Re: A question for collectors...

Don et. al.,

I couldn't agree more with your distaste for commercial badge dealers. But
I am concerned that councils and other official bodies sometimes emulate
these dealers in the putting of profits (even in good causes) ahead of the
Scouts.

> I have to add a minor note of disagreement to Jim Carters strong NO!
> concerning special CAMP Patches. While I agree with JIM that a
> collector of true scouting HISTORY places no extra value on such
> FUND raising patches. However, THEY DO WORK to raise money for
> the camps and councils the SELL them. Many councils sell special
> GOLD or SILVER boarder FUND raising patches for special events
> as well. Examples are SPECIAL NOAC OA flaps, and special Jamboree
> CSP's etc. The profits used can help cut to costs for NOAC and
> Jamboree trips. As long as the participants have access to a
> regular priced patch as a member of the OFFICIAL participating group,
> I do not see any real problem.

By putting a gold or silver border around a patch to appeal to donors, you
are making it "better" than the ordinary one - the one that's properly
designed for the Scouts. It becomes a patch that is bought not earned. As
such it is both beyond many Scouts possible aspirations and puts forth the
incorrect moral that money (without any additional effort) can buy symbols
of acheivement. This can lead to a weakening in the significance of
badges/patches in the eyes of those for whom they were first intended.

With regards to regular patches (council patches, contingent patches, or
even NOAC [which are a type of contingent] patches) I see no problem in
selling extras of the regular ones, so long as they are available to those
participants they were intended for and so long as the selling doesn't
eliminate the trading value for those participants. Where I object is
making up special fund raising patches. If something is needed to add to
the fundraising appeal - PLEASE put a regular patch in a frame with a
certificate of acknowledgement - but don't make two classes of patches
(those that are earned and those that are just bought).

Jim Carter

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