[YouthConvention] business

[James Hollins]

Okay troops, first let me start by once again thanking you for your work and support on this venture.  Second, it saddens me to report that Patti is resigning from assisting with planning of the program.  She feels as if her professional and personal integrity will potentially be compromised if she continues or has her name openly attached to the program.  She also was not at all happy by being referred to as to old at one point during the conference call last evening.  So for now she is removing herself from the planning process of the event.

Alright, this is the part that is not easy for me because I am usually not this person, but I have got to become this for a second.  The board of the Missouri Council put me in a position to organize an event for young adults with the hope of increasing the membership of our organization among this age group.  So what this first means is all things stop at me, not to say I do not want help and the committee to continue but do be prepared if I do not feel like something on the program or some idea is helping in what I am wanting to accomplish for the weekend.  This means that if I disagree then the final decision comes from me.

So with that, programming committee, I appreciate all of your hard work, however, there are a couple of things I would like to see more of on the agenda.  The slogan you came up with is a good one, however, your program does not really reflect the statement.  I would like to see some space to have more committees of MCB get addressed.  So this might mean we make a short video or some audio clips to be played through out.  This needs to be done so as to show what each committee does and make a fun charge to join and help be a part.  It really will not work with just a description at the beginning in the morning for a few minutes.  Next, I would like to go back to having the main speaker be allowed to have 2 different times to speak.  Logically, we cannot and should not be spending the money it is going to cost to take care of him only to have him speak once in the morning.  Another thing, let's get into the habit of referring to the people attending the conference as attendees or participants and try and get away from calling them kids.  I know some of them are but not all of them will be.  Also let us try and use the word direction or guidance rather then monitor or control.  Keep in mind we are wanting them to see a softer more relaxed side of the council.  We are dealing with a generation who are not typically joining groups unless they are getting something from it right away.  Again, you are working extremely hard and I appreciate that but the program as it stands does not reflect MCB but in a couple of spots.  I understand everyone working it is MCB, but the program should show more of MCB.  So after you have taken a second to reflect on this message I am asking you to change a few things on the program, if any of you have any specific questions or would like to talk further to get a better feel for what I am looking for, please call or email me.  I thank you for taking the time to read this and look forward to hearing from all of you.  
jlhollins21 at hotmail.com
816-739-6097
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