Re: Tommie Tenderfoot as the Marlborough Man
settummanque, or blackeagle (blkeagle@DYNASTY.NET)
Sun, 28 Dec 1997 11:48:47 -0600
BigEd asked us all:
>Should I put Tommie Tenderfoot on Joe Camel heading off in the sunset
>until he stops off at Wal-Mart or BSA Supply Division and risk alienating
>both he and his parents, should I ignore it, or should I try and get him to
>camouflage the equipment by covering over whatever logos are not
>consistent with our policy as a troop?
Sit down with Tommy Tenderfoot and his parents, and explain the BSA's policy
on tobacco. Explain the double message that Tommy's great gear would be
sending to other Scouts in the Troop and suggest ways that the equipment can
be camoflauged or covered up temporarily while Tommy is out on Scouting
events and activities.
DON'T suggest to the parents that Tommy's gear isn't good enough for
Scouting usage....after all, other kids have in the past used sports
backpacks or fannypacks (with the Nike logo, among others) and have worn
sports or atlethic gear equipment logos on jackets or other items...it's a
part of American youth life. What's the difference between wearing a Nike
jacket, shoes and fannypack and the tobacco companies' stuff (other than the
BSA's deal with smoking)??
DON'T also suggest to the parents and Tommy that "he's done something
wrong"; in fact, emphasize the positive aspect of him "using his resources"
to equip himself. You might want to let him know of your wishes that Sunny
Delight or some other firm come up with "points" good toward outdoor and
other gear!
DO, however, let Tommy know that his gear is welcome as long as the negative
messages are covered up. I had a similar problem with a band teeshirt that
was popular back in the middle 80s. I had a Scout that wore a hat and
teeshirt with the word "Chit!" on it (and that's the way it's spelled).
It came from a band's song.....so what I asked him to do was to wear
something over the teeshirt and not to wear the hat during Scouting events
because of the possible negative message. He did as I asked, and I didn't
have a problem with it all afterwards.
Ed, Scouts have a keen sense of knowing what stuff is "permissive" and what
isn't. While Tommy doesn't understand the adult problems that wearing and
carrying his Marlbourgh stuff has brought, he does understand that the
tobacco products causes "concern" and "brings attention" to him because of
his youth.
Make sure that you emphasize the positive aspect of this matter and NOT the
negative...remember, he HASN'T DONE anything wrong....the gear is legit,
it's what a company offered in exchange for "points" that they've legally
obtained for legal sales of a product (no matter how we feel personally
about the sales of that product). He can wear it.....he just needs to
cover it so that others don't get the negative message that is presented by
showing/wearing/using that equipment!
Settummanque!
(c) 1997 Mike Walton ("no such thing as strong coffee,...") (502) 827-9201
(settummanque, the blackeagle) http://dynasty.net/users/blkeagle
241 Fairview Dr., Henderson, KY 42420-4339 blkeagle@dynasty.net
kyblkeagle@aol.com or waltonm@hq.21taacom.army.mil
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