Scouting Around - Issue 22 - October 2017

JOTA-JOTI 2017 Upcoming Activities November 4 — Cub Scout Leaders’ Meeting (Arima District)

JOTA-JOTI (Jamboree on the Air - Jamboree on the Internet) is the largest Scouting event in the world with over 1 million Scouts participating across 150+ countries. Scouts and Guides across the world connect with each other during JOTA-JOTI using the airwaves and the internet.

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12 — National Scout Centres Service Day 12 — Memorial Day 19 — United Nations’ International Men’s Day

Kite Making Walkie Talkies JamPuz (Jamboree Puzzle) Internet Relay Chat (IRC)

26 — National Sea Scouts Challenge

headquarters@scouts.tt 1(868) 624-7271 www.scouts.tt

Produced through the kind support of

Started as just JOTA (before the Internet was invented) in 1958 for Scouts who couldn’t physically make it to a World Scout Jamboree, this year the worldwide event celebrated 60 years of connecting Scouts.

For ScoutsTT, JOTA-JOTI has become a highly anticipated annual event. This year’s activities were conducted at four locations: Scout Headquarters, Arima/Arouca District, Diego Martin District, and Naparima District.

Leaders and adult volunteers at all locations facilitated the JOTA-JOTI program for over 350 participants.

Some of this year’s activities were:  Morse Code  Amateur Radio  CD Signaling

The event is held the third weekend of October. The next JOTA-JOTI is October 1921, 2018

will also serve to bridge the gap between the youth program and the adult leadership.

UWIRSC Recruiters on site

After receiving overwhelming interest and sign-ups numbering over 300, the crew had its first meeting on September 14th. Their every-Thursday meetings have been a hub for social interaction of a different kind

exists in many other countries around the world. It is designed for young men and women who have passed the age range of Venture Scouts, which is for young people aged 15-19.

Rovering at UWI By: Devante Lee Hue

UWIRSC is an outlet for persons between the ages of 18-26 to experience high adventure, fun and “vybz” as well as to build character through service projects. It Scout games make meetings fun!

On the morning of September 4th, 2017, there was a special feeling in the air.

Something big was about to happen. It was the opening of the new school term at UWI, where its newest club was being formed, UWI Rover Scout Crew (UWIRSC), the first of its kind in the entire country.

since its inception.

So far, persons have been imbued with the knowledge of the scout promise and laws and qualities necessary to become a model citizen. They have taken part in fun outdoor games and fitness activities, and are looking forward to community service projects and taking part in future international experiences.

Rover Scouting or Rovering is new to Trinidad and Tobago and ScoutsTT but Focus on fitness

Interamerican Leadership Training

ability as well as a potential and willingness to hold mid or senior level positions within ten years. In short, it is similar to the beginnings of a management internship program in the corporate sector.

The Interamerican Leadership Training was initiated by the Interamerican Region to develop twenty young leaders for each National Scout Organisation over the course of ten years from 2013 to 2022.

In an attempt to ensure that as many persons as possible got the opportunity to offer themselves for consideration, we utilised a public application process. Twelve people responded to the advertisement for applications; they came from four (4) Districts— Naparima [4], San Fernando [4], St. Joseph/Tunapuna [1], and Port of Spain [3] – and were between the ages of 18 and 21 except for one (age - 24).

The project is supported by the Messengers of Peace Support Fund, the Interarmerican Scout Foundation and the Boy Scouts of America with the aim that by 2023 its alumni will be holding leadership positions in their respective NSOs. Persons selected for the course are expected to demonstrate clear leadership

While we had hoped for a greater number and wider distribution we believe this is a great start and look forward to receiving more applicants next year.

The candidates were interviewed over two days at National Headquarters by an interview panel comprising a mix of commissioners and former ILT participants including the National Youth Commissioner.

Of the twelve applicants it was the view of the panel that the top seven were all highly qualified and suitable to attend. It is our hope that even though they may not have been selected that they will continue their involvement in Scouting and we hope to work with them in the future towards their further development.

The successful candidates were two distinguished young men by the names of Rondell Gulston and Isaac Thomas of 4th Tunapuna and 3rd Trinidad respectively.

They will be profiled in the upcoming issues of Scouting Around.

YOUTH CORNER

Q&A with New District Commissioner For Naparima District Vincent Ramoutar

The Constant Issue By: Reuben Cruikshank Youth Advocacy/National Affairs Committee Member, National Youth Network Imagine, if you will, a young hart that has just been birthed into this world The hart’s heart so pure, so pious and innocent it sees the silver lining Said same silver that ended his mother and father Or rather, the same silver that now clutches and caresses every fiber of the fawn It is uncomfortable, it screams from dusk until dawn Fighting a futile battle, The once free hart has now been tamed and sold for the highest price For all we know, the hart may have even been sold in parts, on ice.

Now let’s look at the life of a young puppy, Casted away it has to cast itself within the shadows to survive In these cold and seedy times Scouting for Food, she finds a turned over bin with food inside But to her horror other dogs lie in wait and fight with her for the food She may have met her demise…

However, this should not be the fate of our youth, We the Scout Youth Advocates scream a hearty roar in the face of wretched violence We wish not to see another hart be captured or another puppy lose her life in the name of survival.

To Dominica with Love Four car loads (three pictured below) of food stuff and clothes were loaded up and dropped of to Fernandes Industrial Centre in Barataria, where the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment along with the ODPM were collecting and sorting donations for Dominica. ScoutsTT’s donation were sent directly to our friends at the Scout Association of Dominica.

Describe Scouting in one sentence: Scouting is an organization that focuses on holistic development of youth. It builds self-reliant individuals by bringing different cultures together and creating a unique pathway for young citizens.

What are your goals in your new role as District Commissioner?

As the new youngest District Commissioner my role is to create a collaborative culture where leaders and members of the organization can work together for the sole purpose of building youths that will make a difference in Trinidad and Tobago. Another goal of mine is to give the youths of the organization a chance to be themselves and more so that they are not held back from any golden opportunity that may pass them in whatever career or pathway they may choose.

Professional background: Since completing my Bachelor of Education degree in 2016, I have been teaching at Canaan Presbyterian Primary School but I have been teaching at the primary school level since 2010. I am also a professional DJ and mixologist and currently pursuing my Master’s of Education degree.

History in Scouting:  Joined the 3rd Debe Scout Group in 1999, where I was awarded a District Patrol Leaders Award in 2000 by my mentor Mr. Roy Mootoo.  Became the Scout Leader of the group at the age of 17.  Appointed Rank under the Commissioner of Scouts in 2016.  Working with the Naparima District Council in many events and scouting activities throughout the past few years.  Appointed District Commissioner, Naparima District September, 2017 - Age 29

In Memoriam Marlene Griffith 3 December, 1952 - 26 September, 2017 Marlene was a very active member of the Scout Association since joining in 1970, her last role being Headquarters Commissioner (HQC) for Cub Scouts.

Scouting History:  Joined the 7th Trinidad Cub Pack in 1970 as a Cub Scout Leader  Assistant District Commissioner for Expansion P.O.S. in 1982  Woodbadge Beads and Parchment 1982 Level 1  Awarded Medal of Merit in 1980  Awarded Silver Ibis in 1987  HQC Cub Scouts in 2009  Awarded Golden Poui in 2015

Never one for the limelight, Marlene humbly served with purpose and pride. As a Cub Scout leader and a teacher, she influenced the lives of many young people, extending her loving and caring ways to her cub scouts and students. As an exemplar of Scouting’s values, she also touched the lives of many of her peers in Scouting as well as the many other organisations with which she was involved.

The Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago extends condolences to the family and friends of Marlene Griffith. May she rest in peace.

More Things to do in November!