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purcelce

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Posts posted by purcelce

    Defending the Uniform Police

    in Uniforms

    Posted

    MV I thought we buried the hatchet? But since you asked here it goes.

     

    I've been a part of the Commisioner corp for over 4 years. I've been a UC and ADC (currently a UC waiting on a unit assignment). I have the Arrowhead Honor and the Commsioners' Key. Got my masters through the Commsioner's College. Now if I was in that situation, I would have not said a word. It's not the place of a UC (or any other adult leader) to put any youth in an embarssing situation in front of others, wether it be telling the kid personally or going to the SPL. I would have gone to the SM off to the side and let him know of the situation. That would have been the end of it. More than likely I would have left it alone. It's not my job to police uniforms. My job as a UC is to help the unit leaders with what ever they need.

     

    Now that's out of the way, I would love to hang out with you by the campfire, drink coffee and discuss the politics of Scouting. Friendly discussions and debates help us see what others think, feel, and make sure we do what we are suppose to do: make sure the youth in scouting have the best program available.

     

    No hard feelings at this end, and I hope there is not any at your end.

     

    YIS

    Cary P

    Must be doing something right

    in Working with Kids

    Posted

    Kids can still surprise me.

     

    A few weeks ago one of the kids in the crew asked if I could say a few words at his Eagle COR and I told him I would be honored. Now I've only known the kid for two years and he comes to most of the crew events and kid will be is getting his Eagle through his troop. I don't consider myself really close to this young man as I am with other members of the crew.

    When I'm asked to be a part of Eagle COH's I've been asked to say some words of wisdom or I'm asked to read a part in the ceremony which are all high honors.

    But this situation really floored me. Last night I was handed a copy of the COH and found my spot toward the begining where I'm to say a few words about the kid. I thought to myself, this will be easy as this young man is a go getter. I then started reading more of the script and whammo! I find out that I'm to stand with the Scoutmaster and co-present the Eagle...go figure. The water faucet in the eyes started to turn on as read this part.

     

    Moral of the story is, no matter what we do in Scouting, we all have an impact on these kids lives. Just make sure all of the impacts are good!

     

    Cary P

    Crew 805 Advisor

     

    New Tigers chomping at the bit!

    in Cub Scouts

    Posted

    I've got a simular situation with my 4 year old. We were at the scout shop a few weeks ago and I picked him up a few cub scout day camp t-shirts that were on sale.

    Last night he was wearing one and asked the question when he would be a cub scout. I broke the bad news that he had 2 more years before he could become a tiger. That didn't sit well with him. I told him we would be going camping a few times this summer to get him some practice and that made him happy. Then he makes the statement "Will you be my Scout Leader?" I replied, "We'll see when the time comes."

     

    Man, I have enough scouting stuff to do with Venturing. At least I've got two years before I have to answer his last question.

    Uniform Police Part XVII...

    in Uniforms

    Posted

    I found this on the net, a really good look at Uniforming in the BSA. No need to get into heated debate, read it and remember the moral of the story.....

     

    Long time Scouter Bob Geier pokes a little fun at our approach to uniforming.

     

    "OK, I have a confession to make. I used to belong to the Uniform Police.

    Yes, it's true. I rose quickly through the organization. First I worked

    part-time answering the phone at the "Uniform Snitch Hotline", and then

    assisting

    at Uniform Inspections, and then I became a full-fledged Uniform Inspector.

    Then FINALLY I got the big one, a promotion to become an undercover Insignia

    Placement Enforcement Officer, top grade. Oh baby, I had finally arrived!

     

    Wow! You should have seen me walking around so proudly with my clipboard of

    Uniform Inspection Sheets and a quick draw holster holding my micrometer. I

    loved yelling at newbie Cub Scouts and their clueless parents. And those

    little rug rats, I loved screaming, "Your Iron-On is peeling TIGER BOY!" They

    cry

    so easily. I loved to find merit badges upside down, or rank advancements

    sewn on the wrong pocket. I showed no mercy to people wearing more than one

    Quality Unit patch. But the best was interrupting Eagle Courts of Honor,

    screaming wildly as I ran onstage if the mother pinned her son's Eagle medal on

    incorrectly. Ooooh, I lived for that one!

     

    But, as in all perfect stories, one fateful day I went too far. It was

    nighttime and I was at a council dinner looking to make a big score. That's

    when I

    saw him, an elderly man, Silver Beaver, 4-beader no less. Decked out in his

    finest set of Class A's, chest covered in knots, a real trophy bust. I

    thought nailing him would make my career! I quickly got in position and made my

     

    move. He didn't know what hit him. I slammed that old Woodbadger against the

    wall, getting right in his face I screamed, "I WANT TO SEE A SHINE ON THAT

    BEAVER, MISTER!"

     

    That's when it all came crashing down. I thought they'd just suspend me,

    maybe punish me, like a transfer down south of the Red River. But they kicked

    me

    out completely. I was a Uniform Police washout! It was so humiliating! I

    was required to enroll in one of those 12-step programs. It was during one of

    those meetings that I finally saw the light. We were all in our "friendship

    circle" quietly chanting our mantra, "Uniforming is a Method, not a Goal", when

    suddenly it hit me! Uniforming is one of the Eight Methods of Scouting; not

    one of its Three Goals!!! I fell to the floor. Bright light invaded the

    room. I had the sensation of floating in mid-air. Time seemed to stand still.

     

    That's when I heard this deep powerful booming voice coming from nowhere and

    everywhere all at the same time, "UNIFORMING IS A METHOD, NOT A GOAL!" My life

    was forever changed after that incredible awe-inspiring experience.

     

    So now, years later, as a Scoutmaster and a reformed Uniformaholic, I can

    quietly and calmly share with you these simple but treasured thoughts. We have

    eight methods in Scouting, but we have to understand and accept that not every

    boy will become an Eagle, not every Scout will climb a mountain at Philmont,

    and the uniform isn't about how much of it you wear, but the reasons for which

    you wear it. Methods are ways of accomplishing Scouting; they are not an end

    in themselves.

     

    Our Uniform should be about a bridge bringing people together, a reminder of

    the ideals we hold and a commitment to an Oath and set of Laws we share, a

    pride in what we are a part of, and an outward symbol of good to the community.

     

    For many people that uniform stands for hope, as they see a group of boys,

    tomorrow's leaders, learning about doing good works as they gather food for the

    hungry or care for the environment. Our uniform has come to stand for an

    organization that throughout its inception has helped over 100 million boys grow

     

    while doing their best. A uniform can accomplish all of those things even if

    the patches aren't placed perfectly or the pants don't match.

     

    Some people see the Uniform as a goal. They want their troop to look sharp.

    Getting everyone in complete uniform becomes the goal they seek. Suddenly

    what they're wearing becomes more important than why they're wearing it.

    Fostering citizenship, developing character, and promoting fitness are the three

     

    goals of the Scouting program. The uniform, in whole or part, is an outward

    symbol we use as one of the methods for getting us there. I have a hard time

    understanding why so many people just don't seem to get that."

     

    Cooper Wright

    Associate Advisor, Crew 1519

    Alexandria, VA

     

    Had All I Need

    in Open Discussion - Program

    Posted

    I hear ya Kahuna! but take Double E's advice, I've been doing it for quite a little while. Also remember that you can't see or hear the person on the other end's tone, only their words on this forum and it seems like you are getting your hand slapped (Sometimes it's like that).

     

    To all the uniform police, Safety enthusists, Scouting dictionary umpires and other rulesmongers:

    If you see a major rules violation that affects the safety, health or well being of others out in the real world then step in. If it's a minor rules infraction, take the offender to the side privately and correct it, if it still goes on then you've done your job. In the forum realm, lighten it up a bit. If a person asks for advise give it to them, but attempt to be kinder and gentler. I've seen quite a few good folks run off these boards because of such things.

     

    These are my observations and in no way are ment to harm or hurt anyone.

     

    Happy Scouting

     

    Cary P

    Crew 805 Advisor

    "Official" Venture Uniforms

    in Venturing Program

    Posted

    As usual KC is right on target.

     

    emb, please lighten up on the venture/venturing thing. I know they are different programs, but Venture Crew tends to flow better off the tounge then Venturing Crew. Around my neck of the woods Venture tends to mean Venturing, as we have very few Troop Venture patrols around here. I feel it's just a lost cause as the Class A/Field uniform debate. (In any official capasity I usally use Venturing instead of Venture)

     

    Yours in Venturing

    Cary P

    Crew 805 Advisor

    Vigil Knot??

    in Order of the Arrow

    Posted

    "One question: does not having a knot make you less proud? '

     

    Hola Wisumahi,

     

    If they have a knot for most everything else, then why "knot" Vigil?

     

    I got Vigil at age 17 and Eagle at age 15, so I got both as a youth. I hold the Vigil honor higher than Eagle. Eagle is nothing to sneeze at, it is an amazing accomplishment to anybody who earns it.

    You can't earn Vigil, Vigil is an honor!

     

     

    End of Honor groups not meeting OA standards

    in Order of the Arrow

    Posted

    Manyirons has got my vote for Grand Poohbah!

     

    My two cents on this I too am a warrior in the Tribe of Mannasseh:

     

    * they are secret groups - No, there are no secret organizations in Scouting

     

    * they are too adult-run - Yes, this is my only "beef" with TOM, MOM format. But, these Non OA Honor Camper groups has merits and I'll support them.

    Vigil Knot??

    in Order of the Arrow

    Posted

    I know this will open the flood gates but here it goes:

     

    I hold the Vigil Honor in higher esteem then Eagle, WB, or any other Scouting achievement or award. Go for the knot!

     

    Cary P

    Eagle 81

    Vigil 84

    (WBer sometime next year when I finish my ticket)

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