In my wealth of experience as a Senior Commander in Rangers (note sarcasm here) I think there are only two ingredients needed to make a successful outpost. These are Enthusiasm and Commitment.

Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is the universal antidote you read about in that first aid book. Enthusiasm will turn a demotivated group of boys and girls into a keen, eager, champing at the bit group of girls and boys.

Enthusiasm is the magic ingredient that will turn a potentially dull lesson into a wonderful adventure. It will turn a "silly" game into a contest of wills. It will make standing at attention on parade a personal challenge. Enthusiasm makes attaining advancements a priority.

Attitude

You may know enthusiasm by it's nickname - attitude.

Commanders with attitude go a long way. Attitude is the quality that puts pride into the ranger uniform. Attitude says "Rangers is cool" and "You don't wanna be in Rangers - what's wrong with you?"

Attitude puts backbone in a leadership when they come with fantastic plans, only to find 12 of their 30 Rangers present. Attitude make certain that those 18 who missed Rangers will be busting their guts out to get their next week - when they hear of the wow time the faithful 12 had.

Commitment

The second ingredient is Commitment.

The successful Ranger commander knows that he is Rangers because God has called him or her there. While he is committed to the Senior Commander - he has a higher commitment - to God. He knows that even when the Senior Commander is a jerk and makes high demands, that he has a higher calling. His calling is not to man, but to God.

The committed Ranger leader comes to Rangers even when he is sick and tired. He realises that his commitment to God translates to a commitment to his Senior Commander and a commitment to the kids in his outpost. He realises that if he isn't there, the program is less than what God would have it be.

The committed leader prepares. He understands the importance of knowing his stuff, of being ready to teach a program feature of having the right equipment to run a game and to know the fundamentals of Rangers - like the code, the pledge etc. - to help a child through an unplanned moment.

A committed Ranger leader is one who trains himself. Both in the world of Rangers - through LTC, NTC etc. - and in the word of God. A committed ranger leader is always in church, and may even be doing bible college part time. Just so that he is Ready!

Passion

Commitment also has a nickname that you might recognise. It's passion.

Passion takes the duty and turns it into pleasure. Passion turns work into leisure. Passion inspires man and boy alike. Passion lives for magic moments. Turning the mundane into the exciting, turning the boring into beauty. Passion involves, inspires, motivates and leads.

Summary

Both attitude and passion (the nick names of enthusiasm and commitment) are highly contagious. You can't help be motivated by a passionate ranger leader who has attitude!

The passion and attitude must flow down. It flows from the senior commander to his commanders. It flows from the commanders to the guides and from the guides to the kids. It flows from the kids to their parents. And from the parents to the church.

If you want to have a supportive church, and you want to have your pastor in a Ranger uniform, and you want parents to support Rangers, and you want your kids to put rangers events on high priority - then be a passionate Senior Commander with attitude. Easy.