Nanci Kuykendall

>Norma, here. Back from our great weekend adventure
>under the stars and the beautiful total lunar
>eclipse. We just had the Jane Goodall
>exhibit at our Museum Center so we had recently
>learned all about Roots and Shoots. Here is the web
>site with all the information:
>http://www.janegoodall.org/rs/

>It is pretty basic, not much indoctrination at all.
>There are a bunch of links at the bottom of the web
>page on how to start something in your area.

Thanks Norma, for the info. I've been all over the
website before and, as you say, it is very basic.
Which leads me to believe that, like every other such
organization, not all the details and guidelines can
be found there on the website, and that you would need
a handbook of some sort to get the real lowdown.

The link on "creating a group" for your community says
"After you have decided on a leader for your group,
fill out the membership form.." pay the money, etc.
So you have to get a group together, choose a leader
who makes a commitment to head the group, and pay the
money, without the benefit of any more information
than the basic outlines on the website? There is
still no mention there that you will get an
information packet or more detailed guidelines or
anything after you pay for membership either.

I mean, for legal protection, these organizations have
to have some legal guidelines about what they are, and
are not, and what their members do, and what they do
not do. I have been trying to find out where I can
get that information. I'd love to get a hold of a
copy of their guidelines, or a handbook, if they have
such a thing. I am doubting that the website contains
all the information there is, since it is so brief and
basic. What are the membership monies paying for, if
they don't offer support, materials kits for projects
and activities (even for sale,) feedback,
encouragement, networking and guidelines to their
members? It's all very foggy, and maybe why more
people have not heard of Roots and Shoots. Which is a
shame, because it seems to be a potentially great
alternative to the other, more militarily based kids
groups.

Nanci K.

Norma

--- In [email protected], Nanci Kuykendall
<aisliin@y...> wrote:
> >http://www.janegoodall.org/rs/
<>There is still no mention there that you will get an information
packet or more detailed guidelines or anything after you pay for
membership either. I mean, for legal protection, these organizations
have to have some legal guidelines about what they are, and are not,
and what their members do, and what they do not do. I have been
trying to find out where I can get that information. I'd love to get
a hold of a copy of their guidelines, or a handbook, if they have
such a thing.<>

Nanci:

Here is what it says your "benefits" are for forming a local group:

"Becoming part of the worldwide network of Roots & Shoots groups,
which are making a positive difference in the world.

Receiving the Roots & Shoots Manual, which is full of suggestions on
starting a group, planning projects and incorporating the program
into your classroom, organization, family and community.

Receiving the semiannual Roots & Shoots Network newsletter, which
features letters from Dr. Jane, articles about R&S activities around
the world, new ideas for projects and the "Bulletin Board," a poster
that enables groups in different countries to share ideas and
information.

Keeping track of the latest developments in the Jane Goodall
Institute's research, conservation and educational programs worldwide
through the annual Jane Goodall Institute World Report.

Sharing ideas, inspiration and once-in-a-lifetime experiences at one
of the Roots & Shoots summits: the Roots & Shoots North American
Summit, the Roots & Shoots College Summit or the Roots & Shoots
International Summit.

Receiving a Roots & Shoots Certificate of Recognition, signed by Dr.
Jane, for reporting the progress of service projects that address
each of the program's three themes.

Becoming part of our global youth network, Partnerships in
Understanding, to share ideas with young people in other countries,
enhance cultural awareness and learn about global environmental and
humanitarian issues."

If you would like to find out more ahead of time I would contact them
directly, maybe find out if there is someone else with a Roots and
Shoots group in your area that you could meet with and talk to, look
over the manual and other information. That might give you a better
idea of what they are all about.

Norma

heather mclean

Hi,

I started our Roots & Shoots group just over a year
ago. We had originally thought we'd start a Campfire
family club. The director here in Tucson was very
enthusiastic & had homeschooled her daughter. But we
didn't want to sell candy bars, which was a
requirement. I heard about Roots & Shoots somewhere
(I actually think it was a link from another
homeschool list) & I followed up & it has been a lot
of fun!

I did pay the $ and received the manual. From my
welcome letter -

"The most important thing to remember is that you will
be working on service projects that address three
areas:
Care and Concern for the Environment
Care and Concern for Animals
Care and Concern for the Human Community"

The manual includes 12 core sections:
program overview
members in action
grass-roots spirit
getting started
group meetings
project planning
keeping track
fundraising
going public
safety and risk management
notes from africa
resource bibliography

I receive the Roots & Shoots newsletter & am on the
R&S leaders email list. Our kid members are all under
age 10, so I signed us up for the the Young Children
program. I receive quarterly mailings from them with
curriculum-based activities for young kids. We rarely
use them but them help us brainstorm new ideas.

Our club typically meets 1st, 3rd, and 5th Fridays
from 10 - noon. It is really flexible, which is
perfect for us. We do projects, field trips, and
community service. We made solar ovens out of pizza
boxes and then used them to cook our lunch (pulling
them in wagons) during the Earth Day parade last
April. Our caving trip yesterday was incredible.
Well, according to the reports of the 8 kids & 8
adults who wriggled on their bellies through the cave!
(I stayed outside with my younger daughter.) In
December we are doing an animal enrichment project and
then delivering the animal "toys" to animals at the AZ
Sonoran Desert Museum.

We could have started our own club, done the same
things we've done with R&S, i.e. without the "R&S"
name, but I like being a part of something "bigger",
as corny as that may sound.

Last year we signed up for Partnerships in
Understanding, where you can get matched up with
another R&S club for pen-pal purposes. Our partner
group was in China, and we had fun putting a package
together for them.

The Roots & Shoots organization is putting together
more info on their website to help homeschool clubs
get started. It isn't up yet, but they are working on
it. I don't remember where you are located, but if
you have any questions that I can't answer, contact
Laurel Turman. She is very nice.
Here is her contact info:

The Jane Goodall Institute
1840 Alcatraz Ave. Suite A-2
Berkeley, CA 94703
(510) 420-0746
rootsnshoots@...

sincerely,
heather m
tucson az


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heather mclean

I wrote to Laurel at Roots & Shoots/Jane Goodall
Institute. Here is her reply -

I am always happy to be in contact with new
homeschoolers who are interested in Roots & Shoots. I
would love to give her as much information and support
as I can! You can also give me her phone number and
email address as well and I will contact
her myself. Let me know which is best.
The new Roots & Shoots web page probably won't go
up untill Jan. This will be a much more extensive
description of the program as well as a variety of
resources, personal stories, youth submissions,
benefits of the program, project ideas, etc. We are
fully aware that the website does not adequately
explain the benefits of becoming a member or the
specific costs of the program. The coordinators
manual is not advertised on the website- and I think
it is a great resource for leaders. In addition,
people should know that the membership fee simply
covers mailing costs throughout the year (newsletters,
back-to-school mailings, summit
applications, etc). All these things will be better
explained and developed in the future.
I completely understand that homeschoolers often
need a different kind of support from our staff when
it comes to networking, recruiting, and developing a
name in your area. Feel free to have anyone who is
interested contact our office. I am here to help!
Laurel

The Jane Goodall Institute
1840 Alcatraz Ave. Suite A-2
Berkeley, CA 94703
(510) 420-0746
rootsnshoots@...

sincerely,
heather m
tucson az


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Nanci Kuykendall

>Here is what it says your "benefits" are for forming
>a local group:...
>Norma

Thanks Norma! I must be totally blind. I was all
over the website and could not find this. Where did
you find this information, it's just what I was
looking for?

Nanci K.

Nanci Kuykendall

>If you would like to find out more ahead of time I
>would contact them directly, maybe find out if there
>is someone else with a Roots and Shoots group in
>your area...
>Norma

Oh I forgot to say, this is a good suggestion.
Unfortunately, there is no one else in my area, or
within a couple of hours, with a roots and shoots
group, but I know of more than one family interested
in the possibility. The "certain other" organization
around here, which is pretty much everywhere, besides
having a lot of conflicting values and goals to our
family's, is also in hot water locally for making it a
habit to sell off, for clearcut logging profits, a
number of tracts of land deeded to them for purposes
of environmental protection and use by the children.
Very ugly business. :-(

Nanci K.

Nanci Kuykendall

>I started our Roots & Shoots group just over a year
>ago...

Perfect Heather! Thank you so very, very much for
taking the time to share this information with me. I
really appreciate it.


>We had originally thought we'd start a Campfire
>family club. The director here in Tucson was very
>enthusiastic & had homeschooled her daughter. But we
>didn't want to sell candy bars, which was a
>requirement.

That was one of my problems with Camp Fire. They also
have a reward system based on fulfilling some preset
goals on timelines which I was uncomfortable with,
some ageism, have a religious tenet and are pro
school. That's not to say that you could not start a
group and tweak it to work for you. But we were just
not comfortable with the politics and structure for
our family.

While I'm not really a joiner myself, I do believe in
the power and importance of human beings working
together, the vital need for more community in the
world. My kids are also interested in being a part of
something, making that common connection with others,
and having a venue to stage events and activites from,
as well as a place to make new friends. The
legitimacy of being part of an international group
will encourage others to join our efforts. Plus Roots
and Shoots just sounds like a lot of fun and very in
line with our beliefs.

Nanci K.

Norma

--- In [email protected], Nanci Kuykendall
<aisliin@y...> wrote:
> >Here is what it says your "benefits" are for forming
> >a local group:...
> >Norma
>
> Thanks Norma! I must be totally blind. I was all
> over the website and could not find this. Where did
> you find this information, it's just what I was
> looking for?
>
> Nanci K.

Nanci K.:

This was listed under Benefits of Membership from the left-hand
margin menu. But I would phone Laurel, per Heather's post to see
what you have to do to get a copy of the manual. That sounds like
the best idea yet.

Norma