Re: "Policy changes" by LDS Units
Bruce Madsen (bmadsen@RUST.DSD.ES.COM)
Tue, 20 Sep 1994 16:09:00 -0600
> In case anyone is bugging Rodger Morris about his post concerning
> Scouting among the LDS, I wanted to post a response to his message
> from an LDS. I'm only doing this, because I can imagine that some
> might call him on the carpet for what may have seemed to be a negative
> statement about LDS Scouting.
>
> I, for one, appreciated his relating of some of the history behind
> BSA and LDS relations. There were some important points there. I
> didn't see any objectionable material in his post from my point of
> view.
>
> Thanks, Rodger. Good job.
I would like to echo this sentiment -- As a former Scoutmaster and
current Chartered Org. Rep in an LDS Ward, I found, in general, that
his remarks were not objectionable, but unbiased and pretty much right
on target! There are certainly challenges in the LDS program, but the
aims are still the same, and in many cases the Leaders called to serve
in the program have a real love of Scouting and of the Boys.
Another thing that I've noticed in Wards that I've lived in is the
lack of a well-organized and functioning Troop Committee. I'm not sure
why, but I have some theories (one of which is that there may not be
enough dedicated Scouters in each Ward to fill the Leadership
positions in Scouts, Varsity, Exploring, and all of the associated
Committees, and the Committees get the short end of the deal). The
downside of this is that the Scoutmaster ends up doing most things
himself, which leads to burn-out and the starting again of the "J.O.
Shuffle".
Fortunately, our Ward had an organized and running Troop committee
when I was Scoutmaster, which made my job a *lot* easier (getting our
PLC up and running was the next step in offloading work). As COR, I'm
trying to carefully watch our Scouting units to make sure the Troop
Committees are running well, etc. However, as Rodger said, the "J.O.
Shuffle" does pose problems, but sometimes is unavoidable.
I also found that Rodger's description of LDS Varsity Teams as being
"holding tanks for 14-15 year olds" tends to be accurate. The Varsity
Team and Explorer Post in my Ward are barely functioning. I could use
some suggestions, success stories, etc., from others in this forum on
how to get these programs vitalized again.
Rodger also said:
> 5) Non LDS Scouts participate fully in the annual LDS Merit Badge Midway,
> by longstanding invitation.
What is this?? It sounds very interesting. I'd love to hear more about
what might be involved in such an event.
--
Bruce Madsen
bmadsen@dsd.es.com
. . "You don't raise heroes; you
. * . raise sons. And if you treat
them like sons they'll turn out
. . to be heroes, even if it's just
in your eyes"
"I used to be a bear..." - W. Schirra
WE2-590-4-92
Currently serving as Charted Organization Representative
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
