Twenty-two years ago, Ute Whatley’s husband signed her up as den leader of their son’s Tiger Cub Scout troop in Peachtree City. That son is now 28, but Whatley is still going strong with Boy Scouts of America. Her volunteer role has changed. Instead of focusing on the little guys, Whatley mentors the older ones through the community service project they must do to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement they can reach. On March 14, she shepherded her 1,000th Scout to that honor, then she, too, was honored with a surprise celebration for her decades of service. “If I can make a difference in just one Scout, I feel like I have done my job,” says Whatley, the Fayette District Eagle Board chairperson. Whatley has done her job, 1,000 times over.
Q: Other than Scouts, what are your passions?
A: I have always enjoyed the outdoors. I love discovering the flora and fauna of every place I have ever lived. I love snakes and reptiles. In fact, I teach a Boy Scouts program on the 40 different snakes we have in Georgia, including our six venomous ones. I also teach "incredible edibles," where we identify things like staghorn sumac that you can make into tea, known as Boy Scouts lemonade. It is outstanding.
Q: Were you ever a Scout?
A: No, but I was a tomboy growing up. I got into Scouting because of my two boys, Benjamin, who is 28, and Nathan, 25. I just loved Scouts and ran with it. I consider myself a Scout.
Q: Any idea how many volunteer hours you have clocked with Boy Scouts?
A: No idea. Thousands? I couldn't have put in that time without the support and encouragement of my husband, Jeff.
Q: Are there many women involved with Boy Scouts?
A: Many women are den leaders and hold other positions in Scouting throughout the country.
Q: What is your role with candidates for Eagle Scout?
A: When a Scout comes to me, he already has his project idea. I say if it is a good one, needs revision or is not quite what we are looking for. Ninety-eight percent of the time, the projects are solid and wonderful. During the process, I get regular phone calls from Scouts and I will guide them the best way I know how. A couple of weeks before they present their project to the Eagle Board of Review, they give me their workbooks and we make sure everything is in order.
Q: What is the service project all about and what does a Scout learn from it?
A: I always quote a Scout who said, "Through my leadership skills of others, I am giving back to my community." A lot of the project is what a Scout is passionate about.
Q: What are some of your favorite Eagle Scout projects?
A: That's like asking, "Who is your favorite son?" I can't say. Each Scout pours his heart and soul into his project and all of the projects are worthwhile.
Q: Without playing favorites, can you talk about the range of the projects you have been involved with?
A: A lot of Scouts do projects for their school, church or other facilities. Some of the projects involve other countries, such as sending badly needed supplies to Haiti. A Scout fashioned finger guides for people who have a hard time holding a pencil. One Scout who stands out built a handicap ramp at a North Georgia park he frequented. He was 19 years old and had cancer. He had such a positive outlook and such determination. He became an Eagle Scout. Shortly afterward, I heard he had passed away. He really inspired me.
Q: What do you get from volunteering with these Scouts?
A: My gosh, in addition to my family, a sense of purpose. And my way of giving back.
Q: Anything else you want to say?
A: I could not do this without my board members. Without them, there wouldn't be an Eagle Board of Review. You have to put that in there.
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