I first heard about the new changes during our 2000 Sectional Pow Wow. A boy from another outpost (who used to go to our outpost) told me that they were going to change the Royal Ranger program and make it more like the Boys Scouts. I was shocked and talked to a commander who the boy told me had more knowledge about the changes. I remember telling my Senior Commander at the time and he even said that he would leave the program if they change it. I eventually found out that they were in fact going to change the program on the internet. Finally this year I went to a commanders meeting where they showed a power point presentation of the new program. I saw things that surprised me like the "missionette" colors of the boys new vests. After the meeting I talked to the sectional FCF rep. who was disappointed with the changes to the FCF program and wished he had attended the national conferences. I have gotten the same disappointment from other commanders.
Information about the changes in the Royal Rangers program has been coming out from our national office for almost two years. In January 2000 National Commander Rich Mariott came to our regional conference, and I know he went to other district and regional commanders' meetings, and presented the preliminary plans for changing the program. Based on feedback he received as he and the rest of the national staff went around the country, the plans were refined to the point they are today. Two other members of the national staff came to our regional conference again in January 2001 to present this information, and I know that the whole national staff has been busy traveling around the country making presentations on this program.
I've seen that commanders' reactions to the new program vary greatly, depending on the attitude of the person making the presentation. If the changes are presented in a positive light, then most commanders end up with a positive attitude toward the changes. Do they like everything they hear? No. But then those same commanders have very likely over the years stated something like "I sure wish the national office would change ____________" in the existing program. So no one has universally liked everything in the existing program either.
Don't get me wrong I have nothing against the BSA, I used to be a Boy Scouts myself. However one thing I liked about the Royal Ranger program was how different and unique it was compared to the Boy Scouts. I felt the RR had a more organized look and structure compared to the BSA. And most importantly it is centered around Christ with emphasis on Christian teaching and living. The purpose of the Royal Ranger is to reach, teach, and keep boys for Christ, this is the main difference between us and the BSA. I as a Christian will agree with any changes if they will bring more to Christ. I feel the national office failed to proof exactly how removing what made the RR program majorly different from the Boy Scouts will accomplish this. Now we have no unique program to offer unsaved kids. If they had to pick between two programs that are very similar, except one is a "Christian Boy Scouts" they will most likely pick the secular version. The original RR program had more intrigue and had other features that would attract unsaved kids. Another concern is what happens if we get a new national commander and he decides to change everything again (Low income churches can't tolerate this). What really needs to change is the command structure of the national office one with checks and balances and will have more involvement from churches when such decisions are made. God Bless!
The new program still has as it's center "Christ with emphasis on Christian teaching and living." The mission of Royal Rangers remains the same: To Reach, Teach, and Keep Boys for Christ. The only question is what's the most effective way to do that in the 21st century. I grew up in Royal Rangers; I started as a Pioneer in 1969. Some of the same things that were done in 1969 are still being done today in Royal Rangers, and leaders are still being trained the same way. But a lot has changed in the 32 years I've been in Rangers, and we need to make sure that Royal Rangers is still as relevant for boys in 2002 as it was for me in 1969. That's the purpose for the changes. I personally can't wait to begin using the new program. Each time I see what's coming, I get more anxious to begin using the materials. Yes, there's going to be a cost in making the changes, and my church is about as small as any that has Royal Rangers (about 60-70 people). But from what I've seen, the cost will be worth it.
Remember also that the mandate for these changes did not come from Rich Mariott. They came from Thomas Trask and the other national A/G executives in response to the pastoral study committee and the study conducted by the national Royal Rangers executive committee PRIOR TO Ken Hunt's resignation as national commander. Things won't change just because "we get a new national commander." The command structure that you ask for is in place already -- Rich Mariott answers directly to Charles Crabtree and Thomas Trask who hear regularly from pastors and others in the field. In addition, Commander Mariott has the national RR executive committee that he meets with twice each year. They provide input to the decision-making process from the RR field. That's a pretty good system of checks and balances already in place, if you ask me.
Please keep an open mind about the new program. If you haven't seen the new materials, it's hard to judge what's coming. But the new handbooks for the boys, the lesson plans and a new leaders manual for the leaders, totally new training materials for commanders, etc. will all add up to a high-quality program that will serve us all well for many years to come. What I've seen of the materials is great! As I said earlier, I can't wait to begin using them in my outpost and in the leadership training that I'm involved with. Will there need to be changes in the future? Sure, as needs change. But you shouldn't see wholesale changes again in the program for many years to come.
Jonathan
----- Original Message -----
- From: Bob Triphahn
- To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Sent: Monday, August 06, 2001 9:27 PM
- Subject: Re: [RR] The New RR program
- Jose,
- At first I was skeptical of the changes. As I listen to what is in store I became excited. Why? The changes in teaching methods, especially for those of us with few leaders and small outposts. Plug a new boy in where you are and if he wants to do the work you have already done then he goes back and completes it on his own. How many times have you as a commander been frustrated with thinking you've got all your boys on the same page and then a new recruit comes in and he has to start from scratch, upsetting the whole game plan.
- Patches for the merits did seem to be a bit much to me at first. Especially since you could not wear them on the uniform. But, since the Ranger can wear colored class B ribbons on the uniform there is nothing to say that you do not buy the patches and only stick with the ribbons. Merit patches will be in the $0.69 range. Merit ribbons cost $1.95 each, not including the bar to hold them. Vests can be made inexpensively. Make a Ranger project out of it.
- Question for you. How did you hear about the new changes, as well as the commanders you have spoken to who do not like them? (And what's wrong with wearing a American flag on our uniform? I think it's a great idea, Boy Scouts having them or not :-)
- God Bless,
- Bob Triphahn
- Sr. Cmdr. O/P 312
- Victory Church
- St. Clair, Mo.
__________________________________
Jonathan Trower
South Central Region Training Coordinator
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
phone: 254-420-1941
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