Issue 557 – February 21, 2018

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Hi Andy,

Is there a way to find out what project a Scout accomplished in order to become an Eagle Scout in the 1930’s? My sister and I are trying to get more information about Charles Frederick Day. Thanks! (Susan Day)

In the 1930’s there was no specific “service project” requirement for Eagle. However, in the entire 1930-39 decade there were 83,223 Eagles (average: 8,300 per year), so Mr. Day was in pretty rare company, given that, today, more than 50,000 Scouts per year earn the Eagle Scout rank!
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Dear Andy,

What’s required to be submitted along with the Eagle Scout rank application? The most current application has moved the instruction on preparing “…a statement of your ambitions and life purposes and a listing of positions held …” It’s now included under the heading, “Certification by Applicant.” As Advancement Chair for our District, my committee has two schools of thought. One side says it’s required along with the application; others say it’s up to the Scout, since it does not appear to be written as a requirement on the application. When I pulled what I think are the most current Eagle rank requirements, under No. 6 there’s the same wording found on the application but separated from the requirement and seems to be relative only to the Scoutmaster conference. We currently have several Eagle applications that include the “Ambitions and Life Purpose” parts but not the rest concerning leadership and honors outside of Scouting. What say you, sir? Can you help un-cloud this seemingly cloudy area? (Bill Cox)

The exact wording for the “statement” (taken directly from the current Eagle Scout Rank Application) is: “In preparation for your board of review, prepare and attach to your Eagle Scout Rank Application a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in your religious institution, school, camp, community, or other organizations, during which you demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this service.”

The operative words here are “In preparation for your board of review…” This means that the statement is necessary only for a Life Scout’s Eagle rank board of review. It’s not “checked-off;” it’s simply done prior to the review and isn’t subject to the BSA “age” stipulation (translation: for a Scout who is on the cusp of his 18th birthday, this statement can be completed after his 18th birthday but before his board of review, which is also not subject to the 18th birthday protocol).
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Hi Andy,

I’m a 1973 Eagle (silver palm) returning to the program as a volunteer with a local troop. I also participate in the local Patriot Guard Riders—East Texas Chapter. On our riders’ vests, we wear a white star (salvaged from a retired US flag) to show that we’re military veterans. I’m just wondering how we could get the BSA to consider an insignia of some sort denoting military service that adult Scouting volunteers might wear. With the resurgence of patriotism in the last few years, it seems like it could be a valuable way for attracting adult volunteers and engaging the interest of the Scouts. (John Jeter)

Did you know that the BSA offers a “square knot” that can be worn on an adult Scouter’s uniform shirt to signify that he or she has received the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal?

As for a uniform-worn recognition of current or prior military service by a registered Scouting volunteer, I believe a letter directed to Michael Surbaugh, Chief Scout Executive of the BSA, headquartered in Irving, TX, would be your best avenue for success.
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Dear Andy,

I am a pretty new Cub Scout pack Committee Chair, and we have a Cubmaster who’s new as well. Starting out with just six Cubs, we earned the Summertime Pack Award last summer and then our “School Night for Scouting” in the fall was a big hit – We’re a pack of 24 right now!

All was good, until… Our Cubmaster has, for unknown reasons I believe are of a personal nature, become increasingly difficult to work with. She’s begun to denigrate the Cubs, including to their parents! Texting and emails—which worked well between us in the past—are now going unanswered. She’s taken to playing “judge” when the dens come up with skits they’d like to do at family camping campfires, and she’s now engaging in a lot of yelling—at both Cubs and parents, too! Her abilities to follow through on things she’s committed to are now circling the drain…coupled with blaming innocent others for her failures to deliver on promises she’s made. I’ve tried to informally chat with her, to see if we can’t get back on track, but with no success. What do I do? I don’t want this delightful pack to collapse, but that’s the direction we seem to be headed to. (Name & Council Withheld)

I think you already know what needs to be done: In the absence of an immediate turnaround, this Cubmaster needs to be removed and replaced as quickly as possible. (Don’t wait till you have a replacement before removing her; do this immediately, knowing that once the “vacuum” has been created you’re more likely to be able to fill that slot than if you let this person continue while you and the pack committee search around.)

As the pack’s Committee Chair, you have the authority—with the cooperation of the Chartered Organization Representative or the sponsor’s head (called “Executive Officer” on the pack’s chartering roster)—to remove any volunteer whose actions and words aren’t in the spirit of the Oath and Law (and are upsetting both Cubs and parents!).

If possible, you can make this what’s called a “soft landing”…meaning that you can approach this person and tell her that her talents are much more needed on the pack committee (as pack meeting “logistics” person, or pack record-keeper, or something else in which she doesn’t have direct youth contact), and ask her to make the switch…immediately. If she balks or outright refuses, then you simply thank her for her services and tell her that they’ll no longer be needed in the capacity of Cubmaster. Be sure to have a second person with you when you do this. This can be the Chartered Organization Rep. or simply another committee member; don’t make this a one-on-one!

Bottom line: Make your decision with surgical precision; carry it out with compassion.

Remember this always: The very first responsibility of ALL Scouting volunteers is to make sure the youth we serve get the best possible Scouting program and are kept free from harm.
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Hi Andy,

I’m currently a Venturer and recently passed my board of review for the Summit Award. Since the award is still relatively young, not many people have earned it and I’m the first one in my council. This means there isn’t really a precedent for how it’s presented, so my Advisor gave me the opportunity to choose. I’m not one that likes to draw undue attention to myself, but in order to start growing the legacy of the Summit Award and furthering the Venturing program in general, I want to make it at least a small ceremony generally modeled after an Eagle court of honor. Do you have any suggestions, especially on how to make it not as much focused on the recipient and more of an encouragement to others to achieve the award? Thanks! (Rebecca “Becky” Everly, Sagamore Council, Indiana)

First off, CONGRATULATIONS! This is an outstanding achievement and if you’re feeling a bit proud and a bit humbled at the same time, you’re absolutely normal!

Yes, developing an event similar to an Eagle court of honor is entirely appropriate for this achievement. I would hope that someone on your council’s staff, as well as your council’s advancement committee and Venturing committee, has an interest in making this a public event including a the full Venturing crew and parents in attendance, a distinguished presenter, lots of photos…the whole schmeer!

Your council’s Scout shop probably has a book by Mark Ray on various ways to hold a ceremony for Eagle… Borrow from that, and tune it up to the Venturing level. But don’t go it alone… Talk to your crew Advisor and get some collaboration going. To put it another way, other folks should be doing this FOR you!

Again, sincerest congratulations —

Happy Scouting!

Andy

Have a question? Facing a dilemma? Wondering where to find a BSA policy or guideline? Just write to me at: 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.)

[No. 557– 2/21/2018 – Copyright © Andy McCommish 2018]