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.]

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Silver Wheel Nominations Sought

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 to the IFSR office 4 weeks prior to the IFSR Annual General Meeting. 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.

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Philip Pfeffer Chair's InterAmerican Region

The new the Chair of the InterAmerican Region of IFSR is Philip M. Pfeffer. Phil is President and CEO of Treemont Capital Inc., on the Executive Board of the Middle Tennessee Council, BSA, and the Shawnee Trails Council, BSA, in Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois. Phil is a Regent for Life of the NESA, on the Community Relations Task Force and the Aquatics Task Force of the National Council of the BSA. Phil is on the Board of the Rotary Club of Nashville.

Additionally, Phil is Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity Endowment and serves with many other community organizations.

His most cherished honors include receiving the Silver Antelope Award, becoming a Distinguished Eagle Scout; receiving the National Distinguished Service Award of the Alpha Phi Omega and receiving the Silver Beaver Award from the Middle Tennessee Council. He also received The Cliff Dochterman Award, the Scouting Service Award for Rotarians, the 2007 YMCA Volunteer of the Year Award with his wife, Pam, and with Pam the 2008 Humanitarian Award from Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity. He was presented the National Water Safety Congress Letter of Commendation in recognition of his contributions to water-related youth education and safety. He is a Paul Harris Fellow in The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

Phil is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Captain in the United States Merchant Marine. Pam and Phil currently reside in St. Petersburg, Florida and Nashville, Tennessee.

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IFSR ShelterBox Project

by David A. Judge

Colchester (UK) Scout Band joined with Colchester Forum Rotary Club through IFSR’s Project to support ShelterBox, which was originated by Past IFSR World President David A. Judge and launched at Gilwell Reunion 2009 with Scout Association and ShelterBox.

Colchester Scout Band (CSB) raised 250 Pounds to add to a similar sum from Colchester Forum to fund one complete ShelterBox. Colchester Forums Past Presidents John Russell and David Judge visited Colchester Scout Band to talk about ShelterBox and Rotary programmes related to young people. This should be the start of a positive link between CSB and Colchester Forum, who have in the past, and continue to donate to ShelterBox.

Many Civic and Scouting leaders and dignitaries including IFSR in RIBI Secretary Michael Francis & Mary, attended CSB Awards evening on 27th November 2010 when CSB Bandmaster John Larner presented Colchester Forum President Ivan Stedman with a check. THANK YOU COLCHESTER SCOUT BAND.

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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.

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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!

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Rotary Banquet Recognizes Eagle & Gold Scouts

Honorees with Dignitaries

Honoree with PDG Rich Panyik PDG Gary Moore

Eagle Scout and Gold Award Scout Recognition Day Banquet

The Rockdale County, Georgia, Rotary Club recognized 17 Eagle Scouts and one Gold Award Scout for achieving the highest award in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. The awards were presented on February 16, 2012, at their annual Eagle Scout and Gold Award Scout Recognition Day Banquet. Recognitions were presented from the Newton and Rockdale County Commissioners, the Georgia House of Representatives, the Sheriff, and IFSR. The guest speaker was business leader and Past District Governor, Richard Panyik, who wore Native American regalia.

At this banquet, Scouts are afforded the opportunity to meet people of recognized ability, achievement and prestige in their vocational field. By matching a Vocational Mentor with each honoree, it is the goal that each Scout will become acquainted with the preparation and training required, employment prospects, an understanding of the economics of the trade, profession or business, and its contribution to society.

They also recognized leadership of the Nagataman Order of the Arrow Chapter. The host was PDG and IFSR member Gary Moore

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IFSR at RIBI 2011 Gilwell Reunion

The International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians was ably represented
within Rotarians of Ireland and the British Isles (RIBI) at the 2011 Gilwell
Reunion last Fall. Here IFSR member Ken Scott discusses the opportunities
within IFSR with Scouters attending the 2011 Gilwell Reunion.

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Rotary Club recognizes Chief Scout recipients

The Rotary Club of Wainwright, Alberta, Canada recently recognized presented IFSR recognition certificates to two of its Scouts who had received the Chief Scout's Award -- members of the Scout Group the RC of Wainwright
sponsors. Pictured, left to right are Wilma Anderson (President of
Wainwright RC), Ross Hallett (Canada IFSR Chair), Chief Scout recipients Margaret Kloppenburg and Matthew Snow, and Scout Group Commissioner Ellis Jagoe. Congratulations to all!

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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.

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Dochterman & Wolfstein at Conference

Cliff Dochterman and Nathan Wolfstein at the March 16 and 17, 2012, Sixth Rotary Emergency Disaster Initiative Conference - in Berkeley, California. IFSR's Nathan Wolfstein and Cliff Dochterman were presenters at this conference. Nathan explained to Rotarians the importance of Scouts getting involved in Disaster preparedness and the types of training they receive at the Camporee/Cubaree for Cahunega District of West LA County Council, BSA. This year's Camporee will be held 20-22 April at the Tejon Ranch and IFSR members who are interested in getting their Scouts involved in this urgent activity can contact Nathan at naw1111@aol.com

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Join Rotary Action Group Against MD

BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER OF A NEW ROTARY ACTION GROUP TO FIGHT MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

Do you (or anyone in your Club) know a family member or Rotary friend dealing with Muscular Dystrophy? A new Rotary Action Group is being organized to work with folks world wide who are challenged with this muscle disorder. You are needed - to be one of the founding members of this new Rotary Action Group

Rotarians John and Jeanne Brunk of Groveland, California, USA, are developing the Muscular Dystrophy Action Group to help with the fight and treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a muscle disorder that affects 1 in 3500 boys worldwide. Their grandson Carter was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in 2005 at the age of one. Their drive to fight Duchenne has reached great momentum. John has served as past-president of the Groveland Rotary Club and ADG of District 5220. To organize the MD-RAG we need Rotarians in at least 3 other countries to join those in the USA in the fight against this fatal disease, so that international development of the group can support their goals.

If you want to help get this new RAG formed, are are interested in helping in some other way, or are looking to learn more, please email John and Jeanne Brunk at . Thank you for your support!

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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!

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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 .

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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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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.

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Other Scouting/Rotary News

Merit Beyond The Badge Recent Baylor University Research finds that Scouts who attain Scouting's highest rank demonstrate enhanced values, ethics, decision making abilities, relationships, and personal development. The Research Report The Complete Case Study

The San Juan Capistrano Rotary - Scout Hut

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