Eamonn

I spun off from the thread about uniforms to answer a question that boomerscout asked and also to ask one of my own. boomerscout posted: "Eamonn: When I went to England in the early mid-60s it looked as if Brit Scouting was going to fade away. Do you know what caused this decline, and what brought UK Scouting back?" To be very honest I really don't have an answer! I don't have any membership totals, so I'm not if things were really that bad. I was way too young to know or care what was happening. Having only joined the then Wolf Cubs in 1962. Without checking all the dates, which I'm sure could be found without much difficulty. It seems to me that UK Scouting hadn't changed very much since it started and by the early 1960's, there was a feeling that Boy Scouting in the UK was becoming dated and maybe outdated. Sometime in about 1966 (I think!)The National Association tasked several committees to look at the entire association, in what became known as The Advanced Party Report. The changes that came from this were numerous and sweeping. In fact from what I seen nothing remained the same. Boy Scouts became just Scouts, Wolf Cubs became Cub Scouts, Senior and Rover Scouts just disappeared. Uniforms changed, even the Scout Promise and Law was changed. This all happened in 1969, but word about what was happening was out for a couple of years before. Many people who had been around for a while were not happy and a good many quit. For about the next 30 years apart from some changes Scouting in the UK remained the same. Some of the changes made in that 30 year time were fairly big. The biggest I suppose was allowing some units to go coed. Early in around 2000 things changed again. Once again Scouting UK underwent a major overhaul. Talking with friends who are active in Scouting over there it does seem that this was due to decreasing membership. I'm not sure how true this is? Or if it's just their view-point. I'm also not sure what this has done to help with membership? Details of what they are doing now can be found on the UK Scouting web sites. Last time I was in London, I did pick up some of the program support material, which I really like. Having lived on this side of the pond for over 25 years I don't claim to know that much about what is going on across the pond. Some of the new changes do seem to me in some ways to have returned to what was once there only with new titles and names. One thing I really like is that there does seem to be less of a push for advancement and more on participation. From an outsiders point of view things seem a lot more causal and a very long way from anything that might be seen as being in any way military. I can't say if these changes over the years have worked out or not. I'm not even sure what you might use as a yard-stick to measure the success or failures? I do in many ways admire what has happened, if for no other reason than it shows that they are open to change and maybe willing to take some risk. I haven't seen that sort of thinking happening here in the USA. I do think that the new Chief Scout Executive,Robert Mazzuca is maybe looking at what changes can be made? But this is just my own totally uninformed opinion. While back in 1969 in England a lot of the adults were very unhappy with all the change and many did quit. I do think that the adults here in the USA would make a far bigger stink than the Brits did. Somehow I just don't see any sweeping changes in the BSA going over that well. Of course I might be 100% wrong and I welcome any thoughts and opinions that others might have. We do seem to be in a bit of a slump. Who knows? Maybe doing nothing is the right choice? Eamonn

As others have posted, the neckerchief more than anything else seems to communicate to the world that the person wearing it is a Scout. Back when I was a Scout in London, England each and every Troop had it's own necker. Badges in the UK tend to be a lot smaller than those in the USA. While we did have a County patch, a District Patch and a tape with the Troop name and number on. The Troop necker was what made a Scout stand out as belonging to a certain unit, this was something that led to a lot of Troop pride. While I'm not a collector of Scouting stuff, opting to stick all my stuff in Tupperware boxes! I do have a fair number of neckers that I'm happy to have. The 1975 World Jamboree neckers are something that I prize very highly, my original Wood Badge necker, but still my old Troop necker is something that I'd hate to ever lose. Eamonn.

Thinking of the old campfire song, "When I first came to this land". The verse that talks about having a son... "And I called my son, my works done" This week OJ turned 21. In some ways this highlighted my ever increasing feeling of approaching old age bu twas also a time of reflection and a time to look back. Scouts and Scouting have played a very big role in our relationship. I wasn't aware of it while it was happening but my relationship with him was very different than the relationship that I'd had with my parents. While I never went so far as ever calling my Father "Sir". Both he and my Mother were in my eyes never my friend. They were my parents. Dad worked hard to bring home the bacon while my Mother worked hard looking after the home and looking after him. I don't ever remember doing stuff with my Father. He was never the type that wanted to toss a ball around or play games. He was my Father. I never called him by his first name. I think that I was in my twenties before I ever knew how old he was. My parents along with nearly all the adults in my childhood and teenage years were people that I was raised to respect. My teachers and masters at school were all very nice. At least I can say that now, with hindsight. They did care for me and did look out for me and want the best for me and from me. My role was to do my best to please them and seek their approval. It wasn't until I joined a Scout Troop that I met an adult who was in some ways willing to drop his guard and seemed willing to just have fun doing stuff just because it was fun. If there was a purpose behind this "Game" I wasn't aware of it. While maybe? By todays standards I'm still a bit of a stuffed shirt. Someone who still believes that children should respect their elders and even at 21 need to live by my rules and conform to my standards. We (OJ and I.) Have thanks to Scouts and Scouting gone out and shared things that I know my Dad and I would never have done. Of course, I'm American sports impaired! I was raised playing cricket, rugby and soccer. American Football, baseball and basket ball are kinda like foreign languages to me. I wouldn't know a knuckle ball if it hit me on the head! While I did coach his soccer team when he was about nine and even if I say so myself, did a good job. - He went on to be the captain of his HS Soccer team. It was in Scouting that we did more stuff and spent the most time together. I was a little hurt when he stated that he didn't want me to go with him into a Troop. I did respect him for wanting to do it alone and remembered how when I was his age, I'd used Scouts and Scouting as my escape from the "Real World" of parents, school, rules and differences of opinions that parents and their kids have to suffer through. For he most part I have done a good job of covering up my disappointments. I have been wildly and grossly disappointed with the American education that he has received. There seems to have been no real need for him to have ever been accountable for things that he has failed to do or not making the mark. When I talked about sending him to a boarding school in Ireland, I was shot down and came to realize that this would break his mothers heart. I wasn't very happy with both Troops that he choose to join. Both seemed to lack the program that I think that maybe I might have tried for. But the choice was his. At times I've had a hard time buying into the idea that "He's happy, just let him be"! Back when he was about 15 Scouting seemed to have lost him. In part because he was thinking too much!! He'd staffed JLTC a couple of times and seen that the Troop he belonged too wasn't doing things like the course said. He seen Scouts that he knew who were not very nice people be given the Eagle Scout rank and his thinking was that if this was what it was? He just didn't want it. If it hadn't been for the OA and the group of friends he made in the OA I think he might have quit Scouting all together. He did complete his Eagle Scout. He enjoyed spending times with the guys who were his age in the OA and on Scout camp staff. He really enjoyed working at camp. Sadly the need for cash won out. He just needed more cash than Scout camp was willing to pay. He graduated from HS with no real clear idea of what he wanted to do or where he was going. I'd put aside a lot of money to pay for his further education. He opted to attend the local community college, saying that he would transfer after a couple of years. I wasn't happy with his choice, but after talking with friends of mine who went on about their kids spending the first year drinking and partying. I came around, also the money we were saving didn't hurt. At first he wanted to go for Elementary Education, with a view of working with special need kids. I'm not sure but deep down I think the idea of working 180 days a year had more to do with his choice than any real desire to work with kids. After a year he gave up on this and went for criminal justice. I think my working in corrections might have played a part in this. He also voiced the opinion that being able to retire with a full pension at age fifty wasn't a bad deal! Scouting for all of us went on a back burner. When HWMBO became ill, I seen how selfish I'd been and cut back a lot. He became involved in the local volunteer fire-service. The Fire-Hall became his home away from home. When he wasn't working nights at the local Eat-n-Park restaurant or going to school he hung out at the fire hall. We had to eat early at home on Monday as he was rushing away to get set up for bingo. Fire School seemed to last for months twice a week, again interrupting my dinner times. He passed whatever it is you need to pass to be a volunteer fireman. He then went on to take an EMT course. While no longer actively involved in Scouts he kept in contact with his pals from Scouts. Most of them are about his age but most are a year older. Mainly because his mean Dad made him re-do second grade! UPMC medical school is offering a course in Para-Medic/ RN, which he has been accepted in. It starts sometime in the fall. He found out from his pals who all seem to have drifted back to work on camp staff, filling the Director spots that the camp nurse has to leave camp 3 weeks before the end of camp. So he is going back on camp staff to fill her spot. The reservation Director is one of my oldest and best friends. Who when I next see I'm going to have words with!! The day after his birthday he went up to camp and it seems that they (Several members of staff) took him out for a birthday celebration. He who had never had an adult beverage before. Needless to say it didn't go down very well and in fact didn't stay down! Also to add insult to injury tales of his father's past were re-told and maybe embellished a little. He of course wasn't driving and they did have a designated driver. I'm happy that he has found his way back to Scouts and Scouting. I'm happy that when I look at him I see a really nice young man who has been brought up to care about other people. This is due in no small part to the role that Scouts and Scouting has played in his life. I'm overjoyed that the pals and friends he made as a youth are still around and I kinda think that just like my pal the Reservation Director who has been my friend for over 30 years. His Scouting friends will be there for him for a very long time. Eamonn.

Have a great time and don't do anything that I wouldn't?? Thanks for your help the other day -I got an "E" where there oughta have been a "C" Ea.

captainron14, Let me see, if this was my son. I think I'd explain what has been posted here by our fellow forum members. All the good stuff about how maybe wearing a patch that might kinda, sorta give others the impression that maybe you'd been someplace where you hadn't, might be seen as not being 100% kosher. Then I'd ask him if he still wanted to get and wear the patch. I'd be OK to go along with his decision and I'd buy him the patch anyway. Eamonn.

"Our Commissioner & COR have been apprised of our problem. They both agree that a change is in order." The Commissioner can agree as much as he might like. But when it comes to a situation like this. Other than maybe voicing an opinion, he or she is about as much use as pockets in your underwear. "Can the COR make this change without a committee action?" "I realize the normal procedure on SM selection is to work through the committee, but with the summer break it's going to be very difficult to get them together and this needs to be resolved quickly."??? If there is a break? Why the rush? I would hope that the COR would want to talk to the Committee and the SM before he talks with the Executive Officer. If I was a member of the committee and I found out that something as big as a change of leadership had happened without me being asked for my input? I'd be upset. I'd seriously think about resigning. If I was the Head of the CO the last thing I'd want was the person that I'd approved to be the SM going around telling everyone that he'd been treated unfairly. This would put the organization in a bad light. While of course I wasn't at the summer camp. I have to admit to having a nagging feeling that there is another side to all of this. A side that hasn't been posted. I served as a SM for a good many years. During that time I made more than my fair share of mistakes and I messed up a lot and often. Through all this the guys who were my ASM's stood by me and supported me. Sure when they felt I was out of line they let me know. But never once did they try to oust me or try to turn the Scouts against me. Sometimes the SM has to be the leader first and for a time he has to put being the "Friend of the Scouts " on hold. Sure at times the Scouts feel that he is bugging them or even that he is not being fair. But to my mind he is the SM. The role of the ASM? Assisting him. This goes hand in hand with a good many points of the Scout Law. Could it be that this isn't a Scoutmaster problem? But in fact a problem with the ASM? Eamonn.

Becoming a Scoutmaster is a role that takes a while to get used too and grow into. Summer Camp? Most of us think of the warm summer days. I have at times gone on about summer being the best time to be a boy. But for some leaders Summer Camp is hard work! Not sleeping well? Not eating what and when you normally? Kids and more kids and no place to get away from them!!! Stress. I think I'd want to find the right time and the right place to take this SM away for an adult beverage. Sit down and talk things over. What worked? What didn't? Why it worked and why it didn't? I would not expect that after the meeting that we both would come out singing songs that Mr. Rodgers would have written! But I'd hope that we both would come away with a better understanding of each other and maybe ways that I could help him do a better job. It does sound from what you have posted, that some considerably damage was done at summer camp. Trying to undo what has been done? Most times is very hard and often just doesn't work. You along with the other ASM's need to take a long hard look at what your roles are? Maybe write down a list of what your options are? Eamonn.

This helps select quality leaders how? Ea.

I have been at camp when things are going as well as they should. While I may well have had other plans, most times someone has asked me to come and lend a hand. Of course if I was a nicer person, I should have volunteered before I was asked and maybe not have had a little moan and groan as I was helping. We have all made an oath that has something about helping other in it. For the good of all the Scouts in camp I would hope that many of the adults in camp might have seen what was going on and stepped up to the plate. At our camp the SM's and SPL's have an opportunity to meet with the Camp Director and Program Director before they leave to go over the good and not so things. "Feedback is a gift". At this meeting I would not cut anyone any slack! But when things were not going well I hope I would have done my part to help fix the problem. Eamonn

"So, why would the same boy wear a shirt only with his Troop, but is willing to wear the full uniform at camp?" Brent, I don't know. I also don't know why adults do the same thing? Adults attending the Jambo or WB seem happy to wear the whole kit and caboodle, but weeks later are back wearing jeans of whatever. Humans are at times strange??? Teenage boys can be really strange. I don't know about every boy, but looking back at the one that sleeps in my house. When he first joined the Troop he was bright eyed and bushy tailed. While I'll bet he had never heard that much about the methods of Scouting he was aware that some things were going on. Soon after and maybe a little before he joined the Troop he learned the Oath and Law. While maybe the thinking that these were ideals? Was a little above his head. He seemed to get the idea. He was a member of a Patrol. I'm not sure what he felt about this? I kinda guess he just seen it as a neat way of breaking the Troop up into manageable sized teams. He didn't see Outdoors as a method, just what Scouts did or were supposed to do. I very much doubt if he ever gave adult association a second thought! The adults were just there, because they were there and if they hadn't been there wouldn't have been a Troop. Personal growth was something that he knew was going on. He knew that he was growing and that his understanding of things was on the up and up. It might have taken a while, but he did see what the leaders both adult in youth were doing. In his own way he noted what worked and what didn't, who was a good leader and who wasn't. I'll bet that he never ever thought that he was in any way in them early days having or was undergoing any sort of leadership development. Advancement was something that he thought he understood! This was something that he could really sink his teeth into. Do this and get your book signed, do some more and get a patch. Get a patch and Mommy and Daddy are happy and proud. Wearing a uniform? Was much like the outdoor stuff! Just something that Scouts did. When we first bought him his tan shirt he was happy. At that time he was still in the Pack. That shirt put him apart from the "Little Kids". It was a sign to anyone and everyone that he was growing up. Fast forward a few years. He now was aware of the methods at least most of them! But a lot of the thrill had gone. Going to camp at the same place to do the same old same old was no longer an adventure. He was his own person, he no longer craved approval from his parents for earning a badge. He was now doing what he wanted, when he wanted to do it. In fact when people tried to push him into doing something that he didn't want to do, he rebelled against it. His wearing his uniform was now up to him. He decided when he thought it was important. While maybe he thought that wearing it to a meeting was no longer a big deal. He seemed to think that not wearing it when everyone else was wearing it was a big deal. (Yes I paid $76.00 to buy two pair of new shorts just before NOAC.) He bought into the idea that wearing his uniform was important for the weeks he was staffing JLTC and the Jambo along with some other occasions. But he just didn't see the point of wearing it for most everyday Troop meetings. He most certainly was not going to be seen dead in the old uniform pants at any place other than a Scouting event. Maybe it's like dressing for the part in a play? While rehearsing there is little point in wearing all the costumes, but on the night? It is. Eamonn.

"there to be rambunctious and promote disharmony among their peers" Wow! Not sure where you find these Lads? I've been around for a while. There have been a few boys who came along to check things out. A couple have tried to be disruptive, but nearly always the might have only attended one or two meetings and then have moved on. - Not sure where too? I'll bet that most of us who have been around Troops for a while have had to deal with the kids who are lazy little toads, jokers and clowns, shy kids and extroverts. Scouts who think that they are really tough nuts and Scouts who at times we think are just plain nuts! I really don't think having any one of these Lad's wear a uniform changes him that much, if at all. Most times I have found that Scouts act up when they are bored or when they are in over their head, not understanding what it is that they are supposed to be doing. Ea.

"It is about time we taught kids that you just don't do whatever you please all the time" I'm going to have to give some thought as to how this goes hand in hand with teaching the youth we serve how to make ethical choices. Putting aside the reasons why we have a uniform? As I see it. Which could be 100% wrong. Little Lad joins a Troop. Little Lad's parent looks at the Troop members. If everyone is in full uniform and maybe if the SM says "Hey we all wear the full uniform!" Parent will part with hard earned cash and pay for the uniform. When little Lad toddles off to a Scouting event, his parent will notice what he is wearing. If he is not wearing his uniform, parent will want to know why not? Lets say that for some reason the Troop under goes some changes. Full uniform is no longer pushed. Little Lad has by now outgrown his uniform pants. Parent sees that many of the Scouts are no longer wearing the pants and can save almost $50.00 by not buying them. Little Lad now doesn't have the pants. Time passes and Little Lad is now driving himself to meetings. Scout shirt is safely placed on passenger seat, waiting to be put on just seconds before the start of the meeting and will be removed as soon as the meeting is over. Little Lad is going to visit his girl friend immediately after the meeting and going in Scout uniform would be most uncool. Young Scouts and their parents will most times do what the Troop tells them to do. If Mr. SM says don't worry about buying the pants or the socks, the parent is not going to buy them. I don't like all the comparisons about Scout uniform and sports uniforms. Surely one reason for us having a uniform is to communicate to others who we are. Just as a uniform worn by a policeman lets us know that he is a policeman? A Scout uniform should communicate that the person wearing it is a Scout. I don't know if a Lad in uniform does or doesn't behave any better when he is in uniform? I think a group of Lads in Scout uniform do. If we are going to have a uniform, my feeling is that we should try and view in much the same way as we do the flag. Not for what is is, but for what is should represent. It's kinda sad that about the same time as Scouts grow into really understanding the meaning of the Scout Oath and Law, they grow out of their uniforms. Maybe if we can get away from the idea of just looking good and impress the idea that this uniform represents the ideals and the good stuff that you have chosen to live by? We might do better. Eamonn.

Had to go to work today. As you can imagine, working with mostly male co-workers, many with military service in and being the only guy who speaks with a British accent. I get my fair share of having my leg pulled. More than once today I was informed that "We kicked your ..."! While I was born and raised in England, I am the product of two Irish parents! Lord knows that at times the Brits treated the Irish very badly and the struggle for Irish Independence was at times really hard. I of course wasn't around. I am named after the first Irish President Eamon De Valera (Not sure why I got an extra N?) Who was born in New York! Th Irish have long looked across the pond, knowing that the Americans won their Independence and knew in time they would win theirs. I was overjoyed this week when Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney was sworn in as U.S. ambassador to Ireland. The ties between the US and both England and Ireland are strong. "America is a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere." Happy Birthday! Ea.

"Why shouldn't I call it scouting? What should I call it instead? " I'm not a attorney, but I think the BSA has tied up the use of the word Scouting. Gets into all sorts of legal whatever: Trademarks, copyright and all that sorta good stuff. You might want to check it out with someone who really knows about this kinda stuff. As I see it one big thing you need to look at or into is insurance. Last thing you need is for you to start a youth group and find that you personally are the only person who is carrying all the liability. Again you need to talk to someone who knows about this stuff. Most youth groups are as a rule tied or partnered to something else. That is to say they are part of something: A recognized youth group, a church or some other organization. If you and a few of your neighbors want to together and take your kids camping? That is one thing, but trying to start a youth group all on your lonesome? That might be a big undertaking. My feeling is that if you want to serve the young people in your community? The thing to do would be find an organization that is a good fit for you and can offer opportunities that lets you. Eamonn.

SR540Beaver, How'd you do that? I live only a couple of miles from Fayette county and had no idea what was going on. You really are in the know and on top of things. There has for some time been a lot of talk about the BSA wanting to buy land for another High Adventure base in our area. eisely I don't have the knowledge to answer what you asked. I have taken Scouts on the out on our local rivers. When it comes to White Water , as a rule we use: http://www.wilderness-voyageurs.com/faq_scouts.htm These guys have a close working relationship with our Council. In fact I kinda think if we were to try and put together some sort of a "How To Guide", these are the people we would ask. I was a little surprised a couple of years back when we went Sea Kayaking at a BSA approved H/A base that at the end of the week they presented me with an instructor patch and certificate, they also sent this information via Scoutnet to my local Council. I consider myself to be an average Scouter?? That is to say that I'm OK at most things, but not really an expert in anything. Living in land-locked PA. I never thought about ever wanting to become a Sea Kayaking instructor. For my part, I'm happy to pay a guide who has more know how than I have. Of course we have to hope that whoever has hired the guide has done a good job of ensuring that they know what they are doing and if need be have all the right qualifications. To be honest I prefer working with people who have received the training from an agency that specializes in whatever the area is, over someone who just has something from the BSA. Ea.

I have never had any screened. I really like my Cool-Max Shirts. Buying them through the company that supplies the body armor that I have to wear for work, I can get a shirt for $11.00 Seems that everywhere else I've looked somewhere around $16 -$18.00 is the norm. Sad bad news is that I wear white t-shirts and after a while they discolor under the arms. Trying to keep HWMBO from bleaching them, which ruins the wicking is an endless task. I did buy a couple of Starter Men's Dri-Star shirts from Wally World for about $10.00. I'm not very big about a 36-38 chest. I bought the medium shirt. Not sure if they are supposed to be a compression shirt or not? Am sure that I don't like being compressed! The size large is a better fit. - I think! But the material is kinda silky and takes some getting used to. Cool-Max shirt now has: "COOLMAX freshFX fabric which inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria on fabrics. In combination with the unique moisture-management technology, it delivers breathable garments and legwear that stay cool, dry and fresh - and smell clean for hours on end" http://www.coolmax.invista.com/g_en/webpage.aspx?id=46 Maybe that will keep HWMBO and her Clorox at bay? Eamonn

What age group are you thinking about? Eamonn.

My big fear about "This Uniform thing". Is that at times I get this mental image of someone who acts very much The Church Lady (Saturday Night Live). This image has someone who is the uptight, smug, and pious. Wearing a full uniform, looking down his /her nose at the lesser beings below who are not in full proper uniform. Of course for every excuse heard for not being in the uniform the reply is either Well, isn't that special? Or How Conveeeenient. Or for those who have come up with an alternative style "We like ourselves, don't we?" I don't think we need to do away with a uniform?? I'm not sure what a or what the uniform should be? My thinking is that it should be something that can be purchased without too much hassle and maybe added too in order to make it a uniform. My school uniforms consisted of black socks, black pants, white shirt and a blazer to make it the school uniform a school tie and a badge was sewn on the blazer pocket. I think a pair of whatever color pants we might want to come up with (Dickie's??) and a shirt that could have a few patches added would do the trick. For outdoor activities the Scouts would of course need to dress for the activity. I think we could get the cost down to under $30 or $40. We would need to talk to the Scouts and find out from them when they felt wearing a uniform was needed or a good idea? Have to admit that as a parent, I kinda felt that after spending a small fortune on a kids uniform that he was going to wear it, so I felt that I was getting my moneys worth out of it! But I really don't see any need for Scouts to have to wear uniforms to weekly meetings or on most camping trips. Save the uniform for special meetings and maybe if we make a big deal of when it is to be worn? Chances are that the Scouts will buy into the idea and work toward it? And looking smart and well turned out. Eamonn.

Someone was showing me some photos from last year at our Council Summer Camp. Many of them were from the Troops at Flag and at the weekly OA Call Out. Times when I'd expect everyone to be in full uniform. While just about everyone has a Scout Shirt on, hardly anyone was in full uniform. - A lot of blue jeans, soccer-shorts and the like. I'm wondering what would happen if we just said that we were no longer going to have a uniform? Not even a dress code! I'm not saying that we should! Just wondering what might happen? Eamonn.

"How strict are you with the uniforms" How strict are you with the other methods? I don't like all this talk about uniform police! What a lot of old bunk! Full and correct uniforming should be the goal of each and every Troop. The uniform is the uniform and no unit, no leader, no PLC has the right to change it. You are either in uniform or not in uniform. (This isn't rocket science!) A uniform is not required to be a member of the BSA. As I see it our role as adults is have full and proper uniforming as a goal. How do we do that? We look for and seek out opportunities that will allow the Scouts we serve to want to wear their uniform. When OJ first joined Boy Scouts he really didn't have much choice in what he would and wouldn't wear. If he had tried to get in the car to go to a meeting without his uniform,I would have sent him back to get dressed. As he got older and started to drive himself to meetings the uniform became his Scout shirt on the passenger seat of the car. He also became more and more active in the OA and his uniform became more important to him. One OA weekend he was in charge of the flag ceremony and I stood back as he refused to allow Scouts who were not in full uniform to participate in the ceremony. I was a little upset when he asked me to buy him the more expensive wool uniform, because it held a better crease! All this renewed interest in his uniform came from him, not me! Troops can do a lot to help Scouts own a uniform. But at the end of the day it's down to the Scout when he will wear it. Soon after the last Jamboree I was asked to attend an ESCOH. The SM had been my ASM for the Jamboree and the Troop had sent a lot of Scouts to the Jamboree. All the Scouts had gone in full uniform. I was shocked when a few of these same Scouts were not wearing their uniforms! I knew for a fact that they owned them! I'm not for sending Scouts home, when they don't have a uniform on. I think we need to find out why they don't have it on? Then work on fixing what is at fault. While we can't make changes to the uniform. Units can decide when and where they are going to wear the uniform. Could it be that maybe we ask the Scouts to wear it too often or too much? A PLC can decide when it should be worn. Wearing my parent hat! I don't care what changes have been made to the uniform to make it more "Outdoor Friendly". The fact that it costs more than anything else in my sons wardrobe, means that I'm not going to be happy when he wears it when the chances are that it is going to get ruined. Like it or not, I'm still going to send him out with an outfit that didn't cost over $100.00. Eamonn

Is every boy a leader? I'm not really sure. Is every adult a chef? While I think just about anyone can cook, I believe that there are some really great chefs. Does the same apply to /for leadership? There are skills and techniques that can be taught or learned. But like cooking something more is needed to become good or really good at it. Many of us have been around the Lad that is the Ringleader, more often than not he uses his leadership skills to lead the people that follow down the wrong path. While he might have leadership skills oozing out of every pore in his body, he might lack the ethical thinking to provide good leadership. I'm supposed to be a good Chef?? The ACF has taken my money and has me listed as a Certified Executive Chef. But there are a lot of areas where I'm just not good. Chinese and Asian cooking is an area where I'm about lost. I'm aware of this and if I was asked to cook a top notch Chinese meal, I'd either have to admit that I couldn't do it or find someone who was good at this type of cooking. While he or She might be the Chinese food expert, I might very well still be the leader. I'm thinking if it were done in my kitchen with my staff.. In fact if I were to just hand over everything to him or her, I think that I'd be less of a leader. The BSA Lifeguard is not a bad example of leadership. Of course it only shows one or maybe two styles of leadership - Directing/ Coaching. This is of course the style that is needed in that situation. But in a Patrol setting I would hope that a true leader would also be able to support and delegate. Directing is very often the easy way out and makes life easy for the leader, but being supportive and delegating is better for the patrol members. The Patrol Method is about the entire Patrol not just the P/L. While I'm no longer a boy! I could never have been an effective District Chairman if I hadn't been able to delegate and offer my support to the members of the District Committee. Sure when new people came on board I coached them and at times did have to direct them, but my goal was always to get them to a point where they could get the job done with me in the back ground. So, is every boy a leader? I still don't know. I believe that we can teach leadership skills and techniques, we can provide opportunities for boys to put into practice what they have been taught, I also believe that some boys will master it better than others. The reasons for this? I kinda think we are all given things that we are good at and there are things that no matter what we just struggle with. I'm not mechanical and have a hard time changing the line on my weed whacker! Eamonn.

When we were first married the only TV we had was the small black and white set that had been in my bedroom for a very long time. I was rarely home so it didn't get a lot of use. As part of her pay HWMBO received luncheon vouchers which could be exchanged for food in different restaurants. The flat (Apartment) we lived in wasn't very big and I was trying to bring it up to twentieth century standards (Silly things like heat and a shower!) The place was a real mess, our bed was in the living-room. However every Thursday night everything stopped. We bought fish and chips with the vouchers and the three of us (We had a small dog Woofter, that we got from Battersea Dogs Home) would lie on the bed watching Knight Rider on the small TV. I loved that car!! Eamonn.

I like old people. Well to tell the honest truth, I like old people in small doses. Much like I like small children. They are great to have around for a while, but I'm kinda happy that they at some time go back to their homes. The events of the past few weeks have got me thinking. Where I live now was once owned by Henry Clay Frick,once known as "America's most hated man". It seems that at one time Frick used the land around my home as a place to keep his pit-ponies. I know this because HWMBO Grandfather, George told me. George was an interesting fellow. He was 92 when he died almost 21 years ago. One day I asked George about the things he'd seen during his life and which had had the biggest impact? I thought he was going to say TV or maybe mention the Moon Landing. I was surprised when he said refrigeration. Thinking about it, I suppose the fact that he'd once been a butcher for the Company Store and then went on to become an undertaker, might have something to do with his choice? Over the past week or so, I've watched the news. The stories about the unrest in Iran, the passing of Michael Jackson, Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett. Truth is that I've never been to Iran and at this time have no plans to ever go there and I never was a fan of Michael Jackson, Ed McMahon or Farrah Fawcett. My knowledge about what happened in Iran in the past is not good. It seems to me that history shows that a lot of outsiders have stuck their noses in the affairs of Iran and the outcome from all of that is that the place is not sure what it wants or where it ought to be headed. My personal opinion is that Mr Ahmadinejad is a nut-case and should never be trusted. What really got me about the news about the unrest was the news about how the news was getting out. People were sending video and Twittering from cell phones, My Space and Internet Sites. The news about the death of Michael Jackson was posted on an entertainment web site six minutes before the coroner announced that was indeed dead. I never really gave Michael Jackson much thought. From the coverage on the news it seems that I'm the only person on the planet who doesn't own Thriller. I can't say that I dislike all of his music, I just didn't like it enough to part with any of my hard earned cash to pay for it. I'm not sure if in time I'll ever be willing to get past the charges of child molestation? I know this might sound strange, but I somehow managed to get past the way the Roman Catholic Church ducked around it all. My new super-duper TV has way too many channels,one shows all the old shows.Farrah Fawcett is on as one of Charlie's Angels. The hair and the weak plot-lines. My only real memory of Farrah Fawcett is watching her as an Angel when I was visiting a youth detention center in Holland, a very long time ago. I didn't watch the documentary she made about her fight with cancer. For me with HWMBO I felt it would be just too painful. HWMBO had an appointment to visit her Chemotherapy Doctor a couple of days after this was first shown on NBC.She didn't watch it then, but I noticed that she did watch it after Farrah had died, when she thought I wouldn't notice. I think she does this because she knows that I'm still not over the fact that it is a fact of life for us and I tend to treat it like an elephant in the living room that I'm happier to pretend just isn't there. Ed McMahon? I never understood why he was where he was? I kinda put it down to being an American thing! Carson was the right person for the Tonight Show, he made me laugh. I really disliked Star Search, in our area it came on late on a Saturday night when the only alternative was really bad movies. Of course this was before the days of super-duper TV's that got over 200 channels. I don't get all the junk mail with Ed McMahon promising me millions of dollars, the Internet seems to have help stop that, but HWMBO always joked that she was waiting for a check from Ed McMahon. I know now that it just is never going to happen. I'm now starting to think that I'm fast becoming an old person. No I didn't buy Thriller. I still see it as being that new music that I just wasn't into. I seem to forget that it came out 27 years ago! I have a Twitter account, which I have yet to work out how to use. If the world was waiting for me to send news updates the pony express might be faster. While never a Farrah Fawcett fan, I do think that at least back then for me she seemed like the all American beauty and no I didn't buy the Playboy Magazine with her in it. I'm not sure if I should be happy or sad that OJ never asks me about the "Old Days"! I'm becoming painfully aware that more and more I have no idea of what young people today are really into and who their hero's really are? Eamonn.

" Treat your boys well, respect them, and love them." What wonderful and wise words. For me, this is why I do what I do. We seem to shy away from the word love, but humans and some other species know when others care about them and respond to the caring and love we place on them. Thank You. Eamonn.

I can and do see how you would want to just kick back and take it easy. I think it's a little strange that you choose Leadership as a heading? Sometime back i was reading something which I should have copied but didn't! It talking about leadership. As I remember it.. Back in the day a great Englishman was leading an expedition to deepest darkest Africa. (Back in the day Englishmen were known for this type of thing!) He found a wonderful native guide. The guide lit the fires, cooked the meals, used his knowledge to ensure that the expedition was heading the right way and avoided nasty stuff like quicksand and of course prides of man eating lions. About half way the guide got news that his family was unwell. So he left the party. Things fell apart. So the big question was "Who really was the leader"? You might well decide not to run for another term of office. (To be honest, I wouldn't blame you for not running!) But I kinda think that while you might not wear the patch, you stand a very good chance of ending up like the Native Guide. You have to make up your own mind as to what you want to do. The choice should be your choice. I think however if I were your SM. I would take you to one side and thank you for your past services, I might ask you what you think you did well while you were serving as SPL? - I might ask what you think the role of an ASPL is? Who does he work with? Why does he work with this person? Where should a ASPL be heading after his term of office is over? Going back to the Englishman in Africa. Do you think things would have been different if the Guide had taken time to train the party in how to light the fires, cook the meals and avoid the pitfalls. "Help other people at all times" How do you think you could help? Eamonn.