Tribe Hints

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MacScouters Big Book of Skits

Starting a New Tribe

Here is a list of steps for getting started with a new tribe.

Schedule the first Dads Meeting (should take place as soon after organization meeting as possible). Dads meetings help tribes to iron out tiresome business details without boring the girls. Business may include: making assignments, discussing upcoming events, developing quality tribe activities, and improving tribe meetings. Dad meetings are usually held 4-6 times a year.

At 1st Dads meeting:

Select meeting night, set up dates of tribe meetings, and fill out Program Rotation Sheet.
Decide on Wampum and amount, bring to first tribe meeting.
Elect Tribe Chief and Officers.
Decide on Tribal property needed.

Schedule the first Tribe Meeting (should take place as soon after first dads meeting as possible). Tribes usually meet twice a month with one of those meetings being in the home of members on a rotating basis and the other being special Tribe outings or Nation and Federation events. The Tribe meeting should include ceremonies, refreshments, and activities such as crafts, stories, lore, games, songs, and service projects.

At 1st Tribe meeting:

Choose a Tribe name (check with the YMCA office so you will not duplicate a tribe name already in use).
Dad and son pick out names for themselves.
Make father and son headbands.

At 2nd Tribe meeting:

Complete the registration procedure by collecting fees, filling out Tribe Roster and Registration Forms and forwarding to the South Coast YMCA office.

At later Tribe meetings:

Tribe should develop a Tribe Cheer or Yell.
Each member of Tribe should memorize the aims and slogans of the program.
Dads and sonss should complete a project that is accepted by the Tribe.
Tribe should be recognized at official Induction Ceremony (date set by the YMCA).

Sponsors or Mentors are usually available to give support to tribes that are just getting started. Contact your Nation Chief or the South Coast YMCA Program Director for more information.

Typical Meeting Format

GOURD SHAKER (Host little brave): Calls the meeting to order

CHIEF: "Tallykeeper, will you call the roll?"

(As the tallykeeper reads the roll, each little brave beats the tom-tom twice, once for his Dad and once for himself. Then the little brave takes his place in the Council circle upon finishing roll)

TALLYKEEPER: "Chief, the roll has been called."

CHIEF: "Let us pledge allegiance to our flag."

ALL: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

CHIEF: "What is a Y-Guide?"

ALL little braves: "A boy with a Dad like mine."

CHIEF: "What is the purpose of the Y- Guides?"

ALL: "To promote friendship and understanding between Father and Son."

CHIEF: "What is the slogan of the Y-Guides?"

ALL: "Love for God and one another."

CHIEF: "What is the daily prayer of the Y-Guides?"

ALL: "Great Spirit, help me to be clean in body, to be pure in heart, to love the sacred circle of my family, and to preserve the beauty of your work in the forest, in the fields and streams.
Waconda."

CHIEF: "Wampum Bearer, will you collect the wampum?"

(Wampum Collector (Guide) collects wampum from Braves and little braves and asks how Wampum was earned)

WAMPUM BEARER: "Chief, the wampum has been collected."

CHIEF: "Are there any scouting reports?"

(Scouting report follows)

CHIEF: "Tallykeeper, are any beads to be awarded?"

(Tallykeeper awards beads and gives reasons. After each award, the Tribe gives a big WAHOCA!!!)
[After bead awards, the program for the evening is usually in the following order:]

GAME

CRAFT

STORY

SONG

[Then refreshments may be served]

[After refreshments]

CHIEF: "Gourd Shaker, call the tribe back to order."

[After the tribe has reassembled...]

CHIEF: (To Brave in charge of closing ceremony) — "Will you lead in closing?"

ALL: "And now may the Great Spirit of all the Great Spirits be with you now and forevermore."

Keeping the Tribe Strong

TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE PROGRAM - GET INVOLVED!

Here are some hints for keeping your Tribe strong and active:

Meetings are started and ended on time, and do not go longer that 1 1/2 hours.

Refreshments are served prior to closing ceremony - giving an official ending to the meeting.

Activities are planned which are understandable to the girls. (The dads can then understand as well).

Tribe size is kept between six and twelve pairs. Large Tribes become unmanageable in most homes.

The Tribe has a representative at all Nation meetings and maintains contact with the YMCA Director.

Dads Meetings are called whenever needed, but at least 3-4 times per year.

Dads and sons sit together during meetings and refreshments.

A Tribe has at least two tribal activities each month (one being a Tribe meeting).

Dad/Son pairs work as a team wherever possible (i.e., crafts, games, skits, etc.).

Business and planning should be kept to a minimum during Tribe meetings.

There is a tribe outing for the entire family at least twice each year.

Tribe members evaluate their Tribe program and progress as a group regularly.

The Tribe has varied activities. For example, Tribe meetings may include cooking, 1st Aid Instruction, Scavenger Hunts, and Gift Making. Tribe outings may include trips to parks, museums, tours, movies, sporting events and Nation/Federation Events. Tribe projects may include service projects, scrap books, photo albums, tribe banners and tribal property. The Tribe may also participate in other YMCA programs such as swim lessons, gymnastics, youth sports, or day and resident camping.

Members develop an enthusiasm, esprit de corps and pride for the Tribe.

The Tribe accepts and appreciates each member. All members feel needed and important.

Leadership is shared by all dads in the Tribe.

Hosting a Nation Event

Hosting a Nation event can be a very good group builder for your tribe.

Host Tribe’s Benefits: Priority registration and first choice to accommodations
Communicate with your Nation and Y Director
Hold two Dad’s meetings:
First meeting – Outline tasks and assign them to dads
Second meeting – Confirm tasks are completed and if there’s anything else
Confirm contracts, deposits, and insurance with Y Director
Confirm budget and pricing with Nation
Create handouts with information about what to bring, main activities, daily schedule, pricing, and map.
Organize games or activities
Purchase supplies and awards (turn receipts in to Wampum Bearer)
Confirm with Feather Merchant that event patches are ordered
Work with the Nation and Y Director on:
-Sign In/Confirm Registration
-Campfire and Chapel
-Post directional signs, welcome sign, and banner
-Bringing a 1st aid kit, assigning a dad as the Health Care Manager, and designating a
-location for the 1st aid station
-Create ‘Event Patch’: including Nation name, event, year, and design

Positive Additions:

Plan for weather changes (no snow in Mts., rain at the beach)
Don’t be afraid to try some new games/activities/things.
Take a tribal outing to see the event site.
Call your Nation or Y Director for more ideas.
Make every activity focused around parent and child. (Even in the planning)
Distribute handouts two months prior to event.

Nation Event:__________________________________

Possible Dates:________________________________
Possible Location:______________________________

Last Year’s Host Tribe Contact:____________________
Things done in the past:_________________________
Additional Contacts:_____________________________