It's hard to believe that another month has come and gone. Hopefully your Halloween with the kiddies was great. I have heard from most of you and it's evident that you are all working your tickets feverishly! I am proud of you all!
In the late 1800's the term "Working Your Ticket" was a phrase used by military in the UK to denote efforts to be honorably discharged and ultimate get back home. And while I want all of you to receive your "honorable discharge" from your Wood Badge course, I hope it has become evident to you through your individual and group effort that "completing" the course and receiving your beads is just the beginning.
Hopefully each of you is becoming more and more involved in your local unit and on the council level as well. Certainly, completing your ticket and receiving your beads does not mean you are done.
I recently received an assignment to be the Chartered Organization Representative for our unit. I held a meeting with our scout committee chair in our ward just last night. We discussed what was working well and what wasn't - Start, Stop, Continue. We came up with a list of needs, a title for a position on the committee that would fill those needs, and an assignment was made to write a brief job description of what each of those jobs entails. Over the next several months we plan on developing the scout committee in our unit into a well oiled machine including a request to have it staffed with volunteers who are passionate about boys and scouting!
I never thought I would be in the position I am in in scouting right now. When I was a Boy Scout, I didn't even know there was such a position. I am finding myself in leadership roles where the training I received in Wood Badge has been invaluable. Where I use it the most is in my home. And that is priceless to me. Similar things will happen to all of you if they have not already.
I sincerely hope that you are finding joy in your journey. While you are working to complete the tasks at hand, don't just check the box. Be sure to "zoom out" and appreciate where you have come from and where you are heading. I saw growth in the few days were were together at Camp Tracy. I know through your efforts that you're continuing to hone those leadership skills you picked up at camp as you implement them in real life situations.
Remember, this is just the beginning. Who knows where the gate leads or what path you might find yourself on in a few years. The trick is to enjoy the journey, stay focused, and help others find the way.
YIS -
Tom Brand
The Regal Eagle
