FOP Lodge 8 Supports
YOUTH   GROUPS

Lodge 8 has a long history of supporting Southern Maryland youth groups. In November 2016, the Lodge President decided to assist youth groups. The Lodge will provide an opportunity for the Youth Groups to list information about their groups, their goals and their progress in achieving their goals on our website as part of seeking funding. This page allows them to tell their stories of the friendships made, travel adventures and learning experiences that occurred along their road to success. The Lodge will provide web space to show that information for free.

The youth group will need an FOP Lodge 8 active member to sponsor the Group.  The Sponsor is the Lodge's connection to the youth group.  A Sponsor will need to:  

1.  Prior to the Lodge meeting, provide the Activity and Event Information (AE&I) to the Lodge. The AE&I (not a form) needs to be written by the youth group either collectively or individually, with the assistance of an adult as needed by the age group. It will address what the group's goals and plans are, how many youths are active, what amount is requested, and how the amount requested will be used. The writing could explain their stories of the friendships made, travel adventures and learning experiences that occurred along their road to success as well as other pertinent information.  This information will be posted on the website, possibly verbatim.  

2.  The Sponsor will email the AE&I in digital form with any digital images to the webmaster at least 1 week prior to the funding request at the Lodge meeting. A parental consent note allowing any recognizable youth group member's image to be displayed on the website is required. No youth's name will be displayed on the site. (Submit a picture of the parental consent note with the AE&I and the actual note attached to the Request for Youth Group Funding. 

3.  At the Lodge meeting, make the oral request for funding of the youth group, introduce the Rep, and present the presiding officer with the Request for Youth Group Funding.

4.  Ensuring no youth is identified by name at anytime in any document, 

5.  After the youth group event, ensure the Lodge is provided an explanation of how the funds were used. 

The youth group should select a member (hereafter called Rep) to represent the group at the Lodge meeting, but other youth may be part of the presentation to the Lodge. The Rep needs to speak at a Lodge meeting starting with what amount is requested and could merely talk to the membership. An outline could be followed. A simpler document could be read. A question/answer format could be developed. The information of the AE&I can be used. As a last resort the AE&I Information can be read. The intent is that the rep inform the Lodge members about their organization and the plan for using the funds. The Lodge recognizes the age group makes a difference. For example: a cub scout would have a different presentation than and Eagle Scout.

Finally, you have a plan with the Rep for informing the Lodge what the results of the funding were.  This could be done with a letter, an email, or personal appearance with your sponsor. 

If any questions arise, contact the Webmaster with the issues you have.