From: Rfisher (ghotier@TEXAS.NET)
Date: Wed Sep 06 2000 - 19:41:10 CDT
A Previous Poster wrote:
>
> I've deleted the original senders name of some of these comments, so he
> won't think I'm ranting on him. I'm not. He has raised points that I'd
> like to address without appearing to attack him, directly or indirectly.
I too, do not wish to have this appear as an attack, but rather an
alternative viewpoint.
A couple of years ago, I was the trip coordinator for a crew heading to
Philmont. The process took more than a fair amount of my time, time that
I could have been doing other things. And this was to a destination where
"everything is done for you." Don't get me wrong; I did it because I
wanted to, and the results were worth it.
I think a lot of us use BSA facilities for many of the same reasons that
we use travel agents or other service providers. There is a considerable amount
of effort involved in putting together a week long program for an independent
summer camp. And those of us who have to beg and plead to get two adults
into summer camp for a week, can visualize the success of getting six to ten or
more (merit badge counselors, water safety personnel etc. - each with the
appropriate training certificates) in order to pull one of these off.
One other aspect to consider is the umbrella that the BSA organization
provides. Would you want to take a group of Scouts out on a campout with
your personal liability insurance to cover you? What about your Chartered
Organization, would they? And I know that all Troops will be able to
afford their own canoes, rowboats, etc. with the funds that they receive through
their Troop FOS campaigns.
Charitable giving is a personal matter. Each of us gives of our resources
- money, time or both - as we see fit and are able. Scouting might be able
to prosper without the infrastructure that is in place today. But then so
could most other organizations from the Federal govenment down to the local
school or church or civic organization. Bureacracies exist to insure the
existance of bureacracies.
Just my $0.02.
YiS
Roy Fisher
