Boy Scout Troop 325

Boy Scout Troop 325
Scoutmaster Minute
May 3, 2005
Bob Burns, Assistant Scoutmaster

Last month saw the end of an era for the most important man in the universe. Those of you here last week know I’m not talking about John Paul II, but I’ll make some parallels for you. John Paul II’s length of service was number two in all of history. Mr. Denise served two times longer than any other Scoutmaster in our troop. John Paul II had been pope for your entire life. Mr. Denise has been a great Scoutmaster for your entire scouting life. Two quick clarifications: new scouts, he’s not THE Great Scoutmaster we invoke in our benediction. And when we gather in a couple of months to celebrate his service, he’ll be there to join in. [‘ere -- he says he's not dead!]

The Troop Committee has not sent up the white smoke announcing a new Scoutmaster. You might be wondering about the troop’s future. I want to make a two points:

First, the next Scoutmaster, for most of you, probably won’t be your final Scoutmaster. If you look at our troop history, most Scoutmasters serve two or three years. I had three Scoutmasters in my youth. Having different Scoutmasters in scouts is like having different principals in school. It’s normal.

Second, basic training for Scoutmasters stresses The boy-run program, delivered through the patrol method. Lord Baden-Powell said, “The patrol method is not A way to operate a Boy Scout troop, it is THE ONLY WAY.” BSA does not stand for Baby Sitters of America. Twice a year, you decide who will run the troop when you elect your own patrol leader, your Chief Operating Officer – the Senior Patrol Leader – and his assistants. We’ve had 21 SPLs while Mr. Denise was Scoutmaster. It’s the Patrol Leader’s Council that meets every year to set up a framework of activities, and meets monthly to flesh out that framework into meeting plans. This process is continuing even now without a Scoutmaster. Who should you look to when wondering about our troop’s future with a new Scoutmaster? The same place as always, to yourselves.

I’m optimistic: It’s going to be great.