{"id":2188,"date":"2017-05-16T17:32:38","date_gmt":"2017-05-16T21:32:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/?p=2188"},"modified":"2017-05-16T17:32:38","modified_gmt":"2017-05-16T21:32:38","slug":"issue-531-may-16-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/2017\/05\/issue-531-may-16-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"Issue 531 \u2013 May 16, 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

________________________________________
\nThought for the Day\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s easy to lead a group of Scouts who want to go where you\u2019re leading them. The challenge is when they don\u2019t want to head in that direction!\u201d (Tim Donohue, Eagle Scout-April 12, 2017)<\/strong>
\n==========
\nDear Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n

We have a Scout in our troop who we’ve been working with for years to help him participate in troop activities and advance through the ranks. He has a tough home-life, so we\u2019ll even go so far as to arrange transportation for him, for troop hikes and campouts, and sometimes even to get to troop meetings. Once he reached Star rank, we assigned a special \u201ccoach\u201d for him to help him continue to move forward. As he approached, and then passed, his 17th birthday, we redoubled our efforts to keep him on-track, but, despite this, his own commitment to getting to Life rank as quickly as possible began to waver. As he crept up on his 17-and-a-half milepost, our advancement coordinator both called and texted him, to encourage him to finish his last Life requirements. Well sure enough, this Scout did finish his Life requirements, and this was still before he was 17-1\/2, so our AC scheduled a board of review for him the day before the drop-dead date, and let him know that we\u2019re ready for him to be successful and have enough time to reach Eagle rank in six months\u2019 time\u2026but only if this review was held on the date scheduled.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We were all there: our advancement coordinator and three more committee members. But\u2026where was our Scout? Turns out, he was a \u201cno-show.\u201d Yup\u2026we received a text from him later that same evening, after we all waited for more than an hour and finally left and went home, that said he\u2019d \u201cforgotten\u201d what time the review was scheduled for (even though this had been succinctly communicated to him just the day before) and by then it was too late for him to get to where we\u2019d gathered (it was the normal troop meeting room, by the way\u2014not exactly some unknown location!).<\/strong><\/p>\n

The very next evening, we re-gathered and this time our Scout was there; the review was successful and he became a Life Scout\u2026one day short of six months before his 18th birthday: His 18th birthday is the same date\u2014six months later\u2014as his Life board of review date.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It looks like we’re stuck at this point, because this Scout is now at least a solid day short of the six months he needs for tenure and leadership. We\u2019re all pretty distraught about this, particularly since he\u2019d worked pretty hard to complete everything in time to have a full six months\u2019 tenure. But we\u2019ve come to realize that, despite our own valiant efforts on his behalf, responsibility for not hitting the necessary review date ultimately falls to this Scout, himself, and no one else.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Or is there something we\u2019re missing here that might still help this Scout still cross the finish-line? If you have any ideas, we\u2019d appreciate hearing from you. Thanks! (Name & Council Withheld)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, much as you all tried, it sure looks like this Scout, unfortunately, has shot himself in his own kneecap. Based on the dates you provided me, there are 181 days between his Life BOR and the day before his 18th birthday. So, no matter how it’s sliced and diced (calculated based on “average days in a month,” etc., etc.), he’s short. He’s at 5 months and 30 days, but he needs that one more day and he just doesn’t have it. Bummer, but in light of the way it happened, you all just can’t “save” him any more than you’ve already tried. He needed that review to be when it was first scheduled and he, well, blew it. It’s a darned shame, and it’s one heck of a life-lesson.<\/p>\n

Don’t blame yourselves. He had it in his grasp but managed to pluck defeat from what would have been a victory. Time for everyone to move on…and keep in mind that there should be no embarrassment about being a Life Scout! This is, after all, the second-highest rank in all of American Scouting!
\n==========
\nHi Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our Scoutmaster is retiring. On his watch, our troop has doubled from around 16 Scouts to over 30! In brainstorming with our other adult troop volunteers, we\u2019re concerned that the Scoutmaster\u2019s present responsibilities may be just too much for one person, in light of personal and business schedules, and other non-Scouting demands. So we\u2019re considering the idea of having two “co-Scoutmasters,” instead. Is there any precedent for this, or is it really contrary to Scouting\u2019s aims, goals, or methods? Thanks for your input. (Name & Council Withheld)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yup–Totally contrary. Doesn’t work. Even on aircraft (private, commercial, or military\u2014doesn’t matter which) the “copilot” means ASSISTANT pilot. There are NEVER two “co-pilots” on a plane, just like there’s only one captain on a ship, and one Patrol Leader per patrol, and a single Senior Patrol Leader in a troop…and one Scoutmaster. Not convinced yet? Okay, ever seen two CEOs in a corporation? And besides, if this were okay with the BSA, wouldn\u2019t there be a badge that said, “Co-Scoutmaster”?<\/p>\n

So, now that I’ve beaten that to death , what to do…<\/p>\n

How about keeping this simple by asking your two top candidates to choose between themselves which one will be the Scoutmaster and which one will be the first Assistant Scoutmaster? (The designated ASM takes over when the SM may not be available, but ultimately still “reports” to the SM.) I firmly believe you can make this work!
\n==========
\nHi Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n

My son just completed his Scoutmaster conference for Eagle and the Scoutmaster denied his application for this rank\u2014one day before my son\u2019s 18th birthday. Apparently, according to my son, his Scoutmaster didn\u2019t appreciate my son\u2019s \u201clack of Scout spirit,\u201d because, when asked, my son \u201crevealed\u201d that his \u201cinterest\u201d wasn\u2019t in \u201cearning the badge\u201d but, rather, in learning and enjoying the Scouting experience. As a result, his Scoutmaster didn\u2019t \u201cpass\u201d him for his conference.<\/strong><\/p>\n

My son\u2019s been in Scouting since he was seven years old\u2014that\u2019s quite literally a decade. In the past couple of years, as a junior and then senior, his high school academics and activities increased dramatically, and we\u2019ve had some family issues that have been distractions, but, still and all, he still completed all of his other Eagle requirements before his 18th. It seems a darned shame that, here at the last minute, his own Scoutmaster would choose to bar him in this way. Is there anything that can be done at this point? (Name & Council Withheld)<\/strong><\/p>\n

First off, a “Scoutmaster conference” is not for the purpose of “approving” or “denying” a Scout his opportunity to progress to the rank of Eagle; your son’s Scoutmaster severely and completely inappropriately mis-used and exceeded his authority by using this conference in the manner he chose.<\/p>\n

Plus, as far as I\u2019m personally concerned, “learning and enjoying the Scout experience” is exactly what a youth-serving volunteer should be hoping for and working for! “Getting a badge” is hardly a reason to be or remain a Scout; this flies in the face of everything the BSA advancement method and process is in place to accomplish. I’d personally stand beside your son and defend his viewpoint in the face of all opposition!<\/p>\n

Now, here\u2019s some good news: Eagle Scout requirement 6 says, \u201c\u2026participate in a Scoutmaster conference.\u201d It doesn\u2019t say \u201cpass\u201d or \u201cbe approved by\u201d\u2014it says \u201cparticipate,\u201d and your son did that, and he was age 17 when it happened. This means that EVERY Eagle requirement has been fulfilled!<\/p>\n

So here\u2019s your next step\u2026 Go to this link: www.scouting.org\/filestore\/pdf\/33088.pdf<\/p>\n

There, download the BSA GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT and save it to file. Then go to Topic 8.0.0.0 Section 8. Boards of Review and start reading. Focus specifically on Sub-Topic 8.0.3.2 Initiating Eagle Scout Board of Review Under Disputed Circumstances.<\/p>\n

Go straight to your district\u2019s advancement committee chair, on behalf of your son, and describe exactly what you\u2019ve described to me. If you hit a wall (which I believe will be highly unlikely) write to me again and we\u2019ll go to Plan B: The Council Advancement Committee Chair. (Oh, yeah\u2026there\u2019s a Plan C as well, but I\u2019m going to guess we won\u2019t need to activate it.)
\n==========
\nDear Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019re having an Eagle ceremony for a Scout whose father died three years ago. This dad was active in the troop and came to almost every meeting. His son\u2014understandably\u2014floundered for a while, but bounced back and finished his Eagle. The family and the troop want to present the \u201cEagle Dad\u201d pin in a way that celebrates his encouragement but is tasteful and doesn’t dampen the spirit of the court of honor as a whole. We\u2019re hoping you might have some suggestions. Thanks! (Robin Weingart)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Congratulations to this Scout, and to your troop for your continuing support of this young man! As for that pin, there’s a basic principle I’ve tried to apply in such situations… When in doubt, ask the Scout. Give it a try, and I’ll bet you all reach a good decision\u2014mutually!<\/p>\n

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

Andy<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/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. 531 \u2013 5\/16\/2017 \u2013 Copyright \u00a9 Andy McCommish 2017]<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

________________________________________ Thought for the Day\u2026 \u201cIt\u2019s easy to lead a group of Scouts who want to go where you\u2019re leading them. The challenge is when they don\u2019t want to head in that direction!\u201d (Tim Donohue, Eagle Scout-April 12, 2017) ========== Dear Andy, We have a Scout in our troop who we’ve been working with for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2188","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=2188"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2188\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2191,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2188\/revisions\/2191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}