Attitude by Evenspor

Great blog by Evenspor about Attitude.

No Tour Permit

Months ago we asked our Scout Committee to fill out our Tour Permit for High Adventure.  We followed up multiple times.  And the day before the boys were supposed to leave, we find out they haven't even started.

What do you do?

Getting the Scout Committee working again

I am part of a Yahoo LDS Scouters group and the discussion (again) came up about the lack of Scout Committee help............

The conclusion was get the Bishop to call his wife as the Scout Committee Chair and you will never, ever have to worry about the Committee playing second fiddle to any other organization in the Church.

Great idea.  Wonder if it would really work.  Seriously wonder.  

Our Scout Committee Chair asked after we had already asked him to come up with a fundraiser and waiting to hear from him.  We told him how much money we needed and what ideas we had.  We never heard from him so we proceeded as Unit Leaders (Troop, Team and Crew) without him.  We came up with the idea and even funded it up front with personal money.  Finally a week before we started placing flag subscriptions, he emailed asking what he could do to help us.  It was a bit frustrating.  We could have used him months ago when we finally decided without his input on what we were going to be doing.  

I seriously wonder how I would do if I were Scout Committee Chair (I would like to try after my release).  I wonder what kind of road blocks and issues I would come across.  I know at least I would know what the processes and procedures are so that is one huge road block removed.  I guess the issue is how do you get people to do things when they are called/not-called.  Parents should be functioning whether they are called or not because it is in their son's best interests that it does.  But with the LDS faith, being "called" becomes an issue.  I always quote this scripture when this issue comes up:

For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is ^acompelled in all things, the same is a ^bslothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.  D&C 58:26

It still amazes me that people have to be asked to do things or don't even ask "What can I do to help?".  I think this is sometimes where we hear the term "super-Scouter" (Troy discusses here and Evenspor discusses here and here) because some don't wait around like others do to receive instructions.  We just jump in and never look back.

It is funny that when doing a scripture search for the verse above, there are tons of scriptures from the Lord instructing his people to not do anything unless He commands them.  Could this verse be a "high law"?  Just a un-educated thought.  No need for discussion on my gospel thought.  

RANT - Scout Committee

We have waited months and weeks for our Scout Committee to plan a Court of Honor that is taking place 8 days from right now.  I CC'ed all my emails to those who I have personally made assignments to to the Scout Committee Chair so that maybe he would get some gumption and actually do something to contribute to the CoH other than show up and preside.

His reply to me:

Make sure we utilize committee members and their talents.

Who's job is that again?  Why am I planning this Court of Honor instead of the SC?  I begged you to do it (your job) yourselves at a SC Meeting (that I am still not a part of!) but you turned me down.  My job is train and mentor boys, not to plan a Court of Honor.

The worst part is I just don't have the guts to call this guy on the rug.  In the end, my half-planned Court of Honor will be better than a Scout Committee lack-of-planning Court of Honor.

Committee Need Help?

Does your Scout, Team or Crew Committee need help?  Hand them this very AWESOME list Tory came up with!

Scout Committee Meeting

I am at a loss as to why I have been asked to attend the last Scout Committee meeting when I am not a member AND the Scout Committee Chair didn't show up and neither did the Unit Commissioner.  The Secretary had an agenda but no decisions were made because the Scout Committee Chair (the old Scoutmaster) wasn't there.

Sorry Tory, I couldn't smile and whistle.............  I am such a hypocrite.  I guess in the end, I will keep my unit afloat whether I have the help of the Scout Committee or not.  I am just bound to burn out.  :(

Scout Committee

What do you do when you have a Scout Committee that won't get trained?  Especially when your Journey to Excellence "score" relies on it?

While the Scout Committee is only one part of the score for the JoE, I wonder what units will do and not do because of this.  Some leaders might take this personally as to further give them the idea that they are along in running their ward's Scout program.  This lack of training shouldn't reflect poorly on a leader but more on the Chartering Organization and how they run (or don't run) their program.