Code Poll results are in!

JFW members were invited to participate in a unique poll, which ran for the month of January 2019.  The question asked was, "Would you be in favour of a revision to the Junior Forest Warden Code?" 

142 JFW members responded to the poll.  
67.6% were in favour of the change.  This confidential poll was administered by the Membership Director, who endeavour to ensure that all JFW and Alumni adult members in good standing were notified of the poll and could vote.   A number of access issues were identified and addressed, and we hope that all members who wanted to participate, did so.     


The traditional version reads:

"God has given us the earth for our life. It is a great entail. It belongs as much to those who come after us as to us, and we have no right by anything we do, or neglect to do, to involve them in unnecessary penalties or to deprive them of benefits which are theirs by right."

 The revised version reads:

"We have been given the earth for our life. It is a great entail. It belongs as much to those who come after us as to us, and we have no right by anything we do, or neglect to do, to involve them in unnecessary penalties or to deprive them of benefits which are theirs by right."

Members are welcome to recite either version

Background

• The JFW Code is based on the writings of John Ruskin, a nineteenth-century naturalist and advocate for conservation.  Read more about John Ruskin and the history of Junior Forest Wardens in upcoming Tree Mail articles and on our website, ajfwa.ca.

• The new wording of the Code was proposed by the Chief Warden of Alberta, in response to requests from a great many members over the years.  The concern commonly expressed is that the starting phrase, "God has given us the earth", is somewhat at odds with the actual nature of Junior Forest Wardens: a secular organization focused on forestry, ecology, wilderness skills and leadership.  JFW welcomes people from all backgrounds, beliefs and world views.  The new wording is intended to address the great diversity of our membership, excluding no one, while respecting the traditions and values of the organisation.