Re: Wood Badge Paraphernalia

Jim Sheckels wrote:

>Our friend the BlackEagle provided us with a fairly informative post on
>Woodbadge. I only make one comment and ask one question of him:

Thanks, Jim (even though there's some errors that I'll find out for sure and
correct in any case!)

>First, the comment: While a Woodbadger generally does not wear the >Patrol
medallion after completion of the practical phase (with some >exceptions as
Mike noted), wouldn't you say it is ONLY because the >Scouter is no longer
an active member of Troop 1 Gilwell?

That's true and I should have made that distinction between "active
membership" and "alumni membership" if you will allow me the college
terminology.

> We are all permanently connected through
>the Woodbadge spirit as members of Troop 1 Gilwell is what I have always
>been taught and believed. As to no longer being a member of the Patrol (I
>as a Bobwhite), we are always told that we are PERMANENT members of >THAT
Patrol, forever amen. Yes, I know what the song says, but I think we >all
fully believe we are permanent Patrol members, even though the >non-flying
ones probably wish they were above the rest with us fowl >friends ;-).

NOT! *grinning* (I'm a Beaver!)

>Question, Mike: The five beader. Somewhere along the line I was led to
>believe that the only five beader was the Chief Ranger of Gilwell park,
>whomever he currently is, and the beads are passed along to succeeding
>Chief Rangers. Don't know that I've read it anywhere, but I would like to
>know if you have any info on that. True or not?

I couldn't find anything on that, but I did find out some information on Bill
Hillcourt. According to the BSA's External Communications Division, Bill
received his fifth bead in the 60s (no date was given on the sheet which
describes Bill Hillcourt, used for press packages and "sidebars" on Wood
Badge courses), and is the only American to have received this honor, as
National Director of Wood Badge Training in the United States. He was
presented the beads for his role in volunteer training not only in the USA,
but as part of World Association Wood Badge teams worldwide.

When Bill had the "outs" with the BSA in the late 80s, it caused the BSA to
re-examine his role as the predominate BSA volunteer trainer coordinator.
His role was downgraded to something like Earl Graves was (our second
National Commissioner and the first Black man to serve in that role): a
cross between an icon and a curio object.

When Bill retired from the BSA officially, due to his health, the BSA never
placed another professional into that role nationally...therefore, the
five-beads never "passed onward" as tradition would have it similar to those
holders of the Course Director's beads (four beads).

So, as of today, we don't have a successor to "Green Bar Bill" as far as the
promotion, supervision and direction of the BSA's Wood Badge program. Those
duties has been split between the BSA's Director of Volunteer Training, the
Director of the Boy Scout Program Division, and the four Regional Directors
of Operations, whom have supervision over the Wood Badge courses within
their Regions as part of their additional duties.

Great question!! I wished that I could find more information on exactly when
Bill Hillcourt gained the fifth bead....I'll look for it through the day
tomorrow off and on (I'm doing final packing tomorrow), and I'll followup as
soon as I can.

Thanks for asking!!

Settummanque!
(MAJ) Mike L. Walton (Settummanque, the blackeagle) (
co-Owner, Blackeagle Services of Kentucky (502.826.7046) __)_
174 Chapelwood Drive, Henderson, Kentucky 42420-5036 | ** |]
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anytime!
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