Issue 391 – April 1, 2014

By AskAndy on April 1, 2014 in 2014

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The requirement with the fewest words and greatest clarity will be the one most subject to “interpretation.”

The volunteer who takes all available training for the position, and the one who takes none, are both called Scoutmaster.

All volunteer meetings start late…except the one you’re running late for.

In precisely 91.37 percent of all situations in which a percentage is given, that percentage will be incorrect.

The campfire always burns brightest and best immediately after the last Scout has left the campfire ring.

The quality of any speech is in inverse proportion to the perceived status and authority of the speaker.

On camp-outs, the best guarantee of rain is not using a dining fly.

When your son agrees with your chastising him for having done something wrong, the greatest further likelihood is that he’s already done something wronger that you haven’t discovered yet.

Today is the worst day of your life only because tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet.

The amount of toilet paper in the latrine is in inverse proportion to how much you’re going to need.

If The Patrol Method and Patrol Leaders Council are intended to be “mini-democracies in action,” why do Scoutmasters dictate to them?

On any trip to camp, the one vehicle that breaks down will be the one with the most Scouts in it.

Listen carefully to what a new acquaintance tells you he’s best at; this will be his greatest weakness.

“Long story short…” will be longer than the original. (Corollary: “I’ll make this brief” is your warning that it won’t be.)

Only two essentials are needed to reason with a bully: (1) A calm demeanor, (2) a length of 2×4 hickory.

Your new Swiss Army knife will always be missing the one tool you need most.

Whether you believe “this new Scout will be trouble” or not, you’ll be right.

“Well, you’re the boss,” is the clearest possible signal that the speaker intends to ignore and undermine you.

When you see a pretty woman wearing a PRESS badge, remember that it’s a definition, not an instruction.

And finally… The three life stages of a Scouting trainer: (1) Let’s ask Andy, (2) Let’s borrow Andy’s syllabus, (3) Andy who?

Happy Scouting!

Andy

Have a question? Facing a dilemma? Wondering where to find a BSA policy or guideline? Write to askandybsa@yahoo.com. Please include your name and council. (If you’d prefer to be anonymous, if published, let me know and that’s what we’ll do.)

About AskAndy

Andy is a Board Member of the U.S. Scouting Service Project, Inc.

Andy was recognized in 2017 as a National Distinguished Eagle Scout and Regent of the National Eagle Scout Association. He is currently serving as council member-at-large. His previous position, which he held for over 20 years (except for several years when he served as District Commissioner and Assistant Council Commissioner-Training), was Unit Commissioner. He has previously served as Den Leader, Webelos Den Leader, Cubmaster, Pack Committee Chair, Scoutmaster, International Representative, and--as a Scout--Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He is a charter member and founding director of his prior council's Alumni Association and Eagle Scout Alumni Association, both established in 2001. He earned Eagle Scout rank at age 15, in 1957; two years later, he earned the Explorer Silver Award--at that time referred to as the "Double-Eagle." At age 16, he served on the National Junior Leader Training Camp Staff at Schiff Scout Reservation (at that time this was a salaried position). He also served on the Philmont NJLIC Staff in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and, later, on two Pilot Regional NAYLE Staffs. His recognitions include: Kashafa Iraqi Scouting Service Award, Distinguished Commissioner, Doctor of Commissioner Science, International Scouter Award, District Award of Merit (2), Scoutmaster Award of Merit, Scouter's Key (3), Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award, Cliff Dochterman Rotarian Scouter Award, James E. West Fellow (3), Wood Badge & Sea Badge. He has attended four National Scout Jamborees: Scout in 1957, First Assistant Scoutmaster in 1993, National Staff in 2001, and NESA Featured Speaker in 2014 and 2017. The BSA included his article titled "Frictionless Scouting Events" was incorporated into the BSA National Training Video, "Meetings of the District" for ten years. He is a charter member of the BSA National Advancement Advisory Board and has written multiple technical articles for the BSA Advancement Team's "Advancement News" since 2012. Read Andy's full biography

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