From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Tue Aug 19 01:44:49 1997 Date: Tue, 19 Aug 1997 01:44:48 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: jean poulton cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: International Awareness Recognition Medallion In-Reply-To: <33F4C61F.2F66@frontiernet.net> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Jean, The International Awareness Recognition Medallion is offered via the International Catholic Conference of Scouting. The International Catholic Conference of Scouting offers a pin and patch activity recognition for Cub Scouts and a medallion and patch activity recognition for Boy Scouts, Explorers, and Scouters. These pins and medallions are offered to any Cub, Scout, Explorer, or Scout in recognition for increased awareness of Scouting in the Catholic Church throughout the world. Applications may be obtained from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, P.O. Box 153079, Irving, Texas 75015-7079. Cub Scout Requirements: 1. Look up the definition of the word catholic in the dictionary and write the definition out. 2. Do any two of the following: a. List ten countries that have Scouting programs for Catholics. b. Pass the religious achievement or requirement proper to your rank in Cubbing. c. Know the name of the Cub Scout religious emblem for Catholics, tell what language it is in, and its meaning. d. With your parent or guardian, visit a Catholic church of a different national background or a different rite from your own. e. Draw a picture or take a photo of the Jerusalem Cross. Boy Scout/Explorer Requirements: 1. Look up the definition of the word catholic in the dictionary, tell how it applies to the Catholic Church. 2. Plus, do any two of the following: a. Talk to someone who has experienced Catholicism in a foreign country about living as a Catholic in that country. b. Do one of the folloiwng pertaining to a Catholic church of a different national background or a different rite from your own: 1] Visit and attend a Liturgy or a Mass, if possible in a foreign language, and compare it to your own parish. 2] Write or meet with a Scout of that church to find out in what way that church differs from your own and is like your own. 3] View a video or movie about that church. c. Earn the Citizenship in the World Merit Badge. d. Write to a Catholic Scout in a foreign country. e. View a video or movie on Scouting in a foreign country (for example, World Youth Day, World Jamboree). f. Learn a Scouting phrase and the Sign of the Cross in a foreign language. g. Help a Cub Scout earn his International Pin Activity Recognition. Scouter Requirements: 1. Help at least one Cub or Scout earn the International Pin or the International Medallion Activity Recognition 2. Plus, do any two of the following: a. Attend a Divine Liturgy or a Mass celebrated in a Catholic church of a different national background or of a different rite from your own. Share this experience with Cubs or Scouts. b. Share information about Scouting for Catholics in another country with Cubs or Scouts. c. Particpate in an international Scout activity. Share the religious dimension of what you experienced with Cubs and Scouts. d. Explain the difference and similarities between two kinds of religious art (for example, icons, statues, paintings) to Cubs or Scouts. Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Tue Aug 19 02:01:32 1997 Date: Tue, 19 Aug 1997 02:01:31 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: "Donald H. Dillon" cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Clip Art needed In-Reply-To: <33F86BF5.22DBAD6B@awod.com> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Don, Try looking at http://terra.org for nautical flags and much more. This is an excellent website for Sea Explorers, and youth in general. You'll learn about sea creatures, things nautical, and see a few pictures that you can use. Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Tue Aug 19 02:04:59 1997 Date: Tue, 19 Aug 1997 02:04:58 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: John Conley cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Intro/Question In-Reply-To: <33F8A914.676A@frontiernet.net> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: John, Each year BSA publishes a magazine sized item called Scouting's Library of Literature #70-080 that lists most (yes most, but not nearly all) of Scouting's in print publications. Many, many more are available through other divisions of BSA (the catalog is from the Supply Division). For example dozens of items are available from the Audiovisual Service/Division. More still from the Relationships Division. However, for most needs the Library of Literature is a good starting place. Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Tue Aug 19 02:40:48 1997 Date: Tue, 19 Aug 1997 02:40:46 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: Jay Thal cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Withholding info/Scout's poor behavior In-Reply-To: <1997Aug14.122944.87@tcs.wap.org> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: On Thu, 14 Aug 1997, Jay Thal wrote: > First question is for those with some legal expertese out there: > 1. What liabilities redound to the parents/guardians of a boy who is or should > be medicated, or who has previously manifestered dangerous behavior, if the > parents fail to: a) inform; b) send the meds along; c) remove the boy from meds > w/o medical advise, if that boy injures another? Jay's question is one that could easily get a divided review in the legal community because there are factors involved that defy any bright line test of liability. However, there are two things that the parents need to know and understand up front. First, they are liable for the acts of a minor child generally. So if the child harms another person or destroys property, they may be found liable for the damage in civil court proceedings. Second, they may assume more liability if those acts arose as a consequence of the negligence of the parents in exercising their duties as parents which include the obligation to exercise due care to prevent their children from damaging the property of others or causing injury. If the parent knows the child will become destructive without medication and fails to see to it that medication is provided or that anyone is aware of the situation, there is a good chance they may be held accountable legally. And if they take deliberate steps to prevent the medication from being used with the knowledge that withholding it has the predictable consequence of the child becoming violent, it will be far worse for them. Aside from these two liability issues, is the issue of whether the parents might also be referred by the injured parties, the plaintiffs in a lawsuit, or the court to a state child protective services agency for evaluation to determine whether withholding the medication amounted to endangerment of the child and/or abuse, in which case the child may be removed from the family until such time as a court determines that custody can be returned and on a showing that the parents will act responsibly toward the child. Jay, is that enough to put the fear in 'em? The notion that a Scout Leader has responsibility as in loco parentis for a medical condition not known and perhaps deliberately concealed from him/her is probably doomed to failure in a Court, unless there is a showing that upon learning of the need for medication, the leader failed to take action to try to remediate the situation. In such cases the Court is going to look at the reasonableness of the leader's actions in light of the unique circumstances of the case. The other side will try to flay the leader alive to shift the burden to him in some cases, but this should not succeed if the leader's counsel is on his/her toes. The real sucker punch is that the leader will probably get dragged in and incur costs, if things get way too formal and into court. But, if he/she does, then again, the standard should be whether they acted reasonably with the knowledge they possessed under the circumstances they confronted, including their responsibility to other youth in their charge. Many Courts here will take the same line that Ian mentioned and recognize that the leader had an equal duty to each child and as a result could not be reasonably expected to keep watch over a particular child 100% of the time. And in some cases we may find a successful argument that the parents were negligent, if they did not accompany the child in cases where the child needs watching 1-to-1 by an adult all the time. > 2. If there are penalties, then should they not be provided/announced to the > parents - not to keep the boy out of Scouting, but to assure that they embrace > an informed risk? Some units have used permission forms for activities that state that the parent has to the best of their knowledge disclosed any and all known medical conditions of the child and that they the parents assume all liabilty for any consequences of their failure to make a full disclsoure and further release the leaders from any liability. The clause has some questionable value in a legal proceeding, but does have the real value of moral persuasion. It also is one of those things that has an impact on the trier of facts in a case. Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Tue Aug 19 03:12:54 1997 Date: Tue, 19 Aug 1997 03:12:53 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: Joseph Alessi cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Guide to Safe Scouting and Youth Protection Rules In-Reply-To: <199708181420_MC2-1D7E-7153@compuserve.com> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Joseph, Your DE may have been over enthusiastic about YPP and its application during transportation. We have been advised here that it is perfectly okay for an adult to transport two youth members, provided they both get in and/or out at the same place, unless one is the child of the leader. The idea is that there be no 1-to-1 situation. If everyone in the unit had pick-up trucks, then they'd have to go find bystanders to ride shotgun in order for each boy to have a ride with two adults. So for a trip with 40 Scouts you'd need 80 adults. Absurd maybe, but it does make a point perhaps. I'm not sure that this is about finding a safe haven from YPP. Rather I think there may misconceptions about what is appropriate under YPP with confusion between separate issue; e.g., need to have parental consent to attend an activity and once on an activity has started, the need for leaders to abide by YPP using common sense. It is more important to transport an injured Scout quickly, than to wait long periods of time for a a third adult to appear. Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sat Aug 23 12:27:41 1997 Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 12:27:40 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: "Lisa A. Varner" Subject: Tough week In-Reply-To: <19970811.195714.9534.1.LAVarner@juno.com> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Lisa, Glad that Kristy is feeling better. Strange the things that kids get that the medicos just don't know about. Sorry to hear about your MIL, that has to be a bit of added stress in life. > Haha! I think some bit of opposition makes the marriage well-rounded and > interesting don't you think? What one cannot see the other can, makes > for a good match if you can get along with your differences. Wouldn't have it any other way - else it would get too boring. And of course if you are opposites, then when you actually agree on something, it seems all the more valuable and important, agreement being rarer. ;-) > I'm glad you enjoyed, I'm not very good with people I meet for the first > time, but felt immediately comfortable with your family. Glad they put you at ease. We tend to act the same way whether alone or meeting people. Guess we've come to the conclusion that being yourself is a lot easier than getting too formal like some of the situations in the old TV shows we all used to watch. > >Josh has been chatting via the upstairs 'puter for seven or so hours a > >day the whole time. Must have paid off, he and another of his male > >friends are taking four girls to the movies tomorrow night!!! > > Woo-hoo, daddy is happy and nervous at the same time I think. > I know the feeling all to well myself. Trying to curtail the dating for > just a little while longer though the boys still call. Well as it turns out the girl Josh asked out was also in his band. They just got back from band camp yesterday. Debby was cleaning out his pockets to do the laundry and guess what she found. Nope - dirty minded if you thought that. No it was a note from the same girl trying to get him to take her to a dance one night at the camp. > So it would appear that he's being chased. :-) I'm afraid that I've not been in the best mood of late. On Thursday I had an accident with a bicyclist - he ended up with scrapes and bruises. I am now charged with failing to yield and have to go to court. Was making a left turn across three lanes going the other way after stopping and didn't see him at all until I was in the turn. Stomped the brakes immediately, but about an inch short of missing him. A witness says I couldn't have seen him, but it really is traumatizing. I ended up with back pain, probably from the safety belts. Mike Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sat Aug 23 12:42:00 1997 Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 12:41:59 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: corzines@siu.edu Subject: Re: Book Request In-Reply-To: <3.0.1.32.19970812124303.006ff850@saluki-mail.siu.edu> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Deb, Your original request was not lost, I've just been overwhelmed by e-mail both with Scouting here, Scouting on the net, USSSP/Scouter Journal and work. Sometimes it just gets the best of me. Our book, A Scout's Duty to God and Country was available for $20 to cover the cost of reproduction and postage. We recently entered into a contract with Scouters Journal Magazine to publish the book on a CD with exclusive rights to sales. We have retained the right to make free distribution of a limited number of copies to students in our Pow Wow sessions and to chaplains. We hope to have the CD available later in the fall, provided we receive permissions from BSA for copyrighted material. In the meantime, I am willing to provide you with a free copy to use as an instructor, provided that you agree not to make additional copies for local distribution and that you limit quotation of materials from the book in your handouts to 5 pages, each quotation to give reference to the authors and book. I'm sorry for the shift from when we were distributing materials privately. We were getting to the point where we were having trouble meeting demand with our own resources and decided that it was time to find a better way to get broader distribution of what we hope to be a valuable addition to any Scouter's library. Please send me your mailing address and I'll send you a copy. Mike Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sat Aug 23 12:58:36 1997 Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 12:58:34 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: Roger Claff Subject: Re: Adult Leader Religious Square Knot In-Reply-To: <09FB633FF3CAD011AE0A00A0C95D654F0BB7F0@buzz> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Roger, Glad to hear that our book is being well received. We are in the process of getting it published by the Scouter Journal Magazine on a CD. > Can you tell me what the qualifications are for the adult leader > religious square knot? Is it earned by serving as a leader for the > youth religious emblem program? Or is it earned through other service > for the place of worship? The adult religious awards are not "earned" per se. You can't go out and seek them, in the same way that you can't campaign for a Silver Beaver - and most folks would equate them with a Silver Beaver in terms of how much is required to be honored with one. All of the Protestant ones require the individual to be nominated by another member of the same faith (not the nominee's family usually). The nomination must demonstrate service to the church, community, and Scouting over the course of time (runs from 3 to 10 years depending on the faith). This nomination is then reviewed by the pastor and upon approval will go to a deciding body or bishop for final approval. If a nominee is known to have solicited the award, it is almost always denied. There is a slightly different process for LDS members, but that is not pertinent to your situation. So the short answer is that you can't "earn" the award or complete a set of requirements to qualify. It has to be given by others as the result of their recognition of your service. > Does this qualify me for the adult square knot? I realize that running > a program for only two scouts isn't that much. But then again, the > scouts wouldn't have been able to do the program without an adult > leader. I guess I admit I'd like the knot for myself, but I also think > it could serve as a motivator for scouts (and parents!) in our pack to > look into the religious programs at their places of worship. > Strictly speaking this does not qualify you to wear the adult square knot, which is reserved for recognition of an adult religious Scouting Award. BSA has taken the position that a mentor award is not a qualifying adult religious award. However, the programs are run by the churches and the churches have the ultimate say. This sometimes leads to interesting results. I am Episcopal. My rector (now bishop) decided to award me the knot without the medalion as an intermediate award because I hadn't been in Scouting as long as other recipients in the congregation. Other faiths have established multiple levels - Lutheran, Methodist - for different levels of service and/or tenure. So do I wear the knot? You bet - because the Church decided the matter Mike Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sat Aug 23 14:26:28 1997 Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 14:26:27 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: Murphy Peter cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Merit Badge Irregularity In-Reply-To: <33FAF788@MSMAIL.INDY.TCE.COM> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Peter, The fact that the cards were not presented may signify that the previous SM intended to present them, but did not upon realizing that the requirements were not met, e.g., earning First Aid MB. If you can reach him, I think it would be worth asking. It maybe a case where he was trying to be prepared for a Court of Honor, prepared everything, and then later held up on it. If the boys have already been recognized for the MB, then I'd have a talk with your District Advancement chair about how to proceed. Everyone needs to be on the same sheet of music. If it isn't done correctly, despite our feelings for the boys, they are the ones who might be put to trouble when a future BOR for Eagle comes along and there is a question whether the MB was legitimately earned, which it could not be if a prerequisite MB was not earned. This needs to be a documented case with Council involvement so that when these boys come up for Eagle, they will be able to proceed with Council's backing. In most cases the Council will do what it feels to be the best for the boys and will document that they completed all the requirements except the prerequisite merit badge and that presentation was delayed until that was done. Then later the SE will be able to endorse the Eagle application with a note explaining why things were done and in what order. This will save later difficulty. Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sat Aug 23 14:29:43 1997 Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 14:29:42 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: John Tudor cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Boards of Review In-Reply-To: <3.0.3.32.19970820195205.006d4a7c@mail.wp.cc.nc.us> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: John, Sounds like a great opportunity for your Committee Chair, SM, and Unit Commissioner to host a leadership meeting for all ASMs and Committee members to do a little in-house training on how to conduct a BOR. This could help to avoid confusion as to who is allowed to participate on the Board (registered ASMs are not supposed to be on the board) and what the role of the Board is. Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sat Aug 23 14:31:59 1997 Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 14:31:58 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: "Edward W. Hammitt" cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Fw: Web Page Eagle Service Project is Up In-Reply-To: <199708210109.UAA26792@dfw-ix6.ix.netcom.com> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: I've responded to Bob privately, but what he was looking for may be of general interest. The USSSP FTP site maintains some archives from Scouts-L arranged by subject including material on Eagle Service Projects. The archive is at: ftp://ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts/ under ScoutDocuments/Scouts-l/EagleProjects Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sat Aug 23 14:45:46 1997 Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 14:45:45 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: CHUCK BRAMLET cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Link rot... In-Reply-To: <9708212329.AA03367@aztec.asu.edu> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Chuck, Steve's excellent website is at http://www.isd.net/stobin/ - Netwoods Virtual Campsite. Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sat Aug 23 15:06:38 1997 Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 15:06:37 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: Clayton J Hanson cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: An Introduction... and a few questions. In-Reply-To: <19970818.145814.7183.0.wodencjh@juno.com> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Clayton, I'm not sure how a planning schedule for events can be in violation of Scouting policies, unless what you mean is that some of the events are not appropriate for Scouting. What kinds of events are planned? Are they dangerous? Prohibited by the Guide to Safe Scouting? Or are they ones that you'd rather not go on? What do you mean when you say that schedule is ill-concieved? Do events planned conflict with school events? It sounds like the people at your planning campout were trying their best to pull your Troop out of a nose-dive after a period without a Scoutmaster and where many events may not have been going well. I suspect they meant well and were trying to do the right thing. If you believe that things can be done better, then you need to get together with your patrol leaders as a Patrol Leaders Council and put together what you believe is a workable plan. Then you need to present this to your Scoutmaster and get him/her on your side that changes can be made. Finally, you will need to make a presentation to the Troop Committee and after expresing appreciation for their efforts, share with them some of your ideas, asking for their help. If both sides go at this with a cooperative attitude, chances are that some good will come of it and some changes will be made. The important thing is not to make this a confrontational situation or one with merely complaints or accusations. Those don't sell. What does sell is a demonstration of leadership, responsibility, cooperative spirit, and friendship. This may not be easy and may take some effort, but if you don't take time for the effort, they may not be persuaded that you have a better way of doing things or at least not one that should be taken seriously. On the other hand, if they can see that you and the other Scouts are trying to plan and do the right thing, it will be hard not to try to help you. Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sat Aug 23 15:44:21 1997 Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 15:44:20 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: "Rick L. Covington" cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Rank Requirement Approvals In-Reply-To: <000AB98E.3370@ccmail.dsccc.com> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: The recent discussions about rank requirements and merit badge testing sound way to much like school to me. We need to remember first and foremost that "Scouting is a game with a purpose." B-P was quick to caution against using formal schooling as a method for achieving Scouting aims because he understood that young men of Scouting age would quickly tire of any program that was just an extention of school. The idea behind Scouting was to create a bit of excitement through outdoor adventure, where a Scout could learn through doing and be recognized for his accomplishments along the way. To see this idea through, rank requirements were broken down into small bite-sized chunks so that a little could be done at a time. In other words as a Scout made a bit of progress that progress would be recorded. When those bits added up to a rank, the rank would be awarded. Each step would then serve as a positive reinforcement to go on to the next and so on. And while having a lot of fun, doing exciting things, a Scout would meet challenges and receive recognition for his successes. We need to be careful to remember that a lot of the fun of Scouting is in the doing - that it is a method of helping the Scout grow. Yep, that's right advancement is a method of Scouting and not a goal! With that in mind, we need to look at how Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards of Review fit into the process and what their purpose is. But first the big question is when do we measure whether a Scout has passed a requirement. That should happen as a Scout is working on the requirement. If the requirement is for hiking five miles using a map drawn by the Scout and a compass, it is signed off when the Scout has drawn the map and used his compass to take the hike. If the requirement is using a compass on an orientering course, the requirement is signed off when the Scout does all that is asked of him in that requirement for First Class - then and there. So now a Scout has completed his requirements for a rank and is asking for a Scoutmaster conference. What does the Scoutmaster do? There are three things that should be foremost in the Scoutmaster's agenda - listen, listen, and listen some more. This is not a testing session, it is a counseling session and counseling cannot take place without listening. This is the time for the SM to ask open ended questions and listen. Find out from the Scout what he learned, what he did, what he thought his job was and how he fulfilled it. Who did he live the Scout Oath and Law in his daily life. What plans does he have for the next rank. Where does he need help. How can you as SM help him? What has he enjoyed most and least? This is a time to learn about the Scout for the Scoutmaster and to walk through his progress. If there is a problem it is a time for reflection with the Scout on how to overcome the problem. Remember that one of the other methods of Scouting is association with adult role models - this is it folks - association time, not testing time. Here the Scoutmaster is friend and counselor. Someone the Scout can turn to and ask question of in a friendly safe haven atmosphere. The Scoutmaster's job is difficult, because he/she must listen and help the boy make decisions for himself, especially difficult when a boy has fallen short and both know it. Sometimes the SM will have to help the boy realize that more work and effort is required and ask the Scout what he will do to improve, but this is in the nature of counseling, not testing. After all we trusted the folks who signed off right? Or we wouldn't have given them that authority. The Board of Review is not a testing area either. In bottomline terms a Board of Review sits to make sure that the requirements for rank have been met which in most cases is pretty perfunctory, if the Scoutmaster and assistants have been doing their jobs. Probably the most important parts of the Board of Review are helping the Scout to evaluate where he is and where he is going and evaluating the Troop's program by asking the Scout what he liked, didn't like, what opportunities helped him, what he learned from those opportunties, etc. The Scout should leave with a clear idea of where he plans to go and the BOR panel should have a better idea of how the unit is working and what might be done to make it better. After the BOR the members should communicate with the Scoutmaster and committee what they learned and consider this input in continuing to improve the unit's Scouting program. Tests are a necessary evil in measuring the performance of individuals in a group all at one time. This is not the same situation. It is a single Scout's SM Conference or BOR. He has already been tested and has already passed his Scout requirements. These two areas of review are better used for helping the Scout shape his direction, encouraging him to continue to grow, and helping him to make better ethical decisions about his life. This is where we talk about how the Scout will use what he has learned from the "advancement method" in the "Game of Scouting" to develop his character, be a better citizen, and become physically, mentally, and morally fit - which also happen to be the aims of Scouting. :-) Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sat Aug 23 16:02:48 1997 Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 16:02:47 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: Nathan Larson cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Eagle Requirement #1 In-Reply-To: <01BCAD75.FE307A20@ts005d03.ksc-mo.concentric.net> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Nathan, The requirement is for the Life Scout to have been active for six months after having earned the rank of Life Scout. This period can be at any time between when the Scout earned the rank of Life and when he goes up for Eagle. There is no requirement that he remain active for four years between the time he earned Life in 1994 and the time he turns 18 in 1998. The requirement is "Be active in your troop and patrol for at least six months as a Life Scout." no more and no less. If the Scout in question dropped out a month after making Life Scout, it would seem that he has not yet met this requirement and cannot do so until he has been active in a unit for six months. The tough question is what is meant by the word "active" in the context of this requirement. In the past we have heard from other members of Scouts-L that the National Office tends to view this as having an active membership. Others have suggested that the Scout needs to have shown some level of participation. I would go with common sense and say that the Scout really has to be involved with the Troop and not in name only to meet the spirit of this requirement. However, I would at the same time shy away from developing some formula for how many meetings or outings is required - what is important is that the Scout give of his time to the troop and patrol as best he can under his circumstances and this will vary depending on whether he has a part-time job, school activities with required attendance, etc. This is best worked out between the SM and the Scout according to the situation. Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sat Aug 23 16:29:04 1997 Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 16:29:02 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: Phil Johnson cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: JOTA weekend In-Reply-To: <01BCAED8.83446D80@pm2-4.wf.net> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Phil, JOTA will be held on October 18 and 19, 1997. From WOSM's website at http://www.us.scout.org/jota/index.html: 1. What is the Jamboree-On-The-Air? The JOTA is an annual event in which about 500,000 Scouts and Guides all over the world make contact with each other by means of amateur radio and internet. It is a real Jamboree during which Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared, thus contributing to the world brotherhood of Scouting. The JOTA is a world-wide event. Units may operate for 48 hours or any part thereof, from Saturday 00.00 h until Sunday 24.00 h local time. Members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) are invited to take part in the JOTA and enjoy this international event together with the Scouts. A leaflet describing the JOTA participation in detail can be ordered in English, French, Spanish or Russian from SCOut REsourcesInternational (SCORE). Ref. No. 1311. 2. How to take part? There are basically two ways to participate in the JOTA: by amateur radio, which requires the help of a licensed amateur radio operator, and via internet, which requires personal computers and perhaps a budget to cover the telephone and internet access costs. -- On the radio: a.visit an amateur radio station with your Scout group or invite a radio amateur to install his station in your Scout building; b.call "CQ Jamboree" or answer Scout stations calling to establish a contact; c.all radio stations must strictly observe the national amateur radio regulations; d.any authorised frequency may be used. It is recommended that stations use the agreed World Scout Frequencies or frequencies close by to find each other. -- On Internet: a.set up a series of personal computers at your Scout building or visit a computer centre of e.g. a school or university. b.connect the computers to the public telephone network with a modem. c.pre-arrange access to the world-wide internet with a local internet provider. d.Scouting www pages, electronic mail, and IRC, Internet Relay Chat are the most popular ways to participate. 3. Reports please: a.all participating groups are asked to send a report of their activities to their National JOTA Organizer (NJO) after the event. For this 40th jubilee JOTA it is of particular importance to make good (colour) photographs that can be used in the World Report of the event. Ask the help of a Scout photographer at your station. b.NJO's are requested to send a National JOTA Report to the World Scout Bureau, for inclusion in the World Report of the JOTA. Report forms will be enclosed with the next JOTA circular in August. 4. World Scout Frequencies: Band SSB(phone) CW(morse) 80 m 3.740 & 3.940 MHz 3.590 MHz 40 m 7.090 MHz 7.030 MHz 20 m 14.290 MHz 14.070 MHz 17 m 18.140 MHz 18.080 MHz 15 m 21.360 MHz 21.140 MHz 12 m 24.960 MHz 24.910 MHz 10 m 28.990 MHz 28.190 MHz ----- of course a lot more information is available on the WOSM website, but this should get you started. Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sat Aug 23 16:31:00 1997 Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 16:30:59 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: Peter Hickey cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Crest and Participation (Was Re: World Crest required?) In-Reply-To: <2.2.16.19970821125218.30bf0a60@mail.regents.peachnet.edu> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Peter, The World Conservation Patch in BSA is still a temporary patch that goes on the right pocket below the flap. Many would like it to be a permanent patch on the Cub uniform and that suggestion has been made to the volunteers on the National Task force dealing with uniforming and insignia. Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sat Aug 23 16:41:39 1997 Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 16:41:38 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: Peter Hickey cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Religious Emblem In-Reply-To: <2.2.16.19970822103730.338ff1aa@mail.regents.peachnet.edu> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Peter, According to the 1996 Insignia Guide the devices for the religious emblem square knot are worn according to the level of the emblem. So for a Scout in a four level program: Tiger or Cub (God and Me, Maccabee, etc.) Cub device. 00926 Cub or Webelos (God and Family, Parvuli Dei, Aleph, etc.) Webelos device 00932 Boy Scout (God and Church, Ad Altare Dei, etc.) Boy Scout device 00927 Explorer (God and Life, Pope Pius XII, etc.) Explorer device 00930 My 97 Insignia Guide is on load and out of the house, so if anyone notes a change from 96, I'd appreciate it. Mike Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia