Re: "Timely" recognition versus "timely" ceremonies
Patrick Taber (ptaber@MICROTEST.COM)
Mon, 2 Jun 1997 11:28:19 -0700
Hi --
We had this problem as well. I suppose "had" is too optimistic ;-) I didn't
defeat is as much as I learned to work with it as an operational parameter. When
I took the job of advancement secretary for my pack, we made a hard rule: no
leader was allowed to pick up a badge or award. Period. In return, my job was to
make sure that everything worked smoothly and that no Cub missed a timely award
because of the adults' need for overhead.
Over time, what I've started to do is pre-emptively purchase awards. I "stock"
those awards that I know I'll need, Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Arrow Points and so on.
At the proper time I even stock Arrow of Light. I have the badges, the cards,
whatever might be required. The Den Leaders might not know who is going to make
what on a given date, but they know who is working on what. I stock about five
of everything. We still have an official notification date, and most Den Leaders
meet it. I buy awards as they are reported, but even on the night of the Pack
meeting, I can pull a badge out of my pocket.
It is vital to have a scrupulous book-keeping system to make this work!! All the
paperwork still has to be done, all the record books still have to be updated.
But if some kid pulls out all the stops to make Wolf the same night his pal
does, then I can make it happen. And that's the way it should happen.
As far as advancement ceremonies, I suppose part of what makes this work for us
is that we are kind of light, ceremonially speaking. We don't need a lot of
preparation time. Most badges just get a call to the front of the room and a
brief summary of the achievements the badge represents, a handshake and a
photo-op if the parents are so inclined. Arrow of Light, of course, gets more
pomp, but it's hard to get one of those without warning and we keep the props on
hand.
Best of Luck,
>>>==>PStJTT
(Pat Taber, Cubmaster-in-waiting, Pack 45, Acton MA, USA)
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
