Boy Scout Troop 325
Scoutmaster Minute
Commitment
March 4, 2003
George Denise, Scoutmaster

Tonight's Scoutmaster Minute is a repeat of one I gave once before. I am repeating it, because I think it is appropriate for our elections.

COMMITMENT. I like the sound of that word. It means that you have pledged, obligated and bound yourself to carry out a given course of action in the future. Good grades in school require commitment. Athletic success requires commitment. Achievement of any rank, from Tenderfoot to the coveted and treasured Eagle award, requires commitment. For adults, marriage requires commitment. Quality of life requires commitment. Simply put, success, in almost any form, requires commitment.

Unfortunately, I too often see adults and youth who want to be part of a movement ... but don't want to commit the most important thing that they have to offer ... themselves. If something is worth doing, it is worth doing with enthusiasm ... and commitment. If you want to serve as a Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Troop Committee Member or in any other position, including Scoutmaster, you should be committed to making your unit "First Class" in every way.

What does it take to have commitment? In the words of Western Kentucky University Head Swimming Coach Bill Powell, there is an old Indian word that seems applicable. It is the special word "YAGOTTAWANTA."

Do you have commitment to the Troop? Are you committed to achieving your next rank? Are you committed to achieving life's successes? If you are, you're pointed toward a wonderful future. If you're not committed, your future is going to be based on some other old Indian words "ICUDDA," and "IWUDDAIF", and you're not going to go very far.

So, what's it going to be with you? "YOUWANTA?", "YOUGONNA?" or are you always going to remember that "YOUCUDDA", but "DIDN'NA".

Thank you. And may God be with you.