Meet West Volusia’s new Boy Scout exec

TANEKA MALLORY

By Jen Horton
Beacon staff writer

posted Jan 10, 2013 - 12:22:53pm

Nearly every weekend, there’s a campfire somewhere with young men roasting marshmallows. From out of nowhere, a boy runs through the Norman Rockwell-esque scene screaming, “They’re after me! They’re after me... the squirrels; they think I’m nuts!”

It’s just a Boy Scout, performing a skit. Acting is one of the skills taught in the Boy Scout program, to help youth develop confidence in front of their peers, and in front of crowds.

Boy Scouts of America has been developing leaders in churches and living rooms, and around campfires, since 1910. More than 2.5 million boys have been involved in Scouting. In West Volusia, 1,561 youth are registered as Scouts.

Since leadership development is a key element of Boy Scouts, it’s important to have strong adult leadership to guide the program.

In October, DeBary resident Taneka Mallory was hired as the Central Florida Boy Scouts of America district executive for the Tuscarora District, which encompasses West Volusia.

Mallory broke it down.

“I’m responsible for West Volusia — DeBary, Deltona, DeLand, Orange City, Pierson and Lake Helen,” she said.

Born and raised in Central Florida, Mallory moved from Orlando to DeBary about a year-and-a-half ago.

“I love it,” she said.

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“I was volunteering with a grief facility for kids,” she said.

Being in a position to have a positive effect on the lives of children changed everything.

“I left corporate America and went to work in the nonprofit sector,” Mallory said.

Before joining the staff of Boy Scouts of America, she was executive director of the Central Florida Police Athletic League.

The nonprofit sector is more than a full-time job, it’s a vocation, as well. Scouts and parent volunteers have school and work schedules, so meetings and camp-outs are often not conducted during regular business hours.

“Every day is a workday, so you have got to love what you do,” Mallory said.

She said she does. And, she loves working with adults who invest in the future of youth.

“I really appreciate our adult volunteers. I would really like to emphasize how much I appreciate the people who give of their unpaid time,” she said. “I couldn’t do this alone.”

For information about a Scouting unit in your area, call Mallory at 407-703-0243, or email taneka.mallory@cflscouting.org.

— jen@beacononlinenews.com

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