[Philmont] Ranger 2008

Matt,
 Mark makes a great point and this is one that many folks in quick cycle
jobs, such as a Ranger, have a hard time mastering because they don't
recognize it. If I could add one point to Mark's comments: As a Ranger you
will find that you can be more effective if you evaluate each crew on it's
own merits. You need to do this consciously, and not make any assumptions.
If your last crew was and 'off'' crew with a troublesome Advisor or Crew
Chief, try not to come 'loaded for bear' on the next crew. Start over fresh.
It's better for the Crew, and it's easier on you also. In Firefighting, we
call this 'scene size-up' where making assumptions can get you or others
killed. You can't skip over anything and it takes conscious practice, but in
a short time you can become very competent. You will also find that it gives
you a quick path to establishing what the real needs of a particular group
are.
 Good Luck and have a top summer!
Tom

  _____

From: Philmont@troop47.com [mailto:Philmont@troop47.com] On Behalf Of Mark
Liechty
Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2007 8:54 PM
To: Philmont List Member
Cc: philmont@troop47.com
Subject: [Philmont] Ranger 2008

Matt B. wrote:

I just got word that I am going to be a Ranger this summer. What, in
your opinion makes a good Ranger and what advice would you give to
someone going out as Ranger staff?

###########################

Hi Matt!

Let me approach this from a totally different angle. Partially because all
of the advise you have got so far is correct and partially because there is
a perspective that is worth some discussion.

Think back to your first summer camp. I'm sure that there were some people
on staff who you really grew to respect over the course of that week. Maybe
even a couple who you did not like much on day 1-2 but who really grew on
you by the 5-6th day.

Your challenge is that you have to get all the way to day 6 by day 2.

In the "real world" I am a computer consultant. I have really compressed
time frames to get a lot accomplished. If things go bad then it is my job
to get things right or all kinds of unhappy stuff happens. Then the
customer gets to rest and play with the new toys and I start all over again
the next week.

Seems this is the way things works for the Philmont Rangers. You get a
couple of days to get a crew out on the trail and they remember you forever.
How they remember you is the key. Then you go back and repeat the process
may times over the summer.

The best part of this for you is that if you have an "off crew" that you
will not have a lot of time to think about it before you have to start over.
The bad news is that if you have an "off crew" you will have to quickly get
over it and be fresh for the next crew.

Think baseball relief pitcher or NFL Cornerback. Short memories and high
self-confidence at least as important as all of the other skills everyone
has talked about.

Hope this helps.

Mark

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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow

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loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,

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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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Received on Fri Nov 23 14:05:01 2007