Scouting, Volume 1, Number 11, September 15, 1913 Page: 5
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SCOUTING
THE NATIONAL COUNCIL'S POSITION
ON IMPORTANT SCOUTING POINTS.
1
1
In response to many requests, illustrating a
general desire for a record for reference, we re-
publish below the resolutions which were fully
discussed and unanimously adopted by the Na-
tional Council of the Boy Scouts of America at
its third annual meeting, on February n, 1913.
Since these resolutions were last published more
than 3,000 Scout Masters have been added.
WHEREAS, The members of the Na-
tional Council are convinced that
the movement has proven to be a
positive factor for good in the lives of
boys who come within its influence and
that there is abundant evidence showing
marked improvement among boys who are
carrying out its program, and
Whereas, The movement has proven to
be a valuable asset to other organizations
engaged in boys' work, and
Whereas, The development of the idea
of International brotherhood among scouts
promises to become an effective factor in
promoting universal peace.
Be It Resolved, That the National
Council express its sincere appreciation of
the public-spirited service that men are
giving throughout the country as Scout
Masters, Scout Commissioners, members
of Local Councils, etc., in carrying for-
ward this work for the boys of America.
2. Resolved, That greater emphasis be
placed upon the outdoor features of the
Scout program and that as a part of the
yearly plan of each troop effort should be
made to provide for a period of camp-life
sometime during the year for every en-
rolled Scout.
3. Resolved, That Scout Masters be
urged to emphasize constantly the Scout
virtues of chivalry, respect and the
" Daily Good Turn," and make constant
effort to eliminate militarism and use only
such drill as is needed to teach the boys
to move promptly and in an orderly man-
ner from one place to another, always
keeping in mind the importance of peace
scouting. The staves are to be in no wise
considered or made use of as dummy
muskets.
4. Resolved, That in carrying out the
Scout program as prescribed in the Official
Handbook, the Scout Masters and others
in charge of the different groups be per-
fectly free to incorporate as much of cere-
mony, symbolism, dance, song, games and
other activities as may be found adaptable
to their needs.
5. Resolved, That Local Councils should
co-operate with organizations or institu-
tions doing boys' work, and that in case
any such organization or institution forms
a troop to carry out the program of the
Boy Scouts of America and uses the name
of the Boy Scouts of America, such or-
ganization should, whenever practicable, be
invited to designate an adult representa-
tive other than the Scout Master, to serve
as a member of the Local Council, and
that such organization should be in honor
bound to have its troops and its Scout
Masters conform to the regulations made
by the Local and National Councils; and
further in the interests of making the
work of the troop permanent and securing
necessary support, in many cases it will
prove helpful to have a troop committee
of three or five men interested in Scouting.
6. Resolved, That a Second Class Scout
should remain in that rank for at least
two months, unless the circumstances are
exceptional, before being permitted to take
the test to become a First Class Scout, and
that special care should be taken in award-
ing merit badges to guard against a mere
technical compliance with the tests as set
forth in the Handbook.
7. Resolved, That whenever practical,
especially in large communities, all final
tests for Second Class and First Class
Scouts, as well as for merit badges, be
given by and before the Court of Honor
or some other committee appointed by the
Local Council, such committee to meet at
least quarterly, rather than by the indi-
vidual Scout Master in charge of the can-
didate for examination; that the Tender-
foot requirements should be equally stand-
ardized with the others, and that Scout
Masters should be advised to make this
ceremony one that will have a lasting im-
pression upon the candidate.
In communities where no Local Coun-
cil exists it is recommended that the Scout
Master secure the assistance of a Local
Committee of representative men, includ-
ing the Superintendent or Principal of
Schools in passing upon ' these various
qualifications.
8. Resolved, That a plan be adopted
whereby Scout Masters' Commissions be
granted for a probationary period of six
months, during which time the Scout Mas-
ter may have an opportunity to satisfy
himself as to his personal qualifications for
the work and demonstrate to the Local
Council his ability as a leader of boys.
At the expiration of this period a commis-
sion may be granted for a period of one
year, to be renewed annually upon the
recommendation of his Local Council, on
condition that the Scout Master has kept
up an active interest in the work and has
provided the Local Council with such reg-
ular reports as may be required.
In territories where Local Councils do
not exist, each Scout Master should be re-
quired to present satisfactory evidence to
National Headquarters that he has main-
tained the standard as set forth in the
Official Handbook and satisfactorily con-
ducted the work of his troop and himself
as a Scout Master during the period of
probation and each successive year of his
commission.
9. Resolved, That the National Council
recommend that intoxicating liquors be not
used in connection with Scout meetings, and
that all Scout Masters and other officials
while on active duty refrain from the use
of tobacco, and that those who are accus-
tomed to the use of tobacco, do not con-
ceal the fact from the boys, but discuss
frankly with them the desirability of re-
fraining from its use until they have at-
tained their full development.
xo. Resolved, That a system of record
keeping be prepared for individual patrol
and troop work, and that this be recom-
SCOUT LITERATURE
EXCHANGE.
Secretaries of Local Councils, Scout
Commissioners, Scout Masters and
Scout Scribes can effectively co-
operate with National Headquarters
and do a good turn to others, by
mailing to the National Office at least
two copies of every piece of printed
matter, photograph or outline of new
activities, games, plays or entertain-
ments, which they have used success-
fully. The best of these suggestions
will be passed on each month to other
Scout Masters. By helping them you
will help yourself.
mended for use to the Local Council and
Scout Masters to the end that there may be
a uniform method of record keeping
throughout the country.
11. Resolved, That a definite responsibil-
ity for the work of the patrol should be
placed upon the patrol leader, the assistant
patrol leader, and the individual Scouts,
and wherever practicable that for each
troop a Scout Scribe, Scout Secretary or
Tally Keeper should be appointed to keep
careful records and reports of meetings and
activities in a book to be known as the Tally
Book, Log or Troop Record. This will as-
sist the Scout Master in furnishing the
necessary records to the Local Council and
the National Headquarters.
12. Resolved, That in all districts where
there is a Local Council efficiently organ-
ized, such Local Council shall have juris-
diction of all Scout matters arising within
its district and shall be directly responsible
to National Headquarters; and that Na-
tional Headquarters in dealing with Scout
matters within such district shall deal
through Local Councils except in mailing
general circular matters intended for gen-
eral use of all Scout Masters and in spe-
cial emergencies.
13. Resolved, That the Local Council and
Scout Masters where there are no Local
Councils, be asked to consider the adoption
of a plan approved by the Executive Board
for securing the co-operation and interest
of parents and friends through an annual
three-dollar membership, one dollar of
which will be used for local needs, one dol-
lar as a subscription to Boys' Life Maga-
zine, and one dollar for the work of the
National Headquarters.
14. Resolved, That a plan be devised
wherby the Local Councils may be given
an opportunity to subscribe a definite
amount annually toward the support of the
National work.
15. Resolved, That each Local Council be
requested to supply National Headquarters
with at least three copies of all new printed
matter issued and that Local Councils be
urged to exchange printed matter.
16. Resolved, That it be recommended to
Local Councils and to Scout Masters where
there are no Local Councils that some time
during the week beginning February 8,
which is the anniversary of the Incorpora-
tion of the Boy Scouts of America, a spe-
cial program be arranged for the pur-
pose of bringing to the attention of the
community the aim and scope of the Scout
movement from a national point of view.
Wherever possible, the mayor and other
city officials who distinctively stand for the
principles of the Scout movement, as well
as educational authorities and other men in
the community actively interested in boy
life, should be invited to take part in some
program for the purpose of reviewing
the local work for the year and presenting
the facts as to the movement throughout
the United States and other countries.
At some time during this week each troop
might have a special meeting, to be known
as National Night, at which time emphasis
should be placed upon the opportunity
which boys already in the Scout movement
have to do one great " good turn," and
might be permitted to make a troop con-
tribution for Boy Scout work in unorgan-
ized sections of the country through the
National Headquarters. This contribution
might consist of the regular weekly dues
for one week of the patrol or troop.
In presenting the nation-wide aspect of
(Continued on page 6)
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Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 1, Number 11, September 15, 1913, periodical, September 15, 1913; New York, New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth282645/m1/5/?rotate=90: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.