dsteele

We had a wonderful dinner. Thanks, in no small part, to the friendship displayed here. In response to Dancin's post -- I know the Lord will make sure things turn out okay . . . I may not know how He will do it, or whether it will be what I think I want today, but I know He's there. I had an image in my head when I first got the news of a small (I'm already small, so imagine me imagining I'm even smaller,) but defiant Dave Steele shaking his hand at the winds (it does that all by itself, but that's beside the point) while a sea storm raged at his back. Alone, scared, in the dark and helpless against the storm, but all the while saying, "I will remain." I'm not alone. The Lord is there protecting my back. As his allies in full force, He has my wife, my family, my Scout Executive, the Regional Human Resources staff, several Scout Executives I count among my friends and, not least of all, my drive (which He has given to me.) I'm now much more confident that I will remain with the BSA. I'm a little worried about where and what position, but now is the time to trust . . . and update my resume. Coming soon, maybe to a council you're in . . . me. In the interim . . . thanks for making the best of my birthday. In fact, you've all made my Christmas and brought joy to my heart. Dave

It's not well known, but there is a place to register your Troop alumns who are off at college most of the time and who return to the troop when they can. Your registrar probably doesn't know about this either, but it's in the Registration Procedures Manual. The better place to allow them to maintain their registration status with the BSA and still enable them to participate when they can with the troop is actually a district level registration called "College Scouter Reserve." If they register there, they will still receive Scouting Magazine and your council's newsletter as well as maintain their membership with the Boy Scouts of America. DS They will also come off your troop roster and their absence may help send a message to the Troop Committee that the Scoutmaster doesn't have as much help as they think he does.

Chippewa29 said: "Had I become an Eagle at 13, I probably wouldn't have appreciated it as much as I did getting it later on." I think I agree. I don't know that earning the rank at 15, 16, or 17 feels like, but my Eagle Court of Honor is only a vague memory to me. I also have to deal with how I feel when I see this topic pop up every few months. Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is earning the rank of Eagle, regardless of the age it is achieved. If so many got the Eagle Badge without really earning it, do you honestly think the rank of Eagle would enjoy the level of respect shown to it in American society today? DS

Wow! A surprise party!?!?! For me?!?!?! Happy birthday to Mike F, too! Thanks for this thread guys and gals. It really did surprise me and it brought a smile and a much-needed warm feeling to me. I talked to the Regional Human Resources Director today and he laughed (in a warm and not malicious way) when he found out that today is my birthday -- when hard news is just hitting the hardest. Actually, he laughed sympathetically and in such a way that I had to laugh with him. Hey, Overtrained -- Guess where Mrs. DS and I are going for dinner tonight. I'll use the membership yet! We have to celebrate the birthday. A Scout is cheerful! Thanks again, it means a lot. Dave

The Chicago Manual of Style -- which I prefer -- will also echo old man 83's sentiments. Speaking of old men -- it's my birthday tomorrow. Wish it were a happy one. DS

Interesting and helpful thread. Please keep it going. DS

Mark: I had to dig pretty deep for it, but here's what the National Web Site says about unit and district web sites. "District and Unit Web Sites Guidelines for district and unit sites, and the decision as to whether districts and/or units may maintain officially representative sites at all, are completely at the discretion of the council. If these sites are permitted, and especially if the council site provides links to them, it is highly recommended the council provide guidelines for these sites and to recognize and link only to those sites that meet the council's guidelines. Guidelines and advice provided in this document may be appropriate for districts and units as well, so councils may consider passing this information along with any additional council guidelines. District Sites. The degree of a district's identity to membership and to the public should be the primary factor in deciding whether it would be useful to have separate sites for each district. This largely depends on how districts have been marketed, which may differ among councils. Specifically, if the identity of districts to participants and supporters is such that they identify themselves as members/supporters of "the X district of Y council," having stand-alone sites to support district-level marketing and service initiatives may be worthwhile. Otherwise, it is recommended that the council support its districts on the council Web site, accommodating unique information for the districts (such as calendars, contact information, etc.) in district pages or sections. The best solution may be for the council to provide districts "directory-level" Web sites (http://www.council.org/district), so that districts may have a self-contained module of information that suits the needs and goals of the district, but enables the council to control the information published by its districts just as closely as any other information on the council site. Unit Sites. It is not recommended that councils acknowledge "official" sites for units. There are currently tens of thousands of unit Web sites on the Internet, and it would be difficult for a council to allocate sufficient resources to monitor all the various sites developed by units in its area. Furthermore, since most units lack adequate resources to develop respectable and safe Web sites, a vast majority of unit sites are wrought with safety and liability issues that could become problems for the council were the sites endorsed as officially representative. While it is permissible, by the guidelines, to provide links to sites that provide content that is appropriate to the Scouting movement, it is especially important to clarify (perhaps through an explicit disclaimer) when linking to Scouting-oriented sites that units as well as youth and adult members do not represent or serve as agents of the Boy Scouts of America when disseminating information over the Internet. " You'll need to consult with a professional in your home council to find out what guidelines, the council may have. DS

I'm not much for Nietschz, but I do enjoy the writings of Niccolo Machiavelli. I don't buy a lot of what he said especially when you try to bring the Scout Oath and Law to reconcile with Machiavelli's "truths," but his writing is entertaining. I think he was a guy trying to save his own bacon with the Medicci's. DS

That's pretty funny. Actually it is, but there hasn't been much room for laughter in this house for a few days. Going there would be a gamble, indeed, FOG. The only problem is that I don't like to gamble. My boss is urging me to go there because he likes to gamble. I've had casinos in my service area for over 10 years, but haven't stepped into them. I have no moral problem with gambling, but I believe the safest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it in your pocket. The bright lights and temperate climate are attractive to me. As is the prospect of staying with the BSA. That's just me. The guys playing blackjack certainly should be asked to contribute to FOS and I'm a guy who won't hesitate to ask them. DS

Strom Thurmond screwed up. Take that phrase any way you want to and it still works for me. I thought his "family" did the right thing in accepting the heritage of the 78 year old woman who is his child. DS PS -- I put his "family" in quotes only because the world required no burden of proof from them. As much as I hate to admit it, I agree with NJ on this one. DS

Thanks for the support, folks. I like to think I bounce back quicly. I wish I could give details, but don't want to jinx anything. I spent this afternoon calling Scout Executives around the country. Many councils are cutting their middle management, which makes me wonder who will be around to be Scout Executives in the future, but that's a topic for another thread. At the risk of jinxing my chances at this long shot, does anyone have any information about the Boulder Dam Council headquartered in Las Vegas, NV? My wife and I are interested in that council. DS

Thanks. I guess that's a short cut for what I truly mean to say . . . Thank you. I agree with the Navy vs. National Guard thing -- but I'd prefer to stick with the professional service of the Boy Scouts of America. It's gone beyond what I do to who I am a long time ago. Still, the vote of confidence is appreicated, FOG. DS

My earlier responses were sincere. They were also a lot easier to type when it hadn't happened to me yet. The council I currently serve had it's budget meeting with the executive committee last night. They voted that they can not afford an Assistant Scout Executive for the year 2004. I'm not out in the cold, my boss and I get along great and he and I are working to get me placed in another council assignment. I'm not going to give up on a 15 year career with the BSA two days prior to my 38th birthday. Still, it hurts to have to agree with them. The funds aren't there and the United Way cuts for 2004 pretty much sealed my fate. I'm not angry with the Scout Executive. I'm not angry with the officers who voted for the budget cut. Mathematical reality is mathematical reality. There isn't enough money. I am a bit angry with the units who do not attend council camps, do not support FOS, do not sell council popcorn or wreaths, and who shop at other council Scout shop. I am angry with them not because if they had done the things I mentioned, I woudln't have to uproot my wife, sell my home, etc. I am angry with them because the reason they didn't participate is "we don't need council" and those people, who tend to be the ones who grouse about the lack of service are going to grouse even louder next year when 5 professionals have to do the work of 6. How are the five supposed to serve more and better than the 6? As I said before, mathematical reality is mathematical reality. DS

EagleinKY: I have no trouble with your posts and was not offended. My point is only that some young people earn eagle at a young age. I happened to be one of them, because it was my goal to earn it before my 14th birthday. Like all Eagle Scouts, I had plenty of help -- from both seen and unseen sources. I have been paying for the rank ever since and have dedicated my professional life to Scouting. In my particular case, Scouting is the gift that keeps on giving as well as being the gift that keeps on taking. DS

I told my wife as well, that Lil had lost the game when she selected Sandra. That doesn't mean I'm not proud of Lil. Quite the contrary. I am proud of her. She played well. I'm also proud that she didn't really seem to care about the money. DS

I don't agree with all of Zahnada's words, but I do agree with the sentiment. I dislike bickering and do believe it drives people away from these forums that we hold so dear. I'm not pointing fingers or laying blame. I'm guilty of bickering myself on occasion and am swiftly reminded when I fall into that particular trap by other posters that I am a professional and should remain above that type of thing. I sign the petition. DS

Bob: Boy leadership is my answer to your question. I'm not a unit commissioner, but I play one on television I would do everything in my power to get the strongest boy personalities to the council Junior Leader Training Course and make sure they got special counseling in how to yank the leadership from the adult reign and run their troop. I've done that more than once and will continue to do so. I think that Junior Leader Training is one of the best courses there is and hope it gives the boys the strength they need to do their job -- run the troop. I was really proud to learn that the young man who served the troop I was Scoutmaster in had up-braided the waterfront director at summer camp when the waterfront director said, "some of the boys from your troop who signed up for swimming aren't here. Go get your Scoutmaster and tell him to get his boys down here." My SPL looked at the waterfront director and said, "It's MY troop -- I'll go get the boys." He was right. DS

SA: No, my post was not directed at you. I'm actually somewhat bemused by the topic -- I honestly believed that I earned my Eagle badge when I earned it, but I'm not sure that makes me exceptional. A Scout "junkie" yes, but I'm not sure about execptional. I'm curious about Sturgen's reasonse and look forward to seeing it. If he feels the answer to my quesiton is yes, I'll not be offended. But I will be curious to see his argument. Eagle Scout Class of 1979, DOB 12/19/65. DS

Sorry, Bob. I didn't mean to imply that Troop A was eager to change. I meant that, in general, units in the middle third are eager to accept help. If they're not eager to accept help, I go to the chartered organization and we have a discussion about the effect the current leadership of the unit is having on the chartered partner's ability to deliver a quality Scouting program. DS

Interesting thread. Are you suggesting I did not EARN my Eagle rank because I was 13 when I passed the Board of Review? BTW -- Number of merit badges earned as part of troop meetings = 0 Amount of work done by either parent on my behalf = 0 Pressue placed on me by my parents to acehive the rank by any age =0 Number of years I stayed with the troop after earning Eagle = 5 Number of years registered in Scouting = 30 DS

Young DE's are told and my experience has proven it to be true -- that there is a rule of 1/3rd. 1/3rd of the units require no service at all and put on a nearly perfect program for the boys. I use units such as those as training grounds for new commissioners. 1/3rd of the units can benefit greatly from unit commissioners and are eager for help in delivering the program of the Boy Scouts of America. 1/3rd of the units are going to die in a few years unless some intervention is done. By intervention, I mean a commissioner advising unit leaders, training, a new influx of boys and parents, or a total regime change. I happen to think Troop B in this instance is in the first third and troop A is in the second third. Neither is in the third third. I have seen plenty of both types of troops. In fact, in the case of Troop 725 of Midland, MI (is that specific enough for you?) it was in the bottom third when I became Scoutmaster, in the top third when I left as Scoutmaster, and fell into the middle third about three years after I left. I'm not sure where it is now -- perhaps Dancin' Fox can tell me. DS

One song, okay, partial song, keeps running through my head: Ding, Dong! They got Saddam! Which Saddam? Saddam Hussein! Ding, Dong! They got Saddam Hussein! Great job, guys and gals of the US military and special ops forces! DS

It alwys raises a red flag in my mind when I hear about or see a unit with more adults than youth. That alone would cause me to rate it as one in danger. The retention is also a key factor. DS

As sad as accomplishing this goal will make me, number one is to help my three promotable District Executives get promotions to other councils -- where they wish to serve and their significant others will find good jobs -- in order for the DE's to be happy in their careers and maximize the benefit of their experience to the betterment of the youth we serve. And then recruit some new ones to make sure that we deliver a quality program in 2004 to an increasing number of youth in our council's service area. I also have as a goal to take a vacation in the Yuckatan Penninsula with my wife -- it will be our first real vacation in several years. DS

I'll admit, KS, that the guys who lay their lives on the line (whoops -- guys and gals) are perhaps greater heros than those who simply do what they feel needs to be done. I don't lay my life on the line on a regular basis -- unless people suddenly take to making death threats against line professionals in the BSA (I've yet to receive a death threat, but I have been threatened in my home and for my physical safety.) The fact remains that all volunteers who give their time and are of a reasonable team-playing attitude with their local council and primarily have the interests of youth at hand are my heros. That's wy I enjoy these forums. The heros here are too many to name, but they are here and I am honored to be able to participate. Those heros are here to, among other things, "help other people at all times." DS