NEW OFFICERS, NEW VISION
James L. Gordon Council discussed Plans for Summer 2006
by: gethro

The James L. Gordon council held its first monthly council meeting this morning, Feb.21, 2006, 9:00AM at Olongapo City Council's session hall to discuss the first round of activities for the month of March 1 to May 31, 2006.

After the induction of officers last February 16,2006, the James L. Gordon Council took the first step towards creating an active scouting program for the coming summer of 2006. Attended by 13 board members and scout commissioners headed by the 1st and 2nd council vice chairmen Mr. Gregorio Yang Elane and Hon. Edwin Piano respectively.

The meeting started with a short review of year 2005, where James L. Gordon council appears to have a seemingly good year for 2005 based on the record released by the BSP Regional Office. The council ranked number 1 on its membership campaign VS % to potential and number 3 on its achievement VS % to Goal. This ranking is based on the council’s achievement in registering new members which totaled to 8,362 (34.86% of potential and 52.26% of GOAL). With a clearer point of view, the numbers can be considered LOW or should I say behind the usual numbers expected. As recorded the potential members is gauge to a total of 23,986 and the said number is still at hand waiting to become part of the movement. After all, our ranking is actually a small reason to cheer for, but good enough to be congratulated. Despite multiple lineups of hurdles, the council managed to make it through, not with flying colors but at least with, pride and honor.

The need to raise the necessary fund for this year was also stressed-out during the said discussion, whereas it was noted that the local scouting council has been solely dependent on the National Fund Raising Raffle and on Membership share to fuel the whole year of 2005.

According to the report of Mr. Mario Esquillo (in-coming Council Scout Executive), the council may have missed the two most important factors in producing the needed results and achieving more membership for 2005. The two factors as he said are: Revolving/Operational Fund and Dynamic Line-up of programs and activities.

Mr. Esquillo presented the proposed activities in two (2) Phases. Phase I or the preparatory stage deals with the Creation of a Council Scouting Awareness Consistency Committee (SACC), Eagle Scout Conclave of Olongapo (JLG-ESCO), JLG Elite Scouting Program (JLG-ESP) and the Community Service Troop. These four (4), accoring to him, will be the council's main operational and functional units to represent the cream of the crop of local scouting. These scouts will then be summoned to attend a regular scouting service, bi-monthly training and will be groomed and trained to properly represent the council with PRIDE and HONOR that of a true SCOUT. They will serve as the best motivator for other scouts to strive and work their way-up to the ladder of excellence in scouting. To support this, a line-up of advancement activities, leadership and team building trainings is already being lined-up starting next week prior, during and after the scheduled council round-up on March 10, 2006

Phase II or the project implimentation stage deals with the new strategy in the council's Membership Campaign which will be started earlier in March instead of the usuall start in the month of August. The BSP membership will also be spiced-up with its new feature of converting the membership card into a Multi-Discount and Privilege Card to add-up to the BSP financial Assistance program benefit being recieved by each member. The council has also put into consideration the two possible Fund Raising Campaign for the local council namely Council’s Invitational Eagle Scouts Rendezvous and Summer Advancement Camp, A four day mini-camping and reunion camp which will cross with a two day summer advancement camp. This activity is targeted on April 27-30 and the Challenge City,a mimic of the popular “AMAZING RACE” and EXTRA CHALLENGE”. Targeted to really popularize our local scouting program while gathering the support of healthy individuals whose love for Challenge is by “heart” and not just by “will”. This will be a seven (7) day activity targeted to involve the whole city literally. The Challenge City project will not only promote scouting, but more so, our Local Tourism. Among the planned challenge are the following BSP obstacle challenge (Tapinac Oval), Fun Run “Takbo para sa Kabataan Fund Campaign”, Community Challenge, Livelihood Challenge, etc…. This activity is targeted on May 13-19, 2006.

The main goal is to bring back the glory of local scouting in place and create a well rounded program to support not just the scouts but the community as a whole.

Also present during the said meeting were Alberto Baviera (Administrative Officer),Ernesto Asuncion (Organization and Extension), Marcelino Andawi (Treasurer), Gregorio Manglicmot (Asst. Treasurer), Lutgarda Yanglay (Area IV), Hon. Angelina Andrada (Health and safety), Annabelle Gabriel (representing Hon. Robine Rose Buenafe of SK Federation), Maximo Venzon (Trainings and advancement), Namnama Roque (DepEd Coordinator), and Teresita Canaria (District Coordinator). The meeting was adjourned at around 12:05PM.

Follow-up meeting was scheduled on February 28, 2006, 9:00AM. Agenda for the said meeting is to finalize the feasibility of the upcoming summer activities.