Publicize IFSR in your District & Club Newsletters

William Litton, the IFSR Coordinator for District 6980, wrote an article in their district newsletter about IFSR. Here is a version of his article that could be used in the U.S. in your district’s or club’s newsletter. For a Word .doc version click here. This can be modified slightly for other countries.

Were you involved in Scouting as a youth or do you have a son that is currently in the Scouting program? If so, there is a Rotary Fellowship for you, The International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians. IFSR is an international group of Rotarians that are also involved in the Scouting program at the local, national, and international levels. Membership dues are $35.00 for new members and include the IFSR pin. If you are interested in joining the IFSR visit their website at http://ifsr-net.org . Two of the documents available at the website are the IFSR Membership Application http://scouters.us/ifsr/documents/membership_application_mar_2011.pdf and the IFSR Brochure http://scouters.us/ifsr/documents/IFSR_brochure_Mar_2011.pdf .

Membership in the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians is open tony Rotarian, in any country, who was formerly or is presently a member or supporter of any (girl or boy) Scout or Guide Association. Spouses of members and Rotaractors may become members.

The principles and goals of Rotary, Scouting and Guiding are closely aligned. Character building; service to country, to others, and to self; teaching leadership skills; and becoming aware of the world around us-these are all incorporated into the programs and activities of each organization. The values expressed in Rotary International's Motto and the Four Way Test greatly parallel those articulated in the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan.

In addition, the local Scout councils are working to find former scouts that are not connected and involved with the local Scouting movement. If you are former Scout alumni, it is time for you to reconnect with the Scouting program and re-engage in Scouting. Visit the BSA Alumni Website at http://scouting.org/Alumni/Reconnect.aspx to reconnect with Scouting and find out the great things that are happening in Scouting.

If you would like to have more information on the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians (IFSR), please contact your District IFSR Coordinator or visit the IFSR website http://ifsr-net.org .

[NOTE: you need to replace "your District IFSR Coordinator" with the IFSR contact for your district.]

Back to top of Page

Silver Wheel Nominations Sought by May 1.

Each year IFSR recognizes IFSR members (Rotarians or Rotaractors) who have made unique and outstanding contributions through IFSR to Girl Guiding/Scouting or World Scouting and Rotary International.

This is not a Scouting award but an IFSR award and thus we want to honor those of our members who have contributed in an outstanding fashion.

Nomination forms are available and should be submitted by the first of May to our IFSR office which will forward them to the Awards and Recognitions Chair who will make recommendations to the IFSR Executive Committee and the recognitions presented at the IFSR Annual General Meeting at the annual RI Convention.

Download a copy of the Nomination Form. Nominations must be submitted by May 1, 2011, to the IFSR office. Chair Bud Allison, the Awards and Recognitions Chair, will make recommendations to the IFSR Executive Committee. The recognitions are presented at the IFSR Annual General Meeting on May 23, 2011, at 4 pm at the New Orleans RI Convention.

Back to top of Page

Scouting Rotarians Complete 5th Annual Eagle Scout Parents 'Be More Prepared' Camporee 2011 & Hands On Volunteer Disaster Preparedness Training

For the 5th consecutive year, Scouting Rotarians of the Cahuenga District, Western Los Angeles County Council, BSA and Clubs of Rotary District 5260 Zone 26 have come together on the Tejon Ranch to provide both "Priceless Scouting Memories" and a “Hands On In-The-Field” Disaster Preparedness Training. This year, over 400 Scouts, Scout Parents, Eagle Scout Parents, Venturing and Scouting Rotarians took part, along with more than 50 Cub Scouts & Parents at “Cub On 2011.”

The camporee site is over 1-mile long, so there is no shortage of space for activities, competitions and trainings. Friday night's Cracker Barrel Leadership briefing was held in a 1200 square foot Field Tent, provided by the CA Army National Guard. Cahuenga District Troops sponsored Scouting events; including, Troop 911 Climbing Wall, Monkey Bridge, Knot Tying, Barrel Roll and 5-Man Retrieve. Venturing Crews provided First Aid & Safety (Josepho Team Crew 8) and Computerized Scoring (Venture Crew 104). The Order of the Arrow set up a Country Store. Food Service was coordinated by Rotarians of Rotary District 5260 Zone 26, with special thanks to Rotary Club of Lancaster for their 24' trailer and Rotary Billboards (as all sides of trailer have been Rotary-enhanced with graphics), right in the center of the action!

The "Hands on at Disaster Alley" Volunteer Disaster Preparedness Trainings included: LAFD CERT, Search & Rescue, CRT, Shelter in Place, Ham Radio Communication, The Great California ShakeOut 2011 Earthquake Preparedness, Field Food Service and the Rotary District 5260 Community Volunteer Disaster Preparedness, Training & Relief (DPTR) Program. Associations supporting the trainings include: Eagle Scout Parents, BSA Health & Safety, IFSR, DRRAG and BICEPP. This camporee would not have been possible without a great supporting cast, including Tejon Ranch, CA Army National Guard, Denny's, PODS Enterprises, All Valley Rentals, MorePrepared.com and ShakeOutShop.

To see the Camporee 2011 Banner, photos and supporters: http://cahuenga.bsa-la.org/camporee.html.

Back to top of Page

New Generations

District 5320 and Orange County Council BSA incorporate Scouting into New Generations programing . PDG Lane Calvert of D-5320 (who is also New Generations Director of D-5320 and a Scout Executive himself, has created an excellent Power Point presentation on blending Interact, Rotaract and Youth Leadership Workshops (including RYLA) with Scouting, Youth Exchange, etc. This can be used by any District or any IFSR member.

Contact Lane at or his phone (714) 906 0929 for more information on what you and I can do in our Districts to enhance Scouting/Rotary networking, service and fun!

Back to top of Page

Australian Club Honors 6 Queen's Scouts

This group photograph was taken after the presentation of certificates to six Queen's Scouts during a meeting of the Rotary Club of Rosanna. The certificates were presented by the immediate past district governor of in District 9790. He had been DG when we first consulted him regarding the possibility of recognising Queen's Scouts in our District.

As part of their award scheme, Venturers may qualify for the Queen's Scout Award up to their 18th birthday. In the attached photo, you will see youth dressed in two different uniforms. The uniforms with the red shoulder are worn by Venturers who became members of a Rover Crew after their 18th birthday. Other Venturers in the photograph are wearing their Venturer uniform.

As the photograph shows, we are not members of the "Boy Scouts" in Australia, but rather "Scouts". We have both female and male members and leaders in each Section of "Scouts Australia".

The certificate that was presented to these young adults was designed by long-time Scouter, Peter Datson, who, while not a Rotarian, was a RYLArian and has maintained his contacts with Rotary over many years.

Back to top of Page

Cliff Dochterman Luncheon - 12/31/2009

This was a special New Years Eve Lunch with the Former World Chair of the Rotary-Scouting Fellowship David Judge from England held at P.J. Abbeys in Orange. In attendance were from the left Bob Myers, Christine Salts, Howard Dutra, Johrita Solari (Governor elect) Christine Judge, and David PDG, Lane Calvert PDG Don Blake, Marla Noel, Ann and Bob Cummings, Bill Baker, Steve Larson and Dennis Salts. The picture is the 100 Year Anniversary Rose Bowl float of the Boy Scouts of America.

Back to top of Page

New Scout Center in Czech Republic

IFSR President Brian Thiessen, right, with Zdenek Michalek, President of the Ostrava Rotary Club, the Vice President of the Scouts of Czech Republic and a past District Governor at the new Scout Center Vanaivan in Koprivnice, Czech Repubic in November of 2009. The Vice President of the Scouts of Czech Republic spent 11 years in prison during the communist times solely because he was a Scout leader!

Scouts in front of the new Scout Center Vanaivan in Koprivnice, Czech Repubic opened in November of 2009!

In the photos above and below, taken August 28, 2010 at the Scout Center in Koprivnice, Scouts are working to develop a ‘small Gilwell’ on the land surrounding the new building. The 'small Gilwell' is also a Rotary District project there in eastern Czech Republic!

Back to top of Page

Rotary Global History Fellowship Features IFSR

The Rotary Global History Fellowship has added information about the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians to their website, including information about the Cliff Dochterman Award. Visit them at www.rghf.org .

Back to top of Page

Scouts in Cumbria Aid Flood Victims

The flooding in Cumbria in November 2009 left many families without homes and possessions.  Rotary Clubs throughout District 1190 moved into action with practical help and fund raising.  Two members of IFSR - Don Cooper (RC of Wigton) and Tim Keegan (RC of Kendal), both active Assistant District Commissioners  - decided to try  to provide support for young people who had lost their toys and books.

So in Scout Districts Kentdale and Solway/Derwent, members of the Movement were asked to bring wrapped presents. In Kentdale Beavers and Cubs brought them to their annual Carol Service. With contributions also from Northallerton District in North Yorkshire, well over 350 toys were collected. They were delivered to a community centre in Cockermouth, the worst affected town.  Prior to Christmas the presents were distributed to bring a little cheer to children.

Back to top of Page

Other Scouting/Rotary News

Read about the San Juan Capistrano Rotary - Scout Hut

Blacksburg Rotary Club supports Boy Scouts to recycle 333 pounds of trash