Adult Staff Development begins for 2008-9
The first Adult Staff Development meeting was held on August 22-23 at the Presidio Scout Lodge. Working until nearly 1:00 am Saturday morning, and beginning again at 8:30 that morning, the 25 adult and youth staff present wrestled with defining a number of challenging issues:
- What is our definition of leadership?
- What are our essential values, which if you took away from the program, would mean it was no longer White Stag?
- What are the criteria that define a vision, mission, goals, objectives and Leadership Growth Agreements (LGAs)?
- Are LGAs really effective, and how can we improve them?
- What is a vision, and what is our vision for the next 10 years or perhaps the next 50 years?
- Should we standardize on specific goals and objectives that should endure from one year to the next?
- Given our essential values, what are some goals and objectives by which we can determine whether we are actually applying these values to the program?
The unaminity and sense of purpose among all present was remarkable. When asked if they would be content 50 years from now if White Stag were in exactly the same state, providing one summer camp in the Monterey Area, nearly all spoke at the same time: "No."
For the past 10 years, our vision has been, "To enhance the quality and character of individuals and empower them to influence their communities and environment in a positive manner." We then worked to answer the question, "What is our vision for the next 50 years?"
We've already posted some of the results from our intense discussions, with more to follow. For details, see the uploaded files.
Indaba 2008 set for September 13
The wrap up to 2008 camp is the Indaba, set for Saturday, September 13, 2008. Mark your calendars now.
The 50th Anniversary
Set aside October 4-5, 2008, Hayward, CA for the 50th Anniversary Observation. Mark your calendars today for a
special celebration.
Summer Camp 2008
Summer Camp 2008 was a huge success with 130 candidates attending, including 9 from the Los Angeles area. Congratulations to everyone for their hard work!
Share Your Photos and Staff Notes
This is the place to communicate and share what's happening in the program. Post notes on the
forums, upload
photos, exchange information, and keep in touch with all of your fellow staff members.
Be sure to post a note in the Comments forum with your input and suggestions.
If you would like to gain some professional experience managing a web site, please
contact me. I will teach anyone who'd like to help out.
Brian Phelps
Books
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Describes eleven essential, time-tested skills of leadership. Focuses on Representing the Group and methods for influencing others. Condensed from years of research and practical experience, articulates key elements and specific traits of leadership. 278 pages; Fifth Edition. Published 2000. Available as a Acrobat file. |
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Describes the underlying Principles, Aims, Methods, and Content, Evaluation Instruments, Organizational Structure, and perhaps most importantly, the Spirit and Traditions that make the program distinctive and leave a lasting impression in young people's hearts. 236 pages. Third Edition. Published 2000. Available as a Acrobat file. |
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This unique collection of lessons represents not only the fundamentals but the very foundation of leadership and outdoor skills. No outdoor students, educators, or leaders should be without a copy. Lesson Plans. By Jack Drury, Bruce Bonney, Dene Berman, Mark Wagstaff. Buy now on Amazon.com. |
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Explains how the key elements of leadership work in theory and practice, and it helps train the next generation of adventure leaders—training that is paramount to developing the field. By Simon Priest, Michael A. Gass. Buy now on Amazon.com. |
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