someone

I appreciate the advice  - there were plenty of good moments, but the issues now are my son  - Life working on Eagle, has seen the ugliness of the BSA enough that he just wants his Eagle and will be out - he'll not continue the tradition of being a leader... has seen too much ugly, sees what his parents are going through now and truly despises the very program we all honoured.  The Charter Bear continues to growl, Council appears to have been neutered and National is a disgrace... so afraid to step in that they hide in their Ivory Tower in fear of reality outside their walls.

The frustration is there - but it's more anger at what can only be considered dereliction of duty = the absolute abandonment of the Scouts in favour of money and power.

I accept my time has come to go - but I worry about the state of what we are leaving behind.

gpurlee - thank you for the kind words, very much appreciated.  Why, however, do I feel as though the saying "no good deed goes unpunished" is most accurate?

absolutely agree.... and not harbouring the bad feelings - there were great times seeing the proud smiles on our scouts' faces.... but the evil in some people absolutely destroy the good Scouting stands for... and they are rewarded and the "Ones" are downtrodden

The Story of Mr. One

For seven years I haven’t been known by my real name.  I’m really not that indistinguishable from countless others in my ranks – over nine hundred thousand of us.  All formerly known by names like Jim, Sue, Bobbie, Mr. or Mrs. Smith… but now, our name is One.  Some One.

Indulge me as I expand on this thought.

Being a volunteer is often a thankless job.  Most do it because they feel it’s their calling, or need in life, to help those less fortunate.  Scouting is different.  While yes, there are certainly some less fortunate, most are certainly most capable.  Scouting is not free – it’s not cheap.  It cost money… sometimes a significant amount of money.  Yes, we offer this unofficial option of ‘Scout Accounts’ but the reality is most just pay their way.  They have the funds, the means, so they just pay.

And they leave the day-to-day tasks, the thankless “one hour a week” (pardon me as I choke on my coffee as I type that last phrase)... so that those who just pay their dues leave it to others to do.

Who are the “Others” I refer to? Some One…. Me and my over nine thousand closest associates.  The few doing for the many so that the many can come in, enjoy, and leave the mess for Some One to clean up, put away, organize and prepare for another event for others to enjoy.

“Who will do this, that or the other thing?”  “It needs to be done”  “We need Some One to do this” and there you have… Some One is there to do the task.

So year in and year out… Some One does the jobs for others to reap the benefit.

The lucky Ones get a thank you – maybe a gift card to Starbucks.  Really appreciative units reach out to craftsmen and have a thank-you plaque or other such kind gesture created, others create home-made handicraft thank you items to show their appreciation.  The sad truth, however, is most just wring the life out of a volunteer like an old sponge – taking all they can take, tossing them aside and then looking for another Mr. or MS One to be the new Some One.   And the cycle continues.

So, herein belies the question:  What will happen as more and more “Ones” dwindle away... either through exhaustion, frustration or other such attrition?  Those around, reluctant to step up at the outset, rescind further into the backgrounds to remain the paying recluse and the over nine hundred thousand reduce even further.

Think I’m wrong?  Just look at BSA’s numbers?  Units closing….. Districts “reforming”... Membership dwindling faster than a gambling addicts personal savings…  

And so goes the life of Mr. (or Ms.) One….

The instant case of this particular Mr. One goes even deeper into a darker place.  

The final chapter of this story begins with a late rechartering.  Mr. One encountered many problems due to COVID19 and collecting outstanding payments – at one point over 16 units were late so Mr. One and his unit were not alone.  Finally, rechartered and just a short time from the Blue and Gold, Mr. One is approached and asked to create AOL Cross-over plaques (he makes these for units across the country).  He accepts, even though he now lives and works hours away from his home, returning to his home only for the weekends.  This is for HIS Pack… HIS SCOUTS… so of course, he accepts.  Then, the night before the Blue and Gold, his Pack leadership appears at his home and requests another TWO appreciation plaques for the outgoing leaders.  Mr. One accepts.

Next day, Mr. One delivers all to the event – not thanked, not asked to remain at the event – just drop off and please leave.

And then the fun begins.  Mr. One is sent a “Dear John” letter from the Charter Rep two days later… demanding any and all Pack materials be delivered on a weekday evening.  Mr. One responds that the demanded date is not possible as Mr. One is out of town, working to support his family.  “BAH HUMBUG!” responds the Charter Rep… “Do as you’re told!”… Mr. One offers to meet over the weekend at a time of mutual convenience, but the Charter Rep continues his belittling stance “You heard me… DO AS YOU’RE TOLD!!”

Mr. One is now in a fight with the Charter over what is nothing more than a big angry foolish bear on a power trip.

Mr. One writes countless times to the Charter Bear… and includes his District Executive and District Commissioner – both turn a blind eye and ignore the communications while the Charter Bear threatens legal and criminal actions because, as they say, Mr. One has failed to obey.  Mr. One continues to respond that there is no failure to obey, but a lack of ability to obey what is a preposterous demand – put quite simply, Mr. One is more than two hours away throughout the week and just not capable of teleporting himself through space and time.  Why would Mr. One not have another comply with the demands of the Charter Bear and deliver the items?  Fair question.  More fair would be why would the Charter Bear not inform Mr. One of this decision earlier to allow Mr. One to deliver the items AND the awards on the Blue and Gold day…. So to answer why:  RESPECT.    Aretha spelled it out years ago R-E-S-P-E-C-T.  Lack thereof is tough to motivate Mr. One or ANY of his more than nine thousand friends.  What is that old phrase?  Oh yes, “You can attract more flies with honey than with vinegar”.

Mr. One contacts National for a reasonable prudent person to come forth and help.  National Refuses… saying it is the local Council that must resolve this.  Local Council???  Isn’t that the District Executive and District Commissioner who have been on countless emails and have never involved themselves?  Isn’t the District Executive paid for through member fees and dues?  Doesn’t he report to his boss the Scout Executive?  Why are they not stepping in?
So… Mr. One’s fight continues… with threats of legal and criminal actions against Mr. One… all the makings of Cancel Culture at its finest – and fully condoned by the District Leadership and vicariously, National.

So I close by asking you this:  Are you the next SOME ONE willing to endure this abuse?  Think about it long and hard before you join the rapidly dwindling ranks of the now ONE less than nine hundred thousand.