District Wide Commanders’ Conference 2009 - A World Class Event
By Commander Jay M. Woodward
Pony Express Editor
On April 3-4, Northern New England Royal Rangers held the Annual District Wide Commanders’ Conference and Banquet at Curtis Lake Christian Church in Sanford, Maine. Leaders from all across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont gathered together for a wonderful time of training and fellowship, and much more. Indeed, it is a time for leaders to really get to spend quality time together and interact in a way not readily available to them at other District events, and to be recognized for their contributions to the Rangers ministry!
The World Class Outpost Seminar
What made this year’s Conference so special was the World Class Outpost (WCO), a two-day National Training Event that, according to the National Royal Rangers office, is “designed to expose the outpost leadership team to a successful set of practices, methods, strategies, and tools that will enable them to develop into a "World Class Outpost". This was the first time the WCO seminar had ever been brought to NNED. As District Training Coordinator Jason Wright commented, “While the WCO Seminar training was ‘completed’ that weekend, the WCO process is far from over. In fact, it is really only the beginning; the real (and difficult) work starts back at the Outpost level, and hopefully the Seminar graduates have understood that! I am anxious to see the future of NNED in the years to come when our already terrific outposts make the journey toward ‘World Class’ results and successes! As a Senior Commander myself, I am particularly anxious to get started with re-evaluating everything we do using the WCO tools and methods. ”
A total of 67 Commanders were present for the WCO, which began on Friday evening. WCO was taught by three members of the Northeast Regional Staff: Regional Coordinator Dwight Walters, Regional Training Coordinator Scott Hurt, and Regional Chaplain Michael Petrucci. All three men brought their passion and their experience to their teaching, which lasted into Saturday afternoon. Outpost members from the different Outposts worked together in breakout sessions in order to evaluate where they were as an Outpost, and worked on coming up with new strategies and methods to improve and work toward becoming a “World Class Outpost.” When they weren’t in class, they stopped to enjoy lunch, which was gracefully put together by Ranger Kids Coordinator Judy Tilton. She made sure that no Commander went hungry!
Saluting NNED’s Finest
Once the WCO ended, it was time for the Banquet and Awards Ceremony. The District Staff had worked many hours to prepare for the Conference and Banquet, and make it an extra-special event, from the appetizers to the dinner to the music. Daren Blomerth, son of Commander Donn Blomerth, provided dinner music, while the famous cooking team of Sue Haynes, Rhonda and Jon Clark made a delectable feast of Chicken Cordon Bleu and Roast Beef and Gravy, complete with all the fixings. Dinner was topped off with apple crisp with ice cream for dessert! Commanders Ken and Grace Beaufort and Linda Blomerth helped serving, as the team that puts together all of those Winter Pow Wow meals came up with their greatest accomplishment yet! All the members of the kitchen team received Special Service Awards that evening for their hard work and dedication over the years.
After dinner, it was time for worship, which was provided by The Joshua Tree-o, consisting of Pastor Josh Koss, Brain Ribiero, and Commander Jason, all from Praise A/G in Tilton, NH. Following a great time in the presence of God, Pastor Petrucci, the Guest Speaker, gave a humorous and motivating speech that resonated in the hearts of the leaders present. Next, the awards were presented by none other than District Director Jerry Love. Perhaps the biggest honors of the evening went to Ryley Paquette, who was recognized for being the first Ranger from Northern New England to ever become a National Ranger of the Year. A plaque of Ryley was presented to District Men’s Director Ed Shearer, which will be hung up in the A/G District Office to commemorate this milestone in NNED history! Commander Jerry, of course, was thrilled to brag on Ryley! Nathan MacGilvary, also of Outpost #11 was recognized for being a Regional Ranger of the Year, and Gold Medal of Acheivement recipients Dan Fifield and Jake Blake were recognized for their hard earned accomplishments as well.
In addition to the Kitchen Crew, Distinguished Service Awards were given to Commander Rick Philbrick for his 14 years of service to Rangers, and to Ryley’s father, Commander Bruce “Moose Call” Paquette for his many years of dedication to Royal Rangers, FCF, and of course, bringing up and guiding Ryley! Also, awards were given to various Outposts, earning a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Level of Excellence. The District Excellence Award went to Outpost #36 in Tilton, NH, for being the Top Outpost in the District for 2008! Hats off to OP #36! Following the awards, and a closing prayer, the DWCC came to a satisfying finish!
This year’s DWCC and WCO Seminar were a success thanks in no small part to the District Staff, who came together and spent many hours working to put all the pieces together. The Staff, in the words of Director Jerry, “..truly made it a very successful weekend...and our NNED leaders were truly blessed!” Indeed, the impact from this year’s DWCC will be felt across the District and its Outposts for years to come, thanks to the World Class Outpost seminar and the leaders who committed to attending it. They are all helping to make NNED a World Class District!
