...no subject...
Robert P. Yeisley (RPYeisle@LANMAIL.RMC.COM)
Thu, 2 Oct 1997 12:17:22 EDT
Let me throw my opinion into this blue card issue.
Filling out a blue card and maintaining it thru presentation of the merit
badge should be the responsibility of the Scout. The blue card is for his and
the troops recordkeeping. Not Council's or National's.
The record keeping for advancement is the sole responsibility of the Unit and
the Scout. Your local council does not double check adavancement dates or
blue cards against any existing database. They check to make sure the dates
are in order, ie. First class after 2nd, Star 4 months after 1st, Life 6
months after Star. They verify by the dates you supply that the eagle
required merit badges were earned during the time which you are claiming to
earn the rank.
There is no master database to check advancement with.
Some Troops don't require blue cards. Some summer camps only supply a list of
merit badges or partials earned during camp. Even the Jamboree didn't supply
blue cards.
What if a boy transfers from a Troop and all he has is his original handbook
which has been signed off for every rank and merit badge and a completed
transfer form signed by the departed Scoutmaster. Shouldn't this be enough to
prove that boys advancement.
Advancement is the Troops responsibility always. From Tenderfoot to Eagle it
is always the Troop who supplies the records. All anyone else does is check
to make sure it all happened in order and at the right time.
The Eagle award just like Tenderfoot is a Unit level award. I know the
project must be approved by District or Council. This is done for
continuities sake and to make the boy understand the importance of what he is
about to achieve. It is also to help the boy have a record of his project.
YIS
Bob Yeisley
Amazing Antelope
rpyeisle@lanmail.rmc.com
Robert E. Lee Council
Richmond, VA
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