Boy Scout Troop 325 Scoutmaster Minute

Achievement

August 25, 2009
Andy Duprey, Scoutmaster

Definition from Webster's Dictionary, published 1913 via Wiktionary

• Etymology -French achèvement, English hatchment
• Noun--Singular-achievement--Plural-achievements
• The act of achieving or performing; an obtaining by exertion; successful performance; accomplishment; as, the achievement of his/her objective.
• A great or heroic deed; something accomplished by valor, boldness, or praiseworthy exertion; a feat.
• (heraldry) An escutcheon or ensign armorial; now generally applied to the funeral shield commonly called hatchment. - Cussans
• (video games) An award for completing a particular task or meeting an objective in an Xbox 360 video game, adding to the player's gamerscore.

So-an achievement is something you gain by doing, which is signified by an award.

What is it that you have achieved tonight?

You have received many badges, but the pieces of cloth only represent the actual achievement.

If I were to give you now an eagle patch to wear on your uniform, would you deserve it?

No, because you had not earned the right to wear that achievement.

The heart and soul of the rank and merit badge system is the idea that you do the work, go through the process, learn what you need to learn, exert yourself beyond what you think you can do and at the end receive the award or badge.

Much is made of self-esteem, and many attempts have been made to boost how we feel about ourselves-but nothing will do you more good than knowing that you earned, through your own sweet, the badges that you and your parents have in your hands tonight.

Congratulations, and good night scouts.