By Commander Jay M. Woodward, Pony Express Editor

On January 26-28, 2007, Northeast Region Royal Rangers held its annual Regional Commanders’ Conference at the Potomac Park Conference Center in Falling Waters, West Virginia. 327 commanders and their spouses came from across the Northeastern United States to enjoy this exciting weekend of training, friendship, and fellowship. The Northern New England District was well-represented, with 11 Commanders present, who brought along the impressive displays, posters, Chippewa kitchen, District event photo collages, Yukon sled and yes, even copies of The Pony Express! The theme of this year’s Conference was “Building Champions.” The Conference was special this year because the World Class Outpost (WCO) seminar, the newest National Training Event, was offered for the first time in the Region, and a record 161 Commanders registered for the seminar! WCO is a two-day seminar designed to give Outpost Leaders a successful set of strategies, methods, practices, and self-assessments to enable them to become, not just successful, but a “World Class Outpost”. The class was taught by Deputy National Commander Mike Laliberty, Regional Coordinator Dwight Walters, Regional Training Coordinator Scott Hurt, and Regional Chaplain Mike Petrucci. All four men brought their own teaching style and perspective to the seminar. Commander Dwight said of the seminar, “I am a strong believer in the principles that are taught. The most exciting thing to see was the leaders teaming up by Outpost, and really getting excited about the material as they assessed their Outpost, and started to generate a vision and game plan to make improvements.” For Commander Laliberty, this was a special event because he is stepping down from his post at the end of February. Added Commander Dwight, “Mike Laliberty is a World class leader and instructor-it was an honor to teach beside him. Commander Laliberty has been a fantastic servant and proponent of Royal Rangers in the National Office, and I will certainly miss serving with him- but I know God has great plans for his life.”

For those who did not take WCO, there were plenty of other classes available. Options included First Aid & CPR, as well as District and Sectional Staff Workshops, an Archery class, and Ranger Kids Day Camps, which is a brand new Training Module. NNED also played a role in the instruction, as District Commander Jerry Love, who also serves as Regional Public Relations Coordinator, and NNED Instructor Trainer ken Bustard taught the newest version of Ranger Basics. Also, for the ladies, Saturday was a special time, as they had a special devotional time, got the chance to make a beautiful crafted key chain, and had a special “For Women Only” seminar with Commander Laliberty’s wife, Alice, as the guest speaker! Also on Saturday, the Regional Auction took place, with Commander Jerry playing his well-known role of Auctioneer, and auctioning off everything from New Hampshire Maple Syrup and Maine Lobsters to Fred Deaver paintings and Maryland Crab Cakes, bringing in over four thousand dollars for the Royal Rangers ministry! On Friday and Saturday night, attendees were ushered into the awesome presence of God by Rudi and Sharon Swanepoel of South Africa, who ministered to us in music, both in songs known and prophetically sung, and gave inspiring messages inspired by the Holy Spirit, which also tied in very well with what was taught during WCO . Men and women alike responded to the Spirit’s calling during the altar calls, as Rudi prayed with Commanders as they prayed and interceded for one another. God was definitely in the sanctuary! Sadly, the weekend came with tragedy. On Saturday. our beloved mascot, Fernando Flamingo, died tragically and mercilessly at the hands of Spanish Eastern District Commander Manny Hernandez (see obituary). At the Saturday evening dinner banquet, Commanders paid their respects to Fernando in a special ceremony, where he was remembered for his colorful style and the positive influence he left on all those around him. Even his closest and pinkest friends joined in a procession for our fine-feathered friend. Fernando, you will be missed! On Sunday morning, Rudi and Sharon led the last service before everyone was sent on their way home, renewed and refreshed! Commander Dwight said that leaders he spoke to were “very happy with the training, and that they were looking forward to going back to their Outposts and putting it into practice.” He added, “I hope that leaders take back a new passion and burden to expand the Kingdom of God through the Ranger ministry.” Northern New England is proud of the Commanders who attended what truly was a “World Class Event”- the 2007 Northeast Regional Conference and WCO. They are not only on the road to having World Class Outposts, but they are also helping to make NNED a World Class District, taking its mission of “Reaching, Teaching, and Keeping Men and Boys for Christ” to a whole new level!