Rev. Artis Phillips

As former Connectional Director of Boy Scouts for the African Methodist Episcopal Church, I want to see as many of our churches as possible become involved in the Scouting ministry. Our society has left many boys without good role models in their lives. Scouting provides this for our boys. Rev. Phillips is a member of the AAMES Executive board that visited and partitioned the BSA in Irving Texas and GSUSA in New York city to ensure that the association was not looked at as a Boy Scout or Girl Scout organization but that it represented all, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the AME Church emphasizing Christ, our Creed and our Culture. The board also was responsible for creating and presenting AAMES respectfully as a ministry in Christian Education and a new addition to the AME Discipline and The Christian Departments Website Content.

Rev. James F. Miller

James Furman Miller, the son of the late Presiding Elder Roy L. Miller and the late Dr. Evelyn Davis Miller, is the Pastor of DuPage A.M.E. Church, Lisle, Illinois. Pastor Dr. James F. Miller lead the process of formally organizing the scouting ministry at DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1990. Pastor Dr. James F. Miller organized funding for the Dupage AME Church delegation members of the AAMES Executive board that visited and partitioned the BSA in Irving Texas and GSUSA in New York city to ensure that the association was not looked at as a Boy Scout or Girl Scout organization but that it represented all, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the AME Church emphasizing Christ, our Creed and our Culture. Rev. Dr. James F. Miller serves as the 4th Episcopal District Christian Education Director.

Rev. Lana Miller

Rev. Lana Parks Miller grew up in Michigan with her six siblings in the AME Church under the leadership of her parents, Rev. Lyman & Cleo Parks. She is now the Assistant Pastor of DuPage AME Church in Lisle, IL, where her husband, Rev. Dr. James F. Miller is the Pastor.

Cora L. Palmer

I'm Glad to Be In His Service - One More Time". As the Connectional Director of Girl Scouting, I pray that my service will be found worthy in the sight of God, and acceptable to those of whom I've been chosen to serve. Scouting (Boy and Girl Scouting) provides a unique opportunity to guide our youth in the "life application" of God's Word to their daily experiences. I look ahead with eagerness and dedication to advance the AAMES mission for the benefit of our youth. Much has been accomplished -- but there is much more yet to do. To God, be the glory!

Robert McRath

The Scouting Program has provided me many opportunities to learn skills and take part in exciting and wholesome adventures. It is my prayer that the AAMES ministry based in African Methodist Episcopal principals and values, along with skills the scouting program provides will inspire growth in Christ, Creed and Culture attitudes of our scouts. I accept this challenge to work with all that are willing to serve and to see this ministry become a success for our youth and our church. Robert is a member of the AAMES Executive board that visited and partitioned the BSA in Irving Texas and GSUSA in New York city to ensure that the association was not looked at as a Boy Scout or Girl Scout organization but that it represented all, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the AME Church emphasizing Christ, our Creed and our Culture. The board also was responsible for creating and presenting AAMES respectfully as a ministry in Christian Education and a new addition to the AME Discipline and The Christian Departments Website Content.

Anthony Franklin Sr.

Anthony Franklin Sr. was born in St. Louis Mo. and is the first of four children of Ira and Beatrice Franklin. He was a Star Scout at Troop 254 as a young man growing up in East St. Louis, IL. Under the direction of Pastor Dr. James F. Miller and Rev. Henry Soles, Anthony and members of the church he initiated and completed the process of formally organizing the scouting ministry at DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1990. Tony is a member of the AAMES Executive board that visited and partitioned the BSA in Irving Texas and GSUSA in New York city to ensure that the association was not looked at as a Boy Scout or Girl Scout organization but that it represented all, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the AME Church emphasizing Christ, our Creed and our Culture. The board also was responsible for creating and presenting AAMES respectfully as a ministry in Christian Education and a new addition to the AME Discipline and The Christian Departments Website Content.

Steve Franklin

Steve Franklin was born in St. Louis Mo. and is the third of four children of Ira and Beatrice Franklin. He was one of the founding members of the church that initiated and completed the process of formally organizing the scouting ministry at DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1990. Steve is a member of the AAMES Executive board that visited and partitioned the BSA in Irving Texas and GSUSA in New York city to ensure that the association was not looked at as a Boy Scout or Girl Scout organization but that it represented all, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the AME Church emphasizing Christ, our Creed and our Culture. The board also was responsible for creating and presenting AAMES respectfully as a ministry in Christian Education and a new addition to the AME Discipline and The Christian Departments Website Content.

Myron Ford

Myron is a member Of Woodlawn A.M.E.Church in Chicago, Illinois 4th District Myron Currently Serves as the Connectional Parliamentarian of the Association of African Methodist Episcopal Scouts Boy Scouts. Myron is a member of the AAMES Executive board that visited and partitioned the BSA in Irving Texas and GSUSA in New York city to ensure that the association was not looked at as a Boy Scout or Girl Scout organization but that it represented all, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the AME Church emphasizing Christ, our Creed and our Culture. The board also was responsible for creating and presenting AAMES respectfully as a ministry in Christian Education and a new addition to the AME Discipline and The Christian Departments Website Content.

Clarence E. Crayton Jr.

Clarence was first introduced to Cub Scouting at his local intercity church; St. Paul AME Zion Church, in Cleveland, Ohio. He stayed active long enough to get his blue uniform. In 1988, Clarence's son said that he wanted to be a Scout. Clarence took his son down to the local Cub Scout pack, in their neighborhood in Tampa, Florida. At that point he was given a glimpse of Scouting and the work that was required to have a Quality Unit. Clarence is a member of the AAMES Executive board that visited and partitioned the BSA in Irving Texas and GSUSA in New York city to ensure that the association was not looked at as a Boy Scout or Girl Scout organization but that it represented all, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the AME Church emphasizing Christ, our Creed and our Culture. The board also was responsible for creating and presenting AAMES respectfully as a ministry in Christian Education and a new addition to the AME Discipline and The Christian Departments Website Content.

Rev. Henry Soles

Under the direction of Pastor Dr. James F. Miller the Rev. Henry Soles and members of the church initiated and completed the process of formally organizing the scouting ministry at DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1990.

Louis Garland

With the direction from Pastor Dr. James F. Miller and Rev. Henry Soles, Louis was a member of the church and initiated and completed the process of formally organizing the scouting ministry at DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1990. He is an original charter member of the Scouting ministry of the church.

George Britt

Founding Member of the Association Of African Methodist Episcopal Scouters, AAMES member, Commissioner, Committee member, Charter Representative Cubscout/Boyscout, Founding charter organization member. (13-years+) Under the direction of Pastor Dr. James F. Miller and Rev. Henry Soles, George assisted members of the church and initiated and completed the process of formally organizing the scouting ministry at DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1990. George is a member of the AAMES Executive board that visited and partitioned the BSA in Irving Texas and GSUSA in New York city to ensure that the association was not looked at as a Boy Scout or Girl Scout organization but that it represented all, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the AME Church emphasizing Christ, our Creed and our Culture. The board also was responsible for creating and presenting AAMES respectfully as a ministry in Christian Education and a new addition to the AME Discipline and The Christian Departments Website Content.

Robert Mathis

AAMES Member, Committee Chair, FOS Chairman, Founding charter organization member , CYD Activity Coordinator (13 Years. (9 years +) With the direction from Pastor Dr. James F. Miller and Rev. Henry Soles, Robert was a member of the church and initiated and completed the process of formally organizing the scouting ministry at DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1990. He is an original charter member of the Scouting ministry of the church.

Donna J. Franklin

Donna is a mother of an Eagle Scout & a Charter Member of the Association of African Methodist Episcopal Scouts (AAMES) of the DuPage AME Church. Donna joined the Scouting Ministry of DuPage AME in 1991, completed Cub Scout Leader Training 9/91. She has held various positions in the Scouting organization of DuPage AME Church Scouting Ministry: Committee Member, Den Mother, Asst. Den Leader positions, Den Leader, Merit badge counselor for troop 263 to help scouts focus on critical requirements for merit badges. Donna is a member of the AAMES Executive board that visited and partitioned the BSA in Irving Texas and GSUSA in New York city to ensure that the association was not looked at as a Boy Scout or Girl Scout organization but that it represented all, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the AME Church emphasizing Christ, our Creed and our Culture. The board also was responsible for creating and presenting AAMES respectfully as a ministry in Christian Education and a new addition to the AME Discipline and The Christian Departments Website Content.

Elaine Mass

She joined Scouting Ministry of DuPage AME in 1992, First Tiger Cub Group Leader, Committee Member, Den leader, Webelo Den Leader, Completed Scoutmaster Training Camp 10/97, she has held various positions in the Scouting organization of DuPage AME Church Scouting Ministry: Den Mother, Den Leader positions, Served as Assistant Scout Master of troop 263 for 5 years, Merit badge counselor for troop 263, Created merit badge worksheets to help scouts focus on critical requirements for merit badges. Elaine is a major contributor to the Troop 263 library. Coordinated…in the past, Popcorn sales, Wreath sales, Has over 1,000 hours of camping with the BSA organization.

Alesia Davis

Alesia was introduced to scouting at the corporate level as Accounting Manager of BSA-Chicago Council Office November 89 - March 96, Supporter of Thunderbird District Pack and Troop 108 from 94 - 96. She joined Scouting Ministry of DuPage AME in 1997, Completed Scoutmaster Training Camp 10/97, she has held various positions in the Scouting organization of DuPage AME Church Scouting Ministry: Den Mother, Den Leader positions, Served as Assistant Scout Master of troop 263 for 5 years, Merit badge counselor for troop 263, Created merit badge worksheets to help scouts focus on critical requirements for merit badges. Alesia is a major contributor to the Troop 263 library. Coordinated…in the past, Popcorn sales, Wreath sales, Has over 1,000 hours of camping with the BSA organization.

Lloyd Gillespie

Lloyd was the second child of seven, two sisters and four brothers, raised in Starkville Ms. Lloyd moved to Maywood Illinois. Joined the Rock of Ages Baptist Church and served as president of the youth Choir. In 1980 Lloyd joined Troop 119 at S. Paul Lutheran School in Melrose Park Illinois and served as Den Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster and Committee Member. Lloyd and Family moved to Glendale Heights Ill. in 1987 and later joined the DuPage AME Church.

June Franklin

June became a member of DuPage African Methodist Church in 1980 when the church was in Wheaton, IL. Reverend James F. Miller elected her to serve on the Class Leader Council; June served as Co-Chair of the Women's Day program. Elected as Girl Scout Leader in 1995 and served also as the Troop Coordinator GSUSA Council representing the DuPage Troops.

Kevin Webb

With the direction from Pastor Dr. James F. Miller and Rev. Henry Soles, Kevin was a member of the church and initiated and completed the process of formally organizing the scouting ministry at DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1990. He is an original charter member of the Scouting ministry of the church.

Anita Faye Debarlaben

Anita became involved with Girl Scouts in 1997. She was recruited by a friend who knew of her past experiences working with girls. She started off with 2 Girl Scouts in January 1997 (one was her 5 year old daughter). To her surprised her troop doubled in size every year. When she reached 30 Brownies she decided it was time to split her troop and recruit more leaders. At this point she began fulfilling the responsibilities of a recruiter, consultant and advisor for the new leaders. At DuPage AME we have 7 leaders and 7 Girl Scout levels and approximately 115 girls. I was assigned the position of President of DuPage AME Girl Scouts in 2001.

Beverly Ann Nash, Ph.D.

Girl Scout Council of the Apalachee Bend, Tallahassee, Florida, Troop Sponsor (six troops); Executive Board, President, (Council serves 15 counties), 1993-1994 and 1994-1996; lst Vice-President, 1990-1993; implemented various outreach programs, for example, Bethel AME Church Book Scholarship Fund in the name of one of the first African American troop leaders in Leon County - raised over $3,500; implemented Florida's first Girl Scout troop for daughters of incarcerated mothers (SOAR - Seizing Opportunities, Achieving Respect) (honored with the Governor's Peace at Home Award); Nominating Committee, 1989-1993; Girl Scout Leader, Troops: Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior Levels, 1984-1993; Organized first multi-cultural group to travel to Europe, 1994; Jamaica, 1991; Girl Scout Ministry Coordinator, Bethel AME Church, 1985-present, and Chairperson, Insurance Committee, 1990-1993.

Dr. Nash is a member of the AAMES Executive board that visited and partitioned the BSA in Irving Texas and GSUSA in New York city to ensure that the association was not looked at as a Boy Scout or Girl Scout organization but that it represented all, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the AME Church emphasizing Christ, our Creed and our Culture. The board also was responsible for creating and presenting AAMES respectfully as a ministry in Christian Education and a new addition to the AME Discipline and The Christian Departments Website Content.

Adrian Thomas

Founding Member of the Association Of African Methodist Episcopal Scouters, Founding charter organization member, First registered assistant Scoutmaster, Second Scoutmaster, AAMES Member, 1st AAMES Camporee Staff Member, Committee member, Order of the Arrow Member (11 years +) Adrian is a member of the AAMES Executive board that visited and partitioned the BSA in Irving Texas and GSUSA in New York city to ensure that the association was not looked at as a Boy Scout or Girl Scout organization but that it represented all, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the AME Church emphasizing Christ, our Creed and our Culture. The board also was responsible for creating and presenting AAMES respectfully as a ministry in Christian Education and a new addition to the AME Discipline and The Christian Departments Website Content.

Melanie Alise Perry

Member of St. Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church, St. Louis, Missouri. Past Member of the YPD (Young People's Department)- Served as President, Vice President, Historiographer and Chairperson of the Social Action Committee. Past Member of the Junior Usher Board. Member Girl Scouts for thirteen years in Senior Girl Scout, Member of Troop 377 (which met at her St. Peter). 2005 received National Young American Award. Presently attends Butler University, Indianapolis Indiana as a Morton-Finney Scholar, majoring in Anthropology and Urban Studies. Lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Serving as an Intern for the Girl Scouts of the Hoosier Capital Council in Indianapolis, Indiana.