Fuzzy Bear

Wherever he has gone, whatever he has done, he brought us all closer to God, both those in and outside the Church. His blessings will remain past his days here among us. FB

This PWD thing just won't go away. OK, one more time. If winning and losing is not important, then why have it in the first place or the last place or whatever? FB

BS, I doubt that Mr. Grey's site that you vividly and colorfully describe and then castigate with your moral outrage but conveniently leave us his address will be a place that I will be tempted to visit. I am sure that your warnings will be taken as you intended. FB

The Commissioner Service that I am presently part of has set its main objective to "doctor" units with end stage disease processes. I find that what happens is the UC tends to take over failing unit jobs which just adds another hat to the one head that has too many hats already. At one meeting, our ADC said that the definition of a UC is "somebody who walks on water". The reason to define the UC then was for us to go out find someone that could fill that role, which means that fewer and fewer will be found. I believe that I have enough knowledge to be able to train a new person in Scouting the basics of how to be a UC and then trust him/her to do the job. It is time to change the post healer approach to one of being proactive. After a unit decides to go their own way, most interventions won't work. It is more of a pat on the back for our "good works" rather than us fixing something. Moreover, it is an expression of "love" towards the DE to help save another unit and a few more souls from the fire and keep the DE from going into the insurance 'biddness' for a living. I have been in the Commissioner business now over twenty years and I do not walk on water, nor would I characterize any who do. I am not too old, burned out or ready to retire but I hope I know enough when the time comes to call it quits. I do not like the warm fuzzy approach to UCing or the bold in your face approach. I do not like to take on ailing units and certainly do not take over other people's jobs in those failing units. I would much rather aid a unit that requests help and knows the reason that I am there and allows me to speak to them frankly about the status of their unit. Fixing it starts with the District Committees and the Commissioners communicating with each other. There needs to be a monthly report of every unit's training needs, every unit's advancement needs, every unit's membership needs, every unit's finance needs, and every unit's camping needs. This information should be given to the responsible UC. That UC should meet with the COR, CC and the SM during the year to review these reports. Once per year there needs to be a conference with the IH, COR, and the CC to review the status of the unit and the reports and any needs that the unit has of the CO. Most likely Scouting won't get fixed because somebody makes it more difficult for a UC to get an award. If anything needs to be made stricter, it is the QU standards. Even if these standards are not made more difficult, the existing ones need to be reinforced by the UC ascertaining that the unit has met the standards by using documentation. I have heard a unit leader completing this form on too many occasions saying that, "we most probably did that one anyway" and did so on each item. As for attending unit meetings, if there is good communication between the principle parties during the year, then fewer unit contacts will be needed. Unit contacts can give the UC good information, if they have done their homework and if they are a good observer and if they can analyze using a small amount of data. If the UC has checked the main pressure points of a unit throughout the year, then they will know basically what is happening during the year, thus fewer actual visits. I would not second the motion for the UC being the hosts and quality monitors of all training. I trust the trainers to do a quality job and I trust them to use the existing quality material. I would much rather the UC's spend their time making sure a unit has a yearly written plan in place for unit program. This one item alone is the most important tool for any unit and the UC to assist with quality program. It is a document that can be monitored, can be used to make good program, can be used to promote committee support, and can be used to provide factual advertisement for recruitment and retention. I have yet to read a post where the unit leader said they planned to lose 50% of their Scouts in the first year but then I don't read every post. Some may be losing 50% in the first year according to the statistics and I agree that it is because they lack quality program. Some brag about not using the Methods of Scouting but they usually try to reinforce their lack of using the methods by saying they have a quality program and they also have the numbers. I personally believe that the Methods of Scouting are very important for quality program and for numbers. As for the Titanic, it would have taken more than a simple correction of course notice to change the minds of a crew and a Captain that believed that their boat could not be sunk. With two different space shuttles being scuttled, it has been the same story of too many believing that what they were doing was the best and a public astonished because they weren't. When a person believes they are the best, then nothing will stop them from their destination except the ocean floor. FB (This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

The actions of prejudice-willful acts against a class and discrimination- the acts of rejecting a class are learned. The idea of making cautious choices that provides a margin of safety for the individual is essential but may appear discriminatory. To live openly without caution of individual threats is an exercise in becoming a target. There is a tedious balance that takes time and effort to recognize when a person is being threatened and when a person is being arbitrary. It is similar to the idea of being found guilty prior to the act or without evidence. It is easier to live with the idea that certain classes of people are dangerous. This is a learned economy that short changes individuals from a class and short changes society. Untangling this fabric of discrimination appears impossible when observed from a distance. One must get closer to the individuals to begin to make a difference. FB

"For those who have been unable to find the address for the National office, even though it has appeared here several times, even though you can get it from your local professionals, even though it appears in a number of scouting materials, even though it is available on-line, even though it is listed in the phone books for Irving TX. It is: BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA NATIONAL OFFICE P.O. BOX 152079 1325 Walnut Hill Lane IRVING, TX 75015-2079" Bob "Here you go! BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA SUPPLY DIVISION NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER P.O. Box 7143 Charlotte, NC 28241-7143 1-800-323-0732 " Ed

Let's assume for a minute that what we are doing is complaining. Does this complaining work or is it like shooting our guns in the air and letting the bullets fall where they may? Let's also assume that none of us are in a position to make any changes and do not have any connections to anyone in authority. This should make what we are doing a type of speaking out loud to each other or mumbling to our own self. It should go nowhere. Now, what evidence do we have that any of it matters? 1. The number of people that come here and just read. There are hundreds that come here according to the numbers on the letterhead. These people are searching for answers and we are spouting answers everyday. 2. Someone belittled a Scout Camp once and there were several quick responses by many that we have not heard from since that episode. Come to find out, that Scout camp had many advocates. 3. Those with vested interests are ready to defend to the death their stand, belief, or thoughts. Try reading the opinions sometime. 4. Look at the bios or the personal information that people give. People are from all over the country/world that writes here and many are in positions of authority in the Scouting community from all levels. 5. There are those that feel strongly about Scouting and have studied it and experienced it in depth. Most all of us are careful about what we say because spouting invalid information is hardly ever allowed. The reason? Many will read it and we want to give the best that we have because it may make a difference for either one or a million. 6. A Scout is helpful. FB

I agree with BP that there is a general "cooking of the books" but after the smoke clears, the Annual Reports do not indicate the expected growth from such a process in the CS program, but then, BP agrees with this in his first sentence. As indicated, there is a general decline from the peak year of 1999 until 2004 of 281,013 or 12.8% (*derived from the reported estimate from 2004). This is a significant decline in the Cub Scout program but I believe that BP was estimating his CS program values as a contrast to the Boy Scout program where numbers tend to be more important. Estimating to make a point is an accepted practice on most front porches and around campfires with friends. The valuations have little to do with the statement but the reasons for the decline in the Boy Scout program is what is important, "poorer quality programs, apathy and large turnover from the professional side of scouting...Nationally.", quite an indictment. How do we know this to be true because there are even fewer numbers to make this assertion? Well, most of us are listening carefully to each other and whether it is true has little worth. It is what we do with that information that is the key. As for me, I know that I can do something about program quality and apathy. I am the director of a large Cub Scout/Webelos event this next year. Based on BP's statement, I have decided that we must increase our attendance by 25% to make it a very large CS/WS event. We have a good staff and it is time to renew our outlook on how we administer our part of it. We will be looking closer at the reasons we are doing what we are doing. It may be that we can be part of the answer. We may be able to help bolster those BS numbers this next year. Wish us hard work and big dividends! Thanks, FB

I have been the SM of a unit that had a Scout Hut in the City Park. The City paid for the electricity that was used. We didn't have any other utilities. The unit did the maintenance. The CO provided funding as well as the unit for the repairs. I always felt and still do feel that this was and is a bad arrangement but it was convenient. I would suggest that the CO have full responsibility of such an endeavor, including the utilities. The Scout Hut can then be used for other purposes if the unit folds. Many in the churches like it when the Scouts are out of the main building. The Scout Huts at churches that I have since been acquainted appear to have most of the amenities needed for all types of programs and the Scouts can build furniture that fits their needs. FB

FS, I agree. I do not know the answer either. I know that the training is excellent. I know the BOOK is excellent. I do know that we work with volunteers who are in charge and it is their opinion on how the rules, guidelines, policies are interpreted. It may be because there was a poor trainer or a misunderstanding. It may be that they did not hear what was said or it was not said at all. Many times two people can read the same sentence and come out with two different meanings. I have observed two separate units doing things very differently and yet both had great results. I have observed units doing what I thought were the right things and get bad results. I have observed units doing what I felt were less than what was expected and yet have great results. It is confusing because there is this desire for things to work one way only. The problem is that people tend to gum it all up.

"We all know what is right." If only there was an ounce of truth in that statement it would make me feel so comfortable and my job in Scouting so easy. I have to share a little UC story. I must believe that I know what I am doing because I have been in Scouting for a long time, and I attempt to stay on top of things. I wear the FULL uniform, including the pants, patches, helmet, and official boots. (* I am just kidding about the helmet and the boots. So, I go in to this Troop meeting to introduce myself. The unit has five adults and five Scouts. The adults are in full uniforms, patches, trained strips, WB beads, all with years of experience. None of the Scouts are in a full uniform and most are wearing only "parts". The adults act as if I had dropped in from outer space but they tried not to act too much like it. I was grateful for the warm reception but my point was to let them know who I am and that I am there to help. They tell me everything is fine and that all is being run by the BOOK. The evidence tells me that there are some struggles but I take things at face value until proven otherwise, so I am happy. I report to the DC that I feel that it will take a long time before I will be able to "help" because the adults are so much by the BOOK, even with the few problems I had observed. Six weeks later, the fully uniformed, trained and highly decorated Council Commissioner is called in to fix a very nasty problem in this unit that was being run by the BOOK and by the fully uniformed and trained leaders. Of course, neither I nor the fully uniformed and trained DC had any knowledge of what had occurred. Even the fully uniformed and fully trained Senior DE was called in late. It seems when somebody gets IT in a crack, everyone forgets about the BOOK and survival is the key. Of course, apologies were sent all around and the problem was "fixed", the end. I have witnessed enough of these little problems over the years to fill my own little book. When somebody drapes uniform, beads, and loads of knots and trained strips around their body; looks can be deceiving even to one who should know better. Also the words, by the BOOK dont always mean what we think it means. FB

Miki, It appears that the resolution to the problem of "church attendance" vesus "belief in God" during the early BP period was to leave it up to the Scout. BP seemed to have strong feelings about this issue. Do you agree? FB

"The rules are the rules and the interpretation of the rules are up to who is in charge." It can be shown that for every rule there are ten interpretations (*an estimate based on Letterman's Top Ten) of that rule. Believing that your truth is Everyman's truth has been shown here to be brittle and generally without substance too many times. This principle is the cause of much consternation in this forum. It is not defending one's right to truth as much as it is to speaking one's truth that is at issue. It would be a simplistic exercise to just write the rules here for everyone to read and believe that you have done your duty. It is the search for truth that brings us together and makes the efforts genuine. When we listen to each other and we discuss what we do and how we do it that brings light and it begins to define elements of that truth. It may be that we never agree but it is in those moments of sharing when something happens that is greater than the individual can do alone. FB(This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

Miki, PS= Prairie Scouter. It was his perspective that I was speaking about. God was in Scouting from the beginning but moreover it was BP's thought that a person should attend church regularly instead of making a confession of belief in God. Most likely he felt that one would follow the other because he may have realized that people grow into their faith. The idea that BP was alone in the development of the Scouting program was the next thought. An occurrence in 1905 by Einstein started another movement but as he said, "I stand on the backs of giants". Einstein readily admitted to using other people's work to build on. BP is sometimes given complete credit for starting the program and for it's development. There were many involved but I believe that BP provided something that nobody else could and that was his image which was the stimulus for childrens imagination world wide. He was the focal point and he had much to share. FB

Laurie, I enjoy the program and the projects, simple, developmentally correct, and fun. I know what I experienced as a Scout and I remember how it helped me to learn and to grow. I was able share with Scouts as an adult and many times while teaching, I experience the satisfaction of it again. I keep returning. I hope your search leads to your joy. FB

PS God was in it from the beginning. There has always been the Universal goal. Looking backward, the two appeared to have aligned. Looking at it from your prespective, it may seem to have wavered. Miki, And then, there was Major Frederick Russell Burnham, D.S.O. FB

It implies that the CO, the Pack committee, the individual Scout, and/or any individual leader can make any uniform policy as they see fit as long as the Pack does not change the uniform policy. It also reads that one must wear the total uniform or as the Bear Patrol says, 'come Bear naked'. This should not be done in cold climates or in rainy zones or near the Bible Belt. I suggest wearing anything else other than the uniform to combat this problem. Actually, that may become the new policy, don't ever wear the uniform and the entire Pack will be within the uniform policy. It costs nothing to do that and any simpleton can see that they can save $100.00 or whatever amount was the suggested retail price of all of that stuff. Now, the total uniform can be worn with any number, type, and kind of civilian wear including extra shoes and socks, underwear, coats, hats, earrings and anything else that one may possess. This policy may indeed be the key to unlock several mysteries that we have all struggled with for so long. It may also reduce whining and all of the myths that have plagued us and we owe it all to the BOOK. I suggest some type of ceremonial music at this point. Knowing the rules makes us rational! FB (This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

Hops,

Mik, Thanks for the clear and concise report on Seton that extended and clarified my clumsy summation based on ETS by John G. Sampson. As a youth, your lodge was my lodge. The much misunderstood but beloved Asa L. was our Advisor. FB

E.T. Seton or Ernest Seton Thompson was born in South Shields, England in 1860 and later attended London's Royal Academy as an art student. The name change was due to the Seton family's part in the 1745 Stuart rebellion, after losing, fled Scotland to South England and changed their name to Thompson to avoid being recognized. He died in 1946 after a life of being a gifted painter, sketch artist and much honored Naturalist. His paintings were considered by the American Museum of Natural History to be the best all-round animal and bird artist in America. He wrote 40-odd books, many of them children's books. He was an early conservationist, ecologist, environmentalist, and preservationist. He hunted on a limited basis but also realized how over killing destroyed his beloved natural surroundings. He wrote about animals as if they had noble human qualities but he understood how cruel nature can be. He was a romantic that enjoyed the conflict between good and evil, the knight in shining armor and the damsel in distress. He admired the American Indian. He disliked Custer and Saint Paul. He felt that Custer was an Indian hater and that Paul was anti-female. He was devoted to both, Indians and females. He married Grace Gallatin, an author, in 1896 and they had a daughter, Ann or Anya Seton in 1904, who later became an author. Grace knew William Hornaday, Frank Chapman, and Daniel Carter Beard. Seton also was friends with Theodore Roosevelt and Buffalo Bill Cody. Beard and Seton co-founded the Boy Scouts of America. Apparently, Seton and Beard individually claimed to have invented the Boy Scouts. BP founded the Scout movement in England along military lines but Seton used the Woodcraft Indians theme in 1902 to develop his program as well as writing a manual, pre-BP. According to correspondence between BP and Seton, it indicates that BP used Seton's Woodcraft Indians as a model for the English program. (*check Ladies Home Journal, May 1902) After helping to found the American program, he left in 1915 after a clash with James West. Seton had also influenced the Camp Fire program in America. Seton divorced Grace and later married his longtime secretary, Julia Butree in 1935. They moved to Santa Fe and adopted a daughter, Beulah, who still lives in their home in Santa Fe, NM. Scouting for Boys was written in 1907 by BP. BP's Scout Promise- On my honor I promise that I will do my best- 1. To do my duty to God and the King. 2. To help other people at all times. 3. To obey the Scout Law. FB (This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

Lynn, Choose as you see fit. You will have fun and you will find that there are many others from across the country that shares your love for Scouting. You will find some of the best trainers giving the best program that you could possibly have. You will enjoy meals and great leisure time activities. You will find your experience exciting and refreshing. You will be better equipped to deliver the program and you may decide that you can share that kind of joy with many others. That will also be a decision that you can make for yourself when the time comes. FB

Day 3, Another Scouting skill is Knowing and using the Resources. I will gladly listen to any of the whining anytime by anybody right here. I havent read anywhere that fixing anything is the goal here. Most likely, if somebody here wanted to fix something, they need to go elsewhere. I agree. If you want to fix something, this is the wrong place. One should go to the National Office and sit on a board and make changes. Being here doesn't change anything. Remember that In the meantime, I think the pants do not fit correctly. I want tailored pants that are inexpensive instead of cheap off the shelf pants that don't fit. $50.00 pants are little more than a way to rip people off. I don't intend this message for anyone other than my friends that are sitting around this beloved campfire. It is not intended to change National's opinion because I am whining to people that might have sympathy or just might want to share their ideas. I almost forgot. Many times during some of these whining sessions, there are valuable possessions that have been shared. I want to say that I have been changed by being here. I have been enriched by much of what has come my way right here amongst the whining. FB

My opinion, not fact: The BSA is not a religious organization and cannot be one. It is similar to saying that Scouting is a National organization. Scouting encourages good citizens in every single country but does not recognize any one country as being the one country for Scouting. Scouting has national administrators in any country that chooses the program but Scouting's intent is International in scope. The religious intent is Universal and encourages Scouts to strengthen their religious affiliation not weaken it. This means that one must have a belief in a Higher Power, non-specific. It is my thinking that these court suits do not apply because of the general nature of Scouting and religion. Scouting is by intent one of the most non-discriminating organizations on the planet that anyone will ever find. Scouting wants to bring people together, not rip them apart from each other. If the Judges find that Scouting somehow does discriminate, then there are thousands of possible CO's that we have yet to even ask. I personally do not find that Scouting is in any danger of collapse in a country with the multitude of resources that are here. This Is not a problem and should not even be viewed as one. FB

Scout Law 8- BP A Scout Smiles and Whistles under all Difficulties. when he gets an order..hardship... misses a train...has his favorite corn stepped on or any annoying circumstance...force yourself to smile at once, and then whistle a tune, and you will be all right. FB

Hunt, Whining- Evaluation, a leadership skill. What is good (about this subject)? What is bad (about this subject)? What can be done about it? That is the job of every leader in Scouting. Listening is a skill used in Counseling which is also a leadership skill which should be known and appreciated by all in Scouting. Obviously, there are those that believe in their own facts and feel that only they alone possess truth. We know full well where that type of truth leads. FB