*I thought about the "Uniform" question all night.. *Flip the "view" from my (ADULT CDR.)position on uniform to one of a young man, entering our RR meeting room for the first time.
If- you "wanted Bad" to come and join, Uniform isn't a problem. If- you were a boy, and came because your Mom dropped you off and told you it would be good for you to "try it".. You would come with some reserve, or caution.. and stand silently giveing zero body language and holding your emotions to yourself. You are "checking this out"... you are prone to quick judgement. Most kids who attend public school have a strong self-protection intrest, and it comes out as "attitude".. You develop a personality to cover your inner thoughts and perfect the ability to throw off unwanted intrusion into you "space" ...waiting for a time where you choose to "get-the good stuff" (the snack or handout) then dart back to your safe harbor.. *It's just immaturity, and survival mode. Ministers, Youth pastors know this and perfect ways to bridge the chasum, to have a young person come to a decision, for Christ. *However, no uniform is required in Youth church.. (Tho often Youth wear a sort of Uniform i.e. baggy cargo pants, too big hoody sweat shirt and a ballcap.. ahhh Insight!) Even in the boys who come regular to the meeting... *If they do not actively "join" in the ownership of the Outpost, a "Uniform" will not seem important, or of your stated "beleved" value. This makes sence to me. *But it is simply them playing a "Game" that is familiar to their homelife and school and friends on the street. With no uniform, or with a sloppy uniform they "reserve the right" to not yeild to full membership in the Royal Ranger effort to build a "community". Therefore, No uniform, or sloppy uniform is ANTI-SOCIAL and that- is a violation of the intent of the RR emblem and a GOLD point.. Pressing that point to a boy with "attitude" is likely to firm his conviction that RR leaders are into domination and not freedom. He'll tell you in the extream.. "get lost man".. WHAT TO DO! ----------- Change the game being "Played".. The answer to me is build a Royal Ranger Community of friends who do intresting things togather<G> *Uniform is the result of a decision to "join" in spirit. Ranger *Spirit is what we want deep down anyway so, we should say so.. Earn their respect by discovering who they are and LEADING them! IF ROBIN HOOD was "Commander" the outpost would be full of "merry men" in green clokes, and tights with pointy hats<G> There was a "Movie" years ago called "Dead Poet Society" that my son watched in school to provoke an intrest in English by his teacher.. *there what was first judged "dry" "boreing" was changed, brought to life by a fundimentaly change of "mind". A group of students formed a 'club or even a "gang" and used the patrol method to share membership in a special "thing.." The answer to the Uniform question is thus found in your abilities to sell Royal Rangers to the boys in a way that they pick up the "ball" and you become the coach,teacher,mentor.. *Enough- Jelly Do-Nut time<G> -=A=- ===== *High MORALE is the Index of effective Leadership. --------------********+********-------------------- Morale raises belief of the Leader in the follower, of the follower in the Leader, of each in themself, and both in the .....cause! __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Great stuff seeking new owners in Yahoo! Auctions! http://auctions.yahoo.com _______ Let the Golden Rule be your daily rule. Please pray for your list sponsor: http://eBible.org/mpj/ To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://rangernet.org/subscribe.htm http://rangernet.org
