Re: "Charter Name Scout" question

In a message dated 98-05-26, Mike Walton wrote:

<< Public ceremony, with all of the bells and whistles, which would meet the
need of the parents, the local Council and get the track coach off this
kid's back (even temporariliy) -- but will state this message to Scouts:
"You don't have to show up or be active with our units to be a "good
Scout"....just pay your money every year and everything will be fine"

Or

Private ceremony, without the bells and whistles, but dignified and which
expresses the recognition due this hero, which won't meet the parents nor
the Council's needs for the additional PR and because it's not public, the
track coach may be invited, but he's still going to be mad because his 'good
runner' is out because he "played Boy Scout"...but it says to Scouts that
"good things come to those whom are active". >>

I have two thoughts I want to express:

First, this may be just the thing to bring this boy back into Scouting full-
time since track is not an option for the time being.

Second, this will show the rest of the troop that "once a Scout, always a
Scout." I really don't think the rest of the troop will get the "you don't
have to show up to be active" message. But, by being brought back into the
troop through this action, perhaps the Scout in question will learn about
everything he's been missing by not being an active member of his troop.

I say go with the public ceremony. If it helps the SM handle it better, make
mention that he has not been the most active Scout in the troop, but his
involvement in Scouting is what enabled him to perform his heroic actions.
And if just one family sees this and realizes that they can be involved in
Scouting because it really does enhance their son's character without
monopolizing their lives, then there's a little side bonus, too!

Robert Gerhard
Cubmaster & Webelos ADL
BSA Pack 83, Ft. Worth, TX

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