Leaders of the Cubs and Scouts in Anguilla have just completed four days of training conducted by two Operational Executives from the Sub-regional Office in Panama, and are now in a better position to pass on improved leadership skills to the youngsters under their care.
They will also be able to provide much support to the newly-elevated and first female Commissioner of Scouts, Ms Sandra Fahie, who has stressed that she is undaunted by her new role as head of the Scout Movement in Anguilla.
“We have had four days of training because in our groups, in Anguilla, we have a number of leaders who have not had any formal training so the training over the last four days was what we call ‘basic practical,’” Commissioner Fahie explained. “It was where the leaders actually went through what they need to know, and to be teaching the Cubs. A lot of it was the basics of scouting, so it is knowledge and information and particular practical things that were demonstrated to them. The training gave them a clear understanding of what they need to be doing with the children as their leaders. The leaders are from the groups that are functioning in The Valley, South Hill, East End and Island Harbour.”
Asked about her role as Commissioner of Scouts, Ms Fahie replied: “I think I made history. I am the first female Commissioner for Anguilla. In the past all the Commissioners have been males, but I don’t see it as a daunting task because I have a good team of leaders working with me. That is the spirit in which we are actually do scouting – everybody working together as a team. So, although I am the Commissioner, the job is one for all of us.”
Questioned as to the direction the Cubs and Scouts, the Commissioner responded: “One of the first things we are working on is increasing our membership. I think once we have the numbers, we will have the power to be really out there in our community doing things because, at the end of the day, that is what scouting is all about. It is service to others and being involved in developing our communities of which we are a part.”
She was pleased to have the two trainers, Mr Ron Richardson and Mr Arenas Jesus, in Anguilla. “We are here to help train the leaders in the Scouts Association, to expand the Movement and to deliver the scout programme,” Mr Richardson said. “We work from Suriname in the south to the Bahamas and Bermuda up north. We travel to all the different islands and assist the leaders in training. We are in what is called the Inter-American region which includes Canada, Central America, South America, the United States and the Caribbean. We are operating out of the Regional Headquarters in Panama. We are the field officers for the Caribbean.”
Mr Richardson was asked how the Anguillian Cubs and Scouts Leaders responded and adapted to the training. “Very good, very responsive and willing to learn more – and willing to impart more to the young people under their charge,” was his reply.
About the leadership of the Scout Movement, Mr Richardson stated that Ms Fahie was not the only female Commissioner in the region. “She is the first in Anguilla, but is the third female Commissioner in the Caribbean. We have one in St Kitts-Nevis and one in Guyana,” he added. He wished her much success in her responsibilities.
