Last week I was surprised when I was given the patch for the messenger of peace initiative. This is a unit and individual recognition, and so when I got it while I was down at out council office, I was humbled. The person that submitted it said that it was for the “Work I do using media to improve our Scouting world”. Again, I am thankful, and I am sure that our unit is going to get this also for a recent project we completed.
The question came to my mind, why have I not seen anyone wearing this? Are units unaware? Are they just doing it? It’s obviously not about the patch, but the initiative is such a worthy one, that we in the Scouting world should be embracing it.
I went back and reread the letter at the BSA web site. I suppose I have always been one that is impressed with the grand scope of the Scouting movement. In short I think it is cool to be apart of somehting this big and something that is world-wide and yet has shared values. There is not much else in our world, save religions, that can say that. And look what a mess religions have made in the world. I am not suggesting that faith in a higher power has screwed things up.. I am saying however that people tend to screw it up. Scouting seems to have stood the test of time. Yes, we have our ups and downs, but the values and mission of the Scouting movement have not changed. People come and go, but those that “Run Scouting” at the World and National levels all seem to understand the good that will come from Scouting when allowed.
I have talked with many Scouters about our National office and our Council/ District. There seems to be an overwhelming idea that they are in it for the money and numbers. And to that I say.. yes.. yes they are. And then I say I am glad they are promoting the program, getting money and sponsors, pushing recruiting and retention, and developing relationships in our community. If they didn’t do it.. who would. ME? No way.. I am to busy working Scouting where Scouting matters. Being a messenger for peace starts at the unit level. Where the Scouts are. Too many Scouters get wrapped up in the wrong things. They worry about what everyone else is doing, most of the time with little or no impact of them.. but people are people and you have to worry. If they spent as much energy in their units, growing them, teaching them, letting them learn and develop, their unit would be world-class. But they choose to get wrapped up in politics and he said she said. This is how things get screwed up. I guess that’s how things get messed up globally.
So back to my thinking about why I don’t see this patch around. Well that thought led to our global Scouting community and how many Scouts and Scouters in the 220 countries and territories that are participating in this. Just think. Take 220 countries and have all their Scouts and Scouters working toward peace. There would never be war again. Oh silly me. We would have to get the politicians out-of-the-way… but wait… we could. The people could force this change. I really believe that it could happen.
Remember that in 1920 there was a world Jamboree.. just a few years after the First World War. If you know history, just because the war was over does not mean that things were peaceful, especially in Europe. 34 countries showed up
As most of you know, I am a combat veteran and I certainly support the efforts of our military and those that lead it, sometimes begrudgingly. And I am believe that what we did in Iraq was just and worth it. I have no regrets. But when I look back at the pain that wars cause, the ripping apart at families, the destruction and the lives that have to be repaired after these conflicts it is it not uncommon to ask, Why? What for? Now there are bad people in the world and I for one am glad to know that the world no longer has a guy named Saddam Hussein on it. Those people need to be stopped and removed. The Hitlers and Stalin’s of the world need to go. But dealing with the “Bad vacuum” is the next issue. Enter Scouting and people with real good values.
As a messenger of peace I think it is up to us to do what we can to fix our Three meter zone. We all can do it. We just don’t.
I guess it all comes down to people. How do we change them? How do we effect that change in our community. Baden-Powell had that idea back in 1907 and started seeing the reality of a world-wide peace movement as Scouting grew. It is now up to us to carry that torch. Will you?
Stop worrying about the things you can’t control. Control the things you can and be an influence. Influence this change in your units and community. Demand more of your elected officials.. you know the folks that swear to work for you. Hold their feet to the fire and don’t settle for men and women that lack character to be our leaders. Work hard to fulfill the mission of Scouting. Be a messenger of peace, let your actions speak louder than your words. And for goodness sake let people know that we are committed to being an instrument of peace.
So what does it mean when I challenge you all to “Have a Great Scouting day”? Live the values of Scouting. Keep the promise that you make in the Oath. Be a messenger of peace.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Category Archives: Leadership
The 3 Meter Zone
When I became a Platoon Sergeant in the Army I attended a leadership Development course called the Advanced Non Commissioned Officer Course (ANCOC). I learned a lot in my leadership development courses in the Army, but what it really came down to was doing the job, hands on training, and working with my Soldiers. While I was at the course I picked a book by a Retired Command Sergeant Major named J.D. Pendry. The title of book was called ‘The Three Meter Zone: Common Sense Leadership for NCOs’. This title caught my eye, so I picked up the book and read it cover to cover in about 2 afternoons. Now the book had a lot of great ideas and thoughts on common sense leadership, but essentially it all boiled down to this. Worry about and lead that which you can touch. If you stand and put your arms straight out on both sides you can see your three meter zone, worry about what is inside of that circle.
I began to adopt that philosophy in my leadership. As a Platoon Sergeant, my only real concern was 4 Squad leaders. They in turn would lead their team leaders, and the team leaders would then lead their teams. When leadership is broken down to that level leadership is simple.
The other day I was digging through my “Army box” and I found my copy of “Three meter zone”. It got me to thinking about how we teach our Scouts to lead and in particular a discussion I had the other night with one of our Scouts about leadership challenges. The Scouts concerns were that it seemed like leading his Patrol seemed to be a task to big for him. He shared with me a laundry list of worries he had about this and that and at the end of the conversation it seemed that his worries were out of his control. He was worried about seat belts for the next camp out, he was worried about guys in other patrols, he was worried about one of the other patrols and their task for Webelos Woods. I asked him what any of his concerns had to do with his patrol and if his Assistant Patrol shared the same concerns. He told me that none of it had to do with his patrol and that he had not talked about it with the APL.
I had him stand up and hold his arms out parallel to the ground out to his sides. I had him turn in a circle and tell me about how many of his patrol mates could fit in that circle. He said his whole patrol could fit in the circle. I told him that was his 3 meter zone and that is all I want him to worry about. We talked about the idea that if his APL and him stood an arms width apart and did the same thing would it make it more comfortable for the patrol to stand in the circle? Yep, he said. Then that is where I want him to practice his leadership. There is no need for him to worry about the next level yet, there is no reason for him to worry about seat belts, that is committee work. All he had to do was stay focused on leading his patrol. It was his job to ensure that the Scouts inside of his 3 meter zone had Purpose, Direction, and Motivation. And that is the essence of leadership.
I think that I will be adding my thoughts on the 3 meter zone in our future Junior leadership training sessions. It reduces the pressure on the young leader and helps illustrate that effective leadership starts with managing your own leadership development and confidence. When it is reduced to that which you can reach out and touch, leadership gets small and simple.
This rule works at the Patrol level and the Army level.. those that lead Divisions of 10,000 really only lead a handful of people. Decentralizing leadership makes for effective leading.
Senior Patrol leaders need only lead the Patrol leaders of the Troop. Patrol leaders only need to lead their patrols, and when that happens leaders are developed.
You can pick up a copy of J.D. Pendry’s Three Meter Zone through Amazon. It is Army focused, but the principles apply everywhere.
Scoutings Honor Society?
Time to stir the pot again and call out those Scouters that choose to be Patrol leaders, Mommy/Daddy Coddlers, baby sitters, in short.. those that don’t do it right.
Yep.. I’m gonna piss some folks off with this one and to be honest. If the shoe fits wear it.
I am going to preface all of this by saying in our Troop we have kids with ADD, ADHD, Autism in many spectrums, ADOS, OCD, etc…
The reason I must say that is because we don’t treat any of them different. They are expected to be Scouts. They do the work, they learn, they participate, and they don’t have their moms and dads hovering over them. Nope they have a Troop guide or a Patrol Leader that expects them to be part of the team.
They eat, sleep, play, and work as part of their patrol. That is the way it is supposed to be. We don’t let the moms and dads camp with the patrols when they go. They stay with the adults. They are not part of the program, they are just there for the fresh air. And some of them are in the Order of the Arrow.
So this morning I got an email from one of my ASMs. He is down at the Conclave for our OA Section. The Order of the Arrow, you know, Scouting’s honor society. Anyway, his email was simple.. he asked; “The OA is Scouting’s honor society right?” Those that have demonstrated their ability to be considered an honored camper, one that is dedicated to serve, and a Scout that has been chosen by his peers as someone who represents values found in the Oath and Law. Right?
Well, I suppose not any more, at least according what he witnessed down at Conclave. Dad’s hovering over Scouts to make sure they got out of their tents. Rolling up the sleeping bag for the Scout? Making sure the Scouts clean up after themselves? Now th is is minor stuff I guess, but what I know for sure is that when minor stuff happens, so does major stuff.
Now, I am a Brotherhood member of the OA. And very proud to say so. I consider it an honor to have been chosen to be a member. I also expect other members to act in accordance with the values and attitudes set forth by the Order of the Arrow.
Here is what I think the problem is. Too many people are just getting in. There are no secret clubs within the BSA, but if we are going to call the OA Scouting’s Honor Society.. well then lets act like it. Lets be selective on who gets in. Why not honored campers or Scouts… it is not for everyone.
I see this at ordeal weekends. The candidates are supposed to spend a day laboring in silence. This is not a suggestion, it is asked of the candidate so they can spend time-serving and thinking about a life of service. I don’t want to give too much away here, you may want to go through the ceremony one day… but I can’t tell you how many times I have asked Scouts and Scouters to remain silent explaining to them the reasons only to get a roll of the eyes and “Whatever dude”.
So how does this get fixed. The Scoutmaster.
The Scoutmaster sets the ballot for the annual election. The youth vote on the candidates, but the Scoutmaster sets the ballot for those eligible.
Just because a Scout meets the criteria of being 1st Class, 15 nights of camping with 6 of which are at resident camp does not gain him entry into the Order of the Arrow. Sorry, but true.
So Scoutmasters hold the key to making sure that honored Scouts get into the Order. This makes the OA stronger. At least it will take on the appearance of an Honor Society.
I am glad that kids that make “C’s” are not in the National Honor Society. I am glad that you must have good grades to get in. I am glad that not everyone that trys out for the Varsity Football team make it. I am glad that not every Scout will be an Eagle. Do I want them all to try, yes. But I am glad that only 4% will make it. It makes it special. Sometimes, less is more. When there is less there is harder work to get to it. If it is Scouts goal to be an Eagle Scout he needs to work hard for it. If he wants to get into the OA, he will demonstrate leadership, service, and living the Scout Oath and Law before he gets elected. If he wants to be on the varsity Football team, he will hit the weights, run, and practice all summer to get there. If he wants to be on the honor roll, he will study hard. He will work for it. None of it will be given to him.
When I was in the Army, I was promoted to Command Sergeant Major at the age of 36. I worked real hard, went to all the right Schools, and applied my self. On any given day in the United States Army there are only 550 Sergeants Major. I was one of them. It was an honor to be the Sergeant Major of an Infantry Battalion. And it was an honor to be counted among the 550 other Sergeants Major that put themselves in that position.
So it is with anything that is deserving of the title “Honor”. Not everyone gets a participation ribbon in life. And when we push Scouts through, or allow the nature of organizations to be less for the sake of having more we tear away at the organization.
So when we see mom and dad rolling up sleeping bags or hovering to make sure that Franky First Class gets to meals on time, we have failed. We have failed the Scout and we have failed the organization. It is no longer an honor. It’s just another weekend in a tent.
Ok.. I know you have an opinion, I gave you mine, lets hear it. Please leave a comment.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Scouting is Simple
As I have been digging into my copy of Aids to Scoutmastership the last couple days, I have become more and more a fan of both Scoutmastership and of Baden-Powell.
There is a chapter in the book called “Scouting is Simple”… here it is:
To an outsider Scouting must at first sight appear to be a very complex matter, and many a man is probably put off from becoming a Scoutmaster because of the enormous number and variety of things that he thinks he would have to know in order to teach his boys. But it need not be so, if the man will only realise the following points:
- The aim of Scouting is quite a simple one.
- The Scoutmaster gives to the boy the ambition and desire to learn for himself by suggesting to him activities which attract him, and which he pursues till he, by experience, does them aright. (Such activities are suggested in Scouting for Boys).
- The Scoutmaster works through his Patrol Leaders.
And yes ladies and gentlemen, it is just that simple. I think the message of the last couple days and weeks has been leading to this thought.. keep it simple.
To many well-meaning committee members, district folks, and those that feel the need at the council level to get into Troop business, they have clearly not read Aids to Scoutmastership.
The role of the district and council are not to get into troop affairs. The Aim of Scouting is to develop Character, Citizenship, and Fitness. That is all Troop and Patrol business. The Council and District are there to support the units when needed.. not to replace the Troops annual planning (boy led) it is also there for administrative functions as a ‘go between’ to the National organization.
So far as giving the boys the ambition and desire to learn. Once again.. Troop stuff. Providing opportunities at the council and district level does not promote desire and ambition. This has to occur in the context of the Patrol. Troop guides, Patrol Leaders, and Senior Patrol leaders that have been trained to provide purpose, direction, and motivation, for the unit to be the best it can be. Again… Troop stuff.
And finally.. and my favorite!!!! Working the Patrol method. In all its pain and agony, its fun and success, its trial and error. The Patrol is where Scouting happens. It is that simple.
So, as BP says.. Scouting is Simple. Don’t complicate it. If your unit is not keeping it simple, it may be time to evaluate what’s going on in it.
Keep the conversation going.. let us know what you think.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
What kind of Scoutmaster are you?
In the last post, we got a pretty good feel for the general attitude toward the “Merit Badge Mill” for a lack of a better term. It seems that there is not a lot of support for this style of merit badge earning.
Now, I did receive some emails that found that style the best practice in, as one guy put it “the world we live in”. But those comments were far less than those opposed. In all fairness… I did ‘accept’ any comment that was made on the blog. I did not respond to all of the emails, especially the one that called me “Old fashioned and not in touch with today’s Scouts”.
Which led me to thinking this week… What kind of Scoutmaster are you?
It was brought to my attention that the 1998 Scout Handbook does not make mention of Baden-Powell. I have not checked this out for myself, but if that is the case, it begs the question.. Why?
But back to the subject at hand.. What kind of Scoutmaster are you?
Baden-Powell said in “Aids to Scoutmastership” that we need not be “Know it all’s”
To be a Scoutmaster you need:
- He must have the boy spirit in him; and must be able to place himself on a right plane with his boys as a first step.
- He must realise the needs, outlooks and desires of the different ages of boy life.
- He must deal with the individual boy rather than with the mass.
- He then needs to promote a corporate spirit among his individuals to gain the best results
Now BP goes on to explain all these points in the book and I won’t just copy and paste the whole thing here.. Google search Aids to Scoutmastership and get your own copy and read it. But I will say that if you do as BP says.. you may just be a good Scoutmaster.
Scoutmasters should be a friend to the Scouts. He should remember that these are boys and not adults. We ask a lot from these young men which is all a part of the program, but at the end of the day they are boys. They have issues at home, school, sports teams, and the everyday life of a teen ager. So for the Scoutmaster that places himself on the “right plane” with the Scouts does a better job understanding them and working with them as they grow and develop.
The Scoutmaster needs to understand where the Scouts are in life. Once again, they are not men, they are boys and they all grow and develop at different rates. Some 14 year olds are more mature that others. Some 12 year olds mature faster than some 15 year olds. So it is important that the Scoutmaster works with the Scouts individually and not paint broad strokes with his Scoutmaster brush. At the same time, the Scoutmaster needs to build the team up as well as the individual. The team (Troop and Patrol) is an important part of the Scouting program and a huge part in developing young men.
On the other hand. And I know too many Scoutmasters like this, they are ‘roped’ into doing the job, they have no real desire to do the job but they do it because their son is in the troop, and they have no desire to learn the program or assist in running it right.
Now is that a subjective statement. Not so much. In the introduction to being a Scoutmaster in the Scoutmaster training program, the trainers introduce the new Scoutmasters to the 8 methods of Scouting. And with few exceptions the methods have remained the same for 102 years. Those same methods that BP himself outlined.
In both Aids to Scoutmastership and Scouting for Boys, you can find all of the methods that we currently use to achieve the Aims of Scouting.
The Patrol being the foundation for the Scout to start learning. The ideals found in the Scout Oath and Law as well as the motto and slogan take that foundation and apply it to their daily lives and the attitudes that shape the Patrol as a group. Scouting is done and should always be done in the outdoors with a Patrol. The Outdoor program is fundamental in the Scouting program. It is as BP said “our classroom”. Advancement opportunities set challenges and goals for the Scout to meet. The Advancement program tests the Scouts ability to manage his goal setting and give him a measurement of his own success. Not the success of the unit, but himself. The association with adults is a method that is often confused. Confused, because it is a method for the Scout.. not the adult. In associating with adults the Scout learns to manuever through the world. It places the Scout in a position to learn to be comfortable in job settings as well as social settings. The adults role in this method is to be a good example. Personal Growth is perhaps one of the most important methods that is often overlooked by Scoutmasters that do not take a personal care for each of the Scouts in their Troop. The Scoutmaster that does the job for a set amount of time or because no one else would take the job often look at Scouting as a camping club. Merit badges just happen at Summer camp and it really doesn’t matter if there is personal growth in the individual Scouts. I mean, after all you only have to care for them on Monday nights and one weekend a month… right? The uniform is where I see most of the lack of care for methods. Cost is always an excuse, but rarely a solution is given. The uniform has been a part of Scouting since the very beginning and should remain a method as long as Scouting exists. It is not a financial burden if the Scout believes and lives the part of the law that suggests that he is “Thrifty”. Adults create the burden by not enforcing the standard. To many parents fail to see the value in Scouting’s values and would rather take the easy way out and just say that it can’t be done. Hog Wash! And finally, when it comes to methods Leadership development. Now, I do know that I put this one last and that is not how they are listed… but here is where I see a big gap in the ways in which Scoutmastership is practiced.
Leaders are made, not born and sometimes that trial and error called learning is not pretty. The Patrol and Troop are the practice grounds for leadership development. And to be honest.. it’s real ugly sometimes.. that is when the good Scoutmaster needs to allow it to be ugly. Parents don’t like to see that.. but it is the best way for a Scout to learn. Mistakes are opportunities to learn as long as the Scoutmaster is there to teach, coach, train, and mentor the Scout. By applying “Guided Discovery” the Scout will develop into a leader. He may not be the next Patton or [insert your favorite leader here], but the lessons he learns while discovering his leadership potential will serve him later in life.
In short.. What kind of Scoutmaster are you? Are you one that embraces the lessons taught us by Baden-Powell or do we throw it all out the window for “modern thinking” and convenience. “Old fashioned and not in touch with today’s Scout”. I don’t know about you, but can you disagree with the Values of Scouting? How about the methods? These are time-tested and work well when applied by caring Scoutmasters.
If that makes me old-fashioned… so be it.. but if you do as BP suggests.. you can never be out of touch with today’s Scout. They are the same as they always have been… they are boys looking for adventure.
I am curious to hear what you have to say about this. What kind of Scoutmaster are you?
“What the Scoutmaster does, his boys will do. The Scoutmaster is reflected in his scouts. From the self-sacrifice and patriotism of their Scoutmaster, Scouts inherit the practice of voluntary self-sacrifice and patriotic service.” – BP in Aids to Scoutmastership
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Potential
The other night at our weekly Troop meeting we did something really out of the ordinary. The Scouts did their thing.. that was normal.. but we held a parent meeting and then Parent break outs for the Scouts going to Philmont, and the Scouts going to Summer Camp. Out of the ordinary in that we dedicated the entire evening to the Parents.
I feel that we do a pretty good job communicating, but with the move to the new church (meeting place) and the high pay off events just around the corner, it was a great time to get all the parents in one room together and talk about some of the issues that are currently being addressed by the Troop.
I did most of the talking.. duh… but I thought it was important for me to personally communicate certain topics to the parents.
Some of the things I talked about was the fact that all of a sudden the Scouts are getting a bit “relaxed” in their uniforming. Many of the younger Scouts are deciding for themselves that the uniform is not important while the Troop does feel it is important. The PLC addressed this issue a month ago and was having a hard time getting some Scouts motivated to comply with the Troop uniform policy (as outlined by the PLC). So I explained why the uniform was important to our team to the parents and asked for their help in getting little Tommy Tenderfoot to wear his uniform.
We also talked about bang for your Scouting buck.. simply put the dues are not pro rated based on your attendance.. so you should attend everything and get the most out of your Scouting dollar.
Now, I know that asking to be at everything is unrealistic, but in recent months we have seen a drop in our attendance for camp outs. Some of the younger Scouts have had ‘other plans’ on some of the fun camp out weekends and then I hear them complain that the guys that went on the camp out got lots of stuff signed off in their books, while they did not.
The point to the parents was this; if you participate you will get a lot out of Scouting. If you Scout ala cart.. you don’t get the full meal. You get out of Scouting exactly what you put into it.
I was challenged by a parent saying I should do a better job encouraging the boys to go. And I do.. but I won’t beg a Scout and I certainly won’t beg a parent. They all have a calendar, they all know when we meet, they all know a year in advance when the camp outs are. Part of Scouting’s lesson is self-reliance. If Scouting is not that important to the Scout and/or their family, well then they simply will miss out. I have said it many times. I want them all to attend.. but at the end of the day, I would rather have 15 Scouts that are motivated and having fun then 45 that I have to drag along fighting their attitude. Is that to say that I give up on them.. certainly not.. But once again, I asked the parents to be excited about Scouting and encourage their boy to hit the trail with us instead of staying home.
So I will continue to encourage.. but not beg.|
This subject of participation led to me telling the parents that our Scouts have a ton of potential. Some of the older Scouts have expressed that I have been “riding them”. And yes, I suppose that is true, but then again, I guess it depends on how you define “Riding”. You see, I see lots of potential in these Scouts, in particular the current leaders of the Troop. Yep, I said potential… not performance. They have the necessary skills, tools, and knowledge. What they lack is want to.
So when they say I am riding them what it really means is that expect a lot out of them and will not settle for them being lazy, I will not settle for them to not do their job, and I will not settle for them to set this example to the younger Scouts.
Now it should be clear. I never belittle them, I never yell at them, I never make them feel like they are failing. I just stay on them and expect them to perform their position of responsibility.
Does it get old for them? Sure does. Do they do well when pushed? Sure do. So I define “riding” this way…
I am extracting performance from their potential.
Once they start performing it becomes a habit and then they are moving the troop along with a full head of steam.
They get it. They just need a gentle push from time to time.
I felt the need to communicate this stuff to our parents. They have a big influence on the participation level, the attitude level, and the support that we as Scout leaders get from the Scouts and Scouting families.
Coming out of the meeting I felt that the parents were once again on our team. They were encouraged with our program, and they all gave me a great feeling of support.
I closed by expressing my love for Scouting and the Scouts in our Troop. They will all be developed, protected, and loved in our Troop.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Messengers of Peace
Timely.
As some of you may know, but now you all will… My oldest son, John, the Eagle Scout made a huge decision recently to put college on hold and follow in his Dad’s footsteps and join the Army. Not just join the Army, but do exactly what I did in the Army. Airborne Ranger.
While I am proud of him and excited for the adventures that await him, and know that there will be many. My heart, like that of any father wants him to be safe. I have served my time in combat and know what it is like. And as much as I loved my time in the Army and know that he will do well, I don’t want him to get hurt.
Having said that, it causes me to reflect on Baden Powell’s intent for Scouting. A World organization for peace. It is with that thought that this morning I stumbled on the BSA’s “Messenger for Peace” Site and thought to myself.. if only this works. My son (and your son’s and daughters) would not have to go to war.
I am on board with this. Check it out and see what you can do to be a messenger of peace.
From the BSA Website:
Fellow Scouters,
In 1920, just two years after the most terrible war the world had ever known, 8,000 Scouts from 34 countries came together for the first world jamboree. At the closing ceremony, Scouting founder Robert Baden-Powell called on participants to carry the spirit of the jamboree home “so that we may help to develop peace and happiness in the world and goodwill among all Scouts.”
The Scouts of the world have been answering that call for more than 90 years.Today, Scouts in dozens of countries are working for peace by solving conflicts in their schools, building links between divided communities, teaching their peers about health and wellness, and repairing environmental damage. To recognize their efforts—and to inspire more young men and women to help Scouting create a better world—the World Scout Committee has launched the Messengers of Peace initiative. The Boy Scouts of America is proud to join this effort in 2012.
How can BSA units participate? All they have to do is go online and register the MOP-related community service projects (including Eagle Scout projects) they undertake. Doing so adds pins to a global Messengers of Peace map, which Scouts from around the world can click on to learn how their fellow Scouts are making a difference.
Scouts who complete MOP projects will be eligible for a special recognition: a ring patch that goes around the World Crest. That patch will symbolize their participation in an ever-widening circle of Scouts who are not just visualizing world peace but are helping to make it a reality.
The Scouts of the world have always been a powerful force for good. This initiative lets us celebrate what our Scouts have already accomplished and inspire them to accomplish even more. Please join us as we work together to create a better world.
There is a cool recognition for this program also. You can read more about it on the Byan on Scouting Blog.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Oregon and Youth Protection
The BSA’s response to the Oregon Supreme Courts recent decision on ineligible Volunteer files.
There should never be a cover up, and we want those that are sick enough to engage in this activity to be punished severely. Further, we don’t want them in our organization. If we can screen them out early.. then let’s get them out or not let them in.
God help the sick bastard that try’s to hurt a Scout in my Troop.
A Scout is brave.. he is even more brave when he knows he can trust his leaders to tell when things are wrong. A Scout is also brave enough to stand firm on policy and say no to those that fail to live the values that we promote.
I’m glad that those of us in the BSA take this more serious than our Supreme Court. Arrgh!
OK.. so directly from the BSA website here are the facts about the ineligible volunteer files.
Know the Facts: BSA Ineligible Volunteer Files
The Boy Scouts of America refuses to compromise on the safety of our youth. As part of our comprehensive screening and youth protection efforts, prompt reporting of inappropriate conduct with youth is required of all Scout leaders. The BSA records such allegations in the Ineligible Volunteer Files—whether or not the adults involved were Scout leaders or the youth involved were Scouts. By being proactive and acting upon many kinds of information—including tips and hearsay that cannot be proven in a court of law—the BSA has successfully kept dangerous or potentially dangerous individuals, as well as inappropriate role models, out of our organization.
Scouts are safer because of the Ineligible Volunteer Files. Recent efforts have sought to make the files public and suggest that the BSA is trying to hide something by maintaining their confidentiality. That is far from the truth. The following provides additional information about how they help protect our members, and why their confidentiality is important.
- The Ineligible Volunteer Files are an important part of the BSA’s comprehensive focus on youth protection. Youth protection is of paramount importance to the BSA. Accordingly, the BSA developed a three-pronged youth protection program, including local and national screening of adult volunteers, education and training, and clear policies to protect youth members. The Ineligible Volunteer Files are used as part of the national registration process that follows a leader’s selection by the local chartered organization, prior to granting membership.
- The use of the files at the time of application is a long-standing and well-documented process. While the records maintained by the BSA are confidential, their existence is a well-known component of Scouting’s registration process. Their use has been referenced as far back as the 1930s in books, Scout publications, and news articles.
- The files provide an added layer of protection to criminal background checks. Today, any adult who wants to join Scouting must pass a criminal background check, but the BSA began collecting information on those ineligible to be volunteers well before computers and other electronic databases were available. The process that exists today is much the same as it was then and has proven to be effective in keeping potentially dangerous or inappropriate individuals out of Scouting. It is actually very simple: The Ineligible Volunteer Files links a name with information that led the BSA to determine that the individual was not suitable to lead youth. As part of the membership application process, the names of adult applicants approved by local chartered organizations are cross-referenced with the names included in the Ineligible Volunteer Files. If the individual appears in the files, he or she is not permitted to join Scouting.
- Files are updated any time a determination is made that an individual should not serve. Scouting policies require prompt reporting of any inappropriate conduct with youth, whether in a Scout unit or in the larger community. Whenever the BSA receives such a report from the local community, the national organization creates a record, whether or not the adults were Scout leaders and whether or not the youth involved were Scouts. In some instances, the allegations cannot be proven to the degree required by a criminal court, but the person is still banned from Scouting. Centralizing this information helps the BSA act more quickly (on suspicion alone in some instances) to identify and keep out persons who have been determined to be ineligible to serve as volunteer leaders.
- The sole purpose of the files is to prevent those deemed ineligible from registering as Scout leaders. The Ineligible Volunteer Files maintained by the BSA have always served solely as a barrier to entry preventing those who are ineligible to serve as Scout leaders from joining or rejoining Scouting. Suggesting that they would provide any greater insight from a research perspective reflects a misunderstanding of the purpose and content of the files. The BSA believes—and independent, third-party experts have confirmed—there is nothing in the files that would further the research field or help develop a profile to prevent abuse.
- The confidentiality of the Ineligible Volunteer Files encourages prompt reporting. BSA members are instructed to report any suspicion of abuse to local authorities and Scout executives, but BSA has always believed that victims and their families have the right to choose for themselves whether to share their stories publicly. People are more likely to come forward to report real or perceived misconduct if they can do so confidentially.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Prepared. For Life
As everyone that reads this blog knows, the BSA’s new(er) slogan is as the title reads… “Prepared. For Life”. I have often stayed away from advertising gimmicks and jingles.. “An Army of One”, and “Be all that you can Be” come to mind. But this one hit home as I thought about how Scouting does impact our lives. Yesterday was my first day back from vacation and so I spent a little time catching up on emails, reading my favorite blogs, and cleaning camping gear. My good buddy Adam posted a piece about his vacation last week. It is a great article and illustrated just how Scouting is Preparing us for life.
I was and I suppose still am reluctant to tell this story in light of Adams blog post, but once again I find myself in need of sharing this wonderful thing called Scouting.
Last week we spent at Glacier National Park. If you have never been.. GO! It is truly an amazing place. So as you can imagine when I go camping I go prepared. We are ready to sustain for a week in comfort and have a good time out in the woods. This time was no exception. Since it was family time, I went a lot heavier than I am used to, the big cabin tent, the big stove, the coolers etc. But I still had my day pack which had my 10 essentials in it and since we were in Glacier NP, a canister of Bear spray.
One afternoon as we sat in camp, a scream came from the road in front of our camp site. The boys were throwing a football around and one fell. HE ran straight into our site crying. Why our site and not to his parents.. I don’t know. Maybe instinct told him that I had just completed the Wilderness First Aid course, or that I was a Scoutmaster, or he had no idea where he was.. either way.. here he ran into our site bleeding from the hand.
I had him sit down and told him to look me in the eyes. Josh, my youngest son, had already got to my day pack and retrieved the first aid kit. I told this youngster to relax and that he was going to be fine. His alligator tears started to dry and I just kept talking to him. Found out that in three days he would be turning 9 years old and that he was from Canada.
All the while I gloved up and started treating his cut. He had fallen on his hand and took a good layer or two of skin off his palm. Cleaning the area and bandaging with non stick pads I was done with the bleeding part. Then I started looking for possible fracture. He asked why I was poking and pressing on his wrist and hand.. I told him I wanted to make sure he was ok. He was. Right about that time, his dad came into our camp. He said he had heard the scream and started heading in this direction. I told what I had done and that I think everything is going to be ok, keep it clean and if he needed I would change the dressing the next day.
He saw the Scouting stickers on the back of my truck and made a comment about them stating that his son had run to the right place. “Who else would be ready to anything”, he said referring to the stickers.
So all of this got me to thinking about just how we Prepare our Scouts for life.
It’s not just first aid and camping skills, but as the mission statement states, Making ethical choice throughout their lives.
I often talk in this blog about character and making choices. Being fit and healthy, being of service to others, and of course skills that will help them get through life.
Scouting is a great platform for this learning, discovery, and practice of the life skills that these young men will need as they go through it. Being Prepared for as Baden Powell said.. Anything.
So it’s not just about camping and fun. It truly is a game with a purpose and all of us should remember what that purpose it. This new(er) slogan.. Prepared. For Life. Is the Boy Scouts of America mission statement in three words. It is our call to action as Scouters. It is what we are here for.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Independence Day
**CAUTION- THIS MAY COME ACROSS AS A RANT.**
The two subjects that cause the most argument and trouble historically are those of religion and politics. I try to steer clear of both. Not because I lack opinions in those matters, just that I believe at the end of the day, your opinion is yours and by and large I can’t change it.
But today is INDEPENDENCE DAY!
The day that we celebrate the birth of the greatest nation on earth, the day that we celebrate the greatest experiment in democracy the world has known. Today, as we celebrate we need to take a look at this great experiment. How are we doing?
“I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may be trusted to govern themselves without a master.” – Thomas Jefferson
Well I think that Jefferson would be very disappointed in our “Masters”. Those men and women that we have elected to govern us. By and large and both democrats and republican, they have forgotten that they serve the people in a nation For the people and By the people.
“I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.” – Thomas Jefferson
Nope.. missed that again. Over and over we see the abuse of the power of our so-called leaders. They forget the lessons learned though our history and No one party seems to be better than the other.
I do not wish to debate democrat philosophy over republican. I am an American and love my country. I look to the past to see the mistakes of our current government. The great experiment of our Republic I fear is in danger and none of our politicians seem to care. Their interest is self-serving and not in the interest of America. Our current administration is moving us to a point of socialism and I will not have it.
“My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.”- Thomas Jefferson
Look at our government. It encourages us to be lazy. It asks us to trust them and they will provide. It suggests to us to be dependant on them. That is not what our founding fathers had in mind in creating our nation. Our government is bigger than ever. Why?
Social programs that encourage Americans not to work hard. The government will provide.
Now I don’t know about you.. but it seems to me that our Constitution only Provides one thing.. and that is for the common defense. The constitution sets us up for a more “perfect union”.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Domestic tranquility? Promoting the general welfare.. not providing. Blessings of liberty? I think we need to take a look at what liberty really meant to the founders.. and what it means to us now. I think we are way off.. or at least our government is.
Like I said at the outset. I try not to engage in political discussion. It only serves to upset people and create argument. We live in a great nation that is not being helped by our government. This is my opinion. I love this country and it is days like today that I think are important to reflect on how we got here.
I think that if you listen to the past and learn you can hear the thumping of our founding fathers rolling in their graves. This nation that they gave everything for is being sold. The American people have allowed this to happen.. in the name of what? political parties and corruption have led this country down the wrong path. Is it to late to turn things around? Don’t know. I hope not.
And that is where Scouting comes in. Teaching our Scouts to be good Citizens of Character. This is the only way that I think things can change.
Once again. My opinion.
Not really interesting in debate, but you are welcome to leave a comment.
“Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.” – Thomas Jefferson
Yep.. I am a fan of Thomas Jefferson… it’s to bad our current politicians aren’t.
Happy Independence Day!
Have a Great Scouting Day!
