Arrow of Light--Attendance policy
Kim Moye (kmoye@SUN2177.SPD.DSCCC.COM)
Wed, 11 Feb 1998 07:55:26 -0600
Last nite I received a phone call from someone in my district needing help
with a problem that appears to be splitting their unit apart.
The person that called me is someone that I have alot of respect for based
on my past dealings with her.
The pack has a boy that most members of the pack committee feel should get
his Arrow of Light at their Blue and Gold next week. The problem is his
den leader feels that he should not, based on the fact that he has not
met with the den for an excessive amount of meetings. The Webelos book
states be active for 6 months and does in fact mention meetings as part of
that requirement.
I may be going to the unit to act as a mediator. Hopefully our district
exec is available, but he is pretty good about getting back with people when
there is a potential crisis brewing, so he may be out of pocket.
I have looked thru every Cub book I could find, including training manuals
and can not find a clear definition of "active". I know on the Boy Scout
side, the general theory is that if they are on the charter, they are active.
Does anyone know of a policy that I could take that will put this issue to
rest one way or the other? The person who called me will be calling
National today to see if they have something in writing on this issue.
I don't have all the facts and have only heard one side. I have found out
or requested the following:
*the pack nor dens requests dues, so that can't be used as a measurement.
*advancement records that will indicate when he was awarded his activity
pins. If he was active for nine months, (3 for his badge, six for his
Arrow of Light), this should negate having a meeting and the boy should
get the recognition, regardless of his current lack of participation.
I forgot to ask, but will find out the following, and any other suggestions
you can give me:
*has he been attending pack functions.
*was this situation brought to anyone's attention before now.
If the boy and his parents were informed prior to now that the boy may not
be eligible or his Arrow of Light based on his lack of participation, that
may negate having to have the meeting. However, if this is only just now
being brought to the pack committee's attention, I would guess this has not
been told to the parents before now. I am not *saying* the parent's do not
have a responsiblity in this, but if *we* have a difficult time deciphering
some requirements, the parents may not know how.
The boy has been a member of the pack since he was a Tiger. This den leader
took over last year and it is suspected that their might have been a
personality clash which is why the boy has not been attending. The leader
has four boys. The den leader and her assistant state the boy should not
receive it, the other parent states they have no problem with the boy
getting the recognition.
Again, I have only heard one side. It was stated to the person who contacted
me, that the den leader's son does not want his Arrow of Light of "Johnny"
gets it because he has not worked as hard as the other boys. I did suggest
that they make arrows for the recipients so the boys (and parents) can
visually see that Bobby did more than Johnny, or if the other boys have
completed all activity pins and this boy hasn't, special mention can be made
to recognize the boys who did.
yis,
kim moye
cubmaster/pack 308/allen, tx
cub rt commish/arrowhead district/circle 10
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