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Re: Advancement Transfer Question
Sam McNamee (smcname@MANU.COM)
Tue, 20 Oct 1998 16:09:50 -0400
Bob Morehead wrote:
<< What I was really saying is that while we don't do the Scouts any favors
by blowing off requirements, I don't think we benefit them by subjecting
them to an aura of suspicion and mistrust. I truly think a transferred
Scout has sufficiently demonstrated Scout Spirit by the fact he's on his
last merit badge for life. He didn't earn all the others and serve his
period of responsibility by being spiritless! While there's always the
possibility his last Scoutmaster was a fool, I think it remote and we serve
the boy much better by giving him the benefit of the doubt and showing a
little trust!>>
I've been watching this discussion for a while and thought I would jump in
at this point. I believe that Scout Spirit requirement is separate from
the other requirements for a reason -- because it needs to be separately
demonstrated. Two other requirements have a minimum time and I agree that
the SM cannot arbitrarily decide to change that time limit. But Scout
Spirit has no time limit, and asking the boy to demonstrate that Spirit to
*my* statisfaction is not adding to the requirements by any stretch of the
imagination.
I also wouldn't assume that earning the proper number of merit badges and
serving in a leadership position proves that he has demonstrated Scout
Spirit. If that were the case, why bother with this requirement -- just
give Life to every Scout who gets through the merit badges and is allowed
to wear a bugler patch for six months.
Finally, I think my actions would be different toward this boy than it
would be for someone seeking Second Class. This boy is likely going to be
coming back to seek my recommendation for Eagle and I would like to know if
I am going to have trouble doing that while I can still work on it. For
all we know, this boy may be transferring because his previous SM told him
that he would never get and Eagle recommendation from him without the boy
making significant changes in his behavior. Or maybe his father/mother got
transferred to another city. Assuming he has the proper Spirit, without
doing at least a little legwork, would be doing the boy a great disservice.
(I'm particularly sensitive to this latter point -- the previous SM of our
Troop, who is now an ASM, has taken the position that one of our Life
Scouts should not be allowed to become an Eagle due to long-standing
behavior problems -- even though he signed off on Scout Spirit for five
ranks without dealing with those problems. Based on my one year in the
Troop I agree that the boy isn't Eagle material, but he should have been
told this and helped to change long ago.)
My recommendation? Talk with the boy, then set up an appointment to talk
again in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, talk with parents, teachers
and former leaders. If everything is cool, sign him off at the second
meeting. If not, explain what you expect to see out of him and sign off
when he has demonstrated the proper Spirit.
Sam McNamee
ASM, T-1760
NCAC, Seneca District
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