A proposal for "the challenge of life thread"

Tom asked (at the end of an elegant reply addressing concerns I raised
about the urge to addresses all crisis issues by further BSA training:

> ... are there other complaints? Because I'd like to hear them now before
I devote too much of
>my life to this idea.
>
> Tom Petrik

Heehee! Well, Tom, don't let my opinion stop you from doing what you think
is right. I see trying to approach this topic, and all related items that
might occur, as opening a can of worms that could totally distract us all
from pursuing our first goal- quality scouting programs.

I would suggest an alternative, maybe because I am a "grass roots" guy. Why
wait for, or even ask for, National to act on something like this? The
resources of each community are unique. Ask your District Committee to put
together a Crisis Resources sub-committee. This group would be responsible
for exploring community resources for counseling and crisis intervention
and then making the information available to all scouters in your district.
They would also keep the information current and be a resource for leaders
asking for help with a problem. The initial list could be presented at a
Round Table, with perhaps an experienced counselor doing a presentation. In
this way, the need could be met, you would have know, available and current
resources for local leader use, awareness would be increased, AND best of
all, you could being RIGHT NOW instead of waiting for years for this issue
to be raised with and dealt with by the national organization.

I think that would be a grand thing to devote your time and effort to, and
in the long run would accomplish more. Especially if all of us did the same
thing in our respective districts. Or units, if your district won't
cooperate. By the time national got aboard, the need would have been
addressed and a viable program already in place. And put there by the
volunteers.

What about that for an alternative? I think I'll start here at our DC
meeting tomorrow.

Bruce Major
SM, Troop 84
Gainesville, Florida
Alachua District Training Chairman

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