Scouting program topic at Rotary

Warren Wenner, assistant director of field service for the Northern Lights Council of the Boy Scouts, was the guest speaker at the Jamestown Rotary Club meeting last week. He was introduced by Rotary member Austin Martin.

Wenner spoke on the local Scouting program. The Scouts are celebrating 102 years of Scouting this year. There are five area Rotary clubs that sponsor Scout clubs in the area. Most Scout groups are co-ed with the exception of Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Nationally, more than 1,400 Scout groups are sponsored by Rotary with more than 15,000 youth involved. The biggest sponsors are churches. The largest fundraiser is the annual popcorn sale. One of the largest programs is the Scout Venturing program, which is one-third female. Warren also showed a slide show of the new $4.1 million facility in Fargo, which is a training center, supply center, conference area and storage center. There is also a new trading post at Camp Wilderness.

Quincy Backen presided over the meeting. “Happy Dollars” were collected by Sergeant-at-Arms Duane Dunn. The invocation was given by Vince Gregor and Casey Stoudt led the singing with Gina Dahl at the piano. Rotary member Dave Smette gave an update on International Rotary. Guests at the meeting included the Rev. John Rhoads of United Presbyterian Church and Jamestown High School students Ashtyn Stein and Alexis Grabinger.

Next week, Martin will give the invocation and songs will be directed by Gary Riffe. Tom Eckstein will be the sergeant-at-arms. Larry Hoffman will be in charge of the program.

Tags: community, clubs