going to the celebration for the 100th anniversary will be a highlight and another fantastic memory.

How do you make the program relevant to your boys when there are so many other draws on their time? 

We try to remain flexible and help them plan activities they want to participate in.

What advice do you have for a new leader?

Always go to training. But most importantly never forget why we are Scout leaders—for the boys.

Thanks, Sherri, for your contributions to Scouting and to our Scouter Spotlight. Do you know a Scouting volunteer who deserves special recognition? Then what are you waiting for? E-mail us the person’s name and contact info and you might see him or her in a future edition of Scouter Spotlight.

Scouter Spotlight: Meet Tom Baltes

The Scouting program relies on volunteers like you to succeed. We at Cracker Barrel recognize this and enjoy showing off some of the nation’s best adult volunteers. It’s a feature we call Scouter Spotlight, and this week it shines on a great volunteer from New Mexico.

You’ll meet him in just a second. But first, why not recommend a great volunteer who deserves recognition? Simply e-mail us the outstanding Scouter’s name and contact info to get started.

This week we’re spotlighting Tom Baltes of Albuquerque, N.M. Tom serves many roles in the program: committee member, assistant Scoutmaster, and unit commissioner—to name a few. He’s been in Scouting for 13 years, ever since his family returned from 12 years of military duty around Germany. As a boy, Tom was a Star Scout.

Tom’s son, Mike, 25, is an Eagle Scout and registered adult leader who worked one year at Philmont Scout Ranch at a backcountry camp. Tom’s wife, Louise, is a committee member with Troop 166 of Albuquerque and has enjoyed many backpacking trips with Tom.

Follow the jump below to hear Tom’s take on Scouting.

Scouter Spotlight: Meet Jamie Niss Dunn

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.

Scouter Spotlight: Meet Sven Rundman

After more than four decades of involvement in Scouting, Sven J. Rundman III can stand proudly in this week’s Scouter Spotlight. Before you meet him, though, take a moment to e-mail us with the name of a great volunteer for a future Spotlight.

Sven, the assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 199 in Fredericksburg, Va., serves as a national Health and Safety Committee member and on several district- and council-level committees. He has staffed Wood Badge and served as a Scoutmaster for three national jamborees. His “trademark phrase”: “It’s another grand and glorious day in Scouting, where every day is a holiday and every meal a feast. Thank you, Lord Baden-Powell.”

Read on to find out more about Sven.