Fuzzy Bear

Eamonn's point about letting the newbees do the training so that they can gain experience and insight is good one. It stands in contrast to BW's point about letting only the best do the training, a not uncommon method. I still do not believe that either method would necessarily lead to the end product that is desired and that is for a person to leave training and go do their job. To tell people that training continues ever after is an admission that the actual training is incomplete and/or a failure. This stuff is not Rocket Science (RS) but if it was RS and the person was not able to produce Rs, then they would not be allowed to build R's because of the cost. In Scouting, we are dealing with something far more valuable than R's and that is the Boy and the three goals of Scouting. The WB beads come with a stamp of approval of a final training destination. People wear them like they were made of gold but they are made of only wood. Ask someone to trade beads with you sometime. I wouldn't trade mine and I doubt others would either. The reason lies in the symbolic nature of the beads. They mean something very important and that is that we now know the information and we are able to apply it. There are allot of other meanings of the WB beads that I could share but that is for another Spun Thread. The training I received in WB brought me to a new level in Scouting and I would never have believed that could happen but it did and I will be forever grateful for the experience and the training. I fully appreciate the trainers and their time they gave so willingly. If I were to call on any of those guys to this very day, they would do whatever they could to help and there have been several moves and years in-between the training and this date. The point that I would like to make is that Patience is difficult to teach but that is what is needed for boys to learn the Scouting Skills and the Leaderships skills. A Scout Leader must learn to move back from some mistakes and to let some things happen in light of certain failure. Counsel and reflect with the Scout afterwards and go forward with a much stronger Scout. So, one conclusion for WB staff selection is to choose people that have shown Patience with the Scouts in the past and that can model that behavior. Merry Christmas, FB

What closed?

Laurie, Your title says that you are leaving and "feeling pretty good about it". That may mean that you are leaving but you are not totally convinced that it is the right choice to make. Then you make the statement that 'the Pack has asked for your help'. That may lay the groundwork for guilt, which in turn makes you feel unsure about your decision. You also requested insight based on experience as if that might give you the correct answer. I would ask you to ask yourself some questions that might help you formulate an answer. First ask yourself if you are leaving the Pack in better shape than it was when you entered. Next, because of your help did the Pack grow into a unit that can sustain itself? Next, does the Pack need you to help with recruitment of other leaders to replace yourself or are they asking you to take a job that can be done by another parent? If you answer the first question in the affirmative, then remove all guilt. If you can answer the second question positively, then you went beyond your job but the Pack still may feel insecure. The next answer has to do with the most important aspect of running a Pack and that is recruiting people into positions that will make the Pack go, even without you. You may be the key person to do this and people know it. If this is their need, then it is temporary assistance they are asking for and not a permanent position of leadership. If this is their request, then it is a great compliment to you. Your answers will then give you an indication as to how to best answer your question and choose your next job in Scouting. Merry Christmas, FB

PORT ORCHARD, Washington (AP) -- Eagle Scout Darrell Lambert has earned 37 merit badges, worked more than 1,000 hours of community service and helps lead a Boy Scout troop in his hometown. But the 19-year-old has another distinction that may lead to his removal from the Boy Scouts: He's an atheist. Last week, Lambert was given roughly a week by the Boy Scouts' regional executive to declare belief in a supreme being and comply with Boy Scout policy, or quit the Scouts. The official and Lambert were to talk again this week regarding Lambert's answer. "We've asked him to search his heart, to confer with family members, to give this great thought," Brad Farmer, the Scout executive of the Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts, told The Sun of Bremerton. "If he says he's an avowed atheist, he does not meet the standards of membership." On membership applications, Boy Scouts and adult leaders must say they recognize some higher power, not necessarily religious. "Mother Nature would be acceptable," Farmer said. As a private organization, the Boy Scouts are permitted to exclude certain people from membership. The organization bans gays and atheists. Lambert, who has been a Scout since he was 9, said he won't profess a belief he doesn't feel, saying it amounts to a lie. "I wouldn't be a good Scout then, would I?" The issue arose about three weeks ago when Lambert got into an argument with a Scout leader at a Boy Scout leadership training seminar over whether atheists should be expelled from the organization. Farmer's office soon contacted him to talk about his nonbelief. Lambert disclosed his atheism to Scout leaders overseeing his Eagle Scout application last year, but still received the award. The issue has surfaced before. In 1998, 16-year-old twins Michael and William Randall, who refused to take an oath to God, were awarded Eagle badges after a seven-year legal fight with the Orange County, California, council. Can someone fill me in on the results of this Orange County case and the status of the Lambert case? Thanks, FB(This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

Merry Christmas FB

Adeste Fideles Laeti triumphantes Venite, venite in Bethlehem Natum videte Regem angelorum Venite adoremus Dominum Cantet nunc io Chorus angelorum Cantet nunc aula caelestium Gloria, gloria In excelsis Deo Venite adoremus Dominum Ergo qui natus Die hodierna Jesu, tibi sit gloria Patris aeterni Verbum caro factus Venite adoremus Dominum FB(This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

One Scout Unit that I am assigned to needs the works. The SM is the SPL. He has his briefcase full of announcements and thinks that he knows how to capture the fancy of every Scout as he reads the announcements from behind his open briefcase. The meetings are filled with him talking and planning at the helm while the boys are doing their homework or talking to each other. One adult has a PC going full steam trying to organize the awards of each of the few Scouts and the other two adults are quietly talking to each other, so as to not disturb the SM/SPL. Everyone has been polite for the past few months while he gets his 'sea legs'. Hopefully, he will soon sight shore and return to the land of Scouting. When this "problem" was spoken about in general at one Commissioner meeting, everyone in unison was quick to spell out that TRAINING was what was needed. I reminded them that the Woodbadge necklace was hung with care around each and every Scout leader in that unit. Since a pat answer didn't work and nobody wanted to pursue it any further, I guess I am lead to believe that Woodbadge training is the real problem. Several in this forum have pointed out the 'horse being lead to water but you can't make him drink it' theory. I want to point out one possible problem with that belief. When Woodbadge, the highest training in the land, is presented, adults are dressed up in all of the leadership parts of a perfect unit. This is thought of as setting the example on how to best run a unit. The adults not only know their duties but they do them well and with the kind of joy that can only be found when adults are not bothered by other problems, such as, those found when boys of Scout age are around. Now, if the adult trainers don't perform with joy and with the best of abilities, it is understood that they will most likely not be asked to return for the next course. So, everyone has great reason to show their best form in how a unit should be run. The adults that are in attendance are watching this perfectly run unit and learning. It might be that what they learn is how much fun that adult Scouting can be when Scouts are not around. They might also learn that if their unit is not run with all of the joy and perfect abilities like the WB unit, then they really are not doing Scouting. Boys do not come to Scouting with joy and leadership skills and Scout skill abilities. They are taught these skills and then they perform those skills and joy comes forth from their performance. They can then teach those skills to others and they perform those skills independently while camping or at other events. It is a slow growth process and generally has the appearance of not being done well. Maybe Patience should be another skill taught in our training courses. Just at few thoughts, FB (This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

is a Red Ryder Super Delux BB gun.

Try information: 1. The whistle is for emergency situations, examples are found in most of the Scouting literature. 2. The Scout Sign is used to get attention/quiet, examples found in most of the Scout books. 3. To use the whistle when the Scout Sign is indicated is to confuse the communications and delay help when it is really needed. We all would agree on that, especially if it were our son that was in trouble. As part of one Pack meeting, your Den could emphasize the Cub Scout sign, what it looks like and its' meaning with a big poster. Then do a simple skit to show how it works, such as, Unruly Boys at a Den Meeting; you know the routine. Then involve the whole Pack by using it in a game. Play Simon Says; instead use the Sign as Simon. If the leader holds up four fingers instead of two, then the person is out. Example, Scout Sign, "take two steps forward; good". None Scout Sign "take four steps backward: wrong and you are out" Last one standing wins a whistle (Note for Pack: the whistle is for emergency situations only!). Lead a cheer- blow a whistle and everyone yells loudly, "Emergency!". Hold up the Scout Sign and everyone gets quiet. End of Skit and hopefully the wrong use of the whistle by anyone in the future. The American flag issue; that could be a whole column. The flag itself is not sacred but the symbolism that our Flag holds, gives me and I hope others, a sense of reverence and strength of character that we can speak forcibly anytime that it is shown disrespect. I personally know people that have given their lives for our Nation and most likely you have too, just so that we may know peace. Their blood is represented as part of that flag and we should honor their memory through proper respect of it. That is the reason for flag etiquette, so that you will know that it is not just a formality. If you don't know others that have died for our country, I encourage you to visit any war memorial to begin to understand the enormous number of sacrifices that have been given for us today. (This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

I have dreamed of authoring my own book of nature photographs, designed in a type of an active holographic format and accompanied by my own original poetry and music. Each page would bring new vistas to the reader like a setting sun in the mountains or quiet times by the ocean. The poetry and the music would be ideal to each setting and compatible with each other with volume controls. The images could be viewed in any level light or adjusted by the reader for that particular image. The book would be relatively small and lightweight. It could be opened up on a coffee table as a display to show images, such as water falling from a mountain into a stream below and then flowing off into the distance or increased in size to fill a room of any size. The pages would turn automatically at the end of each poem or could be left open to one page to listen to the music and enjoy the atmosphere or the music could be turned off for quiet meditation in a far away land. A person could also read their favorite book by the sights and sounds of a running stream. This, of course, would be volume one of several proposed "book" series in my dream job. I would also own the copyright and as money poured in, I would hire scientists to extend the process and develop similar ideas. I would also hire artists to make other products and works. I would also hire NASA to shoot a huge telescope to the dark side of the moon for permanent installation. It might be possible to view images so far in the past that it would reveal the beginning of time or the very edges of the universe or just a few unknown planets and galaxies. Using the holographic techniques developed earlier, astronomical books could then be revised and updated to make viewing the universe a wholly different experience by a reader. This would then release me for the evenings to continue with Scouting but on a grander scale. FB

Unc, I praise your ability to recruit people so easily and your insight into matching their abilities and interests to a specific job. You also score high with the job title change to recruit through the backdoor. I hope that you are able to transfer this information effectively to those that come here needing Recruitment Training. As we have witnessed in this Forum, there is a high number that Multi-Hat for reasons that appear to be connected with all aspects of this deficit area. I would not have expected you to utter the "one hour" ruse either. I have never heard that one used by anyone at anytime since I have been in Scouting. Few would use it unless they had never read the job descriptions before recruiting for any job. A person that would use that method would have to be intentionally trying to hurt the program by underestimating the amount of time it takes to do any one job in Scouting well or they are neglecting any training that they might have had in the past or both. FB

This will insure the resurfacing in the next exciting episode.

PS, Do you remember right before Spock had "died"? The Captain put his hand up to the window and gave him a good-by, Live long and prosper sign. That is what we should do on our monitors when anyone leaves. FB

OGE, JD and Giant great insight, a 3 pointer a half court shot, FB

I left one time. I also watched Star Trek IV a dozen times.

Packsaddle: Recantation: I hereby change my mistaken identity from Daniel to Dave Steele. I believe you corrected me the last time. I contribute this particular mistake this time to the holiday season. (I have gone back to all of my posts to find and count each mistake I have ever made. The count equals my posting number.) Please feel free to challenge anything I write in this forum and be as judgmental and as harsh with your criticism as you possibly can be. Don't miss a trick and if several wish to double team me, please use that as another method to squash out whatever juice is left. I miss all of that too. I had tears in my eyes when writing and was unable to think and write at the same time. I so miss Little Billie and hope the best for him, as we all do. He was such a joy while he was here. I had trouble finding his posts though; he must have taken them when he left. FB

Buy one patch for the position you want to work for one year. One position per person is enough because you can only do the job duties of that one position well. (Note: Read your job duties first and hopefully you will agree. The duties are in the Cub Leader Training Manual.) If you really want to be helpful to your D.E., then volunteer to help recruit for the other position. Recruiting is difficult and is a job that most leaders regretfully disregard. Use the 'Selecting Leaders' method in your Cub Training manual. Follow it closely. Have your D.E. go with you when you recruit. Velcro is an easy solution for a bigger problem. If you follow that path, it may lead you to a sticky destination. Good Luck with your decision, FB

One less piece of pie to eat One less pudding, dessert and treat One less mile or work out after One less shirt the buttons won't meet My belly button sticks out through it My pants won't fasten, my belt won't either I have to wear knee pants in Winter I guess I'll diet in the Spring kind of to the tune about, One less man to look out after. FB

I have several awards, both earned and honored as an adult and a Scout. I feel that I shouldn't wear them because when I was a Scout and about to be awarded the God and Country, my Pastor remarked that I looked like a Chinese General and he was right. When I became an adult and I had been in Scouting for some time in one state, we moved and I began again in a new Council and District. I purchased a uniform but didn't sew on any of the knots. So, I volunteered for the NESA group and one person remarked that I didn't have the Eagle knot and began to question me. I was asked to be an instructor for an event and people asked me if I have been trained or had I been in Scouting long. Some of the participants remarked that the instructors were intimidating because of all of their awards. I pointed to my bare shirt and they agreed that I was not but I still felt like they would only believe what I had to say if it came from an authority and that meant one that had a bunch of awards. Other Scouters have looked at me with suspicion because of the awards absence. Now, with these kinds of mixed signals it appears that some type of solution should be found. I then read this column about some that disagree with the wearing of awards or the wearing of excessive awards. Let me share with you that when you do not wear them, other Scouts and Scouters do not know how to read you. If they do not already know you, it is like not wearing a name badge, which I do wear. I suppose that an arbitrary limit could be set or maybe a rule made that one should only wear the major awards. It might be that those that are upset by the number of awards could help with making these guidelines. Remember, that the awards tell a story and give an instant background check for all to see. If a person sacrificed his family for Scouting, then we all should be sad because a person's family should always be first for very good reasons, which I hope I should not have to list. Multiple registrations and overzealousness are the acts that should be condemned, not the knots. FB

The committee's function is to support the unit's program. If the committee is supporting three units, then the support is less than what is needed for the support of three very good programs. The Quality Unit designation is to be commended but it does not mean that each of the three units have great programs. It could mean that each has basic life support. Cross pollination is already part of the committee's function by having a member of the committee concerned with membership and an ASM that is designated to be in charge of helping Webelos to Scout transition. Having fewer people doing multiple jobs appears to be a practical solution to running several programs. It also appears that way on paper when you recharter. Having fewer people makes the recharter process quick and painless. Having fewer people running several programs solves the problem of recruitment of adults and training those new recruits, and then getting those new recruits to meetings and encouraging them to take on responsibilities. The problems with the 'fewer is better approach' are numerous because it takes allot of support to sustain good programs over a long period of time. One person can wear many hats, cut many corners and produce great results all alone. One person can run these programs. It is a fact and you may be one that can do it. But, every time one family is not asked to be part of the program, then the resources are reduced for that program and it will cause problems in the future when the Scouts move on to other things. One person can make a difference because of the wealth of their personal talent that they bring to a program. Ten people (*an arbitrary number) can produce less support than one great person. But, ten mediocre people can do something that one cannot; they can be in more than one place at a time. Ten can multiply their leadership roles to support a unit in having a great program over the long-haul. Scouting is fun but when one person takes on all/many of the roles, it takes a toll on other areas of that one person's life. We should not do that to ourselves or expect it from another. When we involve others, Scouting takes on new challenges and opens the door to more fun than doing it alone. I know because I have done it both ways. FB

I miss Daniel Steele because of his knowledge and wisdom of the BSA program. We are the less because of his absence. We owe him a debt of gratitude for his help. I miss the Fat Old Guy because he could hold his own in any argument and give it an unexpected twist. His emotions lead him astray of many basic Scouting principles on numerous occasions which caused the best and the worst of us discomfort. I miss Bob White because he can shave a minor point in an argument to a very fine point. It is an accomplishment worthy of note. I do not miss any of the fighting any of the time from anyone, including myself. After reading and learning from each of these above mentioned individuals, I have found that Scouting knowledge has great depth and a wide scope and that no one person has it cornered. On this New Year's resolutions: I hope that whoever remains in this forum that we will be civil to each other and accepting of each of the other's views. I hope that we can learn to illicit humor from each other, instead of bitterness. I hope that we share the best of all of our Scouting knowledge from all angles so as to shine light where there is none. May Peace be with us and all mankind, FB

Great, I like the proposal of what I would do in a situation that hasnt happened. I would carefully take notes on who is doing what from the start of the year to the end of the year. Then, I would complete my notes with what actually happened. The notes would enable me to write out certificates with the accomplishments of each and every individual. I would also write out an apology letter for any person that I missed and note their deeds. At the next COR, I would ask them to come up to the front to receive the certificate that I forgot the first time. Hopefully, it would not happen again because I would slowly become perfect. (*slowly is the key word) FB

Our last Camporee was poorly planned just prior to the event, understaffed, and not communicated very well. One Scout commented to me about a month later that it was the best Camporee ever. Sometimes these things just can't fail no matter how hard we don't try. FB

I can envision the end of Christmas as we now know it. It began by throwing out the fat guy with the red suit and our obsession over gifts. We threw out our tree and the bulbs and all of the ornaments. We threw out our worry over Walmart's need to make their next billion this year. We threw out Frosty and Rudolf and all the reindeer. We disposed of all of the songs that relate to all of the junk that we just threw out. We then began giving gifts to those in real need. We started to spread the word about peace and good will to all men, not just to those we personally know and like. We began to speak quietly and reverently about a King that is leading us out of our bondage of hatred and ignorance. We began to act out of love for one another rather than trying to be so much better than all the rest. We left off talking about it and we began to do it. It is a truth embedded in the fabric of time and I know that it exists. I can see it. I know that you can too.

Willy, You are an impressive Scout. FB