From: Peter Farnham (pfarnham@ASBMB.FASEB.ORG)
Date: Mon Jun 19 2000 - 10:06:16 CDT
Dale,
Thanks for reminding us all of the importance of turning in all advancement
records and registration paperwork as soon as possible. Of course, one
should make and keep a copy as well. Also, the MB cards are in three
parts, so if the cards are properly filled out and distributed like they
should be, you have the unit, the scout, and the counselor all capable of
verifying a scout's completion of the badge. The chances of all three of
these records disappearing is therefore pretty unlikely.
I also tell the guys to keep their MB cards, rank certificates, etc. in
baseball card holders, which they should keep in their scout notebooks.
This keeps them nice and safe, as well as preserving them for heirloom
status, etc. Of course, not all boys have scout notebooks, but it's not
from lack of encouragement to put one together.
A detail-oriented and diligent Advancement chair is vital to any troop--I
personally consider this to be the most important position on a troop
committee, so you all should pick one of your most organized people for the
job.
It is really bad for a kid to be denied advancement, or have his
advancement delayed, because of adult lapses in record-keeping. What kind
of example does this set for the scouts?
YiS,
Pete Farnham
