Re: ASM father signing off on rank advancement?
NeilLup@AOL.COM
Thu, 10 Jun 1999 14:59:11 EDT
In a message dated 6/10/99 1:47:00 PM, ajmako@NLS.NET writes:
<<A Scout need not be proficient in a
skill to complete the requirements, but he must do his best. If you
require proficiency for one skill, you have to require proficiency in
all the other skills as well. That's a very difficult thing to do.>>
Oh my, Tony, do you really mean this?
I tried my best to swim 50 feet. I only made ten, but it was my best. Sign
my book.
I tried my best to cook a meal. I burned everything and people got sick, but
it was my best. Sign my book.
I tried my best to hike 10 miles. My feet hurt and I only made 3, but it was
my best. Sign my book.
I would be very interested to learn if there is a reference stating that an
objective level of proficiency is not the appropriate standard but rather "do
your best." Rather, I strongly believe that there IS an objective level of
performance which is required. If a Scout tries his sincere best and does
not meet that objective level, it is our duty and responsibility to help him
to improve his capability so that he will be able to meet the objective
level. But personally, I have great trouble with "do your best" advancement.
This is even true, as I understand it, for boys with disabilities. If "do
your best" were the standard, then there would be no need for substitution of
requirements. The disabled youth would simply do his best and regardless of
objective performance, be passed. Rather, I believe if his best does not
meet the objective standard and the judgement is made that he is unable to
meet the objective standard regardless of how hard he tries and prepares
himself, he is allowed to substitute a requirement that he can meet, but it
is suggested that substitute requirement be equal in difficult (whatever that
means) to the requirement being subsituted.
Tony, I hope I am not flaming you, but I regard this as an extremely
important matter of interpretation and one highly deserving of clarification.
Best wishes,
Neil Lupton
