"Active" tenure for Eagle rank - (LONG)
Donna Davis-Daisley (Star5Mom@AOL.COM)
Thu, 29 Apr 1999 17:42:52 EDT
Reflecting on the many comments and questions regarding the level of
"activity" needed to satisfy the "Be active" requirement:
I often find myself in some degree of agreement with those persons expressing
views on BOTH sides of this issue - but always come back to the following:
1. The unit accepts registrations for joining, and "validates" them during
re-chartering each year. A Scout being "carried" on the roster is an issue
for the unit committee to review. (There may be valid reason(s) to do so.) A
unit documents and certifies its approval of the continuing membership of the
Scout by either removing them from the charter, or continuing to register
them.
2. In addition to the "be active" requirement for Eagle, there is also a
"serve actively for a period of six months in one or more...positions of
responsibility". A Scout meeting requirement #4 has automatically completed
requirement #1.
It appears to me, the level of "serve actively" a unit accepts for leadership
positions is the crucial matter. A Scout who has met the 6 months of active
service as a leader meets the tenure requirement by default. It is the
responsibility of the SPL and PLC, with the counsel and support of their SM,
to set the expectations for the attendance and participation of leadership,
and to take action if the leadership does not meet the standards accepted
when the Scout agreed to the position. There is nothing in the requirement
which states the leadership time must be 1 term of 6 months, or a continuous
time period. It is a total time of 6 months, consisting of 1 or more of the
eligible troop leadership positions.
If a unit accepts nonattendance and the resulting nonperformance of a
leadership position, it also accepts tenure for that same time period. Units
either need to clearly outline leadership responsibilities and attendance, or
understand they have no justified reason for refusing to accept the existence
of the calendar as the determining criteria of completion.
There are sufficient choices in the leadership positions to allow a Scout to
seek one of the SPL appointed positions for a less-than-6-months specified
time. Perhaps, due to sports, band, (or whatever) seasons, it takes a Scout
3-6 different "blocks" of leadership to total the 6 months - that's fine. The
Scout then has the responsibility and the freedom to customize his
advancement program to accommodate the many positive experiences available to
them.
The BSA program offers several years for the advancement process - with only
minimum times listed as required (no maximum time :) The Scout who
concentrates on scouting moves along the advancement trail faster than the
Scout who divides his time among many options. As long as the Scout remains
"registered" he maintains contact with the program. I see no problem with
continued registration with minimal participation -- with the understanding
that the time the Scout is credited for his 6 months of leadership, has in
fact, been 6 months of active leadership (in whatever increments).
None of the requirements specify that the Scout was active for 6 months
during the time immediately preceding his completion of any other
requirement. If the various facets of the program are operating properly,
advancement may progress in "lopsided" levels. One Scout may concentrate on
merit badges, but never (or seldom) seek out leadership, so rank advancement
may be slower. Again, the Scout is the one person responsible for his
advancement goals, and which route he uses to attain those goals (the express
lane - no stops, direct and goal-oriented, or the take-your-time, check the
scenery type of itinerary.) The trip planning belongs to the Scout. As long
as both have obeyed the Laws (Oath and Law / Advancement policies and
procedures), each trip is valid and a worthwhile experience for the Scout.
In my experience as a volunteer in the advancement programs of my district
and council, I usually can find a substantial amount of wisdom in many of the
national policies. I appreciate that the advancement program has basic
requirements, consistent from one Scout to another, but with some degree of
flexibility in the roads we take in our local journey.
In my opinion, this is the basis Mr. Dalrymple uses in his responses on the
tenure issue. If a Scout has been active enough to complete the other
requirements, he must have been "active" enough for the tenure requirement!
The tenure for Star and Life ranks also "match" the leadership time required
for the rank. Again, if the Scout was approved for the leadership time, by
default he met the tenure requirement.
I apologize for the length of this post - perhaps I should now return to the
fringes of interested observer of the list. I sincerely appreciate the
commitment of the many leaders I have seen in this forum. For all the
disagreements, the mission and purpose of helping young people to grow in
character, values and fitness always filters through.
YiS,
Donna Davis-Daisley
P-12, T-128, C-128
Clinton Valley Council, Pontiac, MI
