James E. West Fellowship

[Back Pack 431]

There’s a knot for giving money? What message does that send to scouts. 

[Eagle94-A1 2685]

The West Fellowship knot was created so that big donors who do nothing else would get recognized with something instead of the Silver Beaver. Yes, some council would give those away a long time ago.

 

[qwazse 4342]

55 minutes ago, Back Pack said:

There’s a knot for giving money? What message does that send to scouts. 

The message of a charitable giving knot IMHO: A scout is thrifty. He manages his finances for that rainy day ... and so that he can return some of his earnings to the people who he sees doing good in the world.

But, this knot may also be given to the person who inspired a donor to act.  From http://councils.scouting.org/Council440/Donate/James West Award

Quote

Who can become a James E. West Fellow?

Organizations or individuals may contribute an award in honor of someone -- an Eagle Scout, a Silver Beaver recipient, Council, District or unit Scouter, or in memory of a departed loved one. There can be no finer honor paid to a Scouter than to be named a James E. West Fellow, indicating that the nominee is in the same spirit and dedication to Scouting as was James E. West. Those who are recognized by the James E. West Fellowship Award will cast their own "lengthened shadow" as they help ensure the Scouting legacy by helping create the financial stability needed to carry Scouting in the next century.

So when you see someone with that knot, ask more about their story. Find out who made the donation in order for them to wear it and why.

[David CO 1783]

1 hour ago, Back Pack said:

There’s a knot for giving money? What message does that send to scouts. 

The same message that is sent when scouters buy positions on the council. BSA is all about money.

[MattR 2659]

31 minutes ago, qwazse said:

 

So when you see someone with that knot, ask more about their story. Find out who made the donation in order for them to wear it and why.

I have a James E West knot and I have no idea who donated the money for it. I put it on my uniform as a way to say thank you to the donor. So please don't assume it's someone that wants to buy recognition.

[Col. Flagg 909]

One should ask the question why good Scouters would seek recognition for charitable giving. 

Scouts only get service hours for their charitable work. Many volunteer Scouters and parents give generously of their time and money regularly and get nothing but a thank you in return.

I would really like to see less adult recognition in the form of knots, trophies and such UNLESS it is for something very significant (e.g., retiring unit leader, cherished volunteer, etc.). This "do this and get that" culture BSA has for adults only reinforces that same notion with the youth. Talk about (purchased) participation trophies.

(Note: @MattR, this is nothing against your gesture. It is more against BSA even having this in the first place.)

Edited February 6, 2018 by Col. Flagg

[MattR 2659]

No offense taken. In fact I limit my knots to one row on one shirt that I only wear indoors. Enough to start a conversation if someone is interested.

[David CO 1783]

7 minutes ago, Col. Flagg said:

One should ask the question why good Scouters would seek recognition for charitable giving. 

I agree with everything you said, except the charitable giving part. Buying bling isn't the same as charitable giving.

[Tampa Turtle 1011]

This is the "Ask me, I am a soft touch" Knot. Girl Scouts learn to recognize this knot at cookie time.

[Col. Flagg 909]

23 minutes ago, David CO said:

I agree with everything you said, except the charitable giving part. Buying bling isn't the same as charitable giving.

I agree. To me charitable giving of any kind should come without (tangible) recognition. Maybe that's just me.

[David CO 1783]

It is not an honor. You can't buy an real honor with cash.

[WisconsinMomma 217]

I've looked at this, isn't it interesting?   I don' t have any knots, but I could Buy-A-Knot with a $1,000+ donation to our Council.  It is a little weird, but I don't see it as bad.  Donors should be thanked, and everybody likes bling.  

[WisconsinMomma 217]

8 hours ago, Col. Flagg said:

I agree. To me charitable giving of any kind should come without (tangible) recognition. Maybe that's just me.

Oh baloney.  We are going to our library's wine tasting party next month and sponsoring a table.  (It's not very expensive to do so.)   A local liquor store and their vendors donate all the wine and spirits, and local restaurants donate all the food, and it's a wonderful event, and the names of the donors are on the tables.  It's a great way to do fundraising.  Some charitable giving is quiet, other giving is not quiet.  Neither is wrong.

[David CO 1783]

I would prefer that we not encourage displaying economic class distinctions in BSA, especially on the uniform.

[Back Pack 431]

14 minutes ago, WisconsinMomma said:

Oh baloney.  We are going to our library's wine tasting party next month and sponsoring a table.  (It's not very expensive to do so.)   A local liquor store and their vendors donate all the wine and spirits, and local restaurants donate all the food, and it's a wonderful event, and the names of the donors are on the tables.  It's a great way to do fundraising.  Some charitable giving is quiet, other giving is not quiet.  Neither is wrong.

What you describe is a charity fundraiser. What describes is a charitable gift. Those are two distinctly different things. Giving to pbs and getting a towel is not the same as just sending them $100 without getting anything.