Re: Integrity Issue
Michael F. Bowman (mfbowman@CAPACCESS.ORG)
Sat, 27 Jul 1996 21:26:53 -0400
Mike Sullivan,
Scouting is a game with a purpose and advancement is one of our best
known tools to recognize accomplishment. It works when it rewards the
kind of conduct that leads to good citizenship, character development,
and fitness. In the case of your Scout, it appears that he has failed
to keep his honor as a Scout to be trustworthy. In his heart he has to
know that he did not earn the rank, regardless of excuses. For that
reason it is premature to allow him to be award the recognition that says
he has grown in citizenship and character, because he has failed in
living the Scout Law and in Scout Spirit.
That said, I strongly urge that this not be considered terminal, rather
it should be seen as a growth opportunity. This fellow needs badly to
learn how to earn trust and live the Scout Law. He obviously wants to
be recognized for the skills he has learned and the requirements he has
completed. Now comes the hard part, how to help him recover from his
awkward position.
I think that several things need to happen:
1. It has to be made clear that the BOR cannot accept the initials and
that another BOR will be necessary when the Scout demonstrates he is ready.
2. Explain in very simple terms the ground rules about trustworthiness.
3. Ask the Scout what he can do to demonstrate his ability to abide by
the Scout Law.
4. Work out an agreement with him that allows him the chance to show
he can be trustworthy.
5. Conduct another BOR and reward his conduct, if he has made progress.
If you can do this you will be moving him towards the goals of Scouting
and doing him a great service. Hopefully this will help him to learn in
a positive supporting environment, where mistakes can be corrected before
they become a life pattern.
Speaking for myself only in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
Dep. Dist. Commissioner-Training, G.W.Dist., NCAC, BSA (Virginia)
U.S.Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area)
ftp1.scouter.org/usscouts; e-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
