VigilEagle04

There is a benefit in the Eagle Directory online now, and a career section of that website as well. The problem is trying to get more members to utilize these things. Too long have members seen it only as a magazine subscription, and they've become complacent. If we want NESA to become an actual benefit to us, we have to work with them to get it to that point. Not just for us, but for future Eagles to come.

From Scoutfish: Soas the bible says: Do unto others as you would have them do upon yourself. Better stated in modern language as: "Give people the same rights and respect that you think you deserve yourself" That is the key point I have used in many of my vespers services for scouts. I don't do them all the time, but one of my fields of study is religion, and I'm talking all of them. The Golden Rule is something that is absolutely great to use for a non-denom service that can reach everyone. Every religion has that underlying theme, it is the commonality between them all. Focus on that, focus on stories about that, focus on how that relates to the Scouting Way, and you have a great basis for a non-denom service. If your council or event is big enough to host different services for different people, cool, go for it. But if not, you run the risk of alienating members, and possibly losing them, if you don't focus on how to handle a proper Scouts Own service.

12 pages is a lot to read through, so I apologize if these things have been said. When I was on camp staff, it was found out that I was of a neo-pagan faith. There were some issues that arose (I live in the Bible Belt) and was told by a District Commissioner that this could mean the end of my Scouting career. So I requested clarification of the guidelines from a professional, and they got one from national. Being as this was 8 years ago, I now longer have this saved, but they essentially said as long as there was a belief in something higher than yourself, all was fine. It was very broad, and if I ever find it, I will let you know of the exact wording. As for the religious emblem, if there is no formal structure for the religion within the United States, than the religion will not have a representative on the board within the national offices that oversees the religious emblems. Many religions are left out because of this, but it's understandable. The BSA needs a representative and a formal structure to recognize in order to recognize the religious award. This was another issue I had brought up back then, as there is a religious award created for neo-pagans that is not recognized.

So, I'm a scouter on hiatus due to work and school. I'm an Eagle Scout from Stonewall Jackson Area Council, a former camp staffer at Camp Shenandoah, and a Vigil Honor member of Shenandoah lodge #258, where I have also received the Founders Award. I have been involved in scouting since I was 6, when I first joined Tiger Cubs in 1991, and have been a member of every program the BSA has to offer. I delayed my college experience, and will finish up with my degree in May of 2011. so once i get more free time, I will be diving back in full force. In the mean time, I figured i would reacquaint myself with the world of scouting through things like this forum.

Well, for Eagle, my medal means more. I had to get an extension for my Eagle, so I never got to wear the patch, so it doesn't hold much. For patches, I have two lodge flaps that mean a lot to me. The first is my elangomat flap. Our lodge give each elangomat a special flap. It shows the service you have done by going through the ordeal again to assist your brothers on their journey. The other is my Vigil Honor flap. For Ordeal and Brotherhood, you pay for your flap and sash with the fees for the weekend. The Vigil Flap is given to you, and shows the commitment that you have, and that others see in you. Those two patches have never been placed on my uniform, but remain in my patch binder.

Haven't read through all the posts, but the best way to get it, in my opinion, is by looking at the Ceremony for the Ordeal. But I'm also for anyone revisiting that now and again, as it helps reestablish what the WWW is about.

I have to say first off, that I am for co-ed scouting all together anyway. Having done some things up north with Scouts Canada during their transitional period, I've seen how it can turn out. So my view may be a bit skewed. As it currently stands, I see no reason why the rules could not be changed to allow Venturers in. As a person who was involved in both a Troop and a Crew, I have seen how it goes. All the male members of the Crew were OA members. All the adult leadership, male and female, were in the OA. The female members of the Crew were, understandably, a bit miffed about all this (mainly because everyone but them in the Crew was going on these extra outings, lol). Several of these young women had received the Ranger and/or the Silver award, could "out scout" (my term for knowing the fundamentals of scouting better) several of the young men, and in my opinion, better exemplified what the WWW is all about. Now, most of them are now members as adult leaders, but they missed out on the fun as a youth. I think there should be a reevaluation of the policy regarding Venturing and the OA, just based on what I have seen

The OA used to have a Lodge Chief patch, but that was nixed. you can still find unofficial ones though. What I did during my tenure was to get a reproduction one, affix a loop to it, and wear it as a temporary patch during OA functions. Section officers don't hold any position withing the Area or Region. I believe Regional officers do hold a position on the Regional Committee though. Often times, a Lodge officer will hold a position within the Council, as here, we sit on the Council Committee and the Executive Board. A Lodge Chief could wear a uniform that reflects that position, and distinguishes him at the Council level. Another way we identify our Lodge Chief here is through a donation. Each year, the Lodge makes a donation of $1000 to the Council Endowment in the Chief's name. This recognizes the Chief as a James E. West Fellow, something very uncommon for a scout/scouter of that age to be. So the square not for the award provides recognition. Now, those are some different ways that a Lodge Chief can be recognized as such. As for the comment about what loops to wear and all that one poster made, my method is to have a different uniform for different responsibilities. I have a Troop uniform, a District uniform, and an OA uniform. As a youth, I had a Troop uniform and an OA uniform. When you get to the level of involvement where these questions come up, you're going to have several uniforms anyway, so I just think it is best to have each one suit a specific need.