Eamonn

I normally ask "Which Scout Law do you think is the most important to you ? and why ? I have asked " What do you plan to give back to Scouting, in the years to come ?"

As a District,over the summer, we offer District Day Camp, and Cub Scout Olympics, parent and son camp and a fun day at our Council Camp. Most packs have a pack picnic and go to watch a baseball game, along with being part of the many festivals that go on from when school is out till it re-starts. So these little guys are kept busy. While I might be tempted to go on about "Year round recruiting" which would be great if it was done. The truth of it is in the District, I'm in, we do tend to look at our Tiger Cub Safari, as a big help towards making our year end membership goal. We have never looked at recruiting these guys as anything other then Scouts, and while there may be a dollar or two to be made from the sale of their uniform, we in fact lose money as we give each boy a Tiger Safari Patch at no cost.

What is the cause of racial hatred ... Racial hatred is caused by: Ignorance. There is no way that I can agree that diversity in any way helps to give credence to the idea that it breeds disharmony. This Tribal stuff is a bunch of gobbledygook. When we offer everyone the same opportunities, and refuse to accept any form of discrimination, we will see that racism, will go away. The more we seek to be as diverse as possible the sooner this will happen. In our Law we state, "To Help Other People.." Not white people or black people. When my Dad left Ireland seeking work in England, he was met with signs "No Irish Need Apply" As a teenager in England, there were gangs of whites and blacks, who went "Paki-Bashing" Beating up Indian and Pakistanis. Not too many years before the parents of these white kids were moving because the West Indian and Jamaicans were moving in. Much as we try to dress racism up it is discrimination plain and simple - The way to get rid of it is easy - Don't do it.

Ok, I'm now you. It's Friday and I haven't finished my coffee. I would finish my coffee, and tell the DE,to try and find out what the heck was going on, and have a report on my desk by first thing Tuesday. Then I would do whatever I was doing and wait for the report. Until you get this report you can do nothing. It may be a storm in a teacup. You might want to have a word with the Field Director, and keep him or her updated. If the DE is to report to him/her. FScouter has a lot of good ideas, but most of that ought to be done by the DE - Not YOU !! I don't know what the rule book has to say about about collecting FOS,donations in uniform - Or if it is even covered. Some thoughts about how it is done in my district. This is not to say that we are doing it the right way. There are 3 campaigns: District, Family and Community. The District is easy. We pass out the cards at a district meeting and as a rule have them turned in that same night with the pledge and if we are lucky a check. If needed the donor will be billed by the Service Center. Family is a bit more complicated. It all starts in a local restaurant, with pizza and beverages. We then recognize the people who done well last year (Over $5,000 you get a shirt) and people sign up to be the presenter for certain units. They then contact the unit and make the arrangements for the FOS presentation. Most of these presenters are Commissioners and people well known to the unit.I try not to do any of the units, but will step in if something goes wrong. So far we have never had to ask the DE, to make a presentation. She is at this meeting and makes a record of who is doing what, as does the District Finance Chair and the FOS chair. Our community campaign, kicks off with a luncheon at the Country club, all the Community Captains are there, along with a good many of the workers. Each worker is expected to "Work" five cards. And each community has its own goal. None of these guys are uniformed scouters. So back to the problem. We only have the pizza eaters who are uniformed they work the cards for a unit and it is a one time deal. Of course this is when everything goes to plan. I was at a meeting the other week, when the waitress (I know it seems that all all I do is eat - Ilove this job)came up to me and said that she had FOS money and then gave me a check for $25.00. Needless to say I didn't have any way of giving her a receipt, but mailed her one that same day. I also had a word with the DE, who worked backwards, to the Community Capt, who knew who the worker was, and why this money or pledge wasn't managed the right way. Yes I know the best thing would have been to have her mail it in, but I was half way through a bowl of Italian Wedding Soup - Sometimes we have to put first things First.

How about having a crew make a presentation at the r/t every now and then?

What you said sounds fine to me.

Thanks Barry. After a not so great day, so far !! This helped put the spring back in my step, and cast asunder, some not so nice thoughts that were doing the two step in the old noggin.

Hi Kevin, Welcome to the forum. It kind of sounds that you are at your wits end. While there are a lot of real good ideas in this thread, there are a few that I am not so sure about. First Scouting is not only for good little boys, and just wearing a Scout uniform, does not make a boy good - This takes time, and will not happen if we stop the little fellow from coming to our meetings. It sounds to me as if this little guy needs all the help that we can offer him - Again he won't get that if he is not at the meeting. We have to start by remembering that WE are Scouts. As Scouts we have made a promise to Help Other People. I think that you need to take a look at your feelings for this boy. Maybe once you have them in order, you can go forward to provide the program that he needs. I feel sure that there is some way of doing the right thing. Baden Powell, was no angel as a boy - And look what he managed to get us into. Please don't give up on this Lad, he really does need your help and all kids need to feel that they are important to someone. Maybe you could be that someone?

Hey Dave and Mrs Steele, While Wood Badge may not be a mystery. At times the bond that holds a man and a wife together is. At times I know that, Her Who Must Be Obeyed, must wish that she had her own PPCP (Private Personal Couch Potato) And I would think that Mrs. Steele, wouldn't mind seeing a little more of you. Heck if Her That Must Be Obeyed, had a Black Belt, maybe I would be a little faster with the "Obeying !!" If memory serves me well, I think that we share the fact that we both met our Good Ladies, at Boy Scout Camps, so maybe, just maybe they had some idea of what they were getting. Along with our sexy knees ? I wish you and your good Lady a very happy, if somewhat belated anniversary. Of course if you were a nice hubby you would have saved her a nibble of that good cheese, still with only 11 years - You still have a lot to learn. All my very best Eamonn

Abuse of any kind in Scouting can not be tolerated. The very idea, of a leader striking a Youth member makes me sick. It is just more then sad. dsteele, has laid out what MUST BE DONE. Not just for the sake of this child, but who knows, who will be next ? We need to get this guy as far away from our members, as soon and as fast as we can. Having said that, I do have some thoughts, that given how severe this case is have little or no bearing. As this happened at the Jamboree, the Scout was a member of the Council contingent / Troop. Here in Westmoreland Fayette Council, we set up a Jamboree Troop Committee. These members tend to be the more experianced adults from the Council. I would think that if something like this was reported to them, they would be on it in a heart beat. This needs to be brought to the attention of that committee chair. While I have no time what so ever, under any circumstances for people who hit or abuse kids. The Scoutmaster role of a jamboree troop is not one to be taken lightly. There is a lot of stress, at times the lines of communication at the event get a little more then blurred. Add to this the heat and the rain. And in my case some kind of a nut in the next site, who at 6:00 AM. Started yelling at her Troop "Rise and Shine, Rise and Shine" At the top of her lungs while accompanying herself with a very large frying pan, which she hit with great force, using a metal spoon.(A Scout is brave, so on day 3, I send one of the Assistant Scoutmasters to have a word - Next day we had the Marines jogging and singing, but we let that one pass. They were really big !!) The boys do one heck of a lot of walking and do get very tired (No chance of a lie in either !!)For many this is the longest time that they have ever been away from their parents. And in some cases they might be the only Scout from their own troop there. I had one mother inform me that her son ( A really neat kid, that I think the world of - He just became an Eagle Scout) had ADD, and while at school took riddling, but she didn't like to give it to him when he was out of school. - Hey Thanks Lady. As it happened it wasn't a problem. This Lad just loved to talk and talk, I got a minute by minute report of everything that he was doing or had done. I did everything possible to get to know the Scouts, as well as I could. We had a weekend training for all the youth leaders, and two weekends with the entire troop. An event like the Jamboree is the greatest, but to ensure that the Scouts get the most out of it, the selection of the right leaders is crucial. I have to admit to being very upset with the Jamboree staff and sub camp 4.They ought to have send this guy packing there and then. Man Oh Man, stuff like this makes me so mad.

Have found the book that I was looking for. It is: District Committee Training Workshop."A syllabus to help councils provide basic training for members of the district committee" (ISBN 0-8395-4160-0 No.34160 ) My copy is a 1994 printing, I don't think it has been updated, but it might have been, in fact it needs to be in order to allow for changes. Hey Mr Steele, howz about "The Task Of The District Executive" ? A wise man once said that a Sub Committee will get nothing done - Ok he wasn't that wise - It was me !!! However I was wrong. It happens. This is kind of new to me and the district, we used to rush to fill in the names on the District Roster, and not make use of the nominating committee - We ended up with a committee of one !! Yes we had a membership committee that had a membership chairman, and no one else. Which is not only really dumb, but it just doesn't work. We now have put together a top rate nominating committee, which has an ex-council president and people from the community. We start meeting in September, in order to get the roster ready for December, and now meet two other times a year. These guys are great. We started using the same form as the one used to "Select Quality Leaders" and once we have someone that we want to "Go After" We chose the best people to make an appiontment and visit them. This works !!! Some of the people are on a committee that only requires them to attend a couple of meetings year. We/ I do sent them an invite to every meeting and minutes from all the meetings. (This is very important and worth the 37 cents.)Now they meet as a sub-committee and we keep the District meeting down to no longer then 90 minutes (Just like a pack meeting.) Another good thing about all this is that we now get the attention of the powers that be. It was ok, when I used to say something about Sign- Up Night. But it was just me and I say too much ?? But when the Superintendent of a school district sends them a note, we tend to get what we think is right. Boy I LOVE this system. At present I have yet to make any real impact on the Charter Reps. I am sending them a post card reminding them about the meetings, but that isn't working. I think that I'm going to try and visit the Executive Officer of each unit, when the DE,makes the call and let them know that their rep is not doing such a great job and what a pity this is.This will also ensure that these calls are being made. I still try and get to most of the Round Tables, but want to keep a low profile - It's not my Show. I no longer attend the Commissioner meetings, they have their own "Boss' and don't need me in the way. I get all the big news at our key 3 meetings. I will only attend any of these new Sub-committee meetings, if they ask me. My big problem is the "Them And Us" I know that it is wrong, but while I'm in order about doing what needs to be done and see that it needs doing. At times it seems that "Them" The Council and "Us" The District, while working towards the same ends are pulling in different directions. I think that "They" Ought to be doing more to support us.The fact is that we are them, and this is my problem. A problem which I have and there is no one to go to with. Even our DE, seems to be following me, in this them and us thing. "They want us to do ..," Is common. We have a new council VP of Operations, maybe we can work on this one. I think that as a council we need to do a better job of sharing goals, at times it seems that the stuff that comes "Down" to us is in the form of a directive, and we have little or no input. When this happens, we can opt to do it or not do it, and very often, (in fact we have never opted not to do it, when we do it,) it is done with a lot of ill will. And yes the idea of going to be a unit leader, seems like the best idea ever!! But this too does pass.

Bob White, makes a lot of good points in his posting. In my own Council, I'm very lucky to have a great friend, who at times will give me a kick in the pants, when I get caught up in the activity and lose sight of the "Why" The Way We Do That, Is the reason behind everything that we do. But how often we seem to be willing to put that to one side, and put all our effort into the "That" As for this "Police" Thing. I think that most of the people that I know who are "Up On" the rules are the people who make the program work. The really sad people in Scouting are the ones, who use the rules and add to them, in order to do what - I have no idea. Scouting and our programs is not over burdened with a great number of rules. We do have a set of methods, which are worth reading at least once a month. When all is said and done we are in the "Devlopment Business". Bob makes a really good point about working with the boy, and understanding his needs, and making the program work for him. After all the program is for him. Ok this at times is not easy and is often a pain in the you know where, but it is what we do or what we ought to be doing. If you have time take another look at what Bob is really saying, not just about this canoe trip, but about our program and the youth we are to serve. If we could provide the program along these lines, we would have less youth leaving the program, and the youth, all of them would have such a super time. Go ahead take another look at what he said.

Have been a Bear. At times Her Who Must Be Obeyed informs me that I still am. Have been a cuckcoo, English Scout Leader Course at Gilwell in early 70s. UK, no longer has Patrols. While it might seem very un-Scout like, I have been known to tease Bob Whites, by calling them "Ankle Peckers" But when your a cuckcoo you have to find someone to pick on.

No sir, I will not be going to Camp School at Hawk Mountain, but have done my Cub Scout Wood Badge there. I remember lots and lots of Rocks,and the food was not the best. However the Camp Staff were great. Even the cook, who made the most evil Hot Bacon dressing I have ever tasted. I think it was four parts corn starch, one part bacon fat, two parts sugar and six parts Lord knows what.Still he was a neat old guy.

Like the Steele Man, we make use of the Highlights Books. There is a Training Course for members of the District Committee, I will get back with the bin number. I think that there is / was a video. As a new District Chair. I am going out of my way to bring more and more community people onto the District Committee, most have little or no real "Scouting History" or back ground. This is the cause of some hard feelings, and I hear the odd moan and groan, that I'm filling the committee with my "Type Of People" Have to admit to not understanding this. Ok, so there are less Scouters on the committee, but my feelings are that it is up to them to do the important job, of delivering the program and we are just there to support them. Yes there have been a few "Hats" knocked off, but in the long run we will have a much better district.

Our man of Steele, has had a few too many Beans His Wet Suit, is busting at the seams. Back it now must go In time before the midwest rain and snow. Needless to say if he were a clever Professional Scouting Fellow He would have used a large umbrella. Sorry Dave, it was just too easy. Of course I know all about Payback.

Sad to say. Our Cluster, had two courses planned for this year, one six day and one following the 2X3. The six day course only had 24 participants sign up and had to cancell. The Westmoreland Fayette Course is still on.At present we have 40 people who have paid the deposit, so who knows if we get the go ahead we may even have a Raven Patrol. But that will be up to the Region. Of course a Cuckcoo Patrol would be great (My Patrol from the English course at Gilwell, back in the dark ages.) But National Supply would have a problem. It is really nice to hear that the course is going over so well. Ron, your ideas sound super. Take a look at the pre-course twenty questions. Everything will fall into place. This will be my first and last time out as the Scoutmaster / Course Director. I'm spending many, many happy hours reading the Staff Guide. My mentor, who used to be my best friend is about ready to hang me off the yardarm, and yes we both live in Pa. Still deep down, I know that I have an Outstanding Staff, who will do their Best and then some.

OK, I hail from the land of umbrella's. And yes I do take mine to camp and do use it. I don't take it on a hike, but when dressed to make a presentation, or hand out an award me and my "Brolly" (The one that I use for golf) are there hand in hand. I have been known to sing the odd song from Mary Poppins, or do the Gene Kelly number. Have you noticed that the Queen has taken to using a see thru "Brolly ? Come to think of it, so has the Pope. Think I need one of them. There are others who would think that a burlap sack might do a better job.

Way To Go Norman. I wish we could have had him on "60 Minutes"

Laura,yes it is necessary if you want to do it !! Why ? Because that is how long it takes !! Not all courses have to start on a Friday, in fact if I was starting to plan one again, I would opt to start on Saturday and go on till Monday. You could opt for the six day course, many of these are now planned so they do not conflict with religious obligations, that might be prevalant in certain areas. In other parts of the World (Not Here is the USA.) Some Scouting Organizations have put a time limit on how long you can continue as an untrained adult leader. They go so far as to say that if you are not willing to take the training, maybe you are not cut out to be a leader. Here we go so far as to say "Every Boy Deserves A Trained Leader." This is more then a cute little catchphrase, it has meaning. It in no way is trying to make any one group elitist,it is there so that, we who opt to serve in this organization can perform this service with all the tools that are available, and deliver the best program. Is this necessary? I would hope that it would be essential.

During my "Stint" we always had an Opening. I used to run a very active game as the "Gathering/ Premeeting activity. The best of luck with your "New Den " Webelos Scouts are great to work with, everything is such an adventure. I had the bestest time.

I think the fact that they were there is the one that we as adults need to be proud of.

Ed, you and Troop 1 are in my thoughts and prayers.

WELL DONE SIR.

The really sad thing is that you guys have yet to learn the fine art of making a cup of Tea. Come to think of it the cheese over here isn't that great. Still we have to thank you for MTV,Driving on the wrong side of the road,eating with the fork upside down,Beavis and Butthead,Bill Clinton,trunks that are boots, Hoods that are bonnets,suspenders that are braces. Still it's the best place in the world to live and raise a son.