From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sat Sep 27 01:55:32 1997 Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 01:55:31 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: "settummanque, or blackeagle (Mike Walton)" cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Unit Recognitions by Religions In-Reply-To: <1.5.4.32.19970919152544.006ab600@mail.dynasty.net> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: AWARDS FOR UNITS WITH HIGH LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION IN RELIGIOUS GROWTH PROGRAMS Several religions now offer special unit awards for units with high levels of participation in religious growth programs. They include units chartered by the following churches: X Baptist, X Disciples of Christ, X Jewish, X Lutheran, X Presbyterian, X Roman Catholic, and X United Methodist. Generally the prerequisites for the award include a requirement that the unit be sponsored by the faith presenting the award, that a certain number of the leaders be from that church, and that a specified percentage of the Scouts in the unit participate in a religious growth program (not necessarily at the same church or in the same faith). Scouts in units receiving this award are presented with a special patch that may be worn as a temporary patch on the right pocket and with a streamer ribbon for their unit flag. (c)1996 - Bowman and Bryant, A Scout's Duty to God and Country, 4th Ed. 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 Sep 27 02:05:22 1997 Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 02:05:20 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: Jan Mussler cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Cub Scout Sports and Academics Letters In-Reply-To: Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Jan, The Sports and Academics letters are intended soley for wear on either a jacket or sweater and not for wear on the uniform shirt. Insignia Guide p.13. 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 Sep 27 02:24:25 1997 Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 02:24:23 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: Jeff Claggett cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: RETIRING AMERICAN FLAG In-Reply-To: Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: The Amerian Legion publishes a phamplet called "Let's be Right on Flag Etiquette (American Legion, National Emblem Sales, P.O. Box 1050, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206) which is distributed by their National Americanism Commission. At page 18 the American Legion states: "Q. How are unservicable Flags destroyed? "A. The code suggests that, 'when a Flag has served its useful purpose, it should be destroyed, preferably by burning'. For individual citizens this should be done discretely so that the act of destruction is not perceived as a protest or desecration. Many American Legion Posts hold Flag Disposal Ceremonies on June 14 Flag Day each year. This ceremony creates a particularly dignified and solemn occasion for the retirement of unusable Flags. (Sec. 176)(k)" The U.S. Code 30 USC 176 does not prohibit such ceremonies. Another statute 18 USC 700 specifically points out that any conduct consisting of the disposal of a Flag when it has become worn or soiled is not desecration of the Flag. A suitable ceremony was written up by F. WIllard Vickery "With Honor and Dignity" Scouting Magazine, May/June 1993 at page 34. Additional flag retirement ceremonies can be found at: ftp://ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts/ under ScoutDocuments/Scouts-L/Scouting_Program/Flag Rules.doc > gleam of thought. You say that I as an individual could not 'retire' a > flag right? Okay then, I'll burn it as a method of expression. And thats > that, end of story. The SC said I could do it already ... This reminds me of a famous quote attributed to Justice Potter Stewart in an addressed to delivered to lawyers: "The trouble with your profession is that you all are confused about what you have a right to do under the Constitution and the right thing to do." Jeff in this case we probably both agree that the right thing is a solemn and dignified retirement of a flag by burning. Just couldn't resist the humor form the "SC". 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 Sep 27 02:38:05 1997 Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 02:38:04 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: SCOUTS-L - Youth Groups Discussion List Subject: Scout Lore 1 -- Wind Chill Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: In 1928 60,000 Scouts vied to be selected by Admiral Richard Byrd travel with him on his expedition to Antartica. Paul Siple was selected and left his studies at Allegheny College. Based on his experiences he developed a new standard for measuring the effect of cold weather on humans and published it in 1941. This standard become known as "the windchill factor." Guess you could say that Scouting led to the windchill factor. 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 Sep 27 02:58:13 1997 Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 02:58:12 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: SCOUTS-L - Youth Groups Discussion List Subject: Scout Lore 2 -- BP the Actor Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Among his many talents Baden-Powell showed considerable skill as an actor. Typical of his spirit he often mixed this talent with a bit of mischief. As a Captain stationed in Kokoran, he pulled off quite a stunt. During a concert there was a disturbance at the back of the hall on the unexpected entry of a visiting General. Colonel Baker Russell welcomed the General, but was quite surprised when his guest offered to perform on stage. The visiting General mounted the stage and to the great amusement of all sange the Major-General's song from the then new Gilbert and Sullivan opera, "The Pirates of Penzance." During this performance the audience quickly realized that the visiting General was none other than Captain Baden-Powell. Turns out that B-P had learned earlier on that his Colonel had not met the General stationed at Kandahar and had borrowed the General's uniform from the real General's Aide de Camp. Earlier while in England, B-P had managed to play "Dick Deadey" in Gilbert and Sullivan's "H. M. S. Pinafore." In his youth while at Charthouse School, B-P had found a private society known as the Druids Club that lasted from 1873-1876. Each member was given a special nickname; e.g., Captain Perriwinkle and Professor Sheepskin. B-P was nicknamed Lord Bathing Towel. According the rules of the society any member not producing a song or a speech within a minute after being called upon would be fined a bottle of lemonade. 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 Sep 27 03:15:53 1997 Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 03:15:51 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: SCOUTS-L - Youth Groups Discussion List Subject: Scout Lore 3 -- BSA Cubbing History Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: 25th Anniversary: In 1972 38 Den Leader Coaches were invited to the First Den Leader Coach Conference at Schiff Scout Reservation. 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 Sep 27 21:09:32 1997 Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 21:09:30 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: "Charles W. Pourciau" Subject: Re: recruiter strip In-Reply-To: <199709271759.KAA17915@sweden.it.earthlink.net> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Lydia, It sounds very much like you undeservedly got the short end of the stick here, if I understand things correctly. Apparently things got of to a bad turn when your newish DE didn't want to publicize his telephone number. Now boy is that ever strange. I can't imagine too many folks telling their employer/customer (they do work for us) they can't have their telephone number. That is just incredible. We hire them to work for us and to be there when needed. This fellow sounds like he has a personal problem of some sort, if he is unwilling to be available to his customers, the ones who pay his salary. Fortunately, nearly every professional that I've had the pleasure of working with has been more than eager to share addresses, phone numbers, and even e-mail addresses to do whatever was necessary to get the job down. These are dedicated hard-working folks for the most part. This fellow may be hardly working. That said and aside, it sounds like you have gotten into an indelicate spot. Regardless of blame, it seems like the damage has already been done. There are times when changes happen and where going back isn't really a good option any longer. When this is so, it is time to move on down the trail and leave it behind. Hard to do, but I've seen folks waste the rest of their lives over things that three years later weren't worth a hoot in hell. Obviously these folks no longer want to work with you, their loss. I've never been one to believe in forcing oneself on others. If I'm not wanted I have plenty of other things to do and move along. You have like many of us invested many years in Scouting, and it has become a very important part of your life as well it ought. At this point, it may be well to "take a sabatical" for awhile to let things cool down, let others take a turn at things, and reevaluate where you'd like to be in say five years. This guy will be gone sooner or later - they always come and go. And there are always lots of things to be done all over the country with Scouting right from your armchair. Heck, you do roundtable stuff right here on Scouts-L come to think of it. Leave them to their games and mischief. It is not worth a long fight and it isn't worth ruining your life over. Yeah - they were mean as a dog, but strength is in foregiveness not temper. Let it go, and look for other avenues to help out whether its in your own neighborhood or elsewhere. Sooner or later we all have times to regroup and do new things. I was away from Scouting for eight years after a squabble in Washington State where I got so mad I couldn't see straight. Didn't do anyone a lot of good, so I've learned from that I hope. And if while your regrouping and looking at other avenues, this dolt decides to try to keep pestering you, then I think you might advise him that you are considering seeing an attorney for defamation of character and intentional infliction of emotional distress through wrongful discharge from your position without just cause. Sometimes this has a therapeutic effect while causing them to tighten up their sphinkters. In the Navy we would call it a shot across the bow to warn a potential adversary off and signal our intentions. However, I wouldn't do this lightly as it is like throwing gasoline on a fire. I can emphathize with your pain and your hurt. I've always know you to be a kind hearted and dedicated Scouter. From experience I've learned that sometimes a fight avoided is a fight won. And likewise, that a fight is almost always distructive to all of the participants. Worse, hanging on to something that is no longer possible can become destructive to the person doing the hanging on. Please think about yourself and where you'd like to be headed, what you can do, and when. Turn this to advantage by taking the time away to grow in knowledge, friendships, and the like. How many times did you wish you could take some time off to read B-P's biography, or study something? How many times would you have liked to spend some time just with family a friend or the like, but couldn't because you were giving your all to Scouting? Use the time to catch up, do things for you, give yourself room to grow. Turn this to blessing by using it as an opportunity for enrichment. No doubt my words are difficult to accept and hard. But remember that you are a person of value and that you determine that value - and nobody elese. Don't let others ruin life for you. Sure they can take some things away, but they can't take your spirit or your soul. Hang in there Lydia. 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 Mon Sep 29 19:55:15 1997 Date: Mon, 29 Sep 1997 19:55:14 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: Ricky Steverson cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Expiration dates on merit badges? In-Reply-To: <342F3096.423@beachlife.net> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Ricky, The Advancement Guidelines and the Boy Scout Requirements book are both in agreement that a Scout may complete a merit badge any time before his 18th birthday. These are the authoratative sources for this information. The person in your district that either invented a two year rule or repeated something he/she heard long ago is just plain wrong. This person also might do well to remember that local Councils are not authorized to change the advancement requirements for ranks and merit badges and this means folks working in a District as well as the Scout Executive. Sounds like a gentle nudge is in order. 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 Sep 30 22:17:55 1997 Date: Tue, 30 Sep 1997 22:17:53 -0400 (EDT) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: Greg Walters cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Taking Back B-P Award In-Reply-To: <199709262319.TAA13669@web2.america.net> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Greg, If you offer a carrot and they earn it, ya have to let 'em eat it. Now in my way of thinking asking for it back is kind of like asking the boys to put their index fingers to the backs of their throats. Although their is no specific tenure for the award, I know of many units that have a three month rating period that coincides with the three month period for some of the award's requirements. At the end of three months a qualifying patrol gets the award and can wear it for three months. At the end of three months they can continue to wear it, if they continue to meet the award criteria. If your unit decides to go this way and set it out in advance, then it is fair to use it as a carrot. However, I wouldn't focus on the negative of we'll take it away. That just doesn't work. Much better to keep wiggling the carrot vigorously than to ask for a lapful of vomit. 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