Eagle Scouts turning in badges?

[Eagle732]

Bando, A Scout's Eagle ceremony does not only belong to the Eagle Scout. It belongs his troop, his parents, his mentors and his leaders. They all (at least in my troop) play an important part in helping the Eagle get to this point in his life. He didn't do it by himself. So if said Eagle Scout wants to use the Eagle ceremony to express his own personal political views I find that inappropriate. There are appropriate places to make one's views known but a ceremony where everyone has gathered to celebrate your achievement is not one of them. I find it highly disrespectful to the people who have taken their personal time to support you, not to listen to your political opinions.

 

As a SM for many years I've been a part of dozens of Eagle Court of Honors. I've never had this happen and I'm not sure what I would do. All of my Eagles have used the time during their ceremonies to thank everyone who helped them, not make political statements. I do believe that since my unit purchases the Eagle Award kit I would have the right to leave the ceremnoy with the award up until the point where I have actually given the award.(This message has been edited by Eagle732)

[moosetracker]

Well, luckily the Eagle Scouts speech is typically left for the end, after the award has been given.. So you would just have to put up with what the Eagle Scout wishes to speak about.. From the condensed version Bando stated of his speech, he did thank others, and basically worded it in a way that he stated he loved all scouting did for him, but just is sadden that some people are barred from similar circumstances.. It sounds like it was done in a very respectful way.

 

recap of Bando's statement

 

I used my short response at my COH to thank everyone who helped me get where I was, and took a moment to lament the fact that the BSA's membership policy limited others from having the incredible experience my family and I had in scouting

 

 

 

 

[BSA24]

> He didn't do it by himself.

 

"You didn't build that." -- Obama

 

LMAO

[Eagle732]

 

 

Never said he DIDN'T thank people, did I?

 

[moosetracker]

Let's just say you suggested that with this comment

 

All of my Eagles have used the time during their ceremonies to thank everyone who helped them, not make political statements.

[Bando]

Except how is it a "political" statement? It is specifically pertinent to the BSA, has nothing to do with government or public policy, doesn't involve a candidate or political party. It's a statement to promote better scouting. If you wish to politicize it into the parameters of a political party or ideology, that's on you. And if your idea of promoting the membership policy is to attempt to silence anyone who dares to voice an opposition, then I wonder how you teach your scouts about citizenship and the freedoms of American society.

 

As for me, I see this as an issue that is directly relevant to the reach of our program in the lives of young people and families across America. As an Eagle Scout, I think it to be important to promote better scouting, in whatever form that might take. For me, better scouting is hindered by a membership policy that needlessly excludes a portion of our society, and brings associated negative publicity and unnecessary local obstacles to the program. This is preventing opportunities for our scouts.

 

I will continue to advocate for inclusive scouting because I truly believe it is in the best interest of our organization and the families it serves. This was true when I was 15, and it's true over a decade later. I am glad I used the opportunity I had to mention how I felt about this issue in a public forum. It was one moment in a speech thanking a LOT of wonderful people who gave me a lot of really great opportunities, in the interest of promoting the idea that those great experiences should be available for all. That's not politics. That's wanting more buddies and their moms and dads to share the fun.

 

I'll add that every ECOH is different in that it reflects the experiences and personalities of the young men it honors. They're not all the same, there are no rigid rules or frameworks by which we can define them. They're intentionally completely open-ended. Heck, they're not even required! It was my day in my troop, with family and friends and scouting people who knew me in some cases since I was a Tiger Cub. And, remember, we're a boy-led organization, right? So what does it say about a boy-led group when adults are rigidly trying to suppress their thoughts and opinions? In a boy-led troop, where does the adult agitatedly shutting down the Eagle Court fit in?

[Oak Tree]

In a boy-led troop, where does the adult agitatedly shutting down the Eagle Court fit in?

 

One can imagine some type of hilarious, over-the-top situation where it would clearly be the adult leader's responsibility to shut down the COH. If the Scout, for example, said he was so incensed at the current BSA policy that he wanted to protest by distributing some gay pornography, I think I'd jump right in there and shut things down.

 

In some type of ideal world, I might jump up, have a quick whispered conversation with the SPL, after which I feel fairly confident that the SPL would shut it down (this presumes, of course, that the SPL would be opposed to the distribution of gay pornography).

 

Wildly inappropriate scenarios aside, I can't imagine shutting down an Eagle COH. I've heard Scouts say that the mission of Scouting was essential irrelevant to their Scouting experience. I'm not going to interfere with that. If a Scout happens to voice that he's enjoyed his Scouting time "despite X" - well, what's the harm? That's really his belief. If he wants to be long-winded about it, that's just an opportunity for him to learn that talking about your point too much can be counter-productive.

 

So if a Scout said "I've really learned a lot from Scouting, and I'd like to thank all the adult leaders. Despite the fact that I disagree with the current BSA policy on gay membership, I still find it to be a very worthwhile organization" - I don't think I'd even hardly notice.

 

Scouts sometimes say things with a little bit too much black and white worldview...such is life as a Scout leader.

[BadenP]

Oak Tree

 

to paraphrase your last statement

 

"and sometimes adult scouters say something with a little bit too much black and white worldview in it --- such is the life of a poor scout."

 

(dedicated to BSA24 & Callay and their truly narrow vision of what the BSA really is.)

[NJCubScouter]

I don't think we should get hung up on the word "political." It is not necessarily a dirty word, as many these days seem to think it is. There are times when "political" behavior is appropriate and times when it is inappropriate. Bando, I think that your comments at your ECOH were at least mildly "political". I also think were appropriate, or at least not inappropriate, in that setting. It was an acceptable thing to do, regardless of the label one may put on it.

 

The varying status of word "political", depending on the situation, was brought home to me several months ago when I found myself in the office of my county Board of Elections, requesting some information (a voter registration list) in order to help some candidates I am campaigning for in a local election. When I told the clerk what I wanted, she asked me, "Is this for political purposes?" Now, most times one hears that question, the "correct" answer would be "no". But in this situation, the ONLY "correct" answer (which also was the truth in this case), was "yes". This was confirmed after I answered "yes" and was given a form to fill out, with instructions informing me that it was illegal to request the voter registration list for commercial purposes. In other words, they don't want telemarketers to have the list, but its fine for political campaigns to have the list -- even though part of the reason I want the list is so that people can make phone calls (sometimes called telemarketing) asking for people to support the candidates I am supporting. I just found that amusing.

[AZMike]

Those Eagles who have taken the step of turning in their badge will be pleased to know they have achieved the honorary status of "Pathfinder" and the title of "Founder" (the equivalent of Eagle Scout) of the non-discriminatory Spiral Scouts. So they got that going for them:

 

From the Desk of SpiralScouts International, and the Aquarian Tabernacle Church

 

We would like to extend our admiration for those who have stood boldly in light of the recent events surrounding the Boy Scouts of Americas decision to uphold their policies regarding gay leaders, and scouts.

 

SpiralScouts International respects the leadership, and responsibility demonstrated by these brave men, who have returned their Eagle Scout badges over this disagreement. We offer each of you the honorary status of PathFinder, and the Award of Founder (our Eagle Scout Equivalent) within SpiralScouts. This is our highest rank, and as you have set forth to hold to the ideals of understanding, equality, and leadership, that we strive for within SSI, it would be our honor to extend this to you.

 

Our program, which began in 1999, was developed to be as inclusive as possible in all areas: it features coed groups and leaders and is nondiscriminatory in all regards (sexual orientation, religion, gender). The program is available to all children, and we are happy to be able to offer this option for scouts.

 

Although it cannot repair the hurt that has been caused, we hope this gesture lends support to those who are struggling, and helps us take a step forward into a future that embraces all of us as the sacred beings that each of us are.

 

 

[Eagle732]

Moosetracker: "Let's just say you suggested that with this comment; ""All of my Eagles have used the time during their ceremonies to thank everyone who helped them, not make political statements.""

 

Moosetracker, I did not suggest that at all. I merely made the statement that my scouts have only thanked people for their support, not made political statements.

 

I always try to be respectful here, even if I don't agree with someones opinion. I would hope you could offer the same by not misrepresenting what I said.

[SeattlePioneer]

>

 

 

See how easy it is to find a new home?

 

 

 

 

[Eagle732]

I like there Oath and Promise, takes me back to the 60s.

 

From the SpiralScouts website:

"The RainDrop Vow:

I make this vow

to remind me now

to be kind & good

like a RainDrop should.

 

The FireFly Promise:

I promise to serve the Wise Ones,

To Honor and respect Mother Earth,

To be helpful and understanding toward all people,

And always keep love in my heart."

 

 

[AZMike]

Aaawwww!

 

How could anyone NOT want to be a Founder Scout?

[Twocubdad]

DANG! All these years and it never occured to me the problem with the Scout Oath is it doesn't rhyme!

 

On my Honor I will do my best,

To do my duty to God and the rest.

To obey the Scout law;

To help other people at all time,

and to keep myself from being a slime.