Plan to re-emphasize Scouting in our stake

21 February 2017

Bishops and Branch Presidents...

We feel a compelling need to give the Scouting program in our stake a “re-set.”

As a consequence, we are asking you to CANCEL all Young Men activities and plans on Wednesday evening, April 26, so that (1) you, (2) your counselors, and (3) all ward Young Men and Scout leaders (including Scout Committee chairs) can attend a special Stake Scout Leader training at 7:00 pm that evening, April 26, at the stake center. This is to include the 11-Year-Old Scout leaders, too, but not the Cub Scout leaders.

The training, under the direction of Presidents Lewis and Christiansen, will include break-out sessions so you’ll want all of your ward AP-YM-Scouting leaders to receive this training.

We chose to conduct this training on a Wednesday evening so your ward YM leaders won’t have to commit to an extra night that week to ensure we get maximum attendance. It is VERY important all AP-YM and Scouting leaders attend! 

We also realize you may have a combined activity already scheduled for that evening. If so, we hope this is adequate notice to adjust your plans so that ALL involved with YM and Scouting can attend this training.

For wards with Mutual on Thursday evening, you have the option of canceling your YM program the following evening.

The Young Women are to still meet as usual on the evening of April 26. Only the Young Men’s program is cancelled. This training is for AP, YM and Scouting leaders, not Primary-Cub Scout leaders.

Finally, we ask that Young Men leaders come in full Scout uniform, if possible, or with as much of a Scout uniform as you have. If you don’t have any part of a Scout uniform, please try to obtain all or some of a uniform for this training, but don’t use this request as a reason not to attend. We need ALL YM-Scout leaders at this meeting.

The purposes of this training will be:

1. To explain how Scouting works within the Young Men's program;

2. Which elements of Scouting can help each ward Young Men's program function more effectively;

3. How to build a solid YM and Scouting program with planning, follow-up and accountability.

We look forward to meeting with you and your AP-YM-Scouting leaders on Wednesday, April 26. Please put it on your calendar!

The Stake Presidency