Re: Awards Chairman Woes

Tammy,

Sometimes parents are a more trouble than the peskiest Scout. Sounds like
this mother is trying to use her son to substitute for recognition she
wants or was deprived of in her childhood and making up for lost time.
Whew.

The Cub Scout program is designed to be family oriented. During the Wolf
and Bear years especially, the parent is the judge of whether his/her son
did their best and completed a requirement for the rank or arrow point(s).
This leaves the program vulnerable to parents who want the patchs for
their children more than the child. About the best we do is try to
privately counsel them that this recognition is pretty empty. The Scout
knows what he did or did not do. The award has little meaning for a Scout,
if he didn't really earn it. Help the parent understand that they may be
doing more harm than good by teaching their son that it is ok to fudge
(cheat) to get recognition. Pride and self-esteem come from the Scout
doing his own work and learning that he can do it. Beyond that we really
have to accept the parent's word that a requirement has been passed.

This does not mean, however, that such a parent should be advancement
chairman. I think you're right to be concerned and initiate action to get
a different person this year. The Pack Committee or the Chartering
Organization can certainly change things here. She may have volunteered
and want the position, but that does not create an entitlement. Its up to
the Committee.

For other awards, the new advancement person can use discretion to check
to see that requirements are being met.

Yours in Scouting, Michael F. Bowman, a/k/a Professor Beaver
Deputy District Commissioner Exploring, GW Dist., NCAC, BSA
Speaking only for myself, but with Scouting Spirit . . .
____ mfbowman@CAP.GWU.EDU ____

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