Well, I decided to find out, so I took a survey of nine sample
districts (those starting with the letter "M"). If your the average Royal
Ranger leader, your district's calendar probably looks something like
this:
staff and leader's training events, geared at men only-49%
events geared at both men and boys- 27%
events geared at boys-23%
add to this your section's calendar and it look's like this:
events geared at men only-61%
geared at both men and boys- 12%
geared at boys-27%
Of the events geared at both old timers and young bucks, the ratio of
leaders to boys in attendance is generally about two to one.
If you happen to serve on section or district staff, your calendar will
likely look more like this:
events geared towards men only- 70%
events geared towards both men and boys- 12%
events geared towards boys- 18%
Now, supposing that you are one of the very elite who serve on staff at
national training camps, wilderness vigils, etc., and your presence is
required at regional staff meetings, national council, so forth and so on...
your calendar will look a little more like this:
events geared towards men only-78%
events geared at both men and boys- 10%
events geared at boys- 12%
While I can stake no claim in the upper echeclons of the powers that be,
the Royal Ranger Hierarchy, I must admit that my calendar has indicated a
propensity for favoritism towards the leadership and a neglect of
the boys I am to be serving. Now, if this ministry were a household such
as Jesus spoke of in parables, would the master of the house be pleased with
the fact that I was spending twice the time and resources on the needs of the
other servants than I was on those whom I was to be serving? Would I be
promoted? Would I get more pins on my chest? More plaques and
certificates on my wall?
How many people do you know, who show up at every staff meeting,
conference, seminar, training camp, etc, all decked out strutting thier stuff
like a rooster, then never have the time to put on khakis on
Wednesday nite for the boys? How many people do you know who wear a blue,
gold, or silver cluster, yet haven't conducted an outpost meeting in
years? I can name a few.
Training leaders is great, but when we are too busy training leaders that
we are not reaching boys, then we are going backwards. Let's put boys back in
the mix on some of these training and staff events, instead of excluding them,
and watch this thing grow.
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