Surround yourself...

With great people and great things and you will be successful.

That is what I call a "Truism".
And here is how I know.

1. I have surrounded myself with great Assistant Scoutmasters and a Wonderful Committee.
- the Troop is Successful.
2. I have surrounded myself in a great Church.
- Makes me a better dad and husband, better person all around.
3. I have surrounded myself with really great friends.
- I have amazing friendships.
4. I have surrounded myself with great Camping gear.
- I have great camping experiences.
5. I have surrounded myself with the Scout Oath and Law.
- I have the tools for great judgement, unquestionable Character, and a solid values base.

See... it is a Truism.. Surround yourself with greatness... you will be successful in all that you do.

Happy Scouting!

The Point is...

I received a comment re: You are who you are...
An Anonymous reader says:
"dude, Your analogy does not work at all on Sean, rewrite it for Vic the Dog Killer. THAT guy was bad and hanging with creeps. We don't know who broke in Sean's house, it could be a crazy stalker he didn't even know.
The reason you don't hear about scout master's home being broken in is because #1 they are not famous/celebrity #2 It just is not part of the story because it happens at home, not while the person is acting in capacity as a scout leader. "

Well Dude, you missed the point. The point is not Sean Taylor, or Mike Vic, or anyone else. It is about who we are and how we get there.
You can not deny Sean Taylor's past as being one of misdeeds and ok... "Being in the wrong place at the wrong time".

Lets see.. He has his car shot up by a thug with an AK 47. His "Friends" tell him to leave Miami. Has his house stalked and entered, a knife placed on his bed. And now he is dead.
This is not random and it does not happen to often. I would suggest, and keep in mind this is my opinion... I am no Matlock... but the folks Taylor and Vic and Pacman and the like hang with are NO GOOD. And therefore it places them in positions like this.

The point about Scoutmasters (and Scouts) is that we don't put ourselves in those positions. That simple. Its not about the money and the fame.. its about Character and Values.

You simply missed the point. I am not bashing on Sean Taylor. I am a Redskin fan and loved to watch him play. It truly is a tragedy and I wish it had not happened... but We are who we are and how we get there is formed in large part by the associations we keep.

Anonymous..thanks for your comment.

Happy Scouting!

You are who you are...

But how do you get there?
Have you ever heard the term "Guilt by association"? In short it means you become like those you hang with. Or you shape yourself by the values and virtues that those around you live.

The last two days we have been bombarded with the news of Sean Taylor, the Washington Redskin safety that was shot in his home and later died.
While this is a tragedy, we need to look at the conditions that lead to the shooting.
Now I am just using a little common sense here, and I hope that I am wrong, but when you put 2 and 2 together, typically you get 4.

Sean Taylor, like many of our pro athletes, have a tendency to draw themselves to a crowd that is less than desirable. He went the University of Miami, yet another factor. It seems that a trouble cloud seems to follow U of M athletes.
Taylor did not come from a bad home, he went to a private school, dad is a Police officer, but he found himself gravitating to a bad element, an element that became both his life style and the style of his death. It is reported that since the birth of his daughter, he was turning his life around, and I applaud him for that. Unfortunately that does not mean that those that he hung around with were changing their lives around.
2 + Last week his house was entered and a knife was left on his bed. Nothing was taken.
2 + This week someone entered his house. Went to his bed room and shot him. Nothing was taken and his girl friend and child were not harmed.
= 4. This bad element defined him and later took his life.

SO HERE IS THE EASY FIX.
Stay out of bad elements. Hang around with those that will lift you up and not drag you down.
Join a gang called the Boy Scouts and develop character and values.
Live the Scout Law and Oath and you will never and I mean never end up in a situation like Sean Taylor. Surround yourself with those that are Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent. People that understand Duty and Service.
People that love and appreciate the outdoors, like to compete for the sake of competition and good sportsmanship. People that respect one another and those things around them.

Yes, I said it is an easy fix. Some would argue that these athletes that get mixed up in bad crowds are creatures of their upbringing, that they can not get out or break the cycle. This is all they know. No, that to me is a cop out. Any athlete that is making that much money, that can afford the life style of the rich an famous, can surely find themselves a path out. The alternative is to stay in and end up a victim. One of my favorite radio talk show hosts always says "Nothing good ever happens at 2 in the morning". So why put yourself in that position. The National Football league has a "Player Assistance Service" program that is available to help those that need it.
Now it is up to the player to use it... as much as it is up to the Scout to learn and live the Scout Oath and Law. It is up to individuals to be accountable for their actions.
If one truly wants to turn their around they can. It all starts with the Character of the person.

As Scouts we know what right looks like. We have our compass to guide us on our path. Always true, the Scout Oath and Law guide us down a path to success in life. Your "Assistance Program" is called the Patrol method. Your mentor program is called the Scoutmaster conference. Your life skills are developed in the advancement program and you get to taste the great things life has to offer in the Merit Badge Program. What more can one ask for? Everything to make you a good person, a man of Character. Physically Fit and able to make ethical decisions.

When was the last time a Scoutmaster had his door kicked in and was shot? Thank goodness it is not to often, if ever.

Unfortunately Sean Taylor had to die. It is a tragedy and my heart goes out to his family, especially his little girl. I am sorry it came to this, but I can't help but think it could have been avoided. Simply by not being Guilty of association.. association with a bad element.

Say a prayer for his family, and ask God to guide those that need help getting right... the help is there.. we meet every Monday night and camp once a month!
We get high.... on Mountains!
We travel in gangs... called Patrols!
We shoot rifles... on ranges!
We Chill... in snow caves!
We are up the creek... with two paddles and a canoe!

Happy Scouting!

A Game of Character

This Saturday perhaps the very best game of the year will be televised.
As you all know I am a huge Football fan. And I love to use analogies using sports to relate back to Scouting.
So this weekend is the absolute perfect example of everything that is GOOD about Sports and Athletes.

We spend too much time on the negative, drugs, shootings, dog fighting etc. Well we get one year that we do not have to worry about the headlines reading something negative or full of controversy.
This weekend is the 108th match up between Army and Navy.

These young men will meet on the gridiron with no hopes of NFL careers, no dreams of a Nike contract, no idea of mansion and a posse.

No these student athletes are playing for honor, pride, tradition, and each other. For the seniors this will be the last time they every play in a football game. For the seniors their mansion will be a sun shade in Iraq next year, their contract will be 8 years in the Army or Navy, their branding will be Kevlar, Beretta, and sucking water from a Camel Back.
This is the last true sporting event in America. It is not about anything other than the love of the game and playing your heart out for one day.

For 108 years these to Academies have slugged it out for pride and the honor of bragging it up for a year. Army has won 49 times, Navy has won 52 times and they have called it a draw in 7 games.

The men that meet on the playing field are men of Character, you wont see brawls or smack talk, you won't see a high flying offensive attack, you will see the wish bone and the option.
You will see two lines collide and move the ball yards at a time, fighting for each step.
This is a game of Character, where all that matters is that they gave it 100% and played with honor. Consistent with the lives that these men have chosen to live every day.

Watch this game this weekend and celebrate Character... you won't get it on any other channel this weekend. You won't see it on any other playing field. And you will not see on Sunday.

Happy Scouting!

and on the heals of....

My last post regarding Eagle Scouts.

Tonight I had the pleasure of sitting and having three Scoutmaster Conferences.
The first two were young men that are completing the Arrow of Light. They came to our Troop meeting tonight to ask for a conference.
Both of these young men were very knowledgeable and had obviously done their homework.
They were a breath of fresh Scouting air... Polite, dressed in their full uniforms, and absolutely versed in the requirements for completion of the AOL...
So I thought I'd throw them a small curve ball. After they recited the Scout Law for me, I asked them which one they needed to work on to be a better person.
After thoughtful consideration both of them came up with answers that really showed me they knew what the Law meant, at least to them. Good for them.
They will be fine additions to the Troop.

Then I sat with a young man that is working the trail to First Class. He is a motivated lad and works hard. At the outset I told him, he needed to do better than the two Webelos Scouts, he chuckled and said to me that I shouldn't expect less. After I regained my composure we talked about his skills and he demonstrated a few first aid requirements for me. We had a nice talk about what the Law meant to him and we finished with some words of encouragement, a hand shake, a job well done... I know that he is ready for Second Class, and one day will become an Eagle.

Thought provoking questions, and answers that match, a good night for Scouting as three young men showed that they do take it serious and want to become Eagle Scouts, but they want to Earn it.

Happy Scouting!

Aims, Methods, and Eagles...

I recently had a discussion with another Scouter that boasted about the amount of Eagle Scouts their Troop had produced. I could not help but think... great but are they really Eagle Scouts?
Well then I started to feel bad, what do I mean are they really Eagle Scouts.. they met all the requirements after all... A Scoutmaster held a conference and gave the boys his blessing... of course they are Eagle Scouts.
Then I see a Troop that recently held a Eagle Court of Honor, for 6.. count 'em 6 Eagle Scouts.. all in the same Patrol. Congratulations!!! These guys have done well.
Then the cynic in me says... Wait a minute. They must have had one heck of a Den Mother. Eagle Scouts or Webelos Badges?
But then again.. I am sure they all completed the requirements. So good for them.

Which begs the question? Is the goal or Aim of Boy Scouts to produce Eagle Scouts?
See, I thought "The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to provide a program for community organizations that offers effective character, citizenship, and personal fitness training for youth.
Specifically, the BSA endeavors to develop American citizens who are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit; have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced in such qualities as initiative, courage, and resourcefulness; have personal values based on religious concepts; have the desire and skills to help others; understand the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental systems; are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand our nation's role in the world; have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people; and are prepared to participate in and give leadership to American society."
Advancement or "Getting Rank" being only one of the Goals to achieve the AIM.
I have said it before, my biggest pet peeve in the World is the term "EAGLE OUT". So a young man completes all the requirements... is he an Eagle Scout?
Growing up as a Scout I always admired those that had become Eagles. I held the rank in high regard... and you know... I still do. And that is why it upsets me to see Eagle Scouts that can not tie a Clove Hitch, Eagle Scouts that can not lead a 2 man patrol, Eagle Scouts that Scout leaders hide from the public, because they are afraid of goofing around and horse play.

Well, Not in my Troop. I will not with hold advancement from any Scout that completes all the requirements. But I will not sign my name on a Scoutmaster conference for Eagle for a Scout that has not demonstrated all the Scout Skills, Leadership, Service, and a life centered around the Scout Oath and Law. It is just that simple.
It is not every Scout that joins the Troops right to be an Eagle Scout. They all have the equal opportunity to become one, what they do with that opportunity is up to them. Not Mom and Dad, not a Coach, or Pastor, not anyone but them.

I think it would do well for Scout leaders to understand the Aims and Methods of Scouting. I think it is also important that Scout leaders understand how special the Rank of Eagle is and hold it in high regard. Make it special again.

Congratulations to any Scout that has EARNED the rank of Eagle. I am proud of you.

Happy Scouting!

A great time to serve

Yesterday I spent 6 hours with 5 Scouts at the Portland International Airport. Horizon Airlines sent a plea for help during what was to be a pretty busy day at PDX with all the holiday travelers heading home.
Horizon Airlines wanted to provide an opportunity for the Scouts to "Do a Good Turn", and the plan worked.
We assisted passengers that needed help with wheel chairs, young children, and other special needs. It turned out to be a good day for the Boy Scouts of America.
Dressed in our full uniforms we pushed wheel chairs with grateful passengers to baggage claim, helped them up the stairs into the aircraft, and even kept a few children flying unaccompanied entertained for a few hours. I am sure they will remember the time spent with a few Scouts that made their travel a little easier.
At the end of the day we all felt like we had done a good thing, it was not hard work, but it was work that really helped other people.

I have traveled a lot, and luckily I have never needed assistants, but seeing the folks that needed it yesterday, I can appreciate the difficulty of those travelers with needs.
Simple things like getting from one flight to the next in a wheel chair now becomes a task. A task that required coordination, planning, communication, and then someone to assist.

Horizon Airlines really provides a great service to those with special needs, we saw that in their plan yesterday. I am glad that we could help them out.

During this holiday season, lets not forget those that have extra or special needs. Something as simple as holding a door open could make the day of someone else.

Remember.. DO A GOOD TURN DAILY... that's EVERY DAY.. not just days you are in your Scout uniform.

Happy Scouting!

Thanksgiving 2007

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Today, spend time with those you appreciate and love.
Today, give thanks for all you have, our harvest has been bountiful.
Today, give thanks for those have cleared the trail and set an easier path for us.

Say a prayer today, for those less fortunate, say a prayer for our soldiers away from home, give thanks that we can sit at a table with our families and celebrate.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For Food
For Raiment
For Life
For Opportunity
For Friendship
For Fellowship
We thank Thee, O Lord.
Amen.

Happy Scouting!

A day for giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, so I want to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is a day to remember that we have so much to be thankful for. I can imagine the first thanksgiving celebration in the colonies. How much those people must have enjoyed the day knowing they had a bountiful harvest, that they were relatively safe, that they could practice their religious beliefs in a new land without persecution.

Lately I have become very interested in my heritage. I have spent time learning more about my family and where they came from and who they were. Fortunately my Dad has done a lot of research on this and is passing it on. This week we discovered something we had not known about our family. We are American Germans from Russia (that we knew). What we did not know was that in the late '30's and early '40's the Russians rounded up the Germans living in Russia and sent them to Siberia and other "Internment Camps". We uncovered via the Internet a full listing of the people from the Village of Norka, where my family came from, that were sent to the camps. In that list we found 6 members of our family, direct descendents. We saw that they were all brutally killed in the camps in 1942. For refusing not to denounce their faith and because they were German.

So I think back to the Pilgrims in the new world, how they, like my family, fled a land in which they had rooted their families, raised kids, to come to a new land. A land they knew nothing about, were they had no homes, no jobs, no family. And they made it. They came to America seeking freedom. And they found it. Our family has been in the United States since the late 20's. Germans from Russia. On Thanksgiving, I am sure they prayed for those left in Russia and gave thanks for the new found freedom in their new land.

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be here and to be part of my family.

Happy Thanksgiving.... and Happy Scouting!

The Merit Badge Program

Here is a nice video put out by the Boy Scouts of America about Merit Badges.
As we prepare for new Scouts to join the Troop in February, this is a nice explanation of what the Merit Badge program is. Enjoy.

You can learn more about the BSA Merit Badge Program here.

Happy Scouting!

The Competitive edge

There are those out there that would suggest that competition is bad... Everyone is a winner.. you must make everyone feel like they won the game.
I say HOG WASH!

Those that spout that psycho babble have never been 12 year old boys and live in a bubble.
Boys need to compete.. its what they do.
Competition breeds success and in life, success means everything.
Now lets define that.
Success may mean many things to many different people.
Success may mean a big house and a nice car, it may mean healthy children, it may mean having the ability to backpack across Europe or annual trips to High adventure bases.
Success may mean that you have a modest house, a happy family, strong faith, and valuable relationships.
So success comes in may shapes and sizes. It is up to the individual to define his success, but one thread that remains common to all is Competition. And competition makes us stronger, it makes up better sports, it challenges us to do better, it asks of us to "DO OUR BEST".
And it also makes for fun times.

This past weekend we went up to Camp Cooper and tried competition of a different sort.
We held our First Annual Champions of the Kamping Kulinary Kraft. We held a cook off.
Patrol v. Patrol in head to head cooking.

The 4 Patrols and the TLC all participated and let me tell you what I learned.
I learned that boys love to compete. In the four years that we have been a Troop I have never seen the boys get so serious about cooking.
They were judged in 4 areas.
1. Preparation. Menus, Keeping the cooking area clean, having menus and duty roster posted etc.
2. Presentation. How the meal looked.

3. Taste and Creativity.
4. Patrol dining. The Patrol had guests and they ate together.

They had to cook Breakfast on Coleman Camp stoves, Lunch using Backpacking stoves and techniques, and Dinner in Dutch ovens. All three meals were judged.

From french toast with gourmet bacon covered in whipped cream and strawberries to perhaps the best pork roast I have ever eaten, the Scouts did a fantastic job and had a blast doing it. They really poured their hearts, skills and minds into the competition and did their very best to win.

In the spirit of competition the patrols were helpful and worked together. When it came to recipes, they were safeguarded and kitchens were "Off Limits" to everyone except the judges.
(Boys rules). They broke out with garnishes on the plates and fancy home made noodles, they really did a nice job.

And at the end of the day.. there is only one winner of the competition, but they all win because they all tried, they all learned, they all developed, and they all know what they need to do better next time.

I do not understand why some folks are dead set against competition, why they think little Johnny's feeling might get hurt and he will be scared for life. To folks that think that way I am afraid they are setting their kid up to fail.
You do not have to be cut throat to compete. Competition at the heart of it is healthy and drives us to be better. Why is that wrong? In the game of life that is how it is. Why not prepare these young men now for what lay ahead? Are we not here to Develop Character, Citizenship, and physical fitness? Are we not here to teach these Scouts to make ethical decisions? Are we not here to turn these young men into good men?

The Boy Scouts of America encourages Competition. "Patrols will sometimes join with other patrols to learn skills and complete advancement requirements. At other times they will compete against those same patrols in Scout skills and athletic competitions." (the Patrol method from the BSA Website) We have inter patrol competitions at meetings and we compete against other Troops and Patrols at Camporee. Competition is healthy, it has been a part of Scouting for almost 100 years and will continue to be a strong part of the Scouting program.

So HOG WASH to those that dislike the competitive edge. I know after this weekend, I love it.. and that amazing pork roast too.

Happy Scouting!

Choices, Chances, and Scout Skills...

We just returned from a fantastic weekend at Camp Cooper up in the Coast Range.
Friday night Camp Cooper greeted us with a light rain, but not enough to dampen the spirits of the Troop 664. Saturday morning the rain turned to down pours, and still the Scouts of 664 drove on. Sunday morning we awoke to a fine dusting of fresh snow, a thing of beauty.
It was a fantastic weekend for those that made good choices. those that took chances had a little different experience, while those that stuck to fundamental Scout skills had a pleasant weekend.

There is a huge difference between making sound choices and taking chances.
This weekend was a great example of that principle.
Scouts knew that it was raining, when it rains you get wet.... UNLESS... you make a choice not to. You can choose to put your rain gear on... you can choose to put your boots inside your tent... you can choose to keep your gear under a cover... you can choose to zip your tent door and set it up with the door away from the wind.

OR

You can take a chance that the rain drops will miss you. You can take a chance that your boots will stay dry as you hear the pitter patter of the rain on your tent. You can take a chance that your gear will stay dry sitting outside, and you can take the chance that the wind will not blow any water into your tent getting your sleeping bag wet.

Scout skills. As a scout develops and advances to First class he should be developing sound skills. First Aid, Cooking, Knot tying, and Camp craft. He should begin to become a good (seasoned) camper. The implication here is that he has developed skills that he can put to use in the outdoors, another way of saying he has learned enough to make sound choices.
Seasoned camper know that the experience of camping is better when done right. Just because you are in the heart of the wilderness, you do not have to suffer and be miserable.
Skills like developing a priority of work in camp. Getting the tents set up first, then the cooking area, and constantly improving your campsite. Developing in camp routines, like keeping all your gear in the backpack until you need an item. Packing your backpack so as to have easy access to the stuff you need. Putting your sleeping back in its stuff sack when not in use, creating a campsite that meets the needs of the task and the comfort of the patrol.

By the time a Scout is First class he should know these things and demonstrate them on a consistant basis. This is Scouting. All of this teaches the Scout to make sound decisions and choices that not only effect him, but others. It teaches and reinforces responsibility. It develops an attitude of caring for himself and his gear and working and living in a small group.

It is a good idea to develop these skills early before bad habits settle in. Breaking a bad habit may never happen in the life span of a Scouts stay in Scouting.
Of note: It is important that the Adults in the group develop and demonstrate the same skill sets. It is not ok for the Adult leaders to teach one thing and do another.

Making the Choice to be a Good camper is a heck of a lot better than leaving your camping experience to chance. The right Scout Skills, practiced with consistency will help you in that endeavor.

Happy Scouting!

Need to share this...

Here is a real nice lesson from a fellow Blogger and Scouter that I think is perfect!
He nails it with his post. It's called "Give or Take"
This comes from a Scout Leader in Texas. Has a nice Blog called the Lone Star Scouter.

Read the Post here!

Happy Scouting!

It's almost too easy...

Scoutmasters take note... celebrities are helping us out for a change... yep I said celebrities!

Unless you live in a cave and have no access to the outside world you heard today that Barry Bonds was indited by the Federal Grand jury. Obstruction of Justice and perjury.
To break it down for you he lied and he cheated.

So now.. we don't want to become a sports blog, so I will put this in Scouting terms.
He lied and he cheated.

A Scout is Trustworthy! Barry is not. Its that simple.
And this is the stuff that all good Scoutmaster minutes are made of. Real life played out in front of us giving us life lessons on how we can use the Scout Oath and Law in our daily lives.

I have said it so many times... If you live the Oath and Law you will never go wrong.
If Barry understood the values of the Law, he would not have lied and he certainly would not have cheated. I am not saying Barry Bonds ever did steroids.. that really does not matter at this point. In fact I would much rather he did and came clean about it. But Bonds lied and in the process kept the truth about other scandals from the authorities.

And the real lesson here has nothing to do with steroids or Barry Bonds. It has everything to do with being Trustworthy and knowing what right looks like. Had Bonds just worked hard, he still may have hit all those home runs. Had he given honest effort and used his talent he would not be in the news in a negative light. If he had lived as an example of Trust, he would not have been indicted today.

The other night I told the Troop that if you ever find yourself looking over your shoulder, you are about to do something wrong, something that one day you will regret. You may "Get away with it now, but it will always be there and one day catch up to you.

I wonder if Barry Bonds thinks about what may have been had he not got mixed up in Balco?
I wonder if Barry Bonds knows the kind of man that he could have been, respected for his talent and skill.
I wonder if Barry Bonds understands the impact that he has left, not only on Baseball, but on everyone that now looks at him for what he appears to be. A liar and cheat.

I hope you all think about living the Scout and Law before you do the wrong thing and understand the impact it will have on you and those around you. Remember, you make a promise to do so... on your Honor.

I'll leave you with this. Put Barry Bonds aside. It boils down to Trustworthy and doing the right thing. Never put yourself in a bad position and you will never have to get out of one.

Do not tolerate Liars, cheaters, or thieves.. they are never right!

Thanks Barry.. you make Scoutmaster minutes to easy!

Happy Scouting!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

...Find out what it means to me...R-E-S-P-E-C-T...

Respect seems to be one of those values that is fading, going the way of the buffalo. Seems that way, but I hope not.
We had a lengthy chat the other night about respect and how it effects the life of a Patrol.
Patrols will never be good patrols until the members respect one another. There will never be an end to violence unless people respect one another. There will never be an end to crime until those that commit crime learn to respect others.
And so it goes.

The Patrol and Troop needs to be aware that it all comes down to respect. Respect for each others ideas. Respect for each others property, respect for each others feelings. Respect for each other as a person.
You can not move in the direction of a "High performance team" until all the members respect the vision of the leader and understand that the team wants to move forward. Respecting the idea that there is give and take. You can not always get your way.
Respect goes deeper than that though. It is the basic idea that you want to be treated by others the way you treat them. Lets assume that you treat others well, you expect to be treated well.

It is the golden rule and no matter where you are from, what faith community you belong to, what culture you were born to. Treating others the way you want to be treated is a basic tenant. Respect is the foundation of that thought.

I am sure that you will find that when respect is given it is received. Let's take for example the place were the Troop meets.
We make sure that every time we use it, we take out the trash, straighten the chairs and clean up any mess we made. This leaves the meeting hall in good shape for the next people. The owners of the hall see that we continually do our part to keep it clean. They see that we respect this gift that has been given and they continue to give. On the other hand if we trash it and treat the hall with disrespect, they would surely kick us out.
It is something as simple as that.

Respect one another and you will find that much of what you perceive as problems will go away. You will find that others will respect you in return.

Nothing good can happen until mutual respect is given.

Happy Scouting!

TOP 10... Qualities of a Leader!

This weeks TOP 10 list will focus on Leadership...

And the TOP 10 QUALITIES OF A LEADER ARE...

10. Prepares for the Future. Not only for himself, but the leader is grooming his replacement.

9. Recognizes his limitations. We can't do it all by ourselves. A good leader knows what he can and can not do.

8. Is Visible and Accessible. To be a good leader you need to be out front and be available to those you lead.

7. Transforms ideas into Action. Great ideas are useless until they become real.. put your ideas into action.

6. Open to new ideas. Never be a "My way or the Highway" kind of guy. You need to pull ideas from others.

5. Understands Sharing. Share Success not failure. Give others credit when its due.

4. BE CONSISTANT!

3. Set High standards.. for yourself and your team.

2. Create the Environment for success.

AND THE NUMBER ONE QUALITY OF A LEADER....

Communicates his Vision! Let your team know where you want to go and how to get there!

Happy Scouting!

LEADERSHIP 101- The Effective Leader

This past weekend we had a great time at our annual Leadership Development Conference (LDC) hosted and trained by our Order of the Arrow Lodge.
The event is open to all Scouts and Scouters that are interested in becoming better leaders.
A lot of Troops use the LDC as their Troop Junior Leader Training, because over the years the the training offered has been consistently that good.

This years theme centered around planning and the effective leader. What I liked was that the Scouts that taught the classes had done their homework and produced a good product that demonstrated the steps of good leadership.

There are many attributes that make up an effective leader, but here are the six steps that will ensure effective leadership:

1. Provide Vision and Direction. I have talked about this before. A good leader by definition leads by providing Purpose, Direction, and Motivation. Understanding where one wants to go and a clear understanding of how he wants to get there will ensure success. Being able to communicate that vision is key to achieving that success.

2. Find Resources. Effective leaders know that they can not do it alone. They also develop a keen sense of how to use their "tool box". They understand that there are people and things around them that will help them on the way.

3. Determine the readiness level. You must know your people. You need to understand where they are coming from and what skill sets they have to perform the task. Skills and Motivation determine where you are in the Team Development process. High Performance teams have a lot of Motivation and high Skills.

4. Assign Responsibilities. DELEGATE DELEGATE DELEGATE... but remember you are the leader. You can delegate responsibilities, but you can not delegate accountability. Spreading the work around will make the task easier and it will get the team involved giving them ownership. But remember that you need to check and double check.. you are still the leader.

5. Perform the Task. "Get 'er done!" Be there and be watchful as the task is being completed. Allow others to shine.. give them a job to do and let them do it. Give guidance and direction and be a good coach. Hands on is good too, but when you give someone a task, let them do it.

6. Check and Report. Use the Start, Stop, and Continue model for after action reporting. You need to discuss what went well and what went poor. Learning is what makes you better.
During the Reflection or review stay focused on what the task was, stories are fun to hear, but during reporting stay focused on learning how to do it better next time.

Following these six step will keep you focused and on track for effective leadership while performing a task. It is the essence of leadership. Leaders emerge when something needs to be done. Effective leaders get it done.

Happy Scouting!

Veterans Day 2007

A Salute... Thank you Veterans!


Happy Scouting!

LEADERSHIP 101- Communication

Communication is possibly the most important part of leadership. Without communication we can not share our vision, provide motivation, and articulate purpose.
We all know that we constantly communicate. We do this both verbally and non verbally. The way you act is just as important as the way you talk. The way you stand is just as important as what you say. And how you say it can redirect the meaning so as to give your listener a totally different picture of what you are trying to communicate. At some point in Scouting or in your life you will need to communicate. The better you are at the easier it will be for you as a leader and the easier it will be for those you lead to understand your vision.
So we need to be aware and work on communication constantly.

Here are a few tips to assist in EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION:

1. Speak Clearly. Can everyone hear you? Remember that while the information is probably very familiar to you, the listener may be hearing it for the very first time. Also, speak to the group as if you are talking to the last person in the last row.

2. Use language that EVERYONE understands. Avoid using jargon and acronyms that some may not be familiar with. This makes the listener feel like he is not welcome.

3. Vary your tone and pace. Keep your voice and not just your words interesting.

4. Move from the general to the specific. Provide examples of generalizations that the listener can relate to.

5. Use visuals- charts, maps, and diagrams. Remember that people vary in how they best absorb information. Some are more oriented towards verbal language, some towards the written word, and some learn a lot through graphics.

6. Eyeball- look at the listener. If you are speaking to a group, can you see everyone? Are the looking at you?

7. Encourage two way flow. Ask questions and get them asking questions of you. Answer questions helpfully and in a friendly manner. Don't pass judgement on the question or the questioner.

8. Make it fun and interesting. Show enthusiasm!

Those are just a few ways that you can better your communication. Remember that to be an Effective leader you need to be an Effective Communicator.

Happy Scouting!

The 11th Hour on the 11th Day of the 11th Month...

This Sunday is Veterans Day.
A day that we in America honor all of the Veterans that have served the forces that guard our Country and protect our way of life.
On Veterans Day we say thank you!

World War I officially ended on June 28, 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The actual fighting between the Allies and Germany, however, had ended seven months earlier with the armistice, which went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. Armistice Day, as November 11 became known, officially became a holiday in the United States in 1926, and a national holiday 12 years later. On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans.
In 1968, new legislation changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.

On Veterans day we need to take just a minute and say thanks to our Veterans. They have given so much for us. Some served because they had too, while others served out of a sense of duty, either way the impacted America by their service. During peace time and in times of war, our service men and women stood ready to do our nations bidding. They stand vigilantly on the wall of America to ensure we remain the land of the free. Without them our nation would not be the same.

It is important to remember that we have these men and women in our communities, our Churches, our Schools, and work places. And our nation makes new veterans daily as they return from Iraq and Afghanistan. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines that have raised their hand and pledged to defend everything that we hold dear. Without complaint, without protest, they go. They leave the comforts of home, the safety of our neighborhoods, their families and friends and they do with Honor and Pride.

CSM Schleining, Gov. Kulongoski, LTC Cramer the night we came home from Iraq. (Yeah that's me on the left)

Take a minute this Sunday and say a prayer for Veterans. Find one and say Thanks!

Happy Scouting!

3 words...

Last night wrapped up an election here in Oregon. And with elections come debate, scandal and mud slinging. I wonder if any of these people really want to help or are they just in it for ego.
We voted on property rights and taxing smokers last night (as well a a few other minor issues). For the last six months we have seen the absolute worst in people. And it got me thinking, there are three little words that can solve many of these problems.

ON MY HONOR!

It is a phrase that begins our Oath. A Oath that leads us in a direction of promise.
Promise to duty to God and Country... not ego.
Promise to Help other People...AT ALL TIMES.. not just election years.
Promise to Keep ourselves Strong, mentally awake, and MORALLY Straight.

I suppose you could debate who's morality.. but if you did than you really don't get the Scout oath and law.

I listened to politicians over the last week giving their last ditch efforts to win their cause. The lengths they go to amaze me. I give them points for being tenacious. But do they stop to think about what they are really doing? Do they ask themselves if it lives up to the standard of the Scout law (the answer here is no by the way)? Go ahead a repeat aloud the Scout law right now.. and think of a politician or a ballot measure that meets the 12 point test. Hard to find one is it not? And that to me is sad.

You have to ask the hard questions? Are they Trustworthy? Loyal? Helpful? ....

IF they would take a minute and ask if they are doing an HONORABLE thing I am sure they would stop most of what they do.

What is HONOR?
According to Websters: (taken from the Merriam Webster dictionary)
1 a: good name or public esteem : reputation b: a showing of usually merited respect : recognition
2: privilege
3: a person of superior standing —now used especially as a title for a holder of high office
4: one whose worth brings respect or fame : credit
5: chastity, purity
6 a: a keen sense of ethical conduct : integrity b: one's word given as a guarantee of performance .

Looking over those definitions I can't find ego, I can't find scandal, I can't find politics and I am sure that there is no honor left in our politicians. It is a shame too, because I believe that the framers of our country were honorable men. I think they had the very best of intentions when they wrote the Constitution.

Three little words...

ON MY HONOR!

How do you use them? What do they mean to you?

Winter Camping Skills- Frostbite and Hypothermia

Frostbite mostly affects areas where the circulation is poor. Since cold weather will cause the body to take preventive measures by constricting (making smaller) the blood vessel, this opens the door to frostbite injuries.

Look for the 4 Ps of frostbite:
Pink - affected areas will be reddish in colour. This is the first sign of frostbite.
Pain - affected areas will become painful.
Patches - white, waxy feeling patches show up - skin is dying.
Pricklies - the areas will then feel numb.

Tips to prevent frostbite:
Get to a warm area before frostbite sets in. If it's too cold outside, consider staying indoors.
Protect areas of poor circulation (ears, nose, fingers and toes).
Keep extra mittens and gloves in the car, house or school bag.
Wear larger sized mittens over your gloves.
Wear a scarf to protect the chin, lips and cheeks. They are all extremely susceptible to frostbite.
Wear two pairs of socks - wool if possible
Keep feet warm and dry
Remove any wet clothing.

What to do in case of frostbite:
Do not rub or massage affected areas. It may cause more damage.
NOT HOT - warm up the area slowly. Use warm compresses or your own body heat to re-warm the area. Underarms are a good place.
If toes or feet are frostbitten, try not to walk on them.
Seek immediate medical attention if you see white or grey coloured patches or if the re-warmed area is numb.
Always be on the lookout for the symptoms of frostbite. In case of serious cold weather injury, seek immediate medical attention.

Hypothermia
Whenever the body's normal temperature becomes too low, hypothermia (hypo = low and thermia = temperature) occurs and will starve the brain of much needed oxygen.
During cold weather months, finding warmth can be the key to survival, but hypothermia can occur even during the hot days of July. Swimming in cold water for a long period of time can induce hypothermia even in the hottest months of the year. Remember, hypothermia can quickly become life-threatening.

Signs of Hypothermia
Look for the "UMBLES" from people affected by cold temperatures:
A person who mumbles;
A person who stumbles; and
A person who fumbles objects.

Tips to prevent Hypothermia
Wear clothes in layers: The under layer should be the insulating layer to prevent loss of your body heat while keeping the cold outside air away; the outer layer should be the "wind breaking" layer to reduce the chances of cold air reaching the insulating layer.
Drink warm fluids.
If you start to sweat, cool off a little. Wet clothes will accelerate other cold weather injuries.
Wear a hat - up to 40% of body heat loss can occur through the head.
Wear gloves or mittens or both!
Wear a scarf to protect the chin, lips and cheeks - all are extremely susceptible to cold weather injuries.

What to do in case of Hypothermia
Remove wet clothing that promotes hypothermia.
Get to a warm place as soon as possible. Use several layers of blankets heated in your home dryer if possible.
If the person is alert, give warm beverages.
Seek immediate medical attention.
Always be on the lookout for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. In case of serious cold weather injury, seek immediate medical attention.

BE PREPARED! We use the buddy system to watch out for each other! These two injuries are serious and can hurt you in the long term. Camping in the winter can be the funnest time of your Scouting life! But you have got to be prepared!

Happy Scouting!

MYTH BUSTERS!

Well... not exactly... but here are some myths about Cold Weather Camping that may help you be a lot more prepared;

Myth #1: Leather hiking boots will keep your feet warm. -- FALSE
- The snug fit of most leather hiking boots can limit the circulation of blood in the foot. Especially with thick socks on. Overboots cut generously enough to hold your foot and shoe are much more effective. The cloth stitching in leather boots can also wick moisture into the shoe. Nothing is worse that wet feet in cold winter.
Myth #2: Waterproof clothing is ideal for cold weather camping. -- FALSE
- To keep warm, in the cold, your clothing must allow body moisture to escape. Moisture that is trapped too close to the body can wick heat away through evaporation. It is better to layer your clothing on in cold weather. Wool, Gor Tex, and polypropylene garments work nice in the cold. Always wear insulated underwear.
Myth #3: Winter camping does not require much preparation. -- FALSE
- Arctic conditions exist when the wind is blowing and the temperature drops below 20 degrees F. There are only seven states in the U.S. that do not experience arctic weather. Oregon is not one of them.. It is very important to prepare and even over prepare. I've never heard anyone complain about being too warm or having too many dry clothes on a winter campout.
Myth #4: Mental attitude has little to do with winter camping. -- FALSE
- A positive mental attitude is the most important ingredient in the success of cold weather camping trips. The demands of winter will drain your energy and you'll have to rely on yourself to keep your spirits high.
Myth #5: In cold weather, tasks can be done just as quickly as in warm weather. -- FALSE
- Every effort in cold weather takes longer to complete. Be sure to bring some winter patience with you when you camp in the cold.

Now that would be a great episode for Myth Busters.. wouldn't it?

Happy Scouting!

The Coolness of "BE PREPARED"

I always look for opportunities to see growth in not only my boys, but the Scouts of my Troop.
Today my youngest son left for outdoor school. A real neat program up here in Oregon where every 6th grader goes away for a week to learn about Oregon and our environment and gain an appreciation for the out doors. It is not surprising how many of my sons class mates have never been camping, but what is surprising is how ill prepared they are when they do have to leave home for a week.
Last week my nephew, also in the troop, went to outdoor school. He showed up for a week of cabin camping ready to go... PREPARED. Backpack on his back loaded and ready. His class asked where all his stuff was and he proudly explained.. "It's all in my pack.. I'm a Boy Scout!"
Today, Josh got up, packed and was ready to go. Rain gear, just in case, extra socks and stuff to stay warm. He grabbed his sleeping bag and a pillow and was ready for the week.
When we arrived at the school he too was asked where all his stuff is.. I had to smile as he told his friends, he was ready for the week.. he was PREPARED. Everything packed neatly and ready for cold and wet or whatever the weather may be. His pen and paper and a few extras all neatly packed and ready to go. He told his best buddy.. I'm almost 1st Class.. I better know how to pack... I had to chuckle.

It was neat to see these two guys.. both family, but also Scouts ready and Prepared. It was nice to see that they have learned and become seasoned campers. If this were a commercial it would look something like;

New rain gear for outdoor school- $25
Dues for Scouts- $200
Backpack- $100
Telling the guys you are Prepared because you are a Scout- PRICELESS!

Happy Scouting!

Winter Camping Skills - COLD

It's all about the COLD in winter camping.

Remember this simple acronym:

COLD

C- Keep you and your gear CLEAN.
Staying clean will keep you dry and warm. Dirty fabric acts like a wick and will cause your clothing to saturate. Keeping your body clean keeps you warmer also. You don't want to put a completely funky body in your sleeping bag to long.

O- Keep from OVERHEATING.
Regulate your body heat by removing or adding clothing. If you overheat you will get yourself into trouble. To much sweat on your body will freeze and drop your core temperature. This will rapidly increase the chance of Hypothermia.

L- Wear your clothing LOOSE IN LAYERS.
Layer up... and down. Keep your clothing loose to allow the warmth to circulate. Layers give you options. You can add more if you are cold and take off when you get hot.

D- Stay DRY. Wet is your enemy in a cold weather environment. You need to stay as dry as you can. Water freezes and when it freezes on you, you get cold.

Remember COLD and you will stay warm while Winter Camping!

Happy Scouting!