Rotary and Scouting
  
Rotary International has been a partner with the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides in serving young people since their inception. As Rotary spread around the world, its support of Scouting and Girl Guiding also spread. In 1916, Rotarians in Edinburgh, Scotland, joined by 100 local Scouts, organized a special Christmas party for children whose fathers were serving in World War I. In 1922, the Rotary Club of Manila, Philippines, established a local Scout council. Rotary Clubs from Australia to Brunei built huts for Girl Guide groups.
The principles and goals of Rotary, Scouting and Guiding are closely allied. 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.
Rotarians have long served as role models, demonstrating leadership, character, and the value of selfless service to the community. Rotary founder Paul P. Harris was himself a recipient of Scouting's prestigious Silver Buffalo award in 1934. His and others' efforts represent to a high degree the slogan "Every Rotarian an Example to Youth."
One of the first interactions between Rotary and both Scouting and Guiding were in helping provide camps. Many early camps were called Camp Rotary and many such camps still exist. Rotary clubs also chartered or otherwise supported Scout and Guide groups. Today, Rotarians remain among the foremost sponsors of Scouting and Guiding, seeing it, like Rotary, as an excellent way to serve others. Rotary clubs in the United States charter over 1,400 Scouting units (Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Venturing crews) serving about 45,000 Scouts.
Conversely, Scouting and Guiding has proven to be a strong partner in Rotary's mission "to help build a better world". One example is ShelterBox which provides supplies designed to help an extended family of up to 10 people survive a disaster for at least 6 months. This project was started in 2000 by a Rotary Club in Cornwall, England. It has spread to become the largest project of any Rotary club in the world. Scout and Guide groups quickly joined in supporting ShelterBox. In 2009, The Scout Association officially became a partner in Shelter Box. ShelterBox has worked on every continent, responding to earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, typhoons, hurricanes, volcanoes and conflicts.
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To Help Other People at All Times
Such is the burden we carry as Scouters and Guiders. Coupled with our commitment to “Serve Above Self” as Rotarians, the opportunities to give of ourselves are endless. Many of us give of our time and talent on a local basis. Virtually every one of us has shown an interest in reaching out beyond our own borders through our affiliation with this fellowship.
For some, that includes international travel, attending international Scouting functions, distributing polio vaccine, building housing in countries that have suffered natural disasters, or a host of other activities.
Others are tied to their home base, due to jobs, family obligations, age, or health. That doesn’t mean that we cannot help. As the home handyman says on the radio, the most powerful tool in our tool box is our checkbook. Here are just a few ways that we can make a difference:
- Past IFSR World President Harold Friend is serving as the campaign chair to complete the new Interamerican Region of WOSM Headquarters in Panama City, Panama. The building is there, but it is currently bare concrete and walls. It needs wiring, utility pipes, a communication system and furniture.
- Contributions to this effort are through the Interamerican Scout Foundation, a US 501c3 corporation. Gifts large and small are welcome, as we create an office that will serve all 36 Scout Associations in North, South, and Central America as well as the Caribbean.
- Scouts Haiti: The size of the gift doesn’t matter. The act itself is priceless. Gifts are encouraged to the BSA’s World Friendship Fund, earmarked Haiti Relief or to the Rotary Foundation, marked the same. Of course, the Red Cross and other relief organizations are working tirelessly to restore a life to this poor country, and contributions are welcome.
- Chile Earthquake Relief: The Boy Scouts of America has recommended contributions to the Red Cross or Salvation Army for support of the rebuilding efforts in this country.
- Support your local Scout Council as best you can. The work they do is more critical than ever, as we build tomorrow’s leaders as individuals with a strong set of ethics and values. Support of friends and alumni is essential to the financial health of the local council.
Contributions to any of these causes are welcome, as well as to the Rotary Foundation. Again, the size of the gift doesn’t matter, but that is given with a sincere desire to help. If you have questions or need more information, send a note to the editor and it will be passed to an appropriate source for reply.
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In the summer of 2011, Sweden has the great honor to
host the 22nd World Scout Jamboree. For 12 days, 30 000
young Scouts from more than 150 different countries will
gather together at Rinkabyfältet in the municipality of Kristianstad
to make new friends and take part in a multitude of
activities with the aim to create a better world.
Operation One World
In order to help Scouts from countries who
would otherwise have not been able to participate in the
Jamboree, Jamboree organizers have initiated the Jamboree solidarity fund,
Operation One World. For more information on Operation One World download the Operation One World flyer.
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IFSR Organizing Committee for Morocco
In an exciting sequence of events, the IFSR Organizing Committee for Morocco was officially created on January 9, 2010. The members are:
Rtn. Abdelhaq LARAÏCHI - Chair
Rtn. Alain Roux - Vice Chair and Treasurer
His Excellency Ambassador Rtn. Mosud Mannan - Secretary
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Who
Are
We?
The
International
Fellowship
of
Scouting
Rotarians (IFSR)
is
one
of
more
than
ninety Rotary
Fellowship and Action Groups established
to
bring
together
Rotarians
with
similar
interests
from
around
the
world.
It
is
made
up
of Rotarians
who
are
or
were,
also,
Scouters.
IFSR Annual Meeting at BSA National Meeting
IFSR Annual Meeting at Rotary International Convention
Aim
The aim of IFSR is to develop a strong association
internationally between Rotarians and associates who are, or have been, active
members and/or supporters of the Scout Movement including national organizations
that are members of the World Organization of Scout Movements (WOSM)
or the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).
Objectives
The Objectives of IFSR include the following:
- To encourage and foster the ideal of service by Rotarians to promote the growth and development of the Scout movement.
- To provide opportunities for social and fellowship interaction among IFSR members.
- To give active encouragement to Scouting at local, national and international levels.
- To recognize individuals who have provided exceptionally unique service to Scouting and to Rotary.
Membership
Membership of IFSR is open to any Rotarian in good standing,
Rotary spouse or partner or family member or associate who is presently (or has
formerly been) a member and/or supporter of WOSM or WAGGGS organizations
Bud Allison, 2008 World President - International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians (IFSR) and Nathan A. Wolfstein IV, Co-Founder, Eagle ScoutParents - BSA National Parent Initiative, 2008-09 Rotary District 5260 Community Service Chairman and 'Recently Appointed' IFSR Webmaster,
at the IFSR Booth at the Rotary International Convention.
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About the International Fellowship of
Scouting Rotarians
At the Rotary International Convention held in Mexico City in 1991, several Rotarians who were also Scouters met and discussed how to provide an outlet for both interests through a fellowship group within Rotary International. It was felt that because of these dual interests and involvement, there should be many opportunities for past and present Scouters to further the Scouting/Rotary ideals and relationships at local, regional, national, and international levels.
Thus was born the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians. Numbering over 1,000 members worldwide at the present time, this group is aiding the on-going spirit of Service Above Self. After approval was received from Rotary International, IFSR joined the over 60 different Fellowships and Action Groups sanctioned by Rotary International in which active Rotarians may share their interests and hobbies.
Like original Scouting, the first such group was located in the British Isles (RIBI) and is now spreading throughout the Rotary and Scouting worlds. Canada, Eastern Russia (RI District 5010), the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean were formed into the Inter-American Region. The IFSR is structured along the lines of the World Organization of Scout Movement, which has six distinct regions or areas for administrative purposes - European, Eurasian, African, Australian, Interamerican, and Asian.
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