{"id":1228,"date":"2012-04-24T15:48:55","date_gmt":"2012-04-24T19:48:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/?p=1228"},"modified":"2012-04-24T15:48:55","modified_gmt":"2012-04-24T19:48:55","slug":"issue-305-april-24-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/2012\/04\/issue-305-april-24-2012\/","title":{"rendered":"Issue 305 \u2013 April 24, 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rule No. 71:<\/strong>
\n \u2022 Procrastination can always be solved\u2026eventually.<\/strong><\/em>
\n________________________________________
\nSHOWDOWN TIME!<\/strong> Here are the answers to Sunday\u2019s quiz, and the BSA sources behind the answers. How did YOU do? Did any surprise you?<\/p>\n

1. Packs and troops can decide how much of the uniform they want to wear.<\/strong>
\nFALSE<\/strong>
\nSCOUTMASTER HANDBOOK (p. 9): Wearing the uniform helps boys develop a sense of belonging to their patrol and troop. It reinforces the fact that all members\u2026are equal to one another\u2026Scoutmasters in full uniform set a good example for\u2026their troops\u201d
\nCUB SCOUT LEADER BOOK (Ch.16-1): The uniform\u2026is a way we give each other strength and support. It is a bond that ties us together\u2026It is a way of making visible our commitment\u2026(to) positive values\u2026 No changes or alterations in the uniform may be made without\u2026approval (of the national committee)\u2026 All Cub Scout leaders should\u2026set a good example for the boys.
\nBOY SCOUT HANDBOOK (pp.32-33): The BSA\u2019s official uniform includes a Scout shirt, Scout pants or shorts, Scout belt, Scout socks\u2026 Your troop may also elect to wear a cap\u2026 Outdoors, you can (wear) a T-shirt with Scout pants or shorts\u2026 Whether your uniform includes a Scout neckerchief is up to the troop.
\n(COMMENT) Yes, headgear and neckerchiefs may be decided by a troop (which, by the way, means the Scouts; not the committee or other adult volunteers) but the notion of a \u201ctroop uniform\u201d that allows jeans, Dockers, \u201cbaggies,\u201d and non-BSA belts or socks is, in a word, nonsense and counter to this Method of Scouting.<\/p>\n

2. Most all council- and district-to-unit communications go through the Commissioners.<\/strong>
\n TRUE<\/strong>
\nHANDBOOK FOR DISTRICT OPERATIONS (p.7): Unit Commissioners conduct most of the direct contact with units.
\nTHE DISTRICT (p.9): A Commissioner is the connecting link between the BSA and the unit leader.
\nTHE DISTRICT (p.10): Certain specific responsibilities (of the Unit Commissioner including) keep unit leaders informed about district and council events, interpret their values, and encourage unit participation.
\n(COMMENT) It\u2019s entirely likely that this doesn\u2019t happen in your council, but that\u2019s no reason not to work toward achieving it!<\/p>\n

3. Boards of review are excellent opportunities for re-testing Scouts, to make sure they\u2019ve mastered the requirements.<\/strong>
\n FALSE<\/strong>
\nBOY SCOUT HANDBOOK (p.55): The purpose of the (board of) review is to give you the opportunity to talk about how you are getting along in the troop, and to review the rank requirements to ensure that they have been met.
\nGUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT (p.45 \u2013 8.0.1.1): A board of review\u2026shall become neither a retest or \u201cexamination,\u201d nor a challenge of (a Scout\u2019s) knowledge\u2026 It should be a celebration of accomplishment.
\n(COMMENT) Some troops try to get around this by having \u201cinformal reviews\u201d in advance of formally convened boards of review\u2014They know they\u2019re in violation of BSA policy, which is even worse than ignorance.<\/p>\n

4. BSA advancement requirements represent the minimum standards\u2014Troop and pack leaders set the final standards.<\/strong>
\n FALSE<\/strong>
\nBOY SCOUT REQUIREMENTS (p.13): No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to, or to subtract from, any advancement requirements.
\nGUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT\u2014POLICY ON UNAUTHORIZED CHANGES TO ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM: No council, committee, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to, or subtract from, advancement requirements.<\/p>\n

5. Commissioners cannot concurrently hold a unit leader (e.g., Cubmaster, Team Coach, Scoutmaster, Crew Advisor, Skipper) position.<\/strong>
\n TRUE<\/strong>
\nCOMMISSIONER FIELDBOOK FOR UNIT SERVICE (p.23): Commissioners must not be registered as unit leaders\u2026 Although some commissioners may be registered on a unit committee\u2026their principle Scouting obligation must be with commissioner responsibilities.
\n(COMMENT) Some folks think this means \u201cwell, not for the unit I\u2019m serving as a Unit Commissioner.\u201d Wrong! It means any unit.<\/p>\n

6. Troops and packs can do Karate or go pistol-shooting and paint-balling, so long as they don\u2019t call it a \u201cScout activity\u201d or fill out a Tour Plan.<\/strong>
\n FALSE<\/strong>
\nGUIDE TO SAFE SCOUTING: Boxing, Karate, and related martial arts\u2014except Judo, Aikido, and Tai Chi\u2014are not authorized activities. Defensive Judo, Tai Chi, or Aikido\u2026should be done with proper mats and with qualified instructors…whose objectives and coaching methods are compatible with the principles of the BSA.
\nGUIDE TO SAFE SCOUTING: Handgun use is limited to the Venturing program (Ref.: VENTURING LEADER MANUAL, No. 34655).
\nGUIDE TO SAFE SCOUTING: Pointing any type of firearm or simulated firearm at any individual is unauthorized. Scout units may\u2026participate in paintball, laser tag, or similar events where participants shoot at targets that are neither living nor human representations.
\n\u201cInsurance Coverage for BSA Volunteers and Chartered Organizations\u201d: \u201cThe general liability policy does not provide indemnification or defense coverage to those individuals who commit intentional and\/or criminal acts. The BSA does not have an insurance policy that provides defense for situations involving allegations of intentional and\/or criminal acts.\u201d<\/p>\n

7. The unit\u2019s committee runs the unit.<\/strong>
\n FALSE<\/strong>
\nTROOP COMMITTEE GUIDEBOOK (p.8): The troop committee\u2019s primary responsibilities are supporting the Scoutmaster in delivering quality troop program, and handling troop administration.
\nSCOUTMASTER HANDBOOK (p.14): The Patrol Leaders Council plans and runs the troop\u2019s program and activities and gives long-range direction with an annual program planning conference that lays out the troop\u2019s calendar for the coming year\u2026 The PLC also meets each month to fine-tune upcoming troop meetings and outings. Meetings of the PLC are conducted by the Senior Patrol Leader\u2026 The Scoutmaster attends PLC meetings as a coach and information resource\u2026 The (Scouts) run the meetings and make the decisions. (The Scoutmaster and committee can \u201cveto\u201d if the PLC\u2019s plans would violate a BSA safety or other policy.)
\n(COMMENT) Taking this one step further, Scoutmasters don\u2019t run troops or head the troop committee, and Cubmasters aren\u2019t in charge of packs and their committees.<\/p>\n

8. A Scoutmaster\u2019s key responsibility is to run the troop meetings.<\/strong>
\n FALSE<\/strong>
\nSENIOR PATROL LEADER HANDBOOK (pp.5,10): The Senior Patrol Leader\u2026shoulders the responsibility for leading meetings of the troop and the Patrol Leaders Council…planning and carrying out the troop\u2019s program of outdoor activities, service projects, and events. Duties of a Senior Patrol Leader: Run all troop meetings, events, activities, and the (PLC\u2019s) annual program planning conference.
\nSCOUTMASTER HANDBOOK (p.13): The Senior Patrol Leader is in charge of troop meetings from beginning to end.<\/em>
\n(COMMENT) Time to stop being \u201cThe World\u2019s Oldest SPL\u201d (or PL).<\/p>\n

9. Assistant District Commissioners are in administrative, not unit contact, roles.<\/strong>
\n TRUE<\/strong>
\nHANDBOOK FOR DISTRICT OPERATIONS (p.): Assistant District Commissioners are responsible for an assigned share of units in the district and supervise the Unit Commissioners who serve those units.
\nCOMMISSIONER ADMINISTRATION OF UNIT SERVICE (p.8): ADCs are assigned certain units in the district where they supervise\u2026the Commissioners who serve those units\u2026 Administrative Commissioners are not Unit Commissioners<\/em>\u2026 When a UC resigns, or cannot adequately fulfill the responsibilities of the job, the ADC temporarily<\/em> assumes the vacant position. However, immediate action must be taken to provide a replacement.<\/p>\n

10. It\u2019s a troop\u2019s option to have either elected or appointed Patrol Leaders and SPLs.<\/strong>
\n FALSE<\/strong>
\nSCOUTMASTER HANDBOOK (p.13): The Senior Patrol Leader\u2026is elected by all members of the troop\u2026 One Patrol Leader is elected by the members of each patrol.
\nSENIOR PATROL LEADER HANDBOOK (p.5): You have been elected by your fellow Scouts.
\nPATROL LEADER HANDBOOK (p.7): Congratulations! The members of your patrol have elected you to be their leader.<\/p>\n

So how did you do? More importantly, how do you think the other folks in your unit (or district) would do?
\n________________________________________
\nHi Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n

About that question regarding a BSA policy on email, vis-\u00e0-vis Youth Protection, the BSA\u2019s Social Media Guidelines make a statement about this. Just go to: www.scouting.org\/sitecore\/content\/home\/marketing\/resources\/socialmedia.aspx<\/strong>\u00a0 (Gene Annas, CSLRTC, Piedmont Council, NC)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thanks\u2014much appreciated!
\n________________________________________
\nDear Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m a new Scoutmaster of a troop with a pretty big Order of the Arrow (\u201cOA\u201d) membership among our older (ages 14 and over) Scouts. Our previous Scoutmaster used the OA as a resource because we could get trip discounts, which I agree with. But something I\u2019m noticing is that while the intention of the OA is as an honor society, some Scouts use it as either an inclusionary or exclusionary tool in the troop, and some that are in the OA are definitely not what I\u2019d call exemplary Scouts. My feeling about the OA is that it\u2019s \u201cextra\u201d\u2014in other words, troop first; OA second\u2014and I plan to have activities for the troop regardless of OA events on the same day or weekend. Am I off track here? (Name & Council Withheld)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, the OA is an “honor society,” especially because it’s the troop’s own Scouts who elect their fellow Scouts into the order. Some call this a “popularity contest” disparagingly; I believe that’s a mistake. Yes, elections are certainly based on popularity: The Scout who smiles a lot, helps his fellow Scouts, is a good camper and good leader, and also a good follower, will almost always be elected over the grumpy do-nothing, can’t-find-him-when-we-need-him, no-show Scout!<\/p>\n

Yes, one’s troop (actually, one’s patrol) always comes first. However, it’s more than a kindness and definitely considerate when the Patrol Leaders Council (i.e., not the Scoutmaster) selects a non-OA weekend to go hiking or camping, because while OA weekends certainly involve fellowship, their main purpose is service to others.<\/p>\n

I’m guessing you’re not an “Arrowman”… But as Scoutmaster, you need to know what the OA is all about. Go buy an OA handbook (it’s obviously not a “restricted” item!) at your local Scout shop or at www.scoutstuff.org and do some reading… Knowledge is the greatest enemy of concern about the unknown!<\/p>\n

It’s actually more a matter of giving non-OA members activities that are offered from outside originators, like commercial operations that offer \u201cScout Days\u201d and \u201cScout Weekends,\u201d because it seems these are always on an OA weekend. And our other trips, many of which are contingent on site availability, happen on OA weekends, too.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On a recent trip to a historic area, some Scouts bailed claiming an OA fellowship weekend, but: Three OA Scouts chose to go on the trip with the troop rather than, in one Arrowman’s words, “sit around a cabin for the weekend.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

All I hear about our lodge is how poorly it\u2019s run and how unhappy everyone is, and from what I see locally, they perform very little service. Our troop used it primarily as a way for Scouts to go on high adventure treks at a discounted price. Although several of our Scouts actively do serve, most view it as an \u201cexclusive\u201d club.<\/strong><\/p>\n

My main objective with our troop is to have a rich program to keep the Scouts busy, active, and having fun. OA activities should be more extra-curricular, since so many of our Scouts aren\u2019t Arrowmen, and a good opportunity for a trip or camping shouldn’t be denied them because there may be a date conflict.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I guess it boils down to my belief that the many shouldn\u2019t have to sacrifice for the few. After all, without Scouts there would be no OA, but if there was no OA there would still be Scouts. (N&CW)<\/strong><\/p>\n

I think we’re dealing with perspective here… Our objective is to get the young men in our care “out there” and participating in Scouting activities. Whether they go on a trip with their troop or, occasionally, to their OA lodge’s fellowship weekend, does it really matter, so long as it’s Scouting? I’m not sure “bailed” is the best way to view this. Different if they “bailed” to go to a mall or just stayed home and “couch-potatoed” the weekend. But it’s Scouting no matter where they’ve gone. Moreover, OA involvement is proven to help retain older young men in the Scouting program\u2014if only because it’s special. Moreover, hangin’ out at a commercial operator\u2019s event \u201cfor Scouts\u201d might be lots of fun, but it may not be “Scouting\u201d per our old friend B-P. After all, while the promoters have offered special deals for Scouts, that doesn\u2019t guarantee a Scouting experience. That being the case, what’s so terribly wrong with an OA Fellowship Weekend, for those who enjoy Scouting friendship and service?<\/p>\n

Again, what weekends are selected for what outings is up to the Patrol Leaders Council to decide; not the committee or even the Scoutmaster. This isn’t about “sacrifice.” It’s about providing a variety of activities that keep these young men involved and active in Scouting programs.<\/p>\n

The OA has been around since 1915, and it’s been pretty successful in expanding young men’s horizons in the dimensions of commitment to Scouting and providing cheerful service to others. That’s pretty difficult to fault!<\/p>\n

So a few Scouts like to go to some OA stuff and others go camping with the troop. I somehow think it’s a lot better than Scouts just doing nothing Scout-related, weekend-after-weekend.<\/p>\n

Please take a deep breath and consider that, so long as our young men are involved, we’re accomplishing the goals of the BSA in character, citizenship, mental and physical development along ethical guidelines.<\/p>\n

Happy Scouting!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Andy<\/strong><\/em>
\n <\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u2019d prefer to be anonymous, if published, let me know and that\u2019s what we\u2019ll do.)<\/strong><\/p>\n

[No. 305 \u2013 4\/24\/2012 \u2013 Copyright \u00a9 Andy McCommish 2012]<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rule No. 71: \u2022 Procrastination can always be solved\u2026eventually. ________________________________________ SHOWDOWN TIME! Here are the answers to Sunday\u2019s quiz, and the BSA sources behind the answers. How did YOU do? Did any surprise you? 1. Packs and troops can decide how much of the uniform they want to wear. FALSE SCOUTMASTER HANDBOOK (p. 9): Wearing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1228","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-18"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1228","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1228"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1228\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1233,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1228\/revisions\/1233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1228"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1228"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1228"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}