saltheart

I'll second "dsteele's" suggestion. It's the best way to go, for all. Get your committee to put together that list of potential candidates, and start at the top. Call the candidate and make an appointment for a couple of committee members to go and visit with him for the purpose of inviting him/her to be the new SM. Don't overwhlem the candidiate, only go visit with 2 or maybe 3 folks. The face to face thing is powerful. It's powerful in that it's personal and it sends the message that..."You are the person we think best suited for the challenge. And we'd really like to see you take the job." It's also powerful because it's easier to say no to a letter or a phone call. And like DS said, the candidate will likely look upon the invitation as an honor. Unless he knows all too well what he's gettin' into...one hour a week.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that when I was a Scout, (when we were evolving out of the Neanderthal period...), testing of a Scout and all his Scouting knowledge was a rite of passage, almost ritualistic, when it came to Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards of Review. Somewhere along the way it seems to me that the "testing" was dropped and disallowed by the National Council. I seem to remember the reasoning being that once a Scout is "passed" on this or that piece of gained and learned knowledge in the the rank process, he's deemed to have learned it and been tested on it, no further "testing" being necessary or allowed. Of course, this assumed that the troop was doing a good job and did not need to retest the Scout (or second guess themselves). Am I correct? And if I am, why would any Scoutmaster or Board of Review approach an Eagle BOR, or any BOR, as described in the OP? And why would that be an acceptable method? Or, am I dreaming this all?

Mrs. Saltheart and I counted ourselves among the throngs trying to be as near as possible, at both of those funerals, even though we knew neither family. One was only around the corner for us. The other a 5 hour drive. Why? Because...that's why. Because I, too, remember coming home from 'Nam to an emptiness. One day fighting and struggling through the jungle to stay alive, and seemingly the next day sent home to a country at odds with itself, and no time or desire to welcome the boys home. Boys who were still growing and trying to reason with the conflict within. Finding the path back home took so much time. Getting involved in Scouting again certainly helped straighten out the crooked aim. Because on September 11, 2001, watching the horror of the events in New York unfold, we realized helplessly that my brother was likely in one of those towers. Later, that was confirmed. Even though slipping into retirement from active duty in the troop so that younger folks could take their place in the troops future, the "family" of the troop was always there for us and with us. Even to this day. Because these past few weeks, watching the events of war unfold, we held each others hands knowing all too well that our grandson, the Marine, the Eagle Scout, is counted among those fighting their way to the heart of that country. And we count the unknown days to his safe return. And, because...just because...just because we wanted to be there and share the moment, the sadness, the pride, and ourselves with those left behind by the passings of these proud young men. There are so very many things I could say about the Hollywood types who protest. But, the freedom I enjoy to come and go as I please, even to the funerals of those I don't know, is the very same freedom that allows them to speak their piece. I'm also free to ignore them, and count myself among the larger number...the much larger number...of proud Americans who know all too well that while freedom of speech is in the eyes of the law, where it rightfully should be for everyone of us...it is not necessarily in the eyes of the marketplace. The marketplace, where our tradition for as many years as it has existed, has been to speak our piece with our dollars about and to those who would try to trade their wares or talents for those dollars. Yes, this is a very different country now. I felt it somewhat coming home from my generations war. I felt it immediately after turning on the television that day in September. And I feel it even more now than ever. My hope is that the millions, like you and I, can keep to the path, and keep the aim straight, or make it straight again, as we've tried to teach so many boys along the way.

Let's see now, what do I do for a living? Well, I'm a registered architect, and a registered landscape architect. But the profession that pays the bills is what I do as a registered engineer. I was a professional student for what seemed an eternity...

Competition is good. Winning is good. Sometimes it's the greatest. But... ...when the competition devolves into merely the desire to win (as said above) at any cost, by any means, then the point of the competition is lost. All one needs to do is take a step back and close look at the world around us today, and it's not all that hard to see that this very philosophy is ingrained in much of our business and professional worlds. We, as a species, have learned that winning is everything, and losing is.., well, for losers. But competition is, indeed, good. And winning is good. But only as long as the ideals of the process are kept in mind at all times. The sacrifice to increase ones skills. The "team" skills, working successfully with others, even under pressure, towards a common goal. And, as TwocubDad said, something that is all too often the least of the desired results upon winning...the humility. The humility to rejoice at the victory, yet at the same time express true appreciation for the opportunity to compete, and sincere gratitude that ones competitors have given up a real run for the money. I remember a time when my sons, and now my grandsons, all of whom play or played hockey, at the end of the game or tournament, would line up to shake hands with other team, win or lose. And often, the victory parties would include the opponents, them or us. What happened to that time? Now we view professional and even college sports where winning is, indeed, everything, and we wonder about why some in Scouting instill methods in their troops that we think abhorent and unfair. The examples out there are many times not the greatest. And so we see leaders in all walks of life, Scouting included, who use every edge they can to help their guys win. And sometimes these "edges" are over the line in our minds, for we commonly believe we know the intent of the rules. We commonly believe that soaking the wood in white fuel prior to the event is over the line. But there's a couple among us who see it differently and, if it's not explicitly forbidden in the rules. it's OK to do... Such is, and always will be...life. To recognize those for what they are, and to instill in those we lead that thinking like that has it's consequences, as in loss of esteem and gained notariety that isn't the kind one wants, we must be able to answer the questions that will invariably come from the Scouts. To recognize it for what it is, and teach those who follow that there is a better, even if harder way. The right way. And teach them why. It will be said that those who seek or create the loopholes and take advantage of them have no more problem sleeping than you or I. And perhaps they can look at themselves in the mirror without a problem. But I'd bet, and always will, that they can't look themselves straight in the eye... And with that I'll just end this with something that became my own personal compass years and years ago. I follow it. I taught it as a SM. And I taught it in many years of adult leader training, including WB. Maybe you know it. It's called "The Man in the Glass". When you get what you want in your struggle for self, And the world makes you King for a day, Then go to the mirror and look at yourself, And see what that man has to say. For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife, Who judgement upon you must pass. The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass. He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest, For he's with you clear up to the end, And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test If the man in the glass is your friend. You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum, And think you're a wonderful guy, But the man in the glass says you're only a bum If you can't look him straight in the eye. You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years, And get pats on the back as you pass, But your final reward will be heartaches and tears If you've cheated the man in the glass.

OK, this thread probably didn't need rescusitation (sp?), but I can hardly contain myself. Reports today indicate the the heavy combat is coming to an end...or so they say. And, we heard from our son tonight that he's finally heard from our grandson...the Eagle Scout...the Marine...in Iraq. He's doing well, and expects that he'll be there for a while, but has been able to keep his head down when necessary, and up when called for. He has one very proud father (Marine) and one very proud grandfather (Airborne Ranger) waiting for his return. Here's a not so subtle "HURRAH" for the men and women serving in our military everywhere, and doing one hell of a grand job at it, too. And here's a not so subtle "HURRAH" for those men and women in the Boy Scouts of America who daily show the way for our sons and grandsons, that they too might become the very best Americans they can be....military or not. HURRAH!!!!!

I doubt that there are many places in this country that don't experience this to some degree. In my years around scouting, I've witnessed much of it, as have many here. My perception is that a lot of it has to do with where one is from, and what is referred to as "street smarts" or being "street wise". Being such is a real embedded part of life is some places, and while not intended to be malicious in nature, those who practice it see it as gaining the greatest advantage in a life where one might otherwise be trod upon by playing strictly by the rules. For sure, there are some out there who know absolutley what they're doing, and that it's not playing by the rules. But by and large, I think most of what we witness in this regard is those who have learned the trait because that's how life is, or was, where they grew up or live now...it's been that way for eons...and it's not about to change soon. There are some who will try to take advantage of others who do follow the rules, and they'll shout "hurray" when they win, even if the rest of us realize all too much that their "victory" was , and is, false. The sad thing is that they learned in the same fashion as they teach and lead. That has been passed on , and will continue to be so. Not a lot can be done to change that where "street wise" and street smart" rely upon those tactics and traits, as learned, and learned, and learned. Little by little, perhaps, when Scouts from those troops and areas venture out into the broader world and come to see the difference between the way that the many do things as opposed to the way they were lead to do things, when they return to their roots, they bring a little of that new found experience with them.

I'll defer to the many venerable expert authorities hereabouts for specific tactics, but I'd venture a guess that no matter what your Eagle Board has stated, if they can not produce a BSA publication that states the same thing and backs up what they seem to feel is the law (according to them), then your candidate and troop is not subject to their whims of authority. I'll share one thought, though, regarding the where from and how this notion of no-power-tools-for-Scouts may have come about. Insurance liability. If it's not published in black and white on paper in a BSA publication, then it's unenforcable, even if the intent (safety in this case, avoiding potential liability to the BSA) was noble. And I'm sure that the adult coverage planned for this particular project and candidate is more than adequate, so he can venture forth. Of course, this is not to say that there won't be a rocky road ahead as you attempt to show the board that they're wrong...unless they can produce that document we've all thought to exist only to find it perhaps erroneous. Good luck.

Ah...one of those issues that could be found in the "Common Misunderstandings" thread, eh? For many years, we followed what we had been told by the old timers. Scouts were not to use power tools in Scouting activities unless, and only unless they were under the direct supervision of their own Mom & Dad (usually Dad way back then). Perhaps it was one of those common misundertandings...one of those things we took for granted for it seemed to make a lot of sense. Even today, 30 some odd years later, we still follow that rule. And that being said, we seem to have a lot more Dad's poking their nose into the activities to see if they can assist by being there to supervise their sons in projects that really do require power tools. If nothing else, is seems to provide a good incentive (or excuse) for some adults to get involved.

Just a suggestion on how and where to obtain "climbing" type ropes. If you have tree companies in your area (those folks who climb the trees to do maintenance and takedowns) you might try to make contact with them regarding their old unusable ropes. The better companies replace their climbing ropes after a certain period of time as a safety concern. Ropes get worn and questionable for climbing use, and need to be replaced. An old climbing rope with an original length of 120-180 feet will still have sufficient length to cut into teaching ropes.

While agreeing that the more one uses something, like knots, the more they become second nature, I've always found that the "visual" thing right up front in the teaching process can be a huge stumbling block. We used two things that we found helped in this effort. First, we went to our local "big box" home improvement store and purchased enough of the half inch nylon briaded rope so that each Scout would have two pieces...one green, and one red, each at least six feet long. Learning to tie knots with the different colored ropes seemd to provide a good threshold over that stumbling block at the main door to learning. The other thing we did, by way of entertainment and sometimes a game, was to obtain a very, very large piece of rope that required two or more scouts to tie any knot. We were fortunate enough to have a Dad who had access to the shipping docks in the harbor, and he was able to get an old but still quite usefull piece of 3" hauser about 75 feet long. We kept it coiled neatly in a corner of the main room at the Scout House, and would use it from time to time in presentations of knots, showing how each end of the rope worked, and where it went in each knot. While the Scouts had a great time trying to use this beast to tie the knots, and they actually did learn from it, they had more fun watching adult leaders and others trying to present the knots using the same piece of rope. It was quite challenging, even if one knew the knots blindfolded. Thus, it was fun for all, and that...the fun part...was the best teacher of all, for it kept the boys interest.