Re[2]: Uniform thoughts
Bob Taschler (bob_taschler@PUBLICITAS-USA.COM)
Fri, 24 Oct 1997 13:57:33 -0500
In Marc Godbouts response to the uniforming issue he asks "What do you
think?" Well, frankly, I find the argument is getting a bit muddled. I
suggest that when thinking about program and uniforms we should
separate the various issues.
Funding of uniforms is a separate issue from how the uniform is worn.
I have always been able to find a sponsor or a used uniform for any
boy who needs one. There is little economic excuse for not having a
proper uniform for each scout.
Paper drives, car washing, leaf raking, snow shoveling, baby-sitting,
errand running, etc. can all provide ample opportunity for a boy to
earn and pay his own way. If the boy wishes to sit in front of a video
game or television and have someone hand him his uniform, be it Mom &
Dad or the Troop, well for me, this is one of the attitudes that the
program is designed to correct.
In our Troop, the boys earn money for summer camp, equipment, trips,
even Seabase. They work hard at it and so do the adults. Would it be
easier to just write a check? Sure would if you are rich enough, but
that wouldn't teach the boys a thing, would it now?
Sports teams, either private league or school program league do not
allow each child or participant to make up his or her own rules or
uniform. Mostly local business sponsors pay for the private league
uniforms and taxpayers pay for the school uniforms. Either way,
everyone wears the same thing or doesn't play. Even choir members
"pay" for their robes through the donations they make every week.
Funding for uniforms does not have to be direct.
The second issue is who decides what the program and uniform should
be. Scouting is boy run, but not boy designed. If it were up to the
boys, paintball, go karts, motorcross, hanggliding, parasailing, etc.
would be instantly added to the MB program. Think pants are expensive?
Go see what a paintball gun costs.
Hats and neckerchiefs, while part of the uniform may be customized in
order to assist leaders in identifying their own troop members in a
crowd of scouts at a Jamboree, Camporee or other large scout
gathering. It also allows the boys to have a say in their troop
identity, just like patrol patches and patrol flags. If you want to
change the uniform, or any part of the program for that matter, you
need to do this through National. Otherwise, you have created a
separate program. It would be like adding a fourth out to an inning or
placing five bases on the field. It wouldn't be baseball anymore.
Also, field or "class b" uniforms can be anything the troop, boys and
adults, agree upon. There is plenty of opportunity to be creative and
come up with some very cool graphics and designs.
The third issue is when is the dress or "class a" uniform worn and
when is a field or "class b" uniform worn. If anyone can't figure this
out, they have bigger fashion problems than scouting can solve for
you. What do They wear to a job interview? A wedding? A funeral? To
march in a parade? Or address an assembly? Or go to church?
I suggest that anyone who is confused on this issue read the uniform
guide, scoutmaster's handbook and the scout handbook and apply common
sense.
But then, I could be totally wrong. Just ask my wife. I hear she keeps
a list.
YIS,
Bob Taschler
P.S. Contrary to what you may have heard, we do not flog anyone for
wearing the uniform incorrectly in our troop. At least not for the
first infraction that is.
P.P.S. Marc, if you can think of a way to get National to bring those
cargo pants back, make them out of something other than polyester, and
lower the price, I'll be there to help you. How about an internet
petition? Think about it.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
