Re: Query?
Del Morris (dlmorris@concentric.net)
Mon Sep 28 23:20:25 1998
David,
For a recap ... this is where we are at and where I think we are
going.
The 'program' concept of youth being used in SAR is a good one,
therefore we intend to keep our 8 year old program going.
The BSA knows that the ESAR program is a positive community service
'POST' specialty and is prepared to keep it as part of their Venturing
world. There are units that have been told that they have no choice
and that they will be a Venturing Crew. The reality of it is ... the
Chartering Organization has the say so as to their affiliation, to
stay with the BSA or to connect with LFL.
The decision point is at re-chartering time ... but even half way
through the year if the Chartering Organization chooses to change ...
they can change. For these youth organizations to work the BSA/LFL
need the sponsoring organizations with their adult leaders as much as
we need the BSA/LFL support. :-)
It's all a numbers issue to the administrations of both (BSA/LFL). If
they see a 'strong', active, popular, and creative ESAR program with
your leadership, they will both argue good points to convince you why
you should be registered with their program or not.
Think about the needs of your membership and the also the position of
the Chartering Organization as it applies to 'you' enforcing the 'gay'
and 'god' issues of the BSA Vs LFL.
If your youth membership is made up heavily of older Boy Scouts (read
boys that are tempted to leave a troop because of their age) or that
wish to continue working towards an Eagle, stay in the Order of the
Arrow, or feel that the need to participate in any of the 'new' awards
that BSA has come up with. There will be a want to stay with BSA and
become a Venturer.
Then you need to find out if your Chartering Organization is ready to
support the BSA policies (namely the anti-gay and the anti-atheist
positions). If they will not support this (read 'in court') then
perhaps your ESAR Unit will be better served by the Learning For Life
affiliation where the policies are not written so tightly.
Insurance and support being equal, I believe that our CO will be
heading us toward LFL.
On the surface though, LFL seems to be positioning themselves to
support their units far better than BSA ever has.
Which brings up a subject of 'program' for an ESAR Post, why we (ESAR
Posts) have not organized ourselves a little better? Why do we seem so
powerless in the light of this big change? Are there any other ESAR
Advisors that wish to 'explore' the possibilities of organizing the
Youth in SAR Program into a more uniform/consistent program? Same
standards? uniforms? ranks? training?
Del Morris
Advisor ESAR Post2
Redwood Empire Council
----Original Message-----
From: The Tates <tates@tenforward.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <explorer-net@scouter.com>
Date: Sunday, September 27, 1998 13:58
Subject: Re: Query?
>Dell,
>
>I haven't been keeping up on this do to some other commitments. At
this
>point where should our idea for a new ESAR group go? The members want
to
>start it but now I am little lost.
>
>Thanks
>
>David
>
>
>
>
>
>
>At 03:14 PM 9/16/98 CDT, you wrote:
>>Although the BSA has seen fit in allowing a search and rescue unit
to
>>become a Venturing Crew, our young adults have never participated in
>>any BSA functions to date. Discussion at the last meeting revealed
>>that they would prefer to maintain the Explorer name and shift to a
>>LFL affiliation.
>>
>>Being a 'county sheriff department' sponsored unit I see a certain
>>advantage to this. Although the county has not voiced a concern
about
>>a BSA affiliation to date, this latest 'change over' is bringing the
>>subject up for another look.
>>
>>Will there be an option at Charter renewal to 'choose'?
>>And is LFL prepared to support the addition of other 'quasi-career'
>>based units?
>>
>>By the way I admire how their web page is looking and the way they
>>have embraced the Fire and EMS units. --- If I must become a
Venturer,
>>the BSA side of the 'group' should take a hint from LFL on how to
(at
>>least appear to) support a program.
>>
>>Del Morris
>>ESAR Post 2
>>Advisor
>>
>>
>>
>
>
