Re: Great Human Don't Always Get Eagle
Kip Keil (kip@VSNET.COM)
Tue, 4 May 1999 08:06:19 +0000
"Robert W. Myers" wrote:
> Roman Smith wrote:
> [snip]
> Jim Peterson responded to Calvin Gray:
> [snip]
> Among all of the other ideas that we throw around here, the old Scout
> Spirit shows itself as the Ace in our back pocket. Yes, if the boy is
> registered, he qualifies for the rank. If he was elected or appointed to a
> position and remained in that position on paper for 6 months, he qualifies
> for rank advancement.
>
> But unless the boy shows up at scouting events, how do we evaluate the
> requirement to show scout spirit in every day life? Lets realize that even
> this requirement does not require a scouting context. We still must
> evaluate him in a scouting context unless we follow him around all day for
> six months. If we never see him, we can not evaluate him.
[snip]
Actually, the context of showing Scout spirit in every day life is just that.
Does the young man demonstrate in his every day actions and interactions with his
fellow man that he lives the Scout Oath and Law? As another list member pointed
out, to assess this, one could/should contact others with whom the Scout
associates outside of Scouting. Those who could be contacted include religious
leaders, family members, teachers, friends, neighbors, etc. That others will be
contacted so the SM can make this assessment (and I suggest avoiding calling it a
'judgment') should be communicated to the Scout in advance, and even to his
parents. This isn't a warning, but a disclosure. Maybe the "I hate
litigation"-part of me expects that, but I think it is wise to let the Scout know
that while he wears the Life badge, as he prepares for Eagle, you (meaning, the
SM) will talk to these other people to help determine that he is exemplifying the
Scout Oath and Law in his every day life. And the reason is a simple one: To
help the Scout know that he is indeed prepared to receive and wear the Eagle badge
when the time comes.
Caveat: This is my extrapolation of intent from various readings, including, but
not limited to the Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures (#33088B 1999).
FWIW. YMMV.
YiS
Kip
--
Kip Keil, Senior Programmer, VisionNet <http://www.vsnet.com>
kip@vsnet.com * <http://kip.vsnet.com>
MC Ad Hoc T175, MC Adv. T1022, MC Adv. T66
AA Ceremonies Tsah Dibe (Ch. 5) El-Ku-Ta 520, Great Salt Lake Council
--
We all learn from history --
either by study, or by repetition.
Me, 1998
