Re: Boy Talks shut out
Sean Scott (Sean_O_Scott@SD.FISC.NAVY.MIL)
Thu, 9 Sep 1999 08:21:35 -0400
Deb,
"Welcome aboard
'Trying-to-improve-the-lives-of-boys-in-an-anti-scouting-school-district'
cruise lines. We hope you enjoy your stay. Please note that while other cruise
ships will sail, see wonderful things, and develop memories to last a lifetime,
we will remain firmly tied to the dock for the duration of your fabulous(ly
dull), 12 year adventure..."
You would think that with all the problems in the world today, and with all the
negative press about youth, that schools and districts would be falling all
over themselves to incorporate a positive program such as scouting (girl and
boy) that enforces morality, values, character, discipline, self esteem... I
could go on... and on...
Unfortunately, this is what I was recently told by an assistant principal on
the subject of classroom talks. I paraphrase:
"We can't let you go into the classrooms and talk to the boys, since we'll then
have to let Girl Scouts do the same. Then the soccer clubs would want to, then
the local karate class, and eventually, it would degenerate to the point that
we'd have to let the KKK talk to the kids."
Yes, the KKK.
Now that the paramedics have re-started your heart, take a few minutes to find
and replace the teeth back into your dropped jaw. Breathe deep and relax. Look
in the mirror. Is the red color mostly gone from your face? Good, then you may
continue.
I got a similar response to setting up a table at "back to school" night,
parent orientation, etc. Apparently, our district has adopted a "no tolerance"
policy for soliciting membership in any group. On the other hand, we *are*
allowed to distribute flyers, but they have to be approved, and the district
will limit the types of flyers and what they promote to groups and activities
that are appropriate.
OK, so there's an obvious, logical argument here: You'll let me hand out a
flyer for Cub Scouts, but you won't let Skeeter deliver his printed hate
message since it's not appropriate for school age kids. BUT, none of us are
allowed to talk because if they let one they have to let them all.
Unfortunately, this logic isn't sinking in with the district, though I continue
trying...
So, here's what we're doing instead. Lots of flyers. My District Executive
thinks I'm some kind of whack-o after I had 2,000 printed up. I could use 2,000
more if they weren't making me feel self conscious about how many I'm ordering!
Put them out in the schools, in the local places frequented by kids (pizza
parlors, arcades, park and recreation offices), at your church... And remember,
they're FREE!
Contact your paper and put an announcement in the community news section. We
have a neighborhood bulletin mailed out once a month to the city, where we put
some information, too.
Talk to your district about the recruiting materials that are available. There
are 5 foot tall cardboard cutout Garfield stand-ups you can use for a day or
two (like you see in a theatre lobby...), and they'll probably give you some
banners, lawn signs, etc. You need to reserve the big cut-outs ahead of time,
and you can't have ours next Wednesday. :) I'm getting as many of my boys as
possible to wear their uniforms, and offering the standard or Garfield
recruiter strips to anyone that brings a new boy or family to our meeting.
Regardless of his fitting in with Scouts, Garfield is a good draw for kids. For
the first time in our 8 year history, we have two full Tiger dens, and this
prior to our recruitment night. We'll hopefully end up with a third. Now, how
do I find leaders... <grin!>
YiS,
Sean Scott
Cubmaster, and a bunch of other stuff I get tired of typing since our mail
program doesn't support tag lines...
Pack 307 - http://la.znet.com/~pack307
In summary, Deb said: We were just shut out from doing boy talks in
one of our school districts. We're still allowed to distribute fliers,
but cannot enter the school. Some of the Packs there have been able to
have tables at open house. We're working on coming up with creative
ideas for promotion at this late date. Recommendations, please.
