encourager

Dear Joni4TA, thanks for your reply. It addressed what my major concern is. I have seen other female adult leaders (non-ASM) take on the same role as you. My troop secretary has the best Scout spirit and so her son is one of the youngest (& most mature) Eagle Scouts we have. It's not that she's bossy, but is there to "lend a hand." She and the CC's wonderful wife are exactly the models I need in order to be productive on the troop level. I understand now that we have the freedom to help without an actual title other than MC. Thank you for your response. I can serve now with humble understanding.

Gratefully, yours in Scouting,

Sylvia

All valid points. As a trained leader for my position (which is pre-requisite for Wood Badge) I know well the slogan "Every Boy deserves a trained leader." I am particularly aware of the different opportunities for training for ASMs and so I will follow-up with him regarding this vital need.

But please folks, what about me? Can I be part of this "new adventure?" What about the anonymous saying "You never stand so tall as when you stoop to help a child?" It's not like I'm looking at my son's patrol, but I want to help all the younger Scouts. There are deficiencies that I think I can shed light on with my newfound Wood Badge knowledge.

Hi guys, I've been a little out there but something has come up with my son's patrol that this thread may be addressing. I've been through Wood Badge but I don't have the stamina to be an ASM. However, one of the dads of my 12 year old's patrol of 4 wants to be an ASM. He has told me that he is not that knowledgeable about Scouting but sees a lot of hazardous situations that could be averted with the right leadership. I want to help but I feel that I have no role as a committee member. I feel that I could help him with our son's patrol but I am not sure how to do that? Could you guys give me some feed back. I will tell you that the SM is doing a pretty good job, the SPL will be 18 in December and is finishing his Eagle Project and my ASM is the PL's father.

Hi Judy,

I got notification on my thread about a month ago but couldn't respond so here I am. You can email me directly at encourager@optonline.net. Hope to hear from you--Sylvia

Hi Sparkie,

I am all for training as well. It adds to the support you feel when you hear similar stories and can even help the next person. Please enlighten me, I have heard about the greatness of the Woodbadge training but what in the world is Okpik?

YIS, Sylvia

Hi guys,

I am really surprised that no one has even mentioned the Great Yawgoog Scout Camp in Rhode Island. Every troop in Suffolk County, Long Island either goes or wishes it can.

Sylvia

Hi CubmasterFred and all,

I have seen a waning of interest for yugioh by my fourth grader but it's not completely dead yet. I had such a hard time with him last year--that I hid all his cards for about 6 months. I really have to say that as a former catechist I got a little worried about Egyptian Gods card and he was using other foreign phrases that honestly I couldn't understand him. But he's doing better now and like I said it isn't as popular as it used to be.

Sylvia

Hi Singmee,

Welcome to the "campfire". I like this forum. It has answered a lot of my questions and are very welcoming--I am just extending what I received. I have a first-year webelo and am on the Pack's committee.

Good luck to you and your bears,

Sylvia

Words of wisdom, E. I do have a lot on my plate and take my word for it, everybody sees me as the solution to the DL problem. But I have fortunately learned when to say NO. If I didn't say no, I would not be as happy with scouting as I am.

But good news, everyone, ADL called DL and the rest of my den mates, and we all met tonight. DL needs the den to feel better about what's happening on the Adv Chair stuff and as far as I was concerned I was content to say good-bye to my son and pick him up 1.5 hrs later. They didn't really do anything that I would absolutely feel that had to get done for the Webelos Badge but they made some crafts to give out to the community and I am at peace. After all, I'm not stressed and my son had fun.

As usual, you guys were there when I needed you--Thanks

Sylvia

Hi Lynda, you are funny--do what the rest of you guys do and take over. I really don't want to do any enabling (I'm good at scouting and psychological jargon) and I will wait past tomorrow. I reasoned that if I get a phone call today or by 5pm tomorrow for a den meeting with DL, I'm off the hook. But if not, it is enough reason to speak to DL, CC, CM and all those wonderful people "In Charge"

Tomorrow will come soon enough---

YIS, Sylvia

Hi guys, I woke up about two hours ago with a lot on my mind. Family difficulties, the upcoming holidays (that I love), the end of my semester as I near graduation in May. With so much out of my control, where do I "land" but the current problems with my first year Webelos den. I serve on the committee because honestly I knew when I transferred out of my old pack what I was getting into. I thought people were different but a controller is a controller no matter what pack you belong to. At any rate, my new controller had a nice size den and an ADL already. At the same time, my DL was also the advancement chair. We got past the summer with not too many problems. And then September.

She announces that since her family is coming from overseas and the ADL is finishing up the commitment to football we should get back onto a better schedule by the beginning of November. We went to Webelos Woods because I pushed for it seeing that even the ADL's son & husband wanted to go. But no meeting the whole month of November. In the meantime, the controller had a confrontation with new CC about calling the old CC for help with advancements in the month of November. So she has formally resigned from the committee and my "den mates" (as I like to call them) and I haven't heard from the controller or the ADL and maybe there is a meeting tomorrow night, who knows for sure.

What does my head say--let them handle it. My son likes scouting but hey sometimes, I have to push him. If this is not meant to go anywhere, well let's just turn the page. But I love scouting for its fun and values. My heart says I want to help so let me start by having it in my house, I'll be the new DL or ADL since maybe the controller has scared off my friend the ADL...And then the everlasting discussion going back and forth. Let go and let God really could be applied here. Maybe I just needed to share.

The biggest dilemma is what will we give the boys at the Blue & Gold Luncheon if they haven't earned the Webelos Badge. We covered a couple of points on Citizen and I was told by the committee that most schools have programs on health that would cover Fitness. But there is still more that needs to be done. Being somewhat informed, my son finished Traveler & Sportsman bring the total to 4 activity pins. He even knows the Scout Oath and Law but I don't think it's enough. And I don't want to be singularly doing this. I like the people in my den they're nice people (at times even my controller.) At any rate, I know it's not the end of the world but hey what else could I be doing at 6am??

YIS, Sylvia

Hi BW, I don't really think that she knew what she was doing, firing me and all. But I know that the Council could not remove me right away from the charter right away. Since they "fired" me in September, and the Charter expires in December, I was not really on their that long. At any rate, it was the emotional impact that got to me. I was trained at the District's Committee Challenge and we uncovered a lot of little problems. I really don't think I did anything wrong but I have healed enough to stay with scouting thru all this.

Back to the thread, I had the opportunity to fill up the committee and really I had a dialogue with each about what they wanted to do. We continued with our treasurer (4 years), we had a new secretary and parents helping with fundraising efforts. After I left, some stayed and some left.

YIS, Sylvia

Hi guys, I'm glad to have read these posts. They are very informative. But I would like to pose this question: Is it always the rule that every position be rotated in a troop committee after a year. I am questioning because I was asked to leave the position of the committee chair by the COR after only 7 months. She had a bad day and took it out on me. She claimed that she was going to end my service by the year anyway....If the troop is small and not a lot of new parents stepping up for service, there isn't a lot of choices of who should be the adult leaders. Can't the term be extended to say 2 years? We stopped being friends after that, and she had a hard time getting another committee chair.

Sylvia

Hi Queenj,

First check to see if a non-Denomination Award exists by visiting this link:

http://www.scouting.org/awards/religious/awards/

I took out my BSA "Duty to God" brochure (5-879B, 2002 Printing) and I can offer this feedback. Some of the Protestant denominations use similar emblems and perhaps that is as close to non-denomination as you get. The brochure has God and Me & God and Family with the same emblem for the following faiths: AME, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Salvation Army, United Methodist, Protestant/United Church of Christ/Community Churches. There may be others, do your research. We support your efforts, perhaps its time to reconnect to your faith community or a Higher Power

Sylvia

Hi JD,

There's a lot in your post but here goes:

1. I have a full-color flyer that shows the different emblems for all faiths from BSA. I ran across a website http://www.scouting.org/awards/religious/awards/

that has more info for the emblems. Also, the Church publishes its own series for Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei (Which was just updated over the summer to include the Spanish version.) But for the protestant faith, the website for the publisher is:

http://www.praypub.org

2. Cub Scouting includes the earning of religious emblems as part of their program. It's in the Tiger (though I forget where) but definitely in the Wolf and Bear books listed as part of the achievement.

3. I would imagine that you should speak to the REC if you would like him/her to give info on all of them at a pack night for instance. They could relate it to their experience but present it as universally as possible. After all, Scouting asks us to believe in God, not a particular faith. I'll offer this insight (limited as it is,) a good religious emblem counselor should be able to give information and not make anybody feel uncomfortable.

Keep us informed as to your efforts--I'll be here at the campfire stroking the flames.

Sylvia

Thanks to all of you,

Bob, I belong to our diocesan Committee and they came up with the idea of sending letters to all the churches in the area that charter troops. A draft letter is being done, but I like the idea of a bulletin announcement.

I'm involved more with the Cubs at this time, but my oldest Scout wants to do the Pope Pius. But for the cubs I can sign the application where it requires the CM or REC (the wonderful world of acronyms) to sign on Light of Christ or Parvuli Dei.

I love the spiritual element in Scouting and I would like this to be as permanent a ministry as possible. Sylvia

Hi guys,

I just got trained as a religious emblem counselor for the Catholic faith. Other than working with the members of my son's troop, how best to approach other troops? Should I limit contacting other troops to those chartered by a Catholic Church?

Sylvia

My oldest son has been to:

Yawgoog Scout Reservation, Rhode Island

Baiting Hollow Scout Camp, Wading River, NY

The little one can't wait to go to Yawgoog!!!b

Hi Beggar,

It is sad when in a great movement like Scouting we have power hungry people who use good leaders to make a statement about how powerful they think they really are. I have had a few people here and there that have really tried controlling situations for their own benefit. A controller will use gossip and inuendos to show their statute but at the root is usually a person with low self-esteem that wants to feel better about themselves. You will notice that he didn't share with a third party like you are doing, but with the people he wants to impress.

Now as to what to do--Each situation calls for a unique approach. Please speak with your Committee Chair who the Cubmaster answers to. Unit Commissioners are next and then definitely District Executive as a last result. It would be nice if the Cubmaster would acknowledge at a Pack Committee meeting the wrong he did but don't count on it. You may actually leave but with the knowledge that your good name is not besmirched by the past. Good leaders are not to be stepped on--and the kids shouldn't suffer. May I just add, however, that put your pride aside and walk with dignity. You have done what you can but stand back and be aware of the ramifications of your actions. Pride and dignity sometimes are opposite forces, I hope you understand. Keep us posted--we all learn from examples.

YIS, Sylvia

Hi HTU, my son is a high-functioning autistic who is doing very well in scouting. Thanks to scouting he has learned leadership skills with younger members and even Cubs. He is currently working in our council's Scout Shop. He's turning 18 next April and since he should be making Star at the next court of honor, I'm apply for alternative merit badges and hopefully he can go on to Eagle. He started in Scouting at 14 and has learned a lot. Sometimes, I think you just have to go with the flow and see what the lad is capable of. Given the many opportunities that Scouting provides, your Scout may come out better than when he went in. Keep us posted. BTW, the Autism spectrum is supposed to afflict 1 in about 300 kids. My kid is high-functioning but maybe your guy is not--just keep the opportunities coming.

YIS, Sylvia

Hi Uncle,

I was praying this morning at 8:46 for the victims and their families. My memories are ordinary but poignant. My youngest son had just entered first grade. I was speaking to his teacher at school while something told me to watch TV (something I hardly ever do, especially in the morning.) As I discussed my son, the terrible news started coming over the screen. I knelt near the TV, crying that the Lord witness this horror. I called my friend who was pregnant at the time and realized she needed me. Her husband was across the street from the WTC and who knew if she had become a widow with her baby due in a few weeks.

Besides the horror, I do remember how everyone helped each other. We cried together, held hands, prayed. I ended up using the therapy offered--I was so upset. Being that I was on Long Island, I couldn't do much. I gave blood and continue to go to blood drives as often as medically suggested. I spiritually adopted one of the fallen firemen and pray for him in a special way on these anniversaries. I support BSA and the military for the same reason. That was the year that both my boys joined BSA, my little guy became a Tiger and my eldest at 14 entered his troop. I have since adopted BSA as a ministry.

I have grown a lot--thanks for the invitation to share.

YIS, Sylvia

Hi Venturer, are you from Nassau or Suffolk? Suffolk? Please advise district--I may know you

YIS, Sylvia

Hi mamabear,

I haven't seen the craft but is it made of beads? I had a fun experience making alligators, snakes and eagle patterns out of those round beads with the long string.

Hi Carol, thanks for the welcome. Anyway, where did you go for a reunion? Scouters are all over the place since one of the local scoutmasters I know went down to Texas in June for a reunion. June was a nice time to come to LI. Sylvia

Thanks Eamonn, it's super-important that we hang in there for the kids. I have had my shares of battles, mostly with controlling scouters who don't want to do anything new. Usually the den, pack or troop begin to die because the boys are bored and the scouters leave--I rather serve as humbly as possible and hang in there as much as I can.

YIS, Sylvia