Today I spoke with a LDS Stake President who is as dedicated as any I know in his desire to help young men reach their potential; be prepared to serve full time missions (and stay until the end); become righteous husbands and fathers; and serve faithfully in their communities, churches and families. Recently, in one of this Stake President’s Wards, a new Bishop, 27 years of age, had asked his Ward Young Men President to handle re-chartering in his ward. Unfortunately, that brother, for whatever reason, did not fulfill his assignment.
In an attempt to “get the job done” a devoted District Scouter decided that rather then roll up his sleeves and pitch in to help solve the problem, he would write an email chastising the Bishop for “abrogating his responsibility” in re-chartering all of his boys, and passing it to a brother who didn’t know what he was doing.
As I heard this story and felt the sincere desire of that Stake President to use Scouting in an appropriate way to strengthen the Aaronic Priesthood, my heart went out to that priesthood leader, who found himself truly irritated that someone would criticize a young Bishop, who was, obviously, overwhelmed already. I also found myself sympathizing with that Bishop who, I am sure, was carrying a greater load than most know, including being a young husband, father and a very new Bishop in a ward with very little leadership and depth; as well as working to build his career - - and just barely being able to keep up in all of those areas. When he was called, that Bishop was appropriately told to delegate those things which he did not personally need to do. As a result he delegated and the brother, his Ward Young Men President, failed. By the way, I also found my heart going out to that Ward Young Men President who was given the responsibility for re-chartering. I have a feeling, based upon my conversation with the Stake President that he, too, was new and inexperienced—both in Scouting and in the re-chartering process. My heart also went out to this good District Officer who is trying to do the very best he can to move the work along in spite of some very archaic tools.
As I have thought about that experience, I’ve come up with some thoughts that might be helpful as we work with our charter partners to assist them to help their young men “make moral and ethical choices over their lifetimes by applying the principals of the Scout Oath and Law.” (1) Never forget that people are more important than programs. (2) Never forget that principles of Scouting, including those articulated in the Scout Law (like “courteous” and “kind” and “helpful”), are important in dealing with our relationships with our charter partners. (3) Don’t get so caught up in “harping” about Friends of Scouting, re-chartering, training, etc. (the check-off items), that you forget to offer assistance to Priesthood leaders or to our charter partners in each of those areas, as well as in the areas they feel most unprepared, or those where they perceive they need help the most. Take an opportunity every now and then to ask Priesthood leaders informally, “President (or Bishop), where do you feel the most ‘uncovered’ in your Scouting program and how can I be helpful?” (4) If a Ward is behind in its Friends of Scouting or re-chartering, offer to take another fellow Scouter and go in and provide some additional manpower to assist and lift the load. In many of our units, they are so short on manpower that they do not have full Young Men Presidencies or even a full Elders Quorum Presidency. The least we can do is to help lift the load. (5) Remember that the handbook is not a “hammer” but a “help” and a guide for local leaders. We will never lift and assist our charter partners if we are merely harping on them and reminding them what needs to be done in the program. Our work is to assist and to lift and to help and to serve.
One final thought: most of us did not gain our enthusiasm for Scouting as the result of a “lecture” or “dressing-down,” but, rather, by experiencing the magic and vision of Scouting in the lives of Scouts and their families as well as those they serve. We fell in love with the program around a camp fire, in a Court of Honor, a Pack Meeting, while doing an Eagle project or at a Scout camp. Our charter partners are no different. While many of them are already converted to the Scouting program as part of their organization’s youth activity program, others have not yet had that experience. Our charge, as Council and District leaders, as Commissioners, as Scout-servants, is to help them have the “AaHa” experience along the Scouting trail. The best way we can do that is to look for every opportunity to help lift the administrative load on their shoulders and then invite them to participate in the fun and excitement of Scouting.
As a Council Key 3, we stand ready and fully committed to help and support our devoted Charter partners in every way we can. May Heaven bless us to do our best as we serve these great leaders of youth.
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