From: Rich (rfl@OFFPRO.NET)
Date: Wed Sep 06 2000 - 19:06:01 CDT
><snip
> *WE* as volunteers need to fix ourselves, first, before we can fix anything
> else.
><snip and
><snip<> Well, so I will by defining, at least in my mind, the difference between
> Scouting (and direct service to youth), and BSA (Inc.).
>
> What will be the "outcome"? Could be a system like in other Scouting
> nations -- an umbrella organization, with standardized aims, challenges,
> and opportunities; and subordinate secular/non-secular organizations
> which serve only their own kind.
><snip><
Jason and Jay are on target and I for one am not in the
least offended by what either has to say. Their opinions
are as valid as anyone's.
But, to implement their vision, understand that "American"
Scouting, as we've come to know it, *will have to* change.
I'll admit to taking the lazy man's way out. I'm more than
happy to pay a cadre of professionals to do the stuff I
don't want to do or don't have time to do. I couldn't
possibly earn an income, maintain some semblance of a family
life and still deliver a Scouting program. I do a lousy
enough job as it is, even with professional help (or in
spite of it, or because of it ...:-))
It would be nice to return to a kind of Scouting which I
never new but perhaps my dad knew - you know that Baden
Powell, Brownsea Island sort of thing.
We wouldn't have to worry about advancement reports,
chartering, recruiting, risk management, H&S, YP.....etc,
etc.
If the problem is the professionals, assuming there is a
problem, then the volunteers need to reassert "ownership" of
the organization and provide some direction to the
professionals we've hired. Every unit has a Chartering
Organization with an Institutional Head (IH) who is
automatically a voting member of the local Council. How
many list members can say that their IH ever attended an
annual business meeting of the Council, let alone made a
motion or voted? The local units' IH seems like a good
place for a volunteer to start if one wants to fix or make
changes to the organization.
I feel like it's my job to open these big tin cans and turn
them over and dump these wriggly night crawlers all
over.....
--
Rich Locke
Williamsburg,VA
mailto:rfl@offpro.net
