Things are changing in the world of Scouting — both in the USA and at the world level. Here’s my personal update on my own changes in Radio Scouting.
World JOTA-JOTI Team
You may have seen in an earlier post on my recent trip that it was my last meeting for the World JOTA-JOTI Team. Not only am I stepping down but an entirely new team is taking over the leadership of this event.
This is consistent with the World Organization of the Scout Movement’s goal of appointing teams for set timeframes and moving new people as well as new ideas onto those teams to keep things moving forward. I wholeheartedly support their efforts.
It was a delight to serve on the first World JOTA-JOTI Team for the past five years. My teammates were great fun to work with and we made several significant improvements for the event. I’ll miss working with: Richard Middelkoop, PA3BAR, our team leader and JOTA organizer since 1988; Philip Bird; Hannu Rättö, OH7GIG; and Ali Al-Mamari, A41RV.
To give you an example of the creativity and fun of our team, here’s a video created by Ali Al-Mamari overnight during our meeting in Kandersteg.
I will also note that I received a special neckerchief and slide from Philip Bird. My nickname, from time-to-time, was Captain America. So Philip happened to find both a necker and slide that truly fit that nickname. Perhaps you’ll see me wearing this during the Jamboree.
USA Jamboree on the Air Task Force Chairman
I had also mentioned in my previous post that I was stepping down as the USA JOTA Task Force Chairman. Just as with the World JOTA-JOTI Team, it’s time that someone new took on this role. When I look at the current event in the USA — it appears that all is well. Yet things can and should always be improving. Time to let someone new make that happen.
World Scout Jamboree — NA1WJ Operation
I’m still toiling away leading the World Scout Jamboree amateur radio operation. July 2019 will be a big month in West Virginia. We have a planned contact with an astronaut on the International Space Station, several balloon launches, and of course demonstrating amateur radio and ARDF-Foxhunting to a few thousand Scouts. It should be a blast.
International Scouter’s Award
Finally, I’d like to mention that I’ve earned the International Scouter’s Award. It took me quite some time to earn this award.
First, I applied to the BSA International Department pointing out my work at the international level of Scouting along with many other aspects that I felt fit the requirements. Nope, was the answer along with — you need to earn this in your local council.
Second, I steamed about this for about six months before finally showing up at the Longhorn Council’s International Committee meetings. My key role has been helping with JOTA-JOTI and getting the word out to district roundtables about both JOTA-JOTI and the World Jamboree. And, over time, I satisfied all the requirements thanks to our committee chairman, Ed Richards, encouragement.
As you can see from the photo above, I now have three square knots on my uniform. Right to left: Community Organization Award — ARRL Amateur Radio Service to Scouting Award (note the ARRL pin above it), Arrow of Light Award (for completing Webelos Cub Scout requirements way back in the last century), and the International Scouter’s Award.
Now I can head to the World Jamboree with a reasonable number of patches on my uniform.
And that’s my news for Radio Scouting and K5ND.
