Eamonn

I think of all the methods that we have advancement is the one that raises the most questions and at times is the method that is most misunderstood. Sad to say it seems that there are a lot of adults who for some reason that I fail to understand are either pushing Scouts to reach Eagle Scout rank or going the other way and not supporting and helping Scouts reach their goals. There is a lot of talk about reaching First Class Scout rank within a specified time and if there is an ideal age for a Lad to become an Eagle Scout. So how are things going with the unit you serve? And what could we do to help improve the understanding of this method, if indeed it is misunderstood? Eamonn.

One of the things I miss most because I'm one of them "District Types" is being able to get away with the Scouts and going to camp. Talking with a friend of mine the other day and he said that you really get to know someone if you share a tent with them for a week. I think that doing things outdoors is what Scouting is all about. To my thinking it is impossible to properly conduct a Scout program without going outdoors. Scouts and Scouting isn't school and we don't learn or teach things in a classroom setting we get out and learn them by doing them. I really do hate to visit the Troops that week after week meet for the weekly merit badge class. Someone once said to me that the art of camping is making yourself as comfortable in the outdoors as possible. It must mean something as I have remembered it for a very long time. Making the method work well does take a lot of planning and if done badly will result in Lads leaving. There seems to be a trend in our District for the troops not to provide tents. Instead Scouts are going to Wal-Mart or K-Mart and buying real cheap good for nothing junky tents. Which are next to useless (Yes one of my pet peeves!!) I really think we owe it to our Scouts to have the best possible equipment. We need to educate our Scouts and their parents about what equipment they need. Sure the Power Ranger sleeping bag they took to resident Cub Scout camp, last July when they were in huts was fine, but it isn't much good when a Lad is laying awake at 4:00 AM, on a frosty morning in March, awake because he is cold. We need to really train our Scouts how to be comfortable when they are camping. We also need to remember that they might not be as well equipped as we the adults are, sure I'm nice and cozy in my $150.00 dollar sleeping bag, with my top of the line underwear and all that good stuff. They may not be as lucky. Buying good quality Troop camping equipment is very expensive and it does need looking after. I felt so strongly about this that the only adult I took to the PLC with me was our Troop QM. We made sure that each Patrol had it's own camping equipment and they were the people responsible for it. Sure we knew that things wouldn't always go according to plan and there were times when tent stakes didn't make it home or things got broken and there were times when the QM got upset and even a little mad, but better they incur a few harsh words from him than take a tent that didn't have any poles to the next camp out. Adding variety to where you go and what you do is very important. Going to the same old place and doing the same old same old gets old very quick. In a recent post Barry said about making dreams come true, he was so right. We can help this along by listening to what our Scouts are saying. When I was a kid and we all went back to the start of school in September people used to ask me if I had gone to the continent on holiday (vacation) I hadn't but had spent as much time as I could away camping. Many of the Scouts we take away to camp are doing things that they have never done before. Even very simple things. I was with a Lad last summer who had never ever cracked an egg before. Needless to say he had never made French Toast before. I also like bringing in people who know what they are doing or experts in their field to help expose our Scouts to things that I'm not good at. I can find the North Star, but that's about it, bringing in a person who knows his stuff can help make the outdoors a lot more inviting. It is important that we do keep the activities that we do within the capabilities of the Scouts that we have. While older Scouts and leaders might be up for a 12 or 15 mile hike our younger Lads are still small and may not be ready. This also helps to keep the challenge in what we are doing. Eamonn.

Sometime back a forum member provided a link to the Troop Bylaws that someone had spent a lot of time and effort crafting and writing. Sad to say I can't remember who or where the link to the document is. I did take the time to read it. Most of what was in it was material that was covered in BSA publications anyway. I am sure that there are those who will say such a document is a useful tool for informing parents and Scouts what is and what isn't acceptable. Some of the troop rules were rules that someone or some group had decided were for the good of the troop. The bad thing about trying to give examples in a thread like this is that we end up discussing the example and missing the point. But what the heck. One Lad from our Council a football player asked the SM of the other 2001 Jamboree Troop if he could take his weights with him. He wanted to keep in shape. The SM said it was OK. Both Troops unloaded the equipment truck and there were a few moans and groans from the Scouts who got stuck unloading this Lads weights. Other than that everything was OK.I don't know if the Lad ever found the time to do any lifting or not. The other SM a person I know and love dearly thought this was great. He went on and on about what a good football player the Lad was and how great it was that he was keeping in shape. I had a parent approach me and ask if her son could bring his violin, she wanted to make sure that her son got his daily dose of violin practice in. I said he was welcome to bring it but I didn't think we could really look after a very expensive instrument and that camp even the Jamboree wasn't the ideal place for a violin. She explained how he had taken it to summer camp and when it wasn't being played it was kept in the Scout office. He ended up not taking it. In both cases we managed to come to an agreement that everyone was happy with. I was really happy as I have heard the Lad play the violin and he isn't very good!! Loading and unloading the weights was a bit of a pain, but no real big deal. Violins and weights are not on the equipment list for the Jamboree. I suppose someone could write a rule that dumbbells and weights are not to be taken. Without working too hard I could make a list of why they are not to be taken and the Lad could rightly say that this is a stupid rule. Of course next time he might be asked to do his own loading and unloading. If the parent had been willing to chance leaving the violin in her sons tent and take a chance that it might get wet or broken I would have been OK with him taking it. I feel that we deal with each Scout and each case on its merits rather than having books of rules. If the Lad had taken his violin we would have looked at when would be a good time for him to practice. I as a leader do not need to hide behind some book of rules, big-headed as it may sound I am confident in my leadership skills to do what works. Most times by just asking questions the Scout can work it out for himself. There are times when Scouts mess up and their behaviour is not in keeping with the Scout Oath and Law, when this happens I don't pull out the latest copy of the rule book, instead we look at why this behaviour isn't acceptable. For this to work I have to make sure that my behaviour is in keeping with the Scout Oath and Law. As a leader of our youth I hold myself to a higher standard than others. Not for fear of the consequences but because it is the right thing to do. I just don't understand how some people can in one hand hold up the troop rule book while in the other hand be holding a book of BSA rules or guidelines that they have chosen to ignore. Eamonn.

I had to smile as I was waiting for this link to open there was an ad that was about how to beat your speeding ticket. I am willing to concede that breaking some rules or committing some crimes is far more serious than others. A shoplifter and a murderer are not in the same league. However both are in the wrong. I also believe that the Scout Oath and Law challenge us a little bit more each day and what was our best yesterday needs to be better today. When I was District Commissioner, I wore my uniform a lot, I wanted to set a good example an example that others could follow so I did everything I could to ensure that my uniforming was correct. When I was Council Training Chairman, I tried to ensure that I was up to the minute and current about what was happening in each of our programs. The last thing I wanted to do was give anyone the wrong information. I knew most of those who attended the training's and had a fair idea how much of what was being presented would ever be used in their home unit. I suppose I could have changed the presentation to fit the group. When we got to the methods of Scouting I could have said that you don't have to use the methods that you don't like. But I felt that I was in a position of trust. I was honor bound to present the training as it was supposed to be presented. While there are times and there are circumstances which may result in us /me, not doing something the right way or result in me breaking a rule. I may at times try and justify my actions or make excuses. While I have never got caught for speeding and in fact have never had a parking ticket or been arrested. The other day I had a hospital appointment and found a parking meter outside the hospital I loaded in my quarters, but the maximum stay was two hours. Every other time I have been in and out,but that day I wasn't. It took two and a half hours. As luck would have it I didn't get a ticket. I'm sure if I had I would be expected to pay it and no reasons or arguments wouldn't have made any difference. In my book if I had got a ticket it would have been fair after all I broke the rule and could have parked in the parking garage. While it is two faced of me I do act a little differently around Scouts and young people than I do other adults. Some of the off color jokes I might tell in the club house are not what I might tell to a group of Boy Scouts. My reasoning for this is that I don't want to set them a bad example. I have for a very long time argued that we don't need anything more than the Oath and Law, in order to lead a successful troop. It has been argued that there are too many rules, regulations and guidelines in the BSA, I don't pretend to know all of them, but most times know where to look to find them. We teach Scouts to make ethical decisions by installing in them the Scout Oath and Law which does include A Scout is obedient. Do we need a rule that states that there will be no fighting at Troop meetings? I have never read that the Scout Laws are listed by relevance or importance, can we or would it be right to choose which Scout Law we are not going to keep? I just can't imagine any Scouter who was trying to explain the meaning of the Scout Law saying "Sure kind is on the list, but you don't have to keep that one!" But isn't that what we are doing when we either in word or by action knowingly or repeatedly keep breaking rules - Even little ones. I can look past the Scouter who bangs his thumb with a hammer and allows the air to turn blue. I would have to have a quiet word in the ear of a Scouter who was swearing repeatedly in front of youth members. Eamonn.

Hi, You might want to checkout the Jamboree web-site. Everyone in your group will need a photo ID. It is very hot in VA, when isn't raining. When it rains it pours. Wear comfortable shoes, you will do some walking. The heat and humidity can take their toll on people who are not fit or have heart problems. As a Jamboree SM, I have asked our parents not to request that their son waits for them in the camp site. We had one Lad last time waste an entire day waiting for his parents, they arrived ,late got lost and he wasted a full day just hanging out waiting for them. We leave an adult in one of our two sites almost all of the time. We try to have some idea which way the Lads are heading but once they leave the site after breakfast we don't expect them back till supper time and they can be any where. If you are staying at a local Motel offers of doing laundry will be taken up!! I know one Scoutmaster who loves homemade cookies as long as they aren't peanut butter. There are places to buy burgers and food on at Fort AP Hill, the troops don't have enough food to feed guests. If you are taking your son home there is paper work that needs to be completed. Eamonn.

Hi JD or do you prefer John, I somehow knew when I pulled out my copy of the Handbook that the part you quoted was coming right back at me. I don't think that we want to waste time and energy playing word games. I'm almost sure that will pop up later. I'm not going to back into history and go on about how as a Nation America and Americans are a disobedient group. No one wants to hear that from a Brit, who loves the USA. To be very honest I have never tried to have a rule changed within the BSA. I feel sure that there isn't a simple form that one can just fill in the details and just mail it to the "Complaints Department". Others more knowledgeable than I have seen in Handbooks and BSA publications, things that they thought were wrong and things that were wrong. They have brought this to the attention of the BSA, by calling the people who are in charge of that area or by writing to the National Office or the Magazines. In most cases they have got some sort of an answer. We have in our Council several people who serve on National Advisory Committees as well as people who serve at the Area and Regional level. If a volunteer in the District that I serve came to me with a rule that needed to be changed (So far no one ever has.) I rightly or wrongly would decide if the rule was a bad rule or not and if it was I would try and find out who the right person or the right committee was to bring it too. I suppose each and every person I brought it to would decide if it was worthy of taking on or pursuing. While it wasn't a rule, I was very unhappy about something that was happening in our Council. I thought it wasn't right and felt it was bypassing our Executive Board, by being pushed through an Executive Committee. Not being one to ever suffer in silence. I voiced my concerns to the Scout Executive. He either didn't see things my way or choose not to. I worked on members of the Executive Committee and did win a couple of them over. But not enough. I called the Area President, who is a pal of mine. He informed me that it was his understanding that what the Council wanted to do was in line with what National wanted. I called a friend of mine in the National Office, he confirmed what the Area President had said. I voiced my case at a Executive Board meeting, several things were changed, but not enough to make Eamonn a happy little Eamonn. I had done what I could, gone as far as I could and lost. The ball was now back in my court. I had to decide if this was a big enough thing and if I really felt strongly enough about this, that I would quit, leave this organization that I love or move on. I of course choose to stay and not allow this and the fact that I hadn't won to prevent me from doing what I love doing. This all had to do with membership and a school and I have now seen happen what I thought would happen and being the nice lovable chap that I am I haven't said I told you so to anyone. As to the National rule and the local rule. I again don't ever remember dealing with such a case. At times the local guys (Me??) may interpret something differently than what National is trying to say. We as a Council and in different committees have at times had long and heated discussions about what the "Book" is really saying. Cub Scout camping was an area that for a while led to a lot of misinformation and a unclear council understanding. Most times these can be cleared up by going to the people who really know. Far to often people will go to a DE. Our Council is fortunate enough to have a SE who if he doesn't know will say so and then go and ask the people who do. Of course we don't always get the answer that we would like or want to hear. This is a very large Organization, change can seem to be very slow. What might seem like a bad idea or bad rule in your area or your community might work and be of benefit elsewhere.What might be acceptable to one Chartering Organization, might be unacceptable to another. Civil disobediences are common in this country, but if we are Boy Scout Leaders I really think we have go by what the Scout Law states and lead by example. Eamonn.

Hi Kahuna, A lot of British desserts were very heavy and did stick to your ribs. There are many good recipes for custard, that involve cooking egg yolks, vanilla, sugar, milk and flour. There is also Custard Powder, which I think is mainly a mix of yellow food coloring and corn starch or cornflour. When I visit family in Canada, I try to bring home a few boxes of Birds Custard powder. It is so much easier than messing with egg yolks, which if you over cook them separate and turn into a scrambled egg type mixture. As a little fellow I was a sickly kid, our family Doctor a very large man from India, who was our family for eons told my Mother that milk sweetened with sugar and thickened with cornflour would help build me up. That along with Guinness mixed 50/50 with milk. Guinness is great in place of water or stock in a stew and adding a good dash of your favorite tipple to the cornflour mix adds a lot. I imagine with your Navy background Rum would be good, I like Brandy and Her Who Must Be Obeyed likes Grand Marnier or Cointreau. Eamonn.

I have enjoyed and am enjoying the discussion that we are having about what I see as leading by example in the other thread. I do understand that some may not see it that way and it does seem clear that some are at odds with me and the others who seem to be in agreement with with me. I don't in any way see this as a personal attack on me or my well being. I hope that I have not come off as seeming to attack, belittle or harm others. After all, that wouldn't be kind and being kind is a Scout Law. I do find it a little puzzling that some of those who taken the stand that some rules are more important than others or carry more weight than others are the very same people who seem to want to have bylaws and Troop rules. In fact some argued against the idea that a Troop can function very well with just the Scout Oath and Scout Law, in place of all these rules, bylaws, call them what you will. As I say I find this puzzling, and almost contradictory. While I am unwaivering in my belief that the Scout Oath and Law are all that are needed for a successful Troop and Troop program. It could be that some of these people are skilled in the craft of writing rules and laws? However my puzzlement or question is; How do they deal with a Scout who disobeys one of these rules and when asked why? His answer is that the rule is stupid. Eamonn.

Spotted Dick 2 oz plain flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice pinch of salt 2 oz shredded suet 1 oz white or brown sugar 4 oz currants 2 oz fresh breadcrumbs 1 egg, beaten 4-5 tbsp milk Butter a 1.5 pint pudding basin. Sift the flour, baking powder, spice and salt into a mixing bowl and mix in the suet, sugar, fruit and bread- crumbs. Stir in the egg and sufficient milk to produce a soft consistency that drops off the spoon in 5 seconds. Turn the mixture into the pudding basin, which should be two-thirds full. Cover with greased foil or a snap-on lid (the plastic container from a 2 lb Christmas pudding is worth saving for this purpose.) Steam for 2 to 2.5 hours. When cooked, remove the cover and allow the pudding to shrink slightly, then cover the basin with a hot serving plate, hold it firmly and invert. Lift off the basin to leave the pudding on the plate. Serve hot with custard. Enjoy. Eamonn.

Good Morning and Happy Memorial Day, JD, many thanks for seeing this thread for what it is about, even if at present we are not in total agreement. Most Scouts have a copy of the Boy Scout Handbook,page 50 deals with A Scout is obedient: A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobeying them. Can we in good faith expect our Scouts to do this when we aren't? Eamonn.

Nice thinking ManyIrons. I read about cooking and taking a food dish that was a native dish or a dish that was part of their ethnic heritage. When England joined the EEC, there was an idea that menus in Truck Stops should be in English and in French. They ran into a few problems with things like Toad in the hole and one of my favorites Spotted Dick. Somehow I can't see a English truck driver sitting down to a big plate of Escargots Aux Grenouilles (Frog legs and Snails) Both of which I happen to like a lot. Eamonn.

I know that there was a change to the Boy Scout age requirement earlier this year. Looking at what it now states: (Boys also may become Boy Scouts if they have earned the Cub Scouting Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old or have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10 years old.) Yes I very nearly put my foot in my mouth and said that the minimum age was ten and a half!! Thanks OGE for the help. I think I have read about 12 year old Eagle Scouts, they are a very rare bird. I wonder what is the greatest number of palms a Scout has earned? Eamonn.

Hi Oak Tree, You posted: "Most adults have reached a point where they can apply their judgment to the rules and decide which rules are most important to follow, and which ones may not be absolutely necessary under the circumstances" My question is where do they get the right or the authority to use their own judgment? And where does it start and where does it end? This thread isn't about my socks,or about uniforms. I think it's about the big picture. I really don't care if Bob White has or hasn't sinned. I know I have. As I said earlier I at times am a little unsure how good a person I am. Am I good because it's the right thing to do? Or because I fear the consequences of being caught? There are no uniform police or methods police. A unit leader may not make many friends but he or she can tell the District and the Council to take a hike and never come near the unit he or she serves again. We however lead by example, so the consequences for us not following the guide lines, not following the rules are that the message the people we serve take home is that it is OK not to play this game by the rules or whatever you want to call them. This is the price we pay when we allow people to override them. I think that there is a very big difference between the Leader who says to a Scout "Yes I was in a hurry and forgot to put my belt on. I would forget my head if it wasn't sewn on" And the Leader who says to a Scout" Yes I know it's wrong, but I do it anyway". This to my mind comes back to a very simple matter of doing what is right or doing what is wrong. Eamonn.

If I wasn't such a lazy toad I could go through the Scout Handbook and add up all the time requirements and that good stuff. But I'm just feeling a little lazy. There has been a lot of debate about the ideal Eagle age. There are 13 year old Lads who have made Eagle Scout rank and there are the Lads who wait till the very last minute of the very last day. The Eagle Scout rank should be a personal goal of the Scout. The Troop should have a goal of ensuring that all Scouts make First Class Scout. I can only echo all the fine words that have been said about adult leader training, along with maybe seeing what the other successful well ran Troops in your area are doing. Eamonn.

The Diversity ticket item can be difficult. Our Council hosted a course, with me serving as the Course Director. Even though it was a cluster course, most of the participants came from our area which is not racially diverse. Even the Synagogue in the next town closed because of lack of members. I have seen a lot of tickets that have to do with Scout's own Services. A few that have been about Handicapped Awareness. One Cubmaster who serves a very rural pack had meetings with an inner-city pack. They did exchange meetings. Some Course participants have worked with Special Olympics and some have worked with the elderly. While the ticket item should be a goal that helps you reach your vision and your mission, many Participants try and make ticket items a lot harder than they have to be. If you want you might want to look at Scoutreach programs. Some of the ideas and things that the OA is coming up with and doing are very worthwhile and exciting. Eamonn.

I think your first port of call should be your District Training Chairman. Give him all the details, where, when and the name of your Ticket Counselor, maybe the Course Director. Your Council might or might not have a Wood Badge Coordinator. These people can check the details and expedite the Wood Badge presentation. Good Luck. Eamonn.

packsaddle I agree with you whole heartedly about the Life Jackets. However the $64,000 question is. Do you believe that a leader who is willing to knowingly break a small rule (correct uniforming) is just as lightly to be the twit that allows the Scouts not to wear the Life Jackets? Eamonn. (See Bob White for the $64,000)

Taking plenty of no notice of the thread title. We have in a thread looked at parents at Den Meetings. Back when I served as a Webelos Scout Den Leader, the Den met in my house, in what should be my workroom. It's a big room but not big enough for ten Webelos Scouts a couple of Den Leaders, guest presenters and the Webelos Scout parents. I understand that parent involvement is a method of Cub Scouting and that Webelos Scouts are still members of the pack, but to be very honest I didn't really want the parents at the meeting, not only due to space. A lot of the meetings were outside in my yard which has room for a small army of parents. But I seen my job as a Webelos Scout Den Leader as preparing these Lads for the big step of becoming Boy Scouts and loosening the apron strings. Due to problems at the Pack meetings with Scouts who came without an adult, the pack committee did request that all Scouts came with an adult. At times when a adult wasn't able to attend the Pack Meeting a Den Leader would become the adult and be responsible for the conduct of the little fellow who was unaccompanied. We did use the Nominating Committee to select our leaders and when a parent volunteered to help, the Pack Committee met and discussed the person and what role he or she might take. At times people volunteered to do a specific job, like run the Pine-Wood Derby or be part of the B&G Committee. The Pack Committee rarely if ever turned people away. When OJ joined Boy Scouts, he made it fairly clear that he didn't want me to join with him. I had been with him all through Cub Scouts. He wanted to experience the joys of Boy Scouting and being independent for himself. He wanted to not have my beady eye watching over him. I was hurt and maybe a little upset at the time. The Troop he joined had an outstanding Scoutmaster who we knew really well. Her That Must Be Obeyed was a bridesmaid at his wedding. Sad to say he was a self-employed electrician, who found a "Real Job" and after about 18 months with working for OJ, he was unable to continue. The Troop went downhill very fast and OJ decided that he wanted to transfer. His new Scoutmaster is almost a legend in the Council, a recipient of the Silver Beaver, two time National Jamboree Scoutmaster and Father of 3 Eagle Scouts, all who are now grown men and are all over the USA. The troop always seemed to have more than it's fair share of ASM's. A couple of years back for some unknown reason Troop 160 became the Troop of choice for a herd of cross over Webelos Scouts, if I remember correctly there were 16 or 18 of them. Many came with Parents. Last year at summer camp the troop had approx 28 Scouts and 18 adults in camp. Many of these 18 were the parents who crossed over with their sons. They had bought a shirt, sewn on a few patches and were good to go. They rarely left the Troop camp site and added little to the program and while no one asked me for my opinion I think they only got in the way. I agree with FScouter about selecting people who want to be trained and want to take the time to understand how this game is played. I have let it be known that if the troop that OJ is in needs a driver or an adult for two deep leadership. I am ready and willing to help. If they ever need someone to help with Pioneering I am ready and willing. I spent about 11 years as a Scoutmaster, the most ASM's I ever had was seven. Of these 3 were at every meeting a couple made it when they could and a couple would come and share skills that they were particularly good at. Most Summer camps we had 5 or 6 of these ASM's in attendance, I think because they came to enjoy the camp as much as coming to serve the Scouts. We had a good group and more fun than I think was good for us, we laughed a lot, we teased each other had silliness to no end, but we done everything we could to ensure that the Troop was also having a great time. Six of the seven were ex-Scouts. Old Fred was a Kings Scout, he was the the most knowledgeable of all of us, but wasn't very good at working with Scouts. He took care of the cooking of the leaders food and did help out with the Scouts at times. He was the only person I ever met who could tie every knot in the Ashly Book of Knots, even learning the new Hunters Bend sometimes called the Rigger's Bend. Pete, our Troop Quartermaster was the Father of two Scouts, he had worked as a Store-man in the RAF, something he never failed to tell everyone. He was a lot tougher to deal with than I ever was. He was the blue-eyed boy of the Troop Committee due to the fact that he looked after the equipment so well at times I had to remind him that we were working with young Scouts and not the Red Arrows (The Royal Air force Aerobatic Team). Behind a very gruff exterior he had a heart of gold and would spend many happy hours working with the Scouts sorting out their Patrol Equipment. We were a very close knit group, we shared holidays, we shared our good times and bad times. We met almost every Sunday that weren't camping for a pre-lunch drink. We were and those of us that are still left are still friends. We were very proud of the Troop, we were all close to the Lads in the Troop. We knew that we were part of something that was great and deserved our loyalty. The parents supported the Troop by allowing their Sons to participate, they helped with fund raising, at times some with special skills would come and share them with the troop. Some joined the Troop Committee. Most of all they placed in us the Troop Leaders a trust. A trust that we would look after and care for their Son. Eamonn

Hey Unc, If you need a hand getting down, it would be my pleasure. As I read your posting I was reminded of my Mother. She loved to knit and was very good at it. Most nights she could be found in front of the telly clicking away knitting sweaters and jumpers, most of which were for her little Eamonn. Her telly watching led to her having opinions on different people and things. She loved the Beatles and Paul McCartney, didn't like the Rolling Stones and really didn't like Mick. For a while there were 3 guys from Ireland who were big. The Bachelors, they were very clean cut and dressed and of course coming from Ireland meant that they could do no wrong in her eyes. A couple of years back OJ was chosen to sing a solo at the HS Chorale concert, it turned out to one of the songs that had been one of the Bachelors biggest hits in the UK. As I say you brought this to mind and I thought I would share it with you. "I Believe" I believe for every drop of rain that falls A flower grows, I believe that somewhere in the darkest night A candle glows. I believe for everyone who goes astray Someone will come to show the way. I believe, Oh, I believe. I believe above the storm The smallest prayer, will still be heard. I believe that someone in that great somewhere Hears every word Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, Or touch a leaf Or see the sky, Then I know why I believe. Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, Or touch a leaf Or see the sky, Then I know why I believe. OJ, did a wonderful job with his solo and I sat in the audience remembering my Mum watching them knitting away. I think that we do want and expect more for our Councils and Districts and while we do have the odd gripe, moan and groan there is still a spirit of optimism, if there wasn't we would have quit and given up a long time back. Having said that I know that the time has come to hand the District over to new people, people with fresh eyes, new ideas and strong hearts. I don't blame any of the failures that we have had as a District on the Council or lay blame at the feet of National, we failed because we messed up, at times due to my complacency, my lack of planning and my poor communication. When we succeeded we did so because we united behind a common goal. The goal wasn't Quality District which was a byproduct, we seen the need for membership not because of numbers, but because we knew behind each new face there was a smile and that the good people who serve in the units could make a difference in the life of this new member. Every year I take our Community FOS Leaders up to eat summer at camp and give them a tour of the camp so they can see where the money they helped raise is being spent. These people also believe that what they do does make a difference in the lives of the young people in the communities from which they come. If the time ever comes when we all stop believing, that will be the time when there is no BSA, be no Council and no District. I believe that day will never come. Eamonn

I really do believe that I am the District and I am the Council. Not by myself and I don't view myself as being a VIP and hope that I don't have any ideas of seeing myself as being anything grand. I do sit on the Council Executive Board and have been a member of the District Key 3 for about nine years. As such I do take responsibility for the shape the District is in and have voted on things that will have long lasting effects on Scouting in our area. I hope and pray that I have made the right decisions and I have served both the District and Council well. We have a very talented board, with people who have strong Scouting backgrounds as well as people who have backgrounds in finance and management. The Council is small with 10,600 members and something like 90 Boy Scout Troops. We have a Scout Executive who is eligible for promotion and has been looking to move. I'm unsure if he has been with us for five or six years. Our Field Director is new to the position and only joined us last November. The Program Director is a very close and dear friend of mine. He was the Assistant Scout Exec. but due to a reshuffle he was faced with the choice of moving or being demoted. He has been with the BSA for about 30 years and apart from a brief time in New Jersey (He was here then there and came back) he has been with us. We have 4 DE's. One Lady has been the DE of the same District for about 9 years she is a Senior DE, we have another Senior DE who has been with us for about 5 years. A DE with 3 years service and the new DE who serves our District. Many of the office staff have been with us for a very long time, but for some reason we don't seem able to keep a bookkeeper. I think the reason being that we don't pay enough. The District I serve was the smallest District and just before I came on board as District Commissioner was faced with being done away with. At that time we hired a new DE and brought back a District Chairman, who had in the past done a good job. We were told in no uncertain terms that if we didn't turn the District around and show that we could bring home membership and money that we would be gone. The District has made Quality District more times than any other District in the past 9 years not making it twice. We are no longer the smallest District and are have by far the best community FOS campaign in the Council. We were a Quality District in 2004, but this year have seen a Troop, a Pack and 4 Crews not recharter. Last year we had no dropped units. One crew moved to another District. The others were tied to Troops and never really made the cut from the Troop and the Crew members just lost interest. I think that I am a very traditional Scouter. I am not in favor of innovative or out of the box thinking.To my thinking Packs have Dens that meet weekly and come together once a month for Pack meetings, they are chartered by Organizations that want to charter them. These Packs that meet once a year do a craft and return a year later are not in my view packs. I really think if we (Pros) were to put as much effort into getting out into the community and starting real units that do real Scouting, we would be a lot further ahead than we are waiting till November and rushing to start these Mickey Mouse units. So far we have not allowed or got any of these units in the District I serve in part I think because everyone knows my thinking and understand that at times I can be a real pain. I of course would love to see the day when we are the biggest District and don't have to work as hard at bringing in the funds that we need to meet our goals. I hope that in light of the scandals we seen this year in other Councils that National takes a long hard look at how Professionals are promoted and the requirements for Quality Council. I am very concerned that we do not seem to be able to keep adults in the program with the same level of commitment that we used too. I fear that many of the new leaders we have do not have the Scoutcraft skills that leaders of the past had and these skills will be lost and gone forever. Which will hurt the program that is offered to our Scouts. Eamonn.

Ed, I can't help thinking that you have an idea on this already and that your just not sharing it with us. Any way heres my take for what it's worth. Laws, rules and guidelines are man made and as such are open to daffynesss. Sometime back there was a thread, I think started by Unc. About silly laws, some of which are still on the books. There was at one time until very recently a law in England that outlawed soccer. It was made by King Richard I, to try and keep people practicing archery which was at that time vital to the defense of the kingdom. There are other laws that state a bearded man can't beat his wife on a Sunday and laws about whistling. Some for and some against. How come and why some laws become laws is I think a very interesting subject. The law against soccer may seem silly now, but at the time archery was important and a good rough game of soccer could result in the death of men that could be called upon to defend king and country. I sat through the 99 minutes of the Webcast where the discussions the Boy Scouts and the land leases in California. Some very wise and learned fellows each gave their interpretation of what the law is really saying. They were on different sides and didn't agree. A judge had passed judgment, but still there were areas that were open to debate. We as civilized people and civilized nations do agree to abide by the laws of the land and if we think they are wrong we try to get them changed in a peaceful civilized way. If I buy a power tool the guide will tell me that I ought to wear safety glasses, to the best of my knowledge there is no law in the state that I live in that states that I have to wear these. But I know if I don't I'm taking a risk. Which I suppose I am free to take. However if I am teaching people to use this power tool and tell them that there is no need to use safety glasses and one of them gets hurt I think this is negligent. I'm not a lawyer, I don't play one on TV and I didn't spent the night at a Holiday Inn Express. I for one am saddened that we no longer use the term safe haven in Scouting and don't like the idea that it has been replaced by Calculated Risk. I really wish that we could put our hand on our heart and say that we were a safe haven, but I know that a place where no one gets harmed in body or in spirit just isn't possible. I as a parent do try and calculate the risk. I know that I would never let my kid go away to camp with a person who has a record of drinking and driving, drug use or child abuse. I of course have no way of knowing the life history of every adult that serves in his Troop. I do have to put my trust in the troop and the BSA and hope that their judgment is sound. As a parent I use my judgment, which might be wrong, unfair and even prejudiced when I determine who will take my Son away. This as I say might not be fair or right but he is my kid and I have the final word. I don't think I would see a uniform violation as a reason not to allow him to attend an activity with this person. However as has been posted if a guy is willing to bend or break rules that he sees as being trivial or unimportant, he isn't doing much to inspire confidence. Some people see smoking pot as being a minor thing. I don't and I don't want that person around my kid. Eamonn.

Not to dwell on my socks but... If I were rushing to do a presentation on correct uniforming I would make sure my socks were in good order. I have I'm sad to report been caught by Scouts breaking a speed limit. I posted how it happened, but no matter the real point is that a little Lad seen me not keep a rule and I feel that I have let him and myself down. Unfortunately I can never undo what I did and he will remember that I was driving 55 on a road that has a 50 MPH limit. I do tend to be a rule keeper. Even rules that I may not understand or agree with. I happen to think that at work we have a lot of unnecessary paperwork, some that goes no where and serves no purpose. I have mentioned this to my bosses and they agree, but have said to keep filing it until they find out why we are doing it. Of course I do it, they after all are paying me too. I really think the idea of not eating meat on Fridays in lent doesn't make me a better or worse person and me tucking into a plate full of fish or shrimp which I happen to like a lot is not in anyway an act of penance. But who am I to go against the rulings of my church. While I choose to make my services available to the BSA, I was selected by a nominating committee to serve. I serve at the pleasure of the nominating committee and the BSA. Sure I could at anytime quit and move on to some other organization. I don't view my membership of the BSA as my right, I don't own any part of the BSA and the powers that be can and could at anytime tell me to hit the bricks. Sure if this were to happen today, when I don't think I have done anything to deserve this I would be hurt and upset. But I think I seen some where that this is a private organization and if they don't want a displaced Englishman, that's their choice. As for this cafeteria style of doing things? I do see Bob Whites point, maybe not as strongly as he has stated it, but I do question the right of people who claim to belong to something and then pick and choose what parts they want to follow. We have a community brass band that plays in the local town gazebo. They do a few concerts a year and are there for our local fall festival. I wonder what would happen if a few of them decided that they were no longer going to play a certain note? Or that they weren't going to play the same arrangement as the rest of the band? They are all volunteers, but are expected to attend practice sessions and dress appropriately when they are performing in public. I kind of think they wouldn't think of doing any such thing. Are we that different? Eamonn.

As many know I am still a Brit. My Son and Her That Must Be Obeyed are both American. We as a family have each and every Memorial Day participated in our local small town Memorial Day celebrations, taking OJ in his stroller when he was a little fellow, marching in parades with him in Cub Scouts and now in Boy Scouts. Our local VFW Post some years back made me a life time honorary member. Every year they send me a new key card that allows me entry into their bar. I'm sure that my honorary membership doesn't mean squat outside of my small town, but I'm honored just the same. While I was shocked and horrified by what happened on 9/11. I met with and lived with people who lived through the London Blitz, as a kid I remember playing in houses that were bombed during the war and hadn't been rebuilt. The first house I bought in London still had an air raid shelter in the back yard. A back yard which is about the size of my living room. Lord knows how much I admire the strength and the will power of the people of London, but I also know had not the Americans got involved when they did I might not be speaking English as my first language. I look foreword every year to the PBS airing of the concert from the Mall and I do sing along with the patriotic songs, this year I will have Rory by my side and I know when they show the brave young men who have been wounded and talk about the men who have been killed I will tear up. We had until a few years back an old World War One Vet. Who every year would in a very shaky voice get up and recite the poem In Flanders Fields. I miss old Cadet Shire (The old boys name) In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. Powerful Words. Eamonn

Have to admit to being a little blown away by the size of some of the Districts. Some seem to be the size of the Council that is fortunate enough to have me as a member. Sad to say the District Commissioner that took over the position in January has for work reasons resigned. The nominating committee didn't invite the District Commissioner before this one to serve another year because he was losing commissioners and not doing a very good job of recruiting. To make matters worse he was telling us that we had all these Unit Commissioners, when we didn't. Sure we looked good on paper, but pretend Commissioners don't make unit visits. I am upset. It seems that we have a DE who no one seems to know what he is doing. It could be that he doesn't know what to do? His boss our new FD is going to talk to him when he gets time. I have seen what was a fair sized, fairly confident commissioner staff disintegrate over the past two and a half years. Over this time we have in part because of poor commissioner service: Lost more units than at any time in our history. Seen units charters come in late. Had to rely on the Finance Committee to attend B&G Banquets to do FOS presentations. (Yes I know it's their job, but if the unit commissioner was there he or she would help out by doing it. And over half of the finance committee are not uniformed members.) Attendance at R/T is down. Information that the Commissioners used to pass on to all the unit leaders is now being mailed to the unit leader who decides what and what not he or she wants to share. "We knew nothing about it" is now a common reason for something not being done or poor attendance. I have missed episodes of The West Wing due to having new leaders sit in my living room telling me that they are in over their head. I ended up having to learn out how to set this new DVD recorder thing and I had spent 20 years learning how to tape on VHS!! I don't know what use Commissioners are. But I sure as heck notice when we don't have them. Eamonn. I'm catching the missed episodes of West Wing on Bravo.

I can't argue the fact that there is right and wrong. I think this applies to everything. I can't defend the wrong doer by saying he is right, because he isn't. I suppose there are at times extenuating circumstances. When I attend a Scouting function straight from the office I rarely wear my Scout socks. I know that I'm not wearing them and know that I'm not in full uniform. I also aware that while the BSA doesn't require a uniform for membership it does require that if you wear it you wear it correctly. Somehow I don't think that I'm going to go anywhere in a handbag because of my non sock wearing violation of the BSA uniform policy. At times I'm unsure how good a person I am? Do I do what is right because it is right? Or am I doing it because I might get caught and have to suffer the consequences? I think I remember seeing somewhere that character is what we do when no one is looking? I deal everyday with people who cheat!! They don't stick to the diets that we spend a lot of time putting together for them, some sneak and some go as far as to lie. Of course the bad thing is that they are hurting themselves and the people that love and care for them. I do of course care, but I will receive my pay check no matter what they do, still I find myself chastising them and telling them off, in what I hope is seen as me caring for them and wanting them to remain in good health. I know a lot of people who claim to be Roman Catholics, I see them at Easter and at Christmas. Hey if you are going to cheat and pretend that your something that your not, I think cheating God must top the list at being dumb, unless of course you really don't believe that there is a God. Eamonn.