News - August 2009
Posted by Doug | Filed under News from the National Director
Hello District Directors!
I don’t often give a chick flick five stars, but I really enjoyed Julie and Julia. (Is it OK for me to actually admit this to you?) It is about Julia Child, the late American chef, author, and television personality, who wanted to make French cuisine recipes available to the American public. Her book is now in its 49th printing, and though she passed away in 2004, her influence will continue for generations!
What really struck me about Julia, beyond her quirky humor and her unrelenting tenacity, was her ability to draw out the best in people. She and her husband were U.S. Civil Servants stationed in Paris in the late 40’s. While many of her colleagues saw the French people as being…well…less than kind to Americans, shall we say, she saw their passion for life, people, and food. Because she saw the best in them, they loved her back, genuinely befriended her, and helped her (except for one lady, but you’ll just have to watch the movie to be introduced to that less-than-encouraging human being).
As I reflected on the movie, I couldn’t help but think of you, our district directors. I’ve seen you personally at conferences and camps bringing out the best in the commanders and young men around you.
My mentor and friend, George Davis, who went to be with the Lord last year, always said, “Leaders must always perfect their ability to spot ability in others, further develop those abilities, and release them to use their abilities for God’s purposes.” As summer draws to a close, be encouraged. You are bringing out God’s best in others, and your investment in lives will be felt for generations!
ONLINE CHARTERING
Online chartering launched successfully August 15 as promised! Ninety percent of those who have completed the process gave it a good or excellent rating. Outposts that have chartered are already enjoying their product discounts. Please remind outposts to charter soon— http://www.royalrangers.ag.org/.
DISTRICT OUTREACH COORDINTOR
Please be in prayer that God will lead you to appoint God’s choice for this important position before March 2010 and please urge this person to attend National Council. A description of the position is available in the Royal Rangers Operational Guidelines (in the ’09 Council magazine, p. 55). Since growth in the number of outposts and their participation in missions endeavors at home and abroad is the district’s most important responsibility, the significance of this position and the value of appointing the right person to this post cannot be overstated. The national director will meet jointly with district directors and district outreach coordinators on Wednesday before National Council for a couple of hours. Then, they will meet separately with the national outreach coordinator, and the national director will continue to meet with the district directors. (The completed schedule will be announced in the fall.)
NATIONAL ROYAL RANGERS WEEK: October 4-10, 2009
The national office has prepared a downloadable flyer for outpost leaders entitled, “10 ways to Observe Ranger Week.”—http://royalrangers.ag.org/events/rrweek/.
NATIONAL PRAYER VIGIL: October 9-10, 2009
A prayer guide is available for the 3rd annual National Prayer Vigil at http://royalrangers.ag.org/events/prayervigil/. Mark your calendar and participate by praying one hour anytime during the 48-hour window. Also, please help us get the word out within your district.
Praying Hyde reminds, “God’s army advances on its knees!”
2012 CAMPORAMA SURVEY
Please take a moment to complete the survey and invite others to give input, especially young men—http://royalrangers.ag.org/events/camporama/.
OUTPOST PROMO KIT SURVEY
Please take a moment to complete the survey regarding the Outpost Promotional Kit that outposts received this spring—http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=B3MUaGpNqWVrv5PRvKFvCw_3d_3d.
UNIFORM INFO & INSIGNIA PLACEMENT
Please refer to the following link for current information on the Royal Rangers uniform and a downloadable insignia placement guide for the new utility uniform— http://royalrangers.ag.org/programs/uniforms.
NATIONAL TRAINING EVENTS
It has been a great year for national training events! Only a few events remain. Also, this is the last chance to attend National Training Camp and Advanced National Training Camp. Please help promote these remaining events. Click here for details— http://royalrangers.ag.org/training/schedule.
I LOVE MISSIONS!
There is no denying that missions is the heart of God. It is at the foundation of our Fellowship and is a core purpose of Royal Rangers. It is imperative that young men have leaders who pray for and give to missions and have the opportunity to play a role in giving to missions themselves. Participation in missions is central to instilling a commitment to the Great Commission and Great Commandment in the hearts and lives of the young men you lead! For these reasons, Royal Rangers continues to partner with BGMC and Speed the Light.
This year, although we have made great strides in our missions endeavors, we have yet to see the fruit of our labor. To this date, only $3,000 of our $100,000 Master’s Toolbox goal has come in. We have also yet to receive any funds this calendar year for the RR/STL Project.
We realize that many outposts and districts are still in the process of raising funds and have not yet sent in their monies. However, if you are not already undertaking a fundraising program for missions, we deeply encourage you to do so. There are people that may never hear the gospel if we do not equip our missionaries to go and find them.
For further information on Royal Rangers missions and where to send your support, visit http://royalrangers.ag.org/outreach/worldwide/.
NRA YOUTH SHOOTING SPORTS AMBASSADOR APPOINTED
Michael Carter is our 09-10 NRA Youth Shooting Sports Ambassador, representing the Royal Ranger National Shooting Sports Program (NSSP). His tour of duty will begin this fall and extend through next summer.
Michael will be attending the SHOT Show in January, which is the largest and most prestigious convention/show of the shooting sports industry. Our 08-09 ambassador had a personal meeting and lunch with two Olympians from the 2008 Olympic shooting team. In addition to radio, television, and other media relations during the SHOT Show, Michael will be attending a series of exciting shooting events, meet and work with celebrities of the sport, and much more.
Michael lives in Nampa, Idaho (just outside Boise) and is a member of Outpost 2 at First Assembly of God in Meridian. Last week, he began his freshman year at Idaho State University and will coordinate with Shad Arnold, the chairman of the Royal Rangers NSSP, to meet the ambassador’s schedule requirements.
He is very active in the shooting sports, including hunting, target shooting, and local competitions, and will have many opportunities throughout this next year to demonstrate his aptitude in the sport while promoting Royal Rangers to the NRA and their partners at events and meetings around the country. Michael is a graduate of the 2009 NRA Youth Education Summit (YES) and is a NRA member.
As a NRA Youth Shooting Sports ambassador, Michael will receive special recognition and a scholarship from the president of the NRA for his service during his ambassador term.
MOVIE RECOMMENDATION
The National Royal Rangers Ministries would like to announce the upcoming release of To Save a Life, written by seasoned youth leader, Jim Britts, and inspired by a passion to reach teenagers with a life-affirming entertainment. Royal Rangers is endorsing this film for Adventure and Expedition Rangers. It will be especially useful as an outreach and evangelism tool and as an opportunity to partner with your local youth and Girls Ministries groups. This movie will be released sometime in January and would be a great way to get Royal Rangers together for a winter activity. Your young men will also have an opportunity to view the movie in an advanced screening at all the district youth conventions this fall.
For leader’s resources and to view the movie trailer, go to www.tosavealifeleaders.com.
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