EdHunt

Hmmmmm....gee that movie sounds a little familiar....maybe it is where we got the idea. A creative Scout Leader is one that forgets his source, right? I have noticed that after I got my 40 year pin last fall I seem to forget more and more...lol. I just hope MomScouter's gentleman can be as gracious as Fred MacMurray was! Regardless of the source, I experienced the power of this idea. It allows the leader to save face and avoids the frustration. I know the troop I helped really made it nice and not painful. Good luck!

Dear MomScouter: I ran into a similiar problem several years ago. With the committe's help, we created a new postion "ScoutMaster Emertitas"..ok, down all you legal-regulation types...this was a very positive thing for the troop I was helping out. One of the troop helpers embellished a special "ScoutMaster Emeritas" badge, and we held the promotion at a court of honor, had the COrep there, even the local Mayor, and several of the influential politicians, chairpeople of this and that. We had a large parchment scroll, and part of the ceremony was reading of all the accomplishments over the long career, and the new responsibilities of the "ScoutMaster Emeritas"-guiding the committee, guiding all the mb counsellors, meeting and greeting and guiding the Webelos visitors..etc.etc. We also introduced the new ScoutMaster who would try so hard to keep the troop at the same high standards in the tactical, day to day things like meetings, activities, etc. The new Emertitas was going to help guide long term strategy, like the "Soaring Eagle", looking far far ahead and not bothered with day-to-day trivia. (He was a great guy to send to roundtables, kick-offs, etc) You get the idea. I think the guy was kinda relieved when it happened. We also required him to bring his grandkids to 1 meeting each quarter.....We were really glad we did it. The gentleman passed away about 9 months later...at at least we had an opportunity to recognize him and thank him for all his work. Give this a try, if ya want...maybe next year when your group is in the majority. EdHunt