As Nation Chief, I'm asking that each tribe pledge their yearly wampum at Fall Outing to the YMCA's WeBuildPeople program, which helps send kids to summer camp who would otherwise not be able to afford the opportunity. This year, it will cost $150 to send a child to camp.
At Fall Outing, your tribe can make your WeBuildPeople Wampum pledge. When you do, each member of the tribe will receive a cool new WeBuildPeople patch. Don't worry about collecting money now. The chief will be billed in Spring 2008.
But wait! There's more! Those tribes that raise $500 or more are eligible to enter a prize drawing for some amazing gifts, including a free Spring Outing for the entire tribe, free Winter Inning tickets for the entire tribe and the ability to choose your cabin at Spring Outing.
For every $100 donated over the $500 level, your tribe will get an additional entry in the drawings. For example, if your tribe donates $700, your tribe's name will get 3 entries!
Can your tribe easily raise $500? Absolutely! For a 10-dad tribe and 15 tribe meetings remaining, dads would simply have to add $3.00 to wampum bag (in addition to earned wampum) at each tribe meeting (twice monthly). This would raise $450. Add in the earned wampum and you'll certainly hit $500.
The WeBuildPeople campaign supports the entire experience at the YMCA and targets the most pressing needs -- scholarship, outreach, youth development and more. 100% of the dollars are used for these needs; no dollars are spent on administrative services or fees. Every gift, regardless of size makes a difference!
In 2006, the Central YMCA (now the Alexander YMCA) raised over $625,000 and used these funds to assist about 775 children and families in the YMCA's youth and membership programs (i.e. afterschool care, summer day camp, tutorial programs, Y-Guides, etc). It also supported the YMCA's subsidized outreach programs for children living in low-income housing communities.
The Y-Guides & Princess program has been asked to raise $25,000 in 2007. We can do better!
If your tribe hasn't discussed WeBuildPeople, discuss it at your next tribe meeting. Push your tribe to make a difference in the lives of kids in the community.
I ask for Big Braves to try to also make a personal donation. Many of you have been contacted by a Longbow Council member about making a donation. If not, you can call Matt "Moose" Strickland at (919) 582-2266. He can take your pledge over the phone. Donations over $100 can be broken into installments beginning in 2008. Also don't forget that some local employers will match your donation! Contact your HR department to find out!
Want to hear and see how the WeBuildPeople program is changing the lives of people in our community? Watch this great video!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Fun at First Fall Outing
My daughter Ashlyn and I had a great time at Fall Outing this past Sunday (10/28) with our 2nd year Princess tribe "The Dancing Turtles."
The Great Spirit gave us beautiful Fall weather -- cool and breezy.
Our great program staff Bobby "Big Hare" Harris, Matt "Moose" Strickland, and Andrew "Salty Dog" Plyler did a great job organizing the event. I think it was a great move to move the 3rd year tribes to Saturday. In years past, it was just ridiculously crowded, especially during the ceremony.
Since our tribe has 3 new pairs in the program, we took our 2-mile hike to help them earn their 1st year feather. I didn't fall in the mud like I did last year. I still can't live that one down.
The ceremony was special for Ashlyn and myself. It's something that we'll never forget.
I really liked meeting Emma "Pink Panther" after the ceremony. She was shy, but brave enough to come up and talk to the Chief. No doubt she'll be on the zipline come Spring.
We enjoyed meeting all the friendly girls of "The Dancing Fireflies" on the soccer field who came up and talked to Ashlyn and me as we waited for our tribe to arrive. What a bunch of cool girls.
Just how many "Dancing" Princess tribes are there? Within 30 feet of our picnic table on the soccer field, I bet we ran into 3 or 4 "Dancing" tribes? "Dancing Turtles", "Dancing Fireflies", "Dancing Daisies", "Dancing Geckos".
Did you get info about the Chief's Challenge on the back deck? You can get the Chief's Challenge flyer here.
Since our program is so large, we have to break up Fall Outing into four separate weekends. Because of this, I get to do this 3 more weeks. I'm already looking forward to next Sunday. I'm bringing Ashlyn and my son Aaron this next Sunday.
The Great Spirit gave us beautiful Fall weather -- cool and breezy.
Our great program staff Bobby "Big Hare" Harris, Matt "Moose" Strickland, and Andrew "Salty Dog" Plyler did a great job organizing the event. I think it was a great move to move the 3rd year tribes to Saturday. In years past, it was just ridiculously crowded, especially during the ceremony.
Since our tribe has 3 new pairs in the program, we took our 2-mile hike to help them earn their 1st year feather. I didn't fall in the mud like I did last year. I still can't live that one down.
The ceremony was special for Ashlyn and myself. It's something that we'll never forget.
I really liked meeting Emma "Pink Panther" after the ceremony. She was shy, but brave enough to come up and talk to the Chief. No doubt she'll be on the zipline come Spring.
We enjoyed meeting all the friendly girls of "The Dancing Fireflies" on the soccer field who came up and talked to Ashlyn and me as we waited for our tribe to arrive. What a bunch of cool girls.
Just how many "Dancing" Princess tribes are there? Within 30 feet of our picnic table on the soccer field, I bet we ran into 3 or 4 "Dancing" tribes? "Dancing Turtles", "Dancing Fireflies", "Dancing Daisies", "Dancing Geckos".
Did you get info about the Chief's Challenge on the back deck? You can get the Chief's Challenge flyer here.
Since our program is so large, we have to break up Fall Outing into four separate weekends. Because of this, I get to do this 3 more weeks. I'm already looking forward to next Sunday. I'm bringing Ashlyn and my son Aaron this next Sunday.
Welcome to the Chief's Blog
How-How! I want to welcome all Y-Guides & Princesses to my new blog! During the upcoming year as Nation Chief, I will be updating this blog with articles on upcoming & recent events, tribal meetings, outings and more.
First, it's a great honor to be named Nation Chief this year. We are all so blessed to be in the largest father-child program in the country with nearly 11,000 members!
Let me tell you about myself.
I'm in my 7th year in the Y-Guides program. I first joined the then "Indian Guides" in the fall of 2001 with my son Aaron "Tough Bull". We were part of the "Ragin' Raptors" tribe, which has since disbanded. If you're in the Trailblazers program and looking for more members in the Cary area, drop me an email. Aaron and I want are looking for an active Trailblazer tribe to join to do more than just Rockmont each year. Multi-day hiking & camping, paintball, go-karts, community service, etc.
I'm also in my 2nd year with my daughter Ashlyn "Fuzzy Kitty," in the "The Dancing Turtles" tribe. We lost several members in our tribe over the summer, so we pulled in the remaining members of "The Arapahoe Angels". So instead of two small tribes, we now have an active 10-dad, 11-girl tribe.
I was fortunate to be in the Indian Guides with my father in Charlotte in the early 1970s. I can remember going fishing at 4:00 am at Camp Thicket. I remember going to Camp Thunderbird to Longhouse. I have so many memories of being with my dad in the program. I knew I had to share these same experiences with my children when I got older.
I look forward in serving you as Nation Chief. Please don't hesitate to come up at any event and introduce yourself. I'd love to meet you and hear your experiences in the program.
If you have any suggestions on future articles, want to share a great craft, story, outing or just have questions about the Y-Guides program, just let me know.
First, it's a great honor to be named Nation Chief this year. We are all so blessed to be in the largest father-child program in the country with nearly 11,000 members!
Let me tell you about myself.
I'm in my 7th year in the Y-Guides program. I first joined the then "Indian Guides" in the fall of 2001 with my son Aaron "Tough Bull". We were part of the "Ragin' Raptors" tribe, which has since disbanded. If you're in the Trailblazers program and looking for more members in the Cary area, drop me an email. Aaron and I want are looking for an active Trailblazer tribe to join to do more than just Rockmont each year. Multi-day hiking & camping, paintball, go-karts, community service, etc.
I'm also in my 2nd year with my daughter Ashlyn "Fuzzy Kitty," in the "The Dancing Turtles" tribe. We lost several members in our tribe over the summer, so we pulled in the remaining members of "The Arapahoe Angels". So instead of two small tribes, we now have an active 10-dad, 11-girl tribe.
I was fortunate to be in the Indian Guides with my father in Charlotte in the early 1970s. I can remember going fishing at 4:00 am at Camp Thicket. I remember going to Camp Thunderbird to Longhouse. I have so many memories of being with my dad in the program. I knew I had to share these same experiences with my children when I got older.
I look forward in serving you as Nation Chief. Please don't hesitate to come up at any event and introduce yourself. I'd love to meet you and hear your experiences in the program.
If you have any suggestions on future articles, want to share a great craft, story, outing or just have questions about the Y-Guides program, just let me know.
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