Results of Delimma

Hello the list,
I want to thank each and every one of you who answered my question about
the Scoutmasters Delimma. Things turned out great this evening. I did an
announcement that "There was the perception of an illegal activity that
took place at last weeks Troop Meeting. A Scout observed that activity and
reported it to an adult that he trusted." "There were no illegal Drugs at
this Troop meeting." A local DARE officer then did an excellent talk on
making choices and the role of Scouts in bussiness and life. He did an
excellent job and was well recieved.
I talked to the offending Scout's father and told him that I would like
for this Scout to do a service project to benifit the Charter Organization
to show him that this type of behavior will not be tolerated. He was in
total agreement. He made a wonderful statement. He said he and his wife
had decided that "just the act of having children invited embarasment into
life." He said he and his wife had done alot of reflecting on the matter
this past week and had hoped that I would not kick their son out of the
Troop. I told him of my belief that Scouts was not for perfect boys. If
the Scouts were perfect there would be nothing to teach them. The most
admirable Scouter I know is the Police Chief of North Richland Hills,
Texas. When he comes across an at risk youth thru his department he does
what he can to get them into the POLICE sponsered Pack or Troop. Police
officers serve as leadership! 100% problem youth, now that would take
guts....
As for the Scout who called mom. Mom was not at the meeting but Dad was
present and he and I talked. That cleared the air alot from my
perspective. His son did make three trips to the bathroom in the 20
minutes that the DARE officer was up front. We together stood outside the
bathroom and found he was sneaking in there to drink a Coke. Dad let me
off the hook and did the talking when the Scout came out of the bathroom.
Small infraction but real typical of the sort of thing he does. Maybe that
is a bad relationship with me as was pointed out by several people, but I
more think this kid is a case of his own.
I got about 20 replys to my Post and they were all great. I want to thank
both the people who were critical and the ones who supported my view. I
came here and asked my question to get all sides of the issue so I could
approach it with the most open mind I could. You folks did not let me down
and for that I am greatful. The DARE officer did not agree with all that I
had to say to him. He could not embrace my view that "I" should have been
allowed to know of the situation "before" the police were called. He did
agree with my view and pointed out by several on the list that the Scout
who called mom really did me a great favor by not informing me as I would
have been right in the middle of an illegal act. It does not matter if
drugs are real or fake, if you sell them, that is a felony.
Sage, or Oregono, or Sugar can all land you in prison. That was the DARE
officers message.
Thanks again to ALL that responded. I belive this List is one great place
to hang out and the people here make a fellow like me able to appear wise.
Yours in Scouting,
Joe Marsh
Scoutmaster Troop 86
Joe Marsh
Roadrunner District
Longhorn Council
Bedford, Land of Texas
(D.F.W. area)

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