Invitation to Visit Troops
Paul L. Clemmensen (Paul_Clemmensen@CHAMPINT.COM)
Tue, 14 Jan 1997 15:27:33 EDT
Several years ago, while I was both a 2nd year Webelos Den Leader and
Cubmaster, I invited all the second year Webelos to visit a Troop of a
Co-worker. This Troop was NOT our sister Troop. As it turned out, 13 of our
16 second year Webelos went to this Troop. This Troop was the best choice at
the time, but I really made some people mad. The Troop we joined was in the
same Council, but a different District.
I was "Invited" to some very strongly spoken meetings by the Sponsoring
Organization (and our sister Troop) and several people at District still wont
talk to me. What was true then, is true now - "The Boys need to go to a Troop
that they will be happy at, one that meets there individual needs." Some very
unpleasant and not very scouting things were said to me (and at me), but I see
that as their problem, not mine.
Since that fateful cross-over, both Troops have started recruiting Cubs. What
was an stressful situation then, has actually forced our sister Troop to start
thinking of our Cubs as something they have to earn, not something they have a
right to.
What really strikes me as strange is that this thread has popped up right now.
Last week, at our Pack committee meeting, I was again accused of "Breaking the
Law" and that "I had no right to these Cubs". I am again a 2nd year Webelos
Den leader with my second and final Cub Scout. In 2 months and 5 days, I will
see my last Pack meeting as my son crosses over into "THAT" Troop out of
District. How may Cubs come with us, I don't know yet. Best guess is about
half. That alone says that both Troops are doing a good job of recruiting. I
do not wish any bad things on our sister Troop, but also do not want them to
think that they are the only Troop allowed to recruit Cubs.
I'm sure that this letter will somehow get back to our sister Troop, (some of
their leadership is on this group). Personally, I have a lot of respect for
our sister Troop, they have a very nice Scoutmaster, a committee chairman that
I would call a good friend, and several adult leaders that I am very close to.
They do have one assistant who has taken it into his own to recruit a little
too strongly, but that is being discussed between the Pack Committee
chairperson and the Troop leadership.
Yours in Scouting,
Paul L. Clemmensen
Webelos Den Leader, Pack 902, Ft. Hamilton District, Dan Beard Council
(Cincinnati area).
Troop Committee Chairman, Troop 881, TrailBlazer District,....
Explorer Post Advisor, Post 912 (SCUBA)
Cub Leader Trainer for Ft. Hamilton District
Former Cubmaster, Committee Chairman, outdoor coordinator, etc....
(How do you pronounce "N-O" ????)
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
