Troop 182,My wife Flor and I attended the BSA National Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida from May 21 - 24, 2009. We attended different events and exhibitions with more than 1500 scout professionals and volunteers. We were invited to participate in the 2009 National Distinguished Scoutmasters Recognition Program. Scoutmasters from all the US were nominated by their Councils and only 43 were selected by the National Council. Florida was represented by one Scoutmaster from West Palm Beach and another from Jacksonville. We learned that our troops had active Eagle Scouts, First Class scouts, trained adults and scouts, good recruitment and retention, council, district, and OA participation, quality awards, service, active camping and outings, including summer camps, large committee, active parents, good charter organization support, good management practices, and leadership influence in our communities outside Scouting.
We were specially recognized in the Business Meeting, our spouses had private tours and events to thank them for their support to the Scoutmasters. We worked in Focus Groups and we had a private meeting with the Chief Scout Executive and National Council Commissioner.
It was a great honor and a huge challenge to represent Troop 182 during this recognition program. We had several meetings where we share our best practices. During the Focus Groups we worked in several areas (recruitment, training, advancement, retention, and time management) to analyze current issues and to define solutions or methods that can be implemented in the troops. We made the commitment to work online in our focus groups for the next 12 to 18 months in order to present our work to the National Council.
It was very interesting to share what we do in our troop with 52 scouts. At the same time, it was a great learning experience to hear from troops with more than 120 scouts, 13 patrols per troop, more than 20 ASMs per troop, 80 years old troops, rural troops, and from Scoutmasters from many states. We formed a great team to work together to improve other troops and the Scouts program.
In order to do our work, we will share our discussions with our Councils, districts, troops, charter organizations, and our communities to promote our best Scouting practices and to gather information to improve the Scouting program. During the upcoming weeks and months, I will meet with the North Florida Council leaders, Shawnee District Scoutmasters, Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School, Troop 182 parents, leaders, and scouts, to share our Focus Groups plan. I was selected because of your work and support to our troop activities. This is a recognition that belongs to all Troop 182. Now we all have the challenge to provide our ideas to improve other troops in our area of influence. Our reach should go to all Councils in Florida. The combined work of all the Distinguished Scoutmasters should make an impact in all the troops in the future.
During this meeting, I renewed my commitment to continue working with Troop 182. Besides, I will also continue my support to the NYLT, OA, and the National Council Hispanic initiative. I thank you for your continuous commitment to Scouting. This recognition should motivate us to be better scouts, leaders, parents and supporters. Be have to continue being an example to other troops and to expand our practices to other troops.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation with our mission.
God bless you and your families,
Jose
Jose G. Lepervanche
Scoutmaster Troop 182 Jacksonville
"2009 National Distinguished Scoutmaster"
