dsteele
Members-
Posts
2121 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
1
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Articles
Store
Everything posted by dsteele
-
Okay -- I'm not a shy guy and never have been. I also count myself as a "wise head" although vanity says I shouldn't -- because I have been doing Scouting stuff for over 60 hours a week for the last 15 years as a professional Scouter. I have never met a volunteer or professional that I trust who does not take youth protection seriously. Warning bells would go off loudly in my head if a volunteer, no matter how trusted or long-tenured, said in my presence: "That rule doesn't matter." I wouldn't worry about the time in the grocery store. There are lots of adults around there. I would worry about the to and from the store. I think SagerScout hit on a good point -- the parent can go with on the shopping trip. Eamonn hit on several points. Dutch -- don't think that just because your Scoutmaster has long tenure in Scouting that this is not worth reporting to the DE or Scout Executive. I think it is and may be just the additional information the two need to complete a picture -- or a beginning of a picture. It's rare that this type of complaint reaches those ears from a single source. Trust me on that one and look at my profile if you're not sure. There's a little too much mystery here for my comfort. The other thing that bothers me is the idea that one Scout does the cooking for the entire weekend. That's not the point of a duty roster which should rotate all duties among the patrol members. The menu should also be planned as a patrol. There's no such position as "Patrol Cook." Not that you suggested it, but cooking for the weekend implies it. DS
-
Twocubdad: The National Jamboree has as many jobs in different area (for the all volunteer staff) as any city with a population of 35,000 full time residents and 100,000 visitors a day. The staff application has plenty of areas you can check as areas of interest. Your work in the trades can come in very handy if you're willing to be there 5-10 days prior to the Jamboree. Decide whether you want to work nights and sleep during the day, want a "cushy" job or something else, and apply for it. Put a bug in your Scout Executive's ear when you decide where you want to work. He'll probably be able to talk to a friend or two and get you where you want to be. He'll probably be there, too. Most Scout Executives are. And when you get there -- if you get there -- look me up. I aim to be on the Central Region staff somewhere long the line and won't be hard to find. I'd love to meet you, buddy. See you in ought '05 -- I hope. Dave
-
I heard Bob White's "I don't know" and decided to research the topic. I also happened to be at the office only to answer questions from my past registrar (who isn't up on all the new policies, but her successor died a month ago and membershp for October doesn't close until 11:59 PM tonight. We had a bunch of units and members to get in-putted and she was there. Anyway, I had from 6:30 PM to about 8:30 PM to research the question and researched it some more once I got home.) Bob White mentioned a prohibition on un-supervised camping on BSA properties and that patrols camping on their own could not use BSA properties. I had nothing better to do at the office other than answer registration questions and look this up. Here is the list of references I checked: The new Patrol Leader Handbook The Senior Patrol Leader Handbook The Scoutmaster Handbook The Fieldbook The Guide to Safe Scouting The Camping Commitee Guide The old Junior Leader Handbook Infonet (Scoutnet for professionals) -- the entire Boy Scout Division articles and policies (not accessible to volunteers) The District Operations on the BSA Extranet Age Appropriate Guidelines The Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America The Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America. Here's what I learned: The patrol leader and Scoutmaster handbooks have the most extensive information on patrol activities and outings. They point out that most of the time, they're talking about day trips. Patrols may do overnights without supervision by adults, but in the national books says it can't be on council property. Most councils have rules about adult supervision on council properties when it comes to overnight camping. These policies are quoted by secretaries and entry-level DE's usually. In most cases, those supervision council policies are enforced by the office staff, the campmasters, and the ranger. Therefore, it would be very difficult for a patrol leader to try to reserve a space at the council camp without an adult involved. It may even be impossible if the council executive board has local policies involving use of the council's property. I would venture to guess that supervision by adults is so common by councils that it is a rare exception for a patrol trying to book a council property without adults have an easy time of it. The situation, as Bob White pointed out, is probably very different if a patrol leader calls the council office and says he and his five patrol members want to take a day hike on the council 5 mile trail. I can't think of a good way to say what's bugging me about this post other than to ask it straight out. If you think an alleged BSA policy doesn't make sense, why not ask a pro? I wish I could say we'd all try to research a reason, but some of us will. DS
-
The Civil Air Patrol (of which I was a part as a youth, very briefly and made private first class) is part of the United States Air Force Reserve Auxillary. They sometimes help out with search and rescue operations in the states and watched coast lines for enemy invasion during WWII. Partnerships have been formed and Venture Crews organized with Civil Air Patrol units in the states, but I'm not sure how many. It's a good organization and many of its goals are compatible with Scouting. I would not dissuade anyone from joining. It is a different organization, however, and a new member should not go in expecting to find another version of the BSA. It's different. Not bad, but different. Sorry I couldn't help you more. Dave
-
What patrol--------------
dsteele replied to troop_358_potlatch's topic in Wood Badge and adult leader training
Eamonn: R.I.T. die is a fabric color-changer available at your local groccery market for less than a dollar a box/bottle. It comes in powder or liquid form. You throw the fabric to be died in the washing machine alone with the powder or liquid, then throw the fabric in the dryer. I'm pretty sure you want to change R.I.T. (whatever that means) to R.I.P. which stands for "Rest in Peace" at least in the midwest, that's what it means. No, it's not nice, but that doesn't mean you can't think it. From what you have told me, both on and off-line, your Field Director is not someone I'd call friend. In fact, from the sounds of it, he and I would have a very unpleasant meeting. I'd walk away with a clear conscience. DS -
Stories to inspire younger Scouts in becoming Eagles
dsteele replied to Shell in WA- USA's topic in Open Discussion - Program
Amen, OGE. Your son is the highest example I have ever seen or heard of as an Eagle Scout. Kudos to him and kudos to you and Mrs. OGE for raising him. Kudos to the highest for the son, who's attitude of "this is me" and his following of the Scout Oath and Law make him someone we can all be proud of. Thanks for sharing. Dave -
What patrol--------------
dsteele replied to troop_358_potlatch's topic in Wood Badge and adult leader training
Eamonn: We have a saying in the profession. If you send an idiot to training, what you get back is a trained idiot. It's like trying to apply R.I.T die to a plastic bag -- the only color that changes is the color of your hands. I don't know your Field Director, so I can't say whether or not, in my opinion, he falls into the idiot category. I'm glad to read that your Scout Executive took the training. You'll have fun counseling him on his ticket and he'll learn much by completing it. Good job. Dave -
Acco: My advice to every member of your family is to make friends with as many people as possible. Have each and every one keep a little spiral notebook in their back pocket and a pen in their front pocket. When they meet someone -- people from all over the U.S. and abroad are going to be there -- have them get their name, address and phone number. Then they can keep in touch later. When I say, make friends, I mean say hello to everyone. Even the people that are just walking by. The friendly atmosphere of Philmont is rarely duplicated outside of small-town take-any-place-USA. As to the training, don't argue with strangers is also, I feel, good advice. I know of a guy who was a bit of a blow-hard (okay, he was a stuffed shirted know-it-all.) He attended Philmont Training on a Cub Scout topic and got into a very heated argument with a fellow-participant (or so he thought) after class. The participant had raised a point which the representative of the council I served strongly disagreed with. He yelled and screamed at his fellow participant, in front of others, and called him names. The fellow participant took his rantings with aplomb and finally just walked away. Another participant walked up to the representative of our council and said, "Do you know who that man was?" "No," the volunteer replied, "Does it matter?" "Not to me. It might to him. He's the national director of Cub Scouting." Whoooops. It's not an idle story. I heard the story from both the volunteer and the professional -- there wasn't any variance between the two stories. Anyway -- what I meant to say was congratulations on being selected to attend the Philmont Training Center! Here's the process by which you were invited: Annuallly, the list of courses is sent to the Scout Executive. The Scout Executive passes the list along to the professional staff. The professionals (often with volunteer input) decide which volunteer to invite to which course. The professionals are instructed to invite those they're grooming, those who would appreciate the invitation from the Chief Scout Executive even if they might not attend or might not be able to attend, and those who will represent the council well. The invitation is not an automatic. I have worked with volunteers whom I would not recommend go to Philmont for training because I felt they would not represent the council well, or would in fact represent it badly. Obviously your council feels it will be well-represented by you. They also feel that your training will benefit the council. When I was the age of your son, my Dad was invited to Philmont for training. I went on a Mountain Trek and had a wonderful 5 day experience and got the very rare Philmont Arrowhead patch with MT in the bottom. My little brother went to Rocky Mountain Scout Reservation at Philmont and had a wonderful time. It can be a great experience for the whole family. Best of luck. Enjoy! DS
-
What patrol--------------
dsteele replied to troop_358_potlatch's topic in Wood Badge and adult leader training
The last professionals only Wood Badge Course in the Central Region was the one I took in 1992. Acco has a very good memory. I don't know of any professional only Wood Badge courses in any region since 1992. My theory is that volunteers gave some heat to the professionals responsible for the course. I do have to admit that some professionals take a lot of heat when they attend Wood Badge with volunteers. As some have noted, not every volunteer likes professional scouters. Within Scouting ranks, from DE to Scout Executive to the Chief Scout Executive, our profession can be much maligned and it does hurt our feelings on occasion. Some professionals deserve the heat -- some are second-rate and their actions or in-actions belittle all of us. That's why I'm harsh with second-rate professionals. I've fired more than one. On the other hand, when a good professional attends Wood Badge with the volunteers, it can be an incredible bonding and educational exprerience for both the profesional and volunteer. Scout Executives will generally only approve the attendance of an extraordinary professional to attend a local Wood Badge Course. I must assume the DE you speak of is an extraordinary profesional or the council would not take his time and to go the expense of allowing him/her to attend Wood Badge. I have to admit I'm a little jealous of that DE. Attending EC-468-P (for professional) was a great experience for me, but I value more the three staffs I was on with the volunteers. DS -
What patrol--------------
dsteele replied to troop_358_potlatch's topic in Wood Badge and adult leader training
My Scout Executive is a Raven. I didn't even know there used to be a Raven patrol until I met him. That's the patrol that under the old system used to come after the Antelopes -- which are rare as it is. The poor guy has to sing all by himself and his patrol is usuaully forgotten Oh well, Scout Executives become used to being alone very quickly. DS -
Mike F brings out an interesting question and one I consider to be an "education moment." The question is " if National was to decide to make a change that was contrary to current handbooks, but they wanted it implemented immediately - how would that word get out to us? -mike " When the national council needs to communicate something quickly, it sends out a mass fax to Scout Executives, who are then responsible to disseminate the information. The question refers to contradictions to the handbooks, and I'll address this later in the post. The quick communications are usually in response to a media event that may become national in scope and the faxes are sent to prepare the Scout Executive in case a reporter calls. This happens, but it's pretty rare. Policies that are contrary to what is published in current handbooks never happen quickly -- they have to go through several volunteer committees before the decision is made, and they're usually publicized well in advance of the change taking effect. Message boards and email newsgroups often catch wind of rumors of changes even before the decisions to make changes are made. Sometimes the rumors are correct, sometimes they're not. That's why I don't believe them until they cross my desk in paper from the national office. On a weekly basis, national sends each Scout Executive a packet, called "pouch mail" of stuff. The "pouch" includes newsletters from various departments, (which are also mailed to council volunteers -- such as the Commissioner newsletter) membership reports of each council in the region, national personnel change memos, compensation and benefits stuff, professional training information, new programs -- anything they want told with one voice to all councils. Other information, stuff that needs to be localized, is passed through the professional structure of the national organization -- one which most line volunteers are unaware of, but it's nothing secret. The Chief Scout Executive communicates through his four Regional Directors. The Regional Directors communicate through their Area Directors (who are all former Scout Executives.) Each Area Director is responsible for several local councils. The Area Director communicates with the Scout Executive and serves as kind of an advisor/consultant. Quite often, the Scout Executive, once informed, then gives the information to guys in positions similar to mine, and we then get it to the professional staff and volunteers in our councils. Scoutnet, the BSA INFO part of it, is slowly catching on among professionals, but it will be a while before it becomes a primary method of communication. A lot of BSA employees, even the young computer-savy ones, just don't use it. DS
-
Stories to inspire younger Scouts in becoming Eagles
dsteele replied to Shell in WA- USA's topic in Open Discussion - Program
Thanks, Eamonn, for the healthy reminder. Having said that, I have no problem with people inspiring young Scouts to work toward Eagle -- as long as all understand that not attaining the rank of Eagle is not a failure. The goal of Scouting is not to produce Eagle Scouts, it is to instill values in young people (reference: Mission statement of the BSA.) However, in my own personal case, my life would be radically different if I had not achieved the rank of Eagle -- never would have gotten that scholarship. I'd like to think my values would be the same, but have no way of knowing since I don't have a "way back" machine. DS -
In the mid-sixties, my mother and one of her best friends got pregnant around the same time. They were both 17 and still in high school, not married. Both were from solid, church going, middle class families. Both fathers pressured their daughters to have abortions. One did. My mother, obviously did not. My father married her -- which he would have probably done with or without my fetus inside her -- I was born and they raised me well. You may not be glad I was born, but I sure am. The issue of abortion hits home for me and I am not going to change my view of it. I struggle with the death penalty. The biggest deterrent to me, personally, to stay on the right side of the law is my values. I value my integrity more than I fear jail or death. I actually think jail is my preferred option because I think anyone, even one without any conscience at all, hates imprisonment. I also remember that I felt no joy when Timothy McVeigh was executed. A bit of relief, perhaps, that he is gone to the Hell I believe he went to, but no joy and no real feeling that justice was done. Frankly, I don't think he suffered enough and think that he thought he had gained -- he was trying to send a message with the bombing and he sent it a little further when he was executed. I can tell you that I want Osama Bin Laden and Sadam Hussien to suffer and feel fear for a good long time -- the rest of their natural lives -- and then face their maker. Not that I believe it will rehabilitate them -- I don't believe that's possible. I will be disappointed if some soldier puts a bullet between their eyes. That's too quick of an earthly ending. I am a religious man (unchurched, but a big fan of Jesus and God) and believe that evil-doers will face the judgement of God and that HE isn't in a hurry, so why expidite the process by killing them? Let's rough 'em up here on earth and then let them face their punishment in the great beyond. If someone doesn't believe in life after death, I think my argument becomes even stronger -- why be in a hurry to send them into nothingness? To protect us here? I don't buy that one. Lock 'em down and keep 'em down. I don't have an answer to the "what if he's innocent" argument. In my particular case (my whole experience with this is the movie The Fugitive" with Harrison Ford) I'd rather be executed by the state for a crime I didn't commit -- and face God for admittance to heavan -- than to rot on death row (not a fun place) for 15-20 years and then be released with an apology, no house, no job, no wife, and a bad name. By the way -- I do know someone who was murdered. I attended Eureka College, a small school of 500 students at the time. The Dean of Faculty was Dean Gammon. He was tough, but admirable. Several years after I graduated (this is important, please read) Dean Gammon had an argument with his teenaged son as they ate breakfast. The teenaged son got out a .22 rifle and shot his father 7 times -- in front of the Dean's daughter and sister. The Dean struggled and made it out the back door looking for help. His son stabbed him in the chest with a kitchen knife several times . . . killing him. Patricide. Lots of issues, none easy. What do you do with the boy? Kill him? Life in prison? Psychiatric help? I'm glad I didn't have to decide. How is the wife/mother supposed to feel? Kill my son because he killed my husband? How is the sister supposed to feel? Kill my brother because he killed my father? I'm getting a headache. Too many issues to try to think through. In the case mentioned above, the son is hospitalized and is getting treatment for mental illness, the mother and daughter are living their lives as best they can. Dean Gammon is with the Lord, but earlier than the Dean planned. Sorry for the long post. These two issues kind of hit me close to the heart. DS
-
I think you wear it anyway you feel comfortable as long as it's on your head. There are no BSA regulations about how to wear the hat. I'm actually on my second campaign hat. When I bought my first one, I was a brand-new DE fresh out of college. I'd wear the campaign hat all over the place because as a Scout I thought they were cool and they didn't have a youth one then. I didn't take care of the hat, though. I wore it in the rain, to school talks (the little kids loved it) to camp, and even driving the car while in uniform. BP preferred to personalize his hat and it had real character. My first campaign hat got too much "character" for my taste, so I bought a new one. For the new one, I also bought the press (two pieces of particle board put together with a U in the top that hold the hat and the shape of the brim remains flat, and a plastic cover to wear if I had to wear it in the rain. Then, after serving on Wood Badge staff (old course) a couple three times, I decided that my favorite way to wear the hat is to keep it in the press in my closet or if it's raining heavily without much wind and I want to keep my glasses from getting wet -- but I'll wear it in the rain only with the cover on it. Enjoy your hat. DS
-
SagerScout lists several good reasons and results for homeschooling. As to the young lady in my example, oh yeah. You guys are right on. I don't like to disparage people, but she was as dumb as a bucket of hair and no amount of public, private, home-school, or anything short of a brain transplant was going to change that. to steal another phrase, "She was so dumb, she couldn't pour (water) from a boot if the instructions were on the bottom of the heel!" That being said, I did say I'm not a big fan of homeschooling, and I regret that I said it. However, I didn't say I don't believe in it. I once told my wife that I prefer white bread to wheat bread and for months she thought that I don't like wheat bread. That isn't the case at all -- it's just given a choice between white and wheat, I'll usually choose white bread. I'm also not a big fan of chocolate cake. Doesn't mean I won't eat it, but I'm not going to cheer when someone puts it in front of me. They can eat as much chocolate cake as they want, and, if they want, I'll cheer while they eat it. DS
-
This is actually not a Scouting story, but it is the first thing I thought of when I read the thread. My best buddy in college took myself and two friends home for Easter weekend to surprise his mother. It was indeed a surprise since Phillip Mack F. was attending college with me in central Illinois and his daddy's cotton ranch (a small one, only one section) is in the area "a ways" outside of Lubbock, Texas. His mamma cried when she saw him and us and we had a great weekend, but that has nothing to do with the story, so nevermind that. The four of us guys then went to something at the high school (driving across that flat Texas plain at speeds in excess of 100 mph 'cause there ain't nothin' to hit.) and went into the gym. The weather had been hot and clear when we went in, but about halfway through the program, you could hear the wind outside howling and the sounds of hail hitting the metal roof. The program ended early and when we walked outside, we could see the awe-inspiring, but very scary sight of three funnel clouds bearing down on us, although quite a distance away. One tornado was off to my left, one in the center, one to the right. The air felt charged with ozone and everything was getting dark. What light there was had a honey-yellow tint. If you think we drove fast to get to the gym, you don't know how fast we drove to get back to the ranch. Phillip Mack's father was waiting for us and started tossing keys to the various vehicles (there's lots of them on a ranch) and ordered us to drive them to the cotton gin about a mile away. As we drove (very fast) to the cotton gin to shelter the vehicles, I saw the fenced, flat-bed semi-trailer size trailers blowing around like they weighed nothing. Then we hid out in the storm celler with the rest of the family and watched the news on black and white TV and wondered if there was still going to be a house above us when we came out. When they gave the all-clear, Phiillip Mack's father said, "Well, guys, let's go up and see what's left." We all laughed when our college buddy from Illinois (the only one in the room for whom this was his first tornado) said, "I'll stay down here to protect the women. There was a lot of hail on the ground, but nothing had been harmed. The tornados missed us, but I don't know where they went because we were lucky enough to make it into the bunker. The Northern Lights are much better to look at. DS
-
Stories to inspire younger Scouts in becoming Eagles
dsteele replied to Shell in WA- USA's topic in Open Discussion - Program
Hops -- Great job. I look forward to reading your story in 10 years. Scoutingagain: Thanks for the compliments, but it sure sounds like you keep excellent company. If you private message me with your address, I'll send you photocopies of the letters I received from Clive Cussler for a couple of years -- his are handwritten and sometimes two-sides. Interesting guy. I'll also make you a photocopy of the letter I received hand written from Ronald Reagan in 1990 -- just before he announced his Alzhimers. I wrote to him the Friday before I left for a camporee. My wife laughed and said a staffer would send me an autographed (by machine) picture. I knew he didn't operate that way, not for His scholars. I got home the following Friday and my wife greeted me at the door with a grin. She had a large manila envelope in her hand. It had no postage attached, only a fake signature from Reagan and the seal of the President of the United States on it. I opened the envelope. In between two pieces of cardboard was a small oddly sized envelope addressed in hand-writing in Reagans' hand. It was to me. The envelope is off-white and bears a gold embossed seal of the White House. Inside was a hand-written card of the same color, heavy stock, and in Reagan's own hand. It's a personal note from a former President. My former President, if you will. Clive's letters are equally personal, but I'm willing to share them with the promise that they'll never be published. Side comment -- it's funny how unthinking kids can be -- when Clive Cussler wrote to me in his own hand, my Mom flipped out. She couldn't believe a major author was writing to her son. She really blew a mental gasket when she saw the letter from a former President and it wasn't a form letter. The kid (me) took it as a matter of course. Why wouldn't I? I'd been there. Our detractors can tell me all they want that the BSA doesn't prepare youth to face the world. I don't buy it. Not one little bit. DS -
Saltheart -- I ran outside and looked to the north when I read your post at 9:30 or so. Sorry to say I either missed them or they were over-flowed with the lights of Milwaukee, WI. I have seen the northern lights as a Michigan man. I envy you. They are beautiful when in view. I remember seeing them for the first time over Georgian Bay in Canada as a 12 year old Scout. Fantastic! DS
-
Dancin' Would it surprise you to learn that I predicted such great Scouting things would come to you and become your responsibility when I first met you some 10 years ago? They did occur to me and I'm pleased as punch to see them coming to you in this day and age. Youll do well. Your sincerity and belief in the program will carry you far. I almost hesitate to say it, DH, but it's time for you -- now that you are obviously part of the generation in charge -- to bring others under your wing and teach them. My advice to you -- I'd private message it, but the lessons should carry to others on the boards -- bring Ruben on board and others like him, even younger if you can find them. Give them a piece of the responsibility in these events and more in the next series. when discussing prospective folk to replace you eventually, do not listen to old timers who say, "He's not ready." It's your job to help make them ready one piece at a time. Hopefully, I'll see you at the Jamboree, my friend. Until then, you know where to find me. Dave
-
Wood Badge beads replace trained patch
dsteele replied to AdvanceOn's topic in Wood Badge and adult leader training
Actually, the DE's training begins the first day on the job. They aren't even eligible to go to PDL I until they've been on the job two months and have been through the orientation process. There's an actual booklet -- checklist of what we as supervisors are supposed to walk them through in the first 60 days on the job. It's a lot of work on the part of the supervisor, but it's very important. Then we ship them off to Texas (actually National pays for most of the cost of the new DE's training course.) In another thread I posted the syllabus for Professional Development Level I. Actually, Proud Eagle, I understand your point and don't disagree with it, but it's happening. The reality is, under the current BSA professional training program, it's very unlikely that you'll meet a trained District Executive. Upon completion of PDL III (The end of the 3 year basic training) most become Senior District Executives. They get a raise and a cool patch with a gold wreath on it instead of silver. By no means do I mean to imply that your DE is not a full professional or is not a key component of the success of your district. I just mean the first three years are a period with a very steep learning curve. They're getting a handle on a profession that isn't as easy as it looks. DS -
Resolving disagreement on passing leadership rqmt
dsteele replied to Mike F's topic in Open Discussion - Program
Looks like Satan better go ahead and order the stuff. I continue to agree. DS -
Stories to inspire younger Scouts in becoming Eagles
dsteele replied to Shell in WA- USA's topic in Open Discussion - Program
Eamonn: Sorry, but a movie such as my story has already been released. It's called Forrest Gump. Dave -
Resolving disagreement on passing leadership rqmt
dsteele replied to Mike F's topic in Open Discussion - Program
I have worked with several troops over the years who have done as OGE suggests. Most of the time it works out well. Sometimes the Scout gets frustrated and quits. I would suggest alerting the District Executive before a parent calls him/her to complain so the DE knows what to say. Good luck. Dave -
Wood Badge beads replace trained patch
dsteele replied to AdvanceOn's topic in Wood Badge and adult leader training
Well, daggone it and, as my first district commissioner used to say (he didn't cuss) "blast-that-a-frat-a-wrap!" Overtrained came close enough to nailing it to be considered nailing it. His concept is correct, but his terminology is out-dated. Overtrained -- your prize is a warm handshake and a face-to-face conversation with me, if you're going to be at the South Hills Country Club on Saturday 11/1 and let me know before Friday. If you're going to be there, I'll be there. If not, I'll probably take the evening off, but your presence is enough to compel me to come out for the evening. If you private message me again with your email, I'll send you a digital picture to make it easier to identify me. If you can do the same, I'd appreciate it. I love meeting other Scouter.com'ers. FYI to the group, Overtrained and I have nearly met -- only missed each other by a few minutes. Sorry, OT. Anyway, A professional is considered Basic Trained when he/she has completed PDL III. When I joined the profession, the basic training was called N.E. I. and now it's called PDL, the syllabi have changed slightly, but the timetable has not. In the current system, it works like this: About two months after hiring in, a new DE attends PDLI (Professional Development Level I) in Texas after about two months on the job. The course is two weeks of 12 hour days. About 18 months after PDL I, the professional takes a course, usually on a regional level called PDL II. This is five days of 8 hour days and four evening sessions of 3 hours each. After 36 months and a career interview with the Scout Executive and Area Director, the profesional goes back to Texas for PDL III -- another five days with four working evenings. Then he/she is considered basic trained and can wear the trained strip. Many profesionals -- too many IMHO -- leave the profession before being basic trained. That's part of why there aren't many profesionals out there wearing trained strips. We lose too many before they're fully trained. There are exit surveys conducted by the BSA with professionals who leave the profession and most do not list their bosses as key reasons they have left. I'm not pointing any fingers . . . but a lot of it has to do with how good the relationships are with their district and unit volunteers. In a D.E's world, you go to the boss for advice and consent and usually get very good advice and ready concent -- it's the volunteers that you spend your day trying to motivate to support the goals of all and when they resist the desire to stay on the job goes down. Please try to help your DE is all I'm asking. DS PS -- Overtrained is bascically talking about the same thing. Before PDL was PDL it was called National Executive Insitute. The syllabus and title have changed, but not the basic time-table. The other difference is that NEI 1 used to be three weeks instead of the PDL I two weeks. I went through NEI 1 -- three weeks was a long time, even for a young guy like me. It's not like basic training in the military -- 6 weeks, but it was a long time. Time enough to bury a desk of an active professional. Dave -
Stories to inspire younger Scouts in becoming Eagles
dsteele replied to Shell in WA- USA's topic in Open Discussion - Program
Shell: I'll tell you my personal story. Please feel free to re-write it in terms Cub Scouts can understand. Take editorial liscence. I was going to write it in the third person and reveal myself at the end, but it's getting late and the creative juices aren't what they were. I call the story: "From 224 Parker Ave. to the White House and beyond." Catchy title, eh? Well, here goes: My parents got pregnant, graduated from High School, got married, and then had me. I would suggest a different order of events, but that's the way it happened. As a result, coming into the world, I came into a family with few financial resources. I was born with a club foot -- my right foot was twisted at a 90 degree angle to my right ankle. I had my first grand mal seizure in 1971 in Freemont, MI and the doctors didn't know how to handle it. Spent some time in an oxygen tent and had a spinal tap, bunch o' stuff. The epilepsy was the result of scarring of the briain tissue from a rock fight I'd been in when I was a young boy. (see why I gave you editorial license -- there's too much information, but I can't cut out what ended up being life-effecting.) I had two more grand mal seizures which laid me up for weeks. In addition, I had (and as it happens, have) tremors in my hand due to an un-related genetic, neurologic condition, but they too have an effect.) At any rate, I grew up like most normal kids. Medication handled the epilepsy until my brain grew to adult size and the scar tissue that caused it thinned. My club foot was cured with a brace. Even though I didn't walk without it until near my sixth birthday, there was little effect. My parents were extremely supportive -- even to the point of kicking me (not physically) if I ever tried to use any physical excuse for anything. I remember shortly after I turned 8, my Mom and Dad sat me down at our formica dinner table and informed me that now the world was open to me. I could join baseball, football, Scouts, etc. I chose baseball. I was the worst! I played left field and only caught one fly ball -- because it happened to land where my glove was. Only played one year of that. I tried little league football. My Dad dreamed of me being the star. He had a flip chart in my room and drew plays. I didn't get it. I was a lousy football player and didn't care. I was on defence and didn't see why I should run to tackle a guy who was already coming at me. Why not wait? This is not a good trait in a football player. But one day I saw a commercial. It was a cartoon Woodstock and Snoopy leading a bunch of live Boy Scouts through a woods -- over logs, through creeks, camping -- exciting stuff. I went to my Mom and said, "I want to do THAT!" My Mom called the school. They said their pack was dead. My Mom called the Scout office and got the DE. She said, "What do we need to do to restart it?" Mom and Dad -- and a bunch of their friends old and new, restarted the pack. Next thing I knew, I got my Arrow of Light as did my entire den. That was pretty rare then, and even more rare in that poor neighborhood. So now I'm about to bridge over into a troop, but who will take a kid who has seizures in the middle of the night every couple of years? Troop 234 in Kalamazoo, MI. took me, that's who. Mr. Breyefogle was the Scoutmaster. God bless you, Mr. B. I needed you. By that time, I had it in my head I would be an Eagle Scout at age 13. It was a consuming, heart-burning goal. I discovered I had the tenacity of a heat-seeking missle when it comes to goals with that very one. I was 10 and 1/2 at the time and had just earned the Arrow of Light. I also already had 4 ywars worth of perfect attendance pins at the pack level and no intention of missing anything at the troop level. Let's fast-forward a bit. You'll probably appreciate it. Lots of hikes, camp outs, patrol meetings, being named assistant patrol leader, elected patrol leader, merit badges, Dad becomes SM, Dad leaves SM for Lodge Advisor, brother joins troop, etc. Became SPL at the rank of life and age of 13. Brotherhood in OA at age 13, Vigil at 15. Eagle Court of Honor at age 13 ywars 10 months. Then Lodge vice-chief for several years, Vigil Chairman, charter member of Indian Dance Explorer Post, and part time job from age 14 to full-time college student. Somewhere in there my parents told me I had to get a scholarship if I wanted to go to college. They simply had no money to send me. I said, "Okay." I had only a 3.0 grade average -- so much for academic scholarship. I was good in forensics and had an offer for $1,000 a year in forensic scholarship to Eastern Michigan University -- but not nearly enough. My heart was set on West Point. I was going to the United States Military Academy. Like most things in my life, I had set a goal and meant to achieve it. The epilepsy stopped me. I got the congressional nomination necessary, but my age of my last seizure eliminated me on the basis of medical requirements of the United States Army. I remember the day I got the letter from the Academy -- it was perforated on four sides because dot-matrix printers were the cutting edge of the day. No West Point. Can't enlist, not qualified for medical reasons. That was when I got the phone call. Seriously, that very day. I had been named an alternate to the Ronald Reagan Scholarship to Eureka College. Eureka College is the alma mater to Ronald Regan, who was the President of the United States at that time. It was a full tuition one-year-renewable-for-four scholarship based on leadershp and future leadership ability. I'd been through psychological tests, personality profiles, extensive interview, campus visits, etc. but didn't really consider the scholarship because I was going to West Point and going to be a career officer with the United States Army. Period. End of report. A Reagan Scholar candidate had dropped out. I was no longer an alternate. Did I wish to accept the scholarship? It was the scholarshp director on the line and he had called me at the clothign store I worked in at the time. I said, "Why are you offering it to me?" He said, "You're an Eagle Scout -- which helps a lot. But it's what you've done as an Eagle Scout and to earn the award is why we're asking you." Well, I accepted the scholarship immediately. West Point was out, so why not? So, let's recap -- I'm now attending Eureka College, a small campus in the heart of Illinois. Ronald Reagan is the President of the United States, and the scholarship comes with the opportunity to participate in 5-6 week mentorships with nationally known figures each summer, all expenses paid. I'm a poor kid from Kalamazoo. Just a kid from 224 Parker Ave from a little house and young parents. Wow. Wouldn't have happened without that Eagle badge, which, at the time, I kept in the glove box of my 1970 Dodge Dart I'd bought from my Great Grandpa. After having failed to gain entrance to West Point, I went off to college hoping for a career in law enforcement. The Reagan Scholarship Director helped me to get a mentorship with the Sherriff of Cook County, IL -- Chicago. I would job shadow the man one-on-one for six weeks. Somewhere in there I performed an about face and decided to go on the economic symposium with some of my fellow Reagan Scholars. The director wasn't happy, but he sent us to New York and Washington D.C. for 5 weeks to meet with the Japaneese Ambassador, Counsular General, Bill Saffire, The CEO of the World Bank, etc. I learned that I didn't want to walk in that world, but talk about heady stuff for an 18 year old Eagle Scout! Actually, of the four of us, three were Eagle Scouts and number 4 was female. That's out of 20 Reagan Scholars. Compelling, eh? So Sophmore year came and went. I wrote a 150 page novella just for fun and threw it away. I had been in college theater very heavily until that point and after. The reagan scholarship director happened to see me throw my work away and fished it out. He was impressed. He called me into his office to discuss my summer mentorship. I had no suggestions. He said the scholarship would buy me a three-stop Amtrack ticket and hook me up with my favorite authors for writing lessons. So my itinerary was, two days with Terry Brooks in Rock, Island, IL, then on to five days with Clive Cussler in Denver, then four days with Stephen R. Donaldson in Albuqurque. Cussler is the most famous of the authors I met with. Clive actually let me stay with he and his wife Barbara. It was brutal in the best sense of the word. Clive's mansion, by the way, was once featured in Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous show in the '80's. He was famous at the time for writing "Raise the Titanic!" but has written many books since then. Incredible guy. In fact, Clive is an Eagle Scout and wouldn't be where he is any more than I would be where I am without that award. Clive and I would talk and he would then send me back to the guest room and order me to stay there until I had twenty freshly typed pages for him to critique. Then he'd hack them apart and send me up to fix them. I'd return. We did that for three solid days. Then we played with his antique cars. He's got every one he's written about in each of his books -- in an airplane hangar near the Denver airport. The dude is the real deal. In my senior year, it finally happened. President Reagan had tried on at least one other occasion, to have a reception for his scholars from Eureka. We were told the Secret Service was conducting background checks on us. The first time, just as we were boarding a bus to take us from ILL to the White House, Chernobyl burst and we had to get off the bus. The second time, we had printed invitations we had to respond to, had to phone the White House to R.S.V.P, the whole exciting bit. And, to make a long story somewhat short, I found myself in the White House, on the second floor, in the grand ballroom, listening to the President of the United States, my beloved Ronald Reagan (Politics aside, when you're next to the President, you're next to the President. It's all encompassing. It's an amazing thing.) There were 25 Reagan Scholars and about 22 Trustees there. That's only about 50 people which isn't many when the President is involved -- but I have to tell you that Reagan's persona was palpable. The man just drew the attention of a room like a magnet. Another cut -- we all got to shake his hand in a line. Then I had the priviledge of walking out the front door of the White House -- 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue -- and stop and stare out on the street. The White House Sent a photo to my home about three weeks later. It bore the signature of Ronald Reagan. Cool stuff. I wasn't home when the photograph arrived. It was time for my international experience as a Reagan Scholar. I was in Peru -- in the backcountry between Macchu Picchu and Cuzco. I was at Kilometer 88. I was there to gain adventures to write about in my writing career. I was there from the end of June 1987 to early August 1987. The country was not stable and I had more adventures than I care to repeat. I saved a man's life there because I'm an Eagle Scout and had the skills, but that's a different story. I'm not afraid to tell the story, and have told part of it on this board. Feel free to ask if I haven't put you to sleep already. When I graduated College, I became a district executive. That was in 1988. I've been in the Scouting Profession ever since and will remain so until one of three things happens, 1) I chose to retire, or someone retires me 2) The BSA changes to below my tolerance levels in standards of membership, 3) I die. Whoops --- I forgot one other part of my story that happens to be my greatest joy in life -- I met my wife at Scout Camp. She was the nature director and health officer. If not for that, my guiding light would be somewhere else. Thanks for reading. It felt good to tell my story. PS -- I don't recommend reading the entire thing to Cub Scouts. They'll be asleep faster than you were Dave Steele