1. Cracking the New Advancement System Program Updates 2012 John Hicks National Programs Coordinator

2. Requirement Changes New Member Requirements (DRH p68) New requirements for annual awards (DRH p68-70) Leadership Merits from other groups may now be counted for advancement (DRH p68-70) Advancement Restrictions (DRH p71) Refer to the new Discovery Rangers Handbook for details

3. New Bible Merit System Each advancement step now requires (1) Bible merit (rather than 2) Each Bible merit now requires the completion of (8) Bible lessons (rather than 5) – See DRH p66 The (8) lessons may now come from any Bible lesson set within that color category Up to (2) of the (8) lessons may be alternatives (66)

4. Buffalo Awards Earned after the highest award in each age group –Bronze Buffalos – Discovery Rangers –Silver Buffalos – Adventure Rangers –Gold Buffalos – Expedition Rangers Worn on the medal or ribbon representing that highest award See DRH p71

5. GMA Capstone Project Use of FIRE Institute for the Capstone Project will be discontinued Details are currently in development and will be released with the new Adventure Rangers Handbook

6. Non-Uniform Recognition Alternative methods of award recognition are now available for groups utilizing non-standard Royal Rangers uniforms Purchase restrictions still apply

7. TRaCclub Content Updates Orange Bible Merits Skill Merit Updates New Skill Merits in Development Leadership Merits Meeting Guide Updates (DR & AR) Spanish Curriculum

8. Print Materials Boys Handbooks –Discovery Rangers – available NOW! –Adventure & Expedition Rangers – available May/June –Ranger Kids – updated in 2010 NEW Resource Books available soon!!! –A Guys Journey to Manhood –A Guys Journey to Servant Leadership

9. A Guys Journey to Manhood Based on path to manhood material used at NRMC Will tie into a revised version of the blue, green, and silver (new) Bible merits All groups will use the same book as a resource, but will cover varying degrees of content

10. A Guys Journey to Servant Leadership Includes all leadership distinctives for all leadership merits All groups will use the same book as a resource, but each group will refer to the materials for the merits they are studying

11. Boys will need access to all three books to complete their advancement trail Bulk pricing is available on all handbooks and both resource books

12. Other Updates GPH Catalog –Will now include ALL Royal Rangers products, including restricted and training items –Three categories of products, in terms of ordering process: Unrestricted – available to anyone Application Restricted Contact us at RRawards@ag.org (we will forward as needed) Points of the Emblem Updates (DRH p8)

13. Questions