Issue 636 – April 7, 2020

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Looking for a new way to talk about Scouting to a friend, a co-worker, or a possible major donor? Here’s a brilliant video that describes the essence of Scouting as an EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION. It’s narrated by a personal Scouting friend of more than 30 years—Mr. Bruce Davis, Eagle Scout, major Scouting contributor, and a hands-on Scouting volunteer for more than three decades! Here’s the link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gejR1wd3XP8&feature=emb_logo

It’s just 4:38 minutes, and you’ll enjoy it—I promise!
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Hi Andy,

What do you think of the recent drastic change in the Scout Law description of Obedient?

Gone is: “A Scout is obedient. A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobeying them.”

According to the BSA’s own website, Obedient is now, “Follow the rules of your family, school, and pack. Obey the laws of your community and country.”

This is pure adherence to rules and laws, with no guidance otherwise. I can’t tell if this change was with malicious intent or merely incompetence and ignorance of Scouting historical traditions. Or maybe it was just some third-rater thinking they’re “helping” by “simplifying,” where, in fact, they’ve entirely missed the point. (Tom Linton)

You’ve got sharp eyes, my friend! Yes, you’ve spotted a change. Whether it’s “drastic” or not depends, in part, on one’s Scouting background. But there’s more, which I’ll discuss at the end of this conversation.

In 1953, when I became a Boy Scout, “Obedient” was described this way in my handbook (Fifth Edition and every prior edition back to the first):

“He obeys his parents, Scoutmaster, Patrol Leader, and all other duly constituted authorities.”

The Sixth Edition retained this definition, bringing us forward to 1964, for a total “run” of 54 years.

Then, in 1965, the Seventh Edition defined “Obedient” with questions instead of statements:

“Am I OBEDIENT–doing the things I am asked to do promptly and in a spirit of real cooperation? Do I keep the laws of the land and the regulations of my community?”

This lasted 7 years. In 1972, the handbook’s Eighth Edition redefined “Obedient” to the language you’re recalling, and it has remained that way through the handbook’s 13th Edition—That’s another run of nearly 50 years!

The most current BSA definition of “Obedient,” as published on the BSA’s website today, might be considered a sort of return to the original, except that there are two very glaring errors. The first is a detail but the second is much more profound, because it entirely recasts what the values of Scouting are about.

Here it is again, so you can see what I’m about to point out… “Follow the rules of your family, school, and pack. Obey the laws of your community and country.”

First, the “detail” error. The current Obedient definition refers to one’s “pack” (as in Cub Scouting) to the exclusion of one’s troop. That’s simply wrong.

Now here’s the biggie… By removing the positive description of what a Scout does (e.g., “A Scout obeys his parents…”) and converting this to an order (e.g., “Follow the rules… Obey the laws…”) this re-casts the Laws from ideals to strive for into demands that must be adhered to. And, worse, every single one of the twelve points has been re-worded to be a demand and no longer an ideal.

Now, instead of leaving it to the Scout to decide for himself or herself how well they’ve lived up to each of these twelve ideals, the “Do this! Do that!” door has been opened, and more is the pity.

Thank you for writing to me about this. As a working commissioner, my almost invariable stance is to support and defend the BSA. In this case, I cannot.
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Hi Andy,

With the whole country on social distancing and lockdown, with no gatherings of more than ten, including Boy Scout meetings, I’m wondering if you’ve heard any good ideas yet from other leaders, or have any suggestions yourself? I’m thinking of reminding our Scouts that there are still Scouting things they can be doing at home, like…

Rank requirements like wildlife identification, building their first aid kit, talking by phone with local elected officials, their teachers, and so on.

Merit badge requirements like the family meetings and home projects for the Family Life, preparing meals at home for Cooking, and so on.

Service such as a neighborhood cleanup by walking their local street or road to collect trash.

Just doing a Good Turn Daily!

These ideas are only a start, and any ideas would really be helpful. Thanks! (Joe Sefcik)

Your thoughts are right on the money! Our friend, Bryan on Scouting, has just published a list of 58 merit badges that don’t demand human contact. If your troop uses “Scoutbook,” then Blue Cards can be managed electronically. Last week I published a list of specific rank requirements that Scouts can complete on their own (assuming they have handbooks, of course).

Meanwhile, through your local Roundtable Commissioner, see if a Skype, Zoom, or other format will facilitate a video conference among Scoutmasters like yourself, who want to kick around ways to, let’s say, take a brief “bike hike,” which will automatically “distance” your Scouts from one another, and other ideas to keep things rolling forward.
Meanwhile, there are hundreds of ideas on this subject on the internet, from Scouters just like you, who are getting creative for their Scouts! Awesome!
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Hi Andy,

In this quiet time, several of us on the troop committee have been emailing one another to develop some solutions to some episodic disciplinary issues within the troop over the years.

For years now, we’ve had a written disciplinary policy and are now revising it. We’re developing a four-level framework for addressing issues in an escalating manner: First, the Patrol Leader; if the PL can’t solve it, it goes to the Senior Patrol Leader; failing that, next is the Scoutmaster; then—and this is the final step before outright expulsion—the issue and offending Scout will go before the Troop Discipline Committee.

The details list the types of issues, the step in the process that will deal with each one, and the consequences (but not “punishment”) for each type and level.

The policy begins with BSA policy and then describes how the troop’s policy will align with BSA policy.

As we’re working on this, would you know if there are any good-example troop policies “out there” that we could borrow from? Also, any comments you may have on good troop discipline policies would be really helpful. (Name & Council Withheld)

I’m not familiar with the term, “episodic disciplinary issues” and I’m not going to guess. Also, what are we talking about when we say “issues”? I’m asking because the worst way to try deal with a vague situation is to provide an every vaguer (is that a word?) answer.

Let’s remember that, when all aircraft in or about to enter American airspace on 9/11 had to be immediately grounded, it was accomplished flawlessly, speedily, and with no mid-air or on-the-runway collisions—and this was all done with absolutely no written procedure! The nationwide ATCs and ground control simply made it happen.

When, later, the FAA evaluated what had been accomplished in a never-before-seen situation, the final decision was that there should never be a procedure written because, in the time it would take for every ATC to find it, read it, and employ it, it would be too late!

I feel the same way about “discipline policies” in a Scout troop.

Till next week, please stay safe, stay healthy, and stay positive!

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.)

Although these columns are copyrighted, any reader has my permission to quote or reproduce any columns or column parts so long as you attribute authorship: “Ask Andy” by Andy McCommish.

[No. 636 – 4/7/2020 – Copyright © Andy McCommish 2020]