Scoutmaster Minute -- 30 November 2021

Among all the things we build in life, reputation is one of the few things we take to the grave. No one can take your reputation from you -- you have to give it away with either poor judgment, inaction, or careless mistakes. Founding father Benjamin Franklin once said, "It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it."

Reputation is also important when we are part of something that is bigger than ourselves -- we owe it to others with our association to represent them well so that we do not inadvertently tarnish their reputation by association. The world expects much from Scouts. We must remember this when we act and say things. We uphold our end of the deal because others in our uniform are upholding theirs, and we do not want to let them down.

A Scout is Loyal.

Scoutmaster Minute -- 23 November 2021

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving.  It is a time to offer thanks and celebrate the harvest.  Other nations have Thanksgiving holidays and many religions have holidays where practitioners praise God for the bounty of the harvest.  Yet, this harvest did not come without effort.  It involved tilling the land and planting the seed.  During the growth, farmers had to remove weeds and pests and treat plant disease.  Even the act of harvesting proved no small chore, as moving grain, root vegetables, squashes, fruits and nuts from the fields to silos, barns and cellars required work from both man and beast.  In most cases, there was no harvest without many months of effort and the blessing of rain, sunshine and proper temperatures.

In our lives, we should recognize other areas where we experience the fruition of efforts, and give thanks to God for enabling our success.  This "harvest" may be the completion of studies, the end of a successful athletics season, reaching a milestone in Scouting, achieving a goal at work, raising a child to adulthood, etc.  We have much in our life to be thankful for; it came with faith, hard work, persistence and the right environment.  Let us take this time to reflect and recognize God's grace, giving thanks for our many blessings.

A Scout is Reverent.

Scoutmaster Minute -- 16 November 2021

As we hiked this past weekend, we were blessed with the opportunity to enjoy the splendor that Virginia offers in the fall.  Trees that offered lush green shade in the summer changed their hues to brilliant reds, oranges and yellows.  Thus is the lifecycle of the leaves – beautiful spring blooms that develop into chlorophyll-rich leaves that later change to a majestic pallet of colors before they drop to the earth to usher in the cold winter.  This is the cycle of life, and human life is no exception.  Each stage presents its own grandeur.  Like the trees, God has blessed us with changing radiance.  Smooth skin transforms into a topography of wrinkles that mark decades of laugh lines, frowns and intense sessions of concentration.  Once dark hair turns to a distinguished silver and white.  Enjoy each stage; it is part of God's plan. As I encouraged you to look up and take in the magnificence of the changing forest, I challenge you to recognize the beauty in all people, both inside and out, young and old.  God created us in His image and in every stage of life we exhibit grandness.

 

A Scout is Reverent.

Scoutmaster Minute -- 9 November 2021

As we look to begin our annual Christmas tree fundraiser, let's reflect on the words of James Cash Penney (founder of JC Penney department stores).  He said, "courteous treatment will make a customer a walking advertisement." 

 

Not only do our premium Fraser firs attract customers, but the service we give during a sale brings back customers from year to year.  This includes the smile and cheerful greeting when a potential customer approaches, the confidence and knowledge of the product and prices, and the tireless display of as many trees as they want to see.  This cheerful salesmanship also entails the offer of a fresh cut, watering advice to extend the time the tree holds its needles, and the expert loading and tying down of the tree so that it does not damage the customer's car (yet is secure enough to make it down I95).  These are all important factors influencing why people choose to buy trees from us and to tell others about our stand. 

 

Patience, cheerfulness, attentiveness, and care – this is the hallmark of Troop 1396's customer service.  As we enter this fundraising period, I ask you to reflect on what our community expects from us and how we can meet its needs so that people shop with us -- not just for this year, but for years beyond.

 

A Scout is Courteous.

 

 

 

Scoutmaster Minute -- 2 NOV 21

November is Native American Heritage Month and it is important to understand the influence of our Nation's original inhabitants.  Much of the early days of Boy Scouts of America was influenced by Native American culture.  One of BSA's founders, Ernest Thompson Seaton, had previously founded a youth group called "The Woodcraft Indians."  The Order of the Arrow incorporates Native American imagery and ideas.  One such example of Native American influence is an interesting quote I read this week from a Cherokee descendant, Stan Rushworth, who points out that to indigenous peoples the concept of individual rights is eclipsed by the notion that one has individual obligations.  Rushworth said, "Instead of thinking that I am born with rights, I choose to think that I was born with obligations to serve past, present, and future generations, and the planet herself."  Imagine a society where more people thought about the good of the community over their individual desires.  Note that Scouting's founder, Baden-Powell said, "We must change boys from a 'what can I get' to a 'what can I give' attitude."  This is not communism and this is not an anti-American concept.  It is important to give back to a community that has given one an atmosphere to grow and thrive.  Selfless service is a component of freedom and one should never use the concept of individual rights to justify his or her selfishness.  As President John F. Kennedy famously stated, "Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country."  Part of what we learn as we earn the Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, and Citizenship in the Work is how to serve as productive members in these three environments which we simultaneously live in.  Further, this citizenship is one of the four Aims of Scouting.  I ask you, citizen, what are your obligations to the world around you?

A Scout is Helpful.