Leadership

Why be a Volunteer?  - by Paul Ritchi – Founder – FNE Explorers

In today’s ever busy world with many competing demands on ones time the idea of “volunteering time” especially to a cause that looks for commitment, dedication and self sacrifice such as the FNE Explorers is becoming ever more challenging.

Yet people from all walks of life and backgrounds volunteer their services to make a positive difference in the life of a child, to leave a positive impact that will help each youth member become a better person, to grow into responsible, successful, loving, and happy, members of our faith community and within society at large.

Our current and past volunteers will all in their own way be able to cite a personal encounter with God as they grew in their leadership and spiritual journey along with our Timber Wolves, Explorers and Wayfarer Explorers, whereas the more you give the more your receive deep in your very being, to obtain a peace and a joy that is much more then what one can obtain from the material things of life or from its related activities.

Because one is a volunteer your gift of time, effort, caring, love, sacrifice is all that more profound, all that more life changing as you grow as an individual within our Explorer program, to stretch your experiences to try new ones, to learn from others and to “Explore” life (thus our name Explorers) within our faith community, the community and society at large, and the environment all in a safe and constructive manner.  When we step outside of our daily routines or comforts as a volunteer leader we are in effect building our trust in the Lord, that he will provide… who do you think spurred you to read this article in the first place… is there a message here for you to seriously contemplate?  

What does Jesus say about us giving of ourselves such as by being an FNE Explorer leader and thus  what you will receive in return… from Luke 6:36-38… Try to show as much compassion as your Father does.  Never criticize or condemn – or it will all come back on you.  Go easy on others; then they will do the same for you. For if you give, you will get!  Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over.  Whatever measure you use to give – large or small – will be used to measure what is given back to you”.

God loves us in a way that is so great, well beyond true human understanding… yet his love is often reflected back through those that we serve, as a long time leader I can attest that this is very true, being a leader is very very rewarding… so what are you waiting for?

Requirements… no previous program experience is required, potential volunteers need to undergo a police and background check… from there only a desire to serve, to become part of our Explorer family, and to do ones best… you won’t be disappointed!  <Group located Toronto and south York Region area>

Paul Ritchi – Group Leader 416-435-6593 or e mail  info@fneexplorers.com

  

 

 

We are looking for leaders who come from our community, adults who come to us with a sense of responsibility and creditability who would find several of the points noted below as an attractive incentive to step forward:

  • To be able to enjoy being with our youth, to learn and play together, to establish a unique leader / youth member partnership or sense of family, to be truly part of our growing FNE Explorer family. To be seen as Baloo (a Timber Wolf leader name, Baloo meaning the big bear) rather than as Mr. Smith or Ms. Jones.
  • To enjoy and explore the great outdoors, to experience the four seasons in a unique and safe manner. Examples include canoeing, snow shoeing, hiking, cycling, swimming and seasonal camps with adequate and comfortable support facilities.  One does not need to be an outdoor expert, we learn and improve upon our skills together with the youth that we lead.
  • To use your sense of creativity, to help the group best explore the world around them, to help the youth entrusted to our care to reach out to those less fortunate, to make a positive difference in some small way in the lives of others.
  • To live and promote through example our Catholic faith with the youth entrusted to our care. As Jesus said: "Let the children come to me". Will you help us help our youth reach out to Christ? For Easter of 2007, 40 Timber Wolves, Explorers, leaders enjoyed participating in our second 13 day Pilgrimage to Rome, a very special life changing experience!
  • Every age group presents its own unique opportunities and challenges; We offer same gender programs at the Timber Wolf (ages 8.5 to 12), Explorer (ages 12 to 16) and Wayfarer Explorer levels (ages 17 and up).

Can we interest you in giving this request further consideration?

We provide the uniform, pay for the membership fee and training as programs of interest become available. Meetings are held one evening a week (during the school year) along with seasonal weekend camping experiences (generally three weekends per year). A summer camp experience (ranging from 3 to 13 days in length) is generally offered to all interested parties pending the age of the youth and leadership availability.

To ensure no potential confusion, we are associated with the FSE (International Union of Scouts and Guides of Europe - FSE) a Catholic faith based Scouting and Guiding movement some 55,000 members strong, active in some 17 different countries. Our FNE movement is in no way associated with the Boy Scouts of Canada, Scouts Canada or the Girl Guide of Canada organizations. We are an all-volunteer movement that plans to grow to more areas within the GTA over the next few months and years. Weekly meetings are held at one of three schools centered off Yonge St. or Bayview Ave in Thornhill, between Highway 407 and Steeles Ave. All perspective leaders are required to provide references and clear a background check with the local Police department.

Please consider our offer. If you elect to get involved you won't be disappointed!

Sincerely yours,
Paul Ritchi
Group Leader
E mail - info@fourarrows.ca

"It's great having our son involved in the FNE Timber Wolves. He is learning life skills and people skills and all this with our Lord as a main focus. It's invaluable!"

"I find as a parent of a boisterous boy Timber Wolves have positively impacted his attitude and actions as related to respect and kindness towards peers and adults alike."

"The entire program is a well balanced, structured program full of fun, team building, skills building, faith building and good people building"

You offer a future for our children to live into, not a destination, but a journey to travel, a life to live, to love, to worship, to live the values of our faith each and every day.