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Message-ID:  <199802100825_MC2-32B5-BCF@compuserve.com>
Date:         Tue, 10 Feb 1998 08:24:59 -0500
Reply-To: Joseph Alessi <JosephAlessi@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Sender: Scouts-L Youth Group List <Scouts-L@tcu.edu>
From: Joseph Alessi <JosephAlessi@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Subject:      Re: Policy Changes
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To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>
Status: RO
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>> I completely disagree with eliminating the position of Den =

Chief.  I
was a Den Chief myself, for two years and thoroughly enjoyed =

myself.
The two den leaders I worked with said they would not have known =

what
to do without me. <<

<<I have to agree with Stan.  My son recently looked at some of a variety=
 of
required Eagle MB's and remarked that "we've done that in school so it
should be no problem"...>>

<<On my soapbox:  Sometimes I wonder what makes National
tick when it comes to achieving Eagle.  Do they want to make
it so it becomes automatic if you stay in a Troop for x-number
of years, participate in y-meetings, and z-number of  summer
camps.  Sure, that would increase the number of young men
getting their Eagle, but I think that it would also lessen the
 prestige associated with the rank.>>

Several have written about this issue.

We should all remember first of all that as Mike stated,
his information may not be 100%, but it is the best that
he had at the time.

We should note that the den chief position is not being
eliminated; only the ability to count it toward eagle.  No
one has said anything about limiting the outdoor part of
our program.  Mike's post did not say anything about
removing camping, swimming or lifesaving (the only current
"outdoors" required badges, in my opinion) from the list.

On the rec.scouting.usa usenet newslist, someone posted the
following:

<<While at a conference over the weekend, the head if BSA
advancement from the national office made the following
comments on things to come:

1. BSA will publish a new Boy Scout Handbook (the 11th
edition) effective Jan. 1, 1999.

2. BSA will publish a new Scoutmaster's Handbook effective
Jan. 1, 1999.

3. BSA will replace the current Woods Wisdom with a three
volume "Troop Program Features."  Some of the Scoutmaster
focused items, such as Scoutmaster's Minute, will move to
the new Scoutmaster's Handbook.

4. Under consideration - Remove Safety and Sports merit
badges from the Eagle required list for 1/1/99.  Several
replacements are under consideration (cooking, hiking, etc.).
Placing some of the requirements of Safety under Emerg. Prep.
is being considered.  Minor changes to Tenderfoot through
1st Class.<<

As you can see, a somewhat different slant, and no
mention off changes to the leadership positions allowed
for rank advancement.  Also, adding cooking or hiking
is certainly emphasizing the outdoor part of our program.

We should all remember that advancement shouldn't run our
program.  We should be using all eight of the methods of
scouting in our units, and not just doing the things
that would lead a boy to the trail to eagle.

In any case, while discussion here on the list is good, the
way for all of us to actually have some effect would be to
write to the National Advancement Committee to let them
know our feelings.  Can someone post the snail-mail address
that we should use?

I would also suggest that if you write, you do not quote
from what was posted here on Scouts-L as "gospel" and
rant and rave.  Instead of saying "I heard that you were
thinking of eliminating den chief from the list of =

leadership positions", write something like "I believe
that the list of leadership positions should include
the following:" and list the positions you think should
be there, giving reasons for them.  If you do not include
one that is on the current list, give your reasoning for
this, also.

We have a (probably short) window of opportunity where
our comments can have an effect.  Let's not waste it!

YIS

Joseph A. Alessi in Ozwin 2.14
JosephAlessi@Compuserve.com
Vice Chair - Program, Lafayette District
ASM Troop 313
Advisor to the Treasurer, Unami Lodge
I used to be an Owl