Issue 606 – July 4, 2019

By AskAndy on July 4, 2019 in News

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INDEPENDENCE DAY

Today is for renewing, celebrating, appreciating, staying safe, and honoring with thanks all men and women whose service has made and kept America free.

The usual day we make resolutions is January first. Today may be an even better day…

o As Cubmaster, I will encourage all dens to participate in our pack meetings, even when that means I have to cancel the clown and the reptile folks and give pack meetings to the dens and their Cubs.

o As Den Leader, I will treat the boys or girls entrusted to me as if they were my own.

o As Scoutmaster, Venturing Crew Advisor , or rSea Scout Skipper, I will train and guide the youth I serve to lead themselves; I will step way back as these capable teens plan, organize, and run their own program.

o As Committee Chair, I will recruit new blood and give them rein to manage their self-selected responsibilities.

o As Unit Commissioner, I will offer counsel and guide the volunteers of the units I serve to discover their own solutions.

o As District Commissioner, I will recruit and train the people who will provide counsel to our unit volunteers; I will support the men and women in my charge, counsel those who may go astray, and replace those not fitting this diplomatic role.

o As District Chair, I will assure a full complement of volunteers who have chosen and know their responsibilities, and I will step aside so that they can carry them out.

o As a District or Council volunteer, I will support my district and council in achieving its goals and I will not engage in or permit disparagement of my district, my council, or the BSA.

o As Council President, I will encourage and contribute to goodwill and forward-thinking throughout our executive board and council committee.

o As a SCOUTING PARENT, I will support my child’s interests; I will study the Scouting program and ensure that the volunteers to whom I’ve entrusted my child provide a complete and correct Scouting program; I will never demand that my child choose between Scouting and their other natural activities

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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