Fuzzy Bear

Thanks and more to you.

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Welcome and Merry Christmas. You appear to have your hands full with Scouting.

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Festivus is never the same without a large cold mug of Chai Tea with marshmallows stuffed with red hots floating in it. This brew can really jump start the gripe sessions; at least it does it for us. fb

For everyone that posts here, I wish you all Happy Holidays and a wonderful new year.

The first question put to the three Wise men upon their arrival addressed the condition of their costumes. It was noted that they were covered in dust and ash and many wanted to know the reason.

Their reply: They came from afar. (Scouts understand this one.)

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I will now update my previous post of several months ago, since we are reviewing.

If a Scout wants to stick a spear through his head from ear to ear and have it hang out on both sides and dangle a pair of earrings down to the floor, nobody should have a word to say to him. (*I am not speaking for the Scouts parents.) As long as he is in full uniform with all badges correctly in place and wasn't going out to play some kind of sport where the spear and earrings would make it unsafe, then he is within the Scout regulations. Also, my personal opinion on such things is not relevant, so I dont get a vote on matters like earrings but I do on safety. (*I would also like to specify that the spear should be appropriately short with a dull point projecting out the left side, if he is an eligible driver.)

Personal expression is a basic exercise, one that leads to participating citizenship and change within Scouting and within the U.S.A. In other countries, change doesn't come so easily but then sometimes we forget that.

I am considering an earring myself. My wife keeps telling me to do it but my conservative attitudes keep me in check. I have worn a full beard for years and occasionally I let my hair get bushy. I suppose that counts for something. (*Change comes more slowly for me.)

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We used to have a Forum member that intelligently defended the right and wrong or the black and white of the letter of all rules, regulations and guidelines. I must admit that his arguments were quite compelling and sometimes I miss not having something solid to lean on from such argumentation. Using his approach, it becomes a slippery slope or easy to dismiss the problems that arise from the numerous individual issues that may confront us at any turn in the road. His argument would be that you simply don't know enough about the program to make an informed decision. In many instances, I am sure that is the case but I fear we suffer from "Information Overload".

Information Overload is about the reams of Scouting literature and training for the new member. For the old members, the problem is compounded by the reams and reams of literature, changes and training programs that they have been through over the years. Sometimes the new member is at an advantage in making "correct" decisions since they would not fall back on past training, knowledge and experience. Sometimes the older member is at an advantage because they have a better perspective based on many choices from past information.

I don't believe we will ever see two programs run the same way but we will take note when a program is too far removed from the main stream. We need to also be black and white on many issues concerning safety and those involved with money. I personally believe in a hierarchy of concerns but then that would bring us into a confrontation as to which things are the most important. It is just easier and safer to point to the Methods of Scouting and leave it at that.

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I let my weight bloom for a couple of years and it has been a fight ever since. Bad feet and a sit down job didn't help one bit. I now work out 5 days a week from 5 to 6 AM and have being doing so for one year. I am doing my best to continue in spite of cold weather and early morning hours prior to going to work. I am not attempting an award. It is something I learned in Scouting.

Should a Scout not do what is asked? They need to let me know that they are doing their best first. If they have worked out for thirty days doing all of the required exercises, then they will have improved. If they have not worked out for thirty days doing the required exercises, then they have not improved. I doubt that an increase or a decrease in the numbers are the final verdict. Nothing is said about warming-up or a pulled a muscle. Are there alternative exercises for those with a broken arm? The benefits of working out are numerous. I am interested in the lessons learned as well as the requirements being completed.

Beav and acco40 are intelligent, caring Scouters and I know both will do their best in their jobs. I am sure their Scouts will agree on that issue, now and later. fb

Circle the wagons before recruiting. Take the group that you have and everyone commit to go to training both for the training and to acquire a good dose of SCOUT SPIRIT.

If they demure, get with the District Training Chair and bring the training to them when they all can get together.

NOBODY wants to crawl aboard a ship that is about to go down, so dont recruit until there is some kind of SPIRIT that is encouraging. People will be more prone to come aboard if it looks exciting.

Next, require that each family commit one parent for one position OR one activity Or to do one thing that is needed for the Pack, EACH year.

Get training VHS tapes and go to peoples homes to get the training started. Get patches and certificates to recognize people as they advance in training.

Take, invite everyone to go to Round Table each month to keep the Spirit up.

Decide to have a Pack Committee that will SUPPORT the Packs program and to recognize everyone that helps out each year at the Blue and Gold Banquet.

The CM is a NON-VOTING member of the Pack Committee, so if he is weak, there will be SUPPORT for the overall program and for him.

Use a Resource Survey for every adult connected to the Pack to find out who has places to go, vehicles to get there and things that they can give the Pack (for free). Use the resources in as many activities as possible.

The Pack Committee needs to legislate that the Pack will have a written plan for each year. Use the Program Helps so people will not need to make things up. Just read and do. Get everyones email and address and make sure everyone has a copy of the yearly plan. Keep plenty of copies to give to anyone that walks through the door.

Once you have something exciting going, go recruit.

Places where people might be found: your CO, past leaders of the Pack or the other Packs past leaders, relatives of all families connected to the Pack, check with the feeder Troop to ask if they know of anyone interested, friends of the families

When recruiting from the targeted groups, sometimes you really only need to recruit ONE GOOD leader. Things will fall in place if you give it a SUSTAINED effort.

Home visits work well. Take your yearly calendar along.

That should do it for a start. fb

Pinning a note to the door in the middle of the night of an upstanding Ranger doesnt square with being Trustworthy and all of the rest that follows. I suppose it would be easy to backtrack that kind of varmit to deal with him properly but judging from the actions, it wouldnt be worth the walk.

I dont need to say it but we all eat that which we kill. I suppose those in the backroom that figured out how to deal with Ranger Rennell will be eating a meal that most wouldnt put in their mouth anytime but especially during the Christmas season. That kind of gift when opened brings on a smell that will stick in ones nostrils for years to come.

I would encourage those affected to not dwell on rebutting acts of the lowest worth because it would only bring on more of the same from the person you need to respect the most, yourself. If you want to respond, please consider building good programs on the local level that would rival any that you lost. Make sure that the Ranger finds a good job and that he has references to go forward with to make a new home and life. He sounds like a person that most of us would want around our own place. fb

Death is a democratic event. Organizations, family members, and individuals are all affected by the person dying. The funeral home/church tries to bring a type of general order within the wishes of the direct family members. Sometimes there are so many that want to express their feelings but time limits their actions. It is like life itself being replayed in miniature.

A long time professional Scouter was diabetic and he knew that it was a matter of time. He planned the proceedings. It was a simple church service in a large auditorium. Someone from his church spoke and another sang. A friend and Scouter recounted his life. A Scout played "On My Honor" as we all stood. Most were in uniforms. So many knew him and loved him.

Death brings our deepest emotions to the surface and causes us to pause and to consider our own mortality. It is a time that brings focus to that which is most important to us. The small things become trivial by comparison. A funeral can be an expression of who we are and an attempt to relate it one last time to those we love. It most probably wont be complete because we are complex and when we love it is hard to express. fb

I don't fault the training for varied outcomes as much as I do the participants that come to the training with their varied backgrounds and learning abilities. The bigger problem is that no matter how well trained, they return to a unit with varied backgrounds and levels of training. In most cases, it is not a one-person show and others may be in positions of authority to control the use of the effects of the training. In some instances, a person simply does not understand how to engage training outcomes with their unit. WB tries to do this with the Ticket and has found success. Problems generally arise after the Ticket is completed and the person is no longer working their Ticket.

Let's take one idea of the boy run unit. It sounds good on paper and when training with other adults it is even fun. When put into practice, it is threatening to parents and other adults that perceive that kids cannot be responsible. This simple, practical and helpful principle is many times set to the side because of control issues. It is somewhat difficult to detect, since many times projects are viewed from a distance by others. Adults may plan, gather the materials and build a project then the Scouts merely set it up. Boys may even take credit for it. They get an award and everyone is happy, unless the project loses and then the adults step in to find out where the judges went wrong. I have witnessed this concept by WB trained adults that viewed their own training as a mark of competitive distinction rather than one that allowed them to assist Scouts in their efforts to make ethical and moral choices by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. fb

Here is your opportunity to tell the readers about your version of Pure Scouting.

For some, it appears that Scouting has, much like color mixing, color, hue, and saturation with the ability to mix, match and to increase/decrease intensity levels.

For some, it may be that Scouting is a process of learned objectives that can be achieved over a period of time.

For others, it may be an either/or proposition where a group of people come together to engage a program.

It has been some time but for a few years I visited the Philmont Training Center for several programs. I took note that I could leave my tent to go to the bathroom and on the way, stop in on any number of group conversations and fit right in as though I had been there from the start. Few took note that they did not know me, nor I them but we spoke the same language and almost knew the same (kinds) of people. We had similar problems and our goals were understood to be the same. I found the interchanges to be stimulating and the acceptance to be refreshing. My wife took note that I spent a long time at the bathroom.

First, I agree that Scouting looks like a quilt of many colors. It is messy for several reasons. Few of us are in one place or program long enough to give historical definition but if we were able to observe, we would see several things happening.

Let's take one example of a unit's progression. A DE visits a CO and there is an agreement struck for them to engage the Scouting program. The next Sunday morning a call goes out for leaders. Nobody answers but someone hears about it from another Church and she decides to be the SM. She recruits some of her friends and the first Charter is completed with the minister being the non-participating COR. A couple of the names on the new Charter were used from existing people in the District as a temporary measure. Little communication occurs between the COR and the leaders which is the first big step (backwards) and then a UC comes along and tells them about training. Only one of the ASM's goes and finds out about needing a committee. A couple of parents are asked to be that committee. One had been a Second Class Scout when he was 12, so he is the chosen CC.

The training was run by a new person that moved into the area. Because he had been trained a few years before, he was the only person to take the job, so he became it. It was felt that he could pick right up where he left off and he could learn the new things while teaching it. Since he did not have experience running a Venture Crew, he left that part out for future reference as well as a few other things. The UC was experienced but he was newly appointed to the WB Staff and spent most of his time going to meetings and doing some other Council stuff. He was unable to check in on the new group but he once called to ask the SM, if she had purchased a SM handbook.

The new SM went right out and purchased a SM handbook. She read the first few pages and decided that she knew enough to get things going. One year later, the DE shows up to sign the new Charter. Everyone is happy to meet the "Executive" and he is able to get all the signatures.

I could go on and on but these kinds of things happen with frequency. So, if a person is observing this group from a safe distance, then it is not surprising that the new group begins to do things in novel ways. It does not mean that they are actually doing the Scouting program. It does not mean that the CO is happy with what is going on. It does not mean that the DE accepts their program. It does not mean the DC is blessing all programs simply because they have three adults signing the Charter and they have two-deep leadership. Since the unit approximated several goals, everyone is happy about that part because their part is completed. Other parts may be totally unexplored territory for the new unit.

I believe that all of this means that there is "potential" if everyone agrees together on what goals Scouting has to offer. If there is disagreement, then there needs to be further sit-down meetings to hash it out and decide who is going to do what. This seldom happens. In all of my years of Scouting, I have yet to see that happen. Yet, there are many, many units with experienced leaders communicating with their COR's and everyone is trained. Sometimes they approximate the model of Scouting and sometimes not. Even here, we find it hard to agree. There may be many reasons for our lack of agreement. I still believe that there is great potential for Scouting to work. It is by far the greatest youth program around. fb

This appears to be a problem in measurement. Does this Scouts height equal that which I (the leader) perceive to be that of an Eagle? I posit that if he has reached the Aims and if he has used the Methods to get there, then he has met the initial goal. One past and most straightforward poster was fond of saying that if the Scout meets the requirements, then he has the badge. I dont agree with the idea of the CO determining if the Scout meets some other criteria simply because it may not match anything Scouting. It appears that you have identified other criteria that you believe to be important, so counseling with the Scout is the only route. I doubt that he will have time to reach the goals but then it may be that he will profit from your instruction. fb

According to what has been said, he knew his way home. fb

We had a guy volunteer as a UC. He came to one meeting and he was never seen again. Sightings of UC's are about as common as are those of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Some believe that maybe the I.B. Woodpecker has been sited more times. fb

If you beat a dead horse in the woods, will anyone hear the blows?

The Scout Spirit issue comes up over and over. It is like being on a Merry Go-Round. It has not gotten us to where we are going but the ride has been kind of fun.

Here is another kink in the rope:

Since Eagle is the culmination of the Scouting experience, has he reached any of the Aims of Scouting? Physical Fitness, Character Development and Participating Citizenship.

Has he engaged all of the Methods of Scouting? Ideals, Patrols, Outdoors, Uniform, Advancement, Leadership Development, Personal Growth, Adult Association.

Remember, the Methods is how a person reaches the Aims.

Is he prepared to make ethical decisions and moral choices based on the values of the Scout Oath and Law? The Mission.

Is this adding to the advancement requirements? Sure, but I didnt add them. These are the standards by which we may know them.

When measuring the height of a buffalo, a good estimate is always pretty close.

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I agree on the physical status of the horse and kicking it once more won't help either. I suppose disagreement is better than the alternatives. You say on the one hand that Scouting can be done as any unit declares and then when it ain't, you find it hard to accept. It is one or the other but then it may be that you are just trying to find acceptance of a program gone south. DE's like to look the other way, UC's like to throw them a training brochure at the problem, and others just ignore what is going on. I believe they have chosen to ignore the greatest opportunity the world has to offer young people to grow in character, fitness, and citizenship.

(When I was a SM, these were our 8 methods I found to be effective.)

My take on the PLC running the show is that it is a limited form of government, much like a democracy. It is messy but there are even limits on that. I let the PLC know in general terms what the Troop Committee and the Adult Leaders can support and then the PLC decides within those limits.

Here are some of the limits:

We have two deep-leadership and more. This is because we want the Scouts to expand their program on every occasion and it best can be done with adult support, not to mention the safety aspect. By the way, the Guide to Safe Scouting is mandatory for all planning as well as First Aid, Sanitation and Safe Swim Defense/Safety Afloat. I expect one adult from every family to do one thing per year. That thing can be to lead an event, be a committee member or take on a project like the yearly banquet. The PLC also needs to keep in mind advancement and having fun.

We have an outdoor activity once per month. I accept that Scouts like to be outside, so off we go. I put on the table all District and Council activities as options. The committee generally allows trips within certain mileage, such as, one trip beyond the 100 mile barrier, two beyond 50 miles, and the rest under 50. We also have a large book packed with lots of places to go, so repetition is not a problem. We keep a Troop resource book of things that adults have for Troop usage, such as sailboats, lake front lots, etc. We emphasize fire building safety, cooking and occasional pioneering projects. Of course, map and compass, nature, conservation, stars, hiking are other options that are kept in mind.

Planning takes place only after all Scouts have had input to their leaders and then these desires are brought to the PLC and represented. The TC gets the results of the planning session and then they discuss what is feasible to support. The results are then discussed with the PLC. If all is well, then the plan is put on paper and sent out to all. It is a great recruiting tool.

We use the uniform as a method to bring Scouts together under one flag. We encourage the full uniform and give credit for having a time limited plan to purchase it. There is a uniform closet and assistance for any Scout that requests help. We will find a way. A uniform inspection is held during each of the four COH's. It is done quickly and a bead (*I didn't mention we had a bead program.) is awarded.

Advancement, Scout Spirit, and Leadership are musts because our program has integrated them into every activity. The PLC is aware of this and makes sure that advancement is part of the planning but not all of it. We hold four COH's per year with a banquet on the last one at the end of the year.

We have Patrols with their own traditions and new Patrols building some. We hold meetings every week of the year excepting when holidays take their toll. Patrol competitions are a standard fair at Troop meetings where skills are learned as well songs sung, and a host of other things done.

The Ideals of Scouting are integrated in every activity. The pledge, the Oath, the Law, the Slogan, the Motto, SM Minutes are fundamental. It is a thread that runs throughout and is great for helping to counsel and correct un-Scout-like behaviors. We also plan and carry-out one Service Project per year for our CO.

Personal Growth is expected. If we do all of these things and communicate as we go, then positive things generally happen. The majority of Scouts grow because of what we do and our experience showed that it was in a small number of cases that we had negative personal growth. I take credit for those few Scouts because I was growing as well and made mistakes that I wish could have been done over. (With people, there are few do-overs.)

We keep records, both written and pictorial, and evaluate our activities. We try to limit the number of times we make the same mistakes. We also have a presentation of our accomplishments during the yearly review on Scout Sunday to our CO.

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We should plan to pay our final respects to Phelps when he dies, as he has shown us the way. I am sure that we can find a proper vehicle to show our feelings toward one that gave so much of himself in life for so many. Maybe hundreds or thousands of bikers and angels alike will be eager and happy to gather closely around his grave to give him the kind of a send-off that such a man of the cloth richly deserves. Most probably, his family, friends and fellow church parishioners will be inspired by the overwhelming response. I also feel that the newspaper people will write about the incident in glowing terms, for the most part, we all share a common feeling toward such a man of the community and might I add, of the world. Amen

(This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

A couple of years ago I began a reading voyage dedicated to finding out the reasons. I returned knowing allot about dictators, the leaders, the generals, the battles, the movements, the decisions and equipment. I noted that very little was said about the thousands/millions of individuals and families that were maimed, injured, disabled, torn apart, blown up, gassed, burned and killed. I suppose we share a mutual silence toward death and destruction; it is both a fear and a hope that somehow it is kept far from our doors forever. It may be that we set aside certain days to reflect on those answers about our wars and our prayers for them to end. fb

The LDS units have changed the Scouting program and done it correctly. They have also changed Scouting. I do not believe that they intentionally set about doing this because I believe they simply wanted to make the program conform to their own needs. The point is that if others try the same thing they run the risk of having their charter revoked because of a lack of central support. I don't know of another organization outside the military that could arrange leadership and order by mandate. So, if a lone unit decides that their church has needs specific to their program, such as admitting gays, girls and the godless; they should be aware that change only comes with the power to change. fb

The worried guy on the sideline is now considered a mascot for Penn State. They gave him a pair of "cleats" years ago for worrying so much. He is very good at it. Just look at the wrinkles on his forehead if you don't believe me. JoPa, I think, is a Coach that resides in that great Press box in the sky and just calls down plays to someone on the sideline and they are magically transmitted to the QB. Penn State hasn't had an actual Headphone Coach for years. JoPa is an ethereal figure that has become a sacred cow tradition. Those outside the state are kind of mystified. How do we find out more? Is there an initiation and/or a secret handshake? fb

A person, group , District, etc. can go their own way, do their own thing, dance their own dance until it gets to court and then those who followed their own drummer will be out. Every group agrees to follow the rules of the program. A group may even have their Charter taken from them for not following the rules. Power to make the rules rests solely with National.

A CO agrees to use the BSA program as it is presented.

A SM agrees to follow the rules of the BSA.

A Cub Scout follows Akela.

Now, for the other side of the coin.

Say a unit or a church decides to use the BSA program as their own. So, they decide to break the rules a little and have one program just for 10 and 11 year olds and another for 12 and 13 year olds and another for 14 and 15 year olds, and the last for 16, 17 and 18 year olds. They even name the first and the third programs themselves. Since their church has small congregations and they even use the same building for several congregations, they are able to have many COR's and leaders that are all involuntarily appointed by a higher authority. They find that they are able to vote in mass for their changes on the Council level. Since this church sends out missionaries, they find that they not only have churches across the country but also they have developed large voting blocks in the BSA. National then decides that they should best listen, so instead of ousting them, they decide that the new programs be made into pilot programs. Based on their influence on National, they adopt one of their programs for the 14 year olds and change another program to reflect the one for the 10 and 11 year olds. So, in this manner National listens to the local unit or church that has the power to change policy.

Change in Scouting is a two way street but only if there are enough votes to make it so. IMHO fb

Willllsoooonnnnn!

The video was good.

The neckerchief is non-functional due to a reduction in size or an increase in size of the general population, thus making it a relic but good for traditional value.

End point numbers are of little value without specific regional, state and Council valuations and a host of other statistics that can help to make sense of any of it. Those kinds of numbers are only useful for those at the top with the power to change.

The worried guy that walks on the sideline for Penn State on most Saturdays should have trained another guy to take over because I now fear that he has sustained as much worry that he can possibly take. I rest my case. fb

Numbers are up in our area of the country. I suppose if one is making a case for general causation based on end of the year numbers, being open to all possibilities is a first step. Another step is to be open to what is working. Generalities are prone to individual fluctuations/characteristics that may change the profile and one's perception. One would also need comparative data on other 100 year old youth organizations to begin one's search and there should be a literature review as well of all youth organizations. It may lead one into a much bigger project than what it looks like on the surface. Where only generalities exist, so goes any chance of a definition of the question but it does make an interesting topic of conversation, as we have seen.

I am happy to see another Scouter care as much about Scouting as Brian as shown in all of his efforts. fb