The last candidate for our graduation series ends with Victor Chan, President of the 180th Pacific Coast Scout Group for 2018-2019. This blog features Victor’s final thoughts as a rover and the legacy he leaves behind as President. 
By Victor Chan
What was your biggest challenge that you faced as President? Did you overcome this challenge?
The biggest challenge I had was to continue moving the Crew forward when we began the Scouting year with a significant decline in membership. That sharp drop had consequences on our Crew’s morale and brought forth questions about what we do and how do we do it. I don’t believe we overcame that challenge after a year of developing new Rover leaders and trying new things, but I am confident we are on a better path because of all the struggles and experiences we faced as a team.
What is the driving force that has kept you in the Scouting program for 15 years? Have you ever felt like leaving Scouts?
I remained in Scouting for a long period of time because I always found a great group of friends, who think alike and want to help create a better world. On top of that, Scouting was a great playground for me to hone both my hard and soft skills. In particular, I used to be extremely introverted and preferred to not interact with people, even with friends. I had a tendency to keep to myself and not speak my mind, which made it difficult to really bond with anyone.
However, the Scouting environment gave me a safe environment to learn how to express myself effectively to others and to recognize my own weaknesses and emotions. Because of my experiences in Scouting, whether it be a participant or a volunteer, I have become so much more confident about who I am and what I can do. In fact, one of the most enjoyable encounters I have in life are talking to strangers on the bus and learning about their life stories!
What is your biggest take away as a graduate of the 180th PCC Scout Group?
The first is “seek to understand before being understood”. I always strive for efficiency and fairness, and whenever I see either of these items are less than ideal, especially when it factors in other people I work with, I become frustrated and angry. What I learned with “seeking to understand” is that I should never jump to conclusions about someone or something based on my own presumptions and biases. Rather, I ask questions and understand what the situation is before I express myself. More often than not, I found my own presumptions and biases were incorrect. By seeking to understand first, I reduce a lot of unnecessary conflicts that could bring down relationships and create further inefficiency for the issue.
Favorite memory as a rover of the 180th PCC Scout Group?
I think my most favorite memory in the Crew was when we attended the grand opening of the new Scout office in the province of Nayarit during our 2014 International Service Project in Mexico. It is such a great memory because I remembered there were so many Rovers and Scouters that helped paint the walls of the new Scout office in preparation for the grand opening. During the week long project, we made sure everyone was safe under the hot summer weather and we worked with 1st Rivorton Rovers to decorate all the walls with Scouting quotes and murals. Throughout the years, I still follow Scout Groups around that area on social media, where I occasionally see our murals and quotes in their photos. That, I believe, meant we created a lasting impact in that community, and I can be proud that I was part of that moment.
Any last words that you want to leave behind with your legacy as President of the 2017/2018 Scouting Year?
Scouting and the Rover Crew has been a big part of my life and helped shape me to be who I am today. My last words as the President of the 2017/2018 Scouting year is that I ask all Rovers and Scouters to continue being part of the wonderful Scouting movement and to be responsible for every part of it as though it’s your own child. Even though you may not be part of all the decision making or be at every event, when you take ownership and responsibility for something you are passionate about, you not only develop pride and commitment in what you do, but you also have a positive impact in the people you work with and the energy that this Crew envelopes. You will be pleasantly surprised by the successes and challenges that you face, which will all lead to your personal development as an active citizen of Scouting and the world, when you say to yourself, “yes, I own this Crew and I am responsible for it”.
