Scouting, Volume 8, Number 9, April 22, 1920 Page: 6
24 p. : ill. ; 31 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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SCOUTING, APRIL 22, 1920
The Significance of the Annual
Meeting of the National
Council
By Lome W. Barclay, Director, Edu-
cation
THE Scout Movement is democratic.
The Tenth Annual Meeting of the
National Council,' March 25th and
26th, 1920, was a fine demonstration of the
foresight of its founders. The American
people have accepted the responsibility for
the management of the Boy Scout Move-
ment not only locally but nationally.
This annual meeting has had the largest
registration. In fact, 148 of the delegates
wure appointed by and represented local
i councils., .When the National Constitution
r7, was adopted, many felt that its democratic
ideals were impractical. This year's meet-
sioHngfhas proven beyond doubt the possi-
fr bility and the success of our democratic
^MM0|an pf organization. ,
The. future holds success for organiza-
tions which conceive of themselves as
means in doing a piece of work, but these
: organizations must also be truly repre-
sentative of the various communities they
_ serve. The success of the Boy Scouts of
America depends upon its ability -to get
the people of this country to take the re-
sponsibility in leadership, management and
development. The volunteer leader is
fundamental. Scouting is an expression
of the real citizenship of service.
The National Council Meeting stood out
as a democratic expression of America's
interest and activity in boy life. It dem-
onstrated the fact that the local councils
understand their problems and are ap-
plying intelligent solutions to these prob-
lems and want to share their successes and
failures with other communities. The
session on training leadership was rich in
suggestions from the experience of the
delegates. Great progress has been made
in the development of cooperation with
other national agencies. The camping
session was equally full of valuable ideas.
The active participation of the delegates
is proof positive that the Scout Program
is getting over into the life of the local
communities in an exceptional manner. It
is gripping not only American boyhood,
but American manhood. What American
boyhood and what American manhood
does for itself will make America strong.
It is the self activity and self expression
of our boys and men which will contribute
most to an intelligent citizenship to meet
the oncoming problem of our country.
The members of the National Council
representing local councils are exception-
ally representative men. Our country can
well be proud of local leaders of their
calibre. It was an inspiration to hear and
see their participation. The entire meeting
gives one a feeling that the future of the
Boy Scouts of America is assured. It is
a movement of the people for their own
boyhood.
Most inspiring of all was the presenta-
tion of the resolution of the Finance Com-
mittee by Mr. Mortimer L. Schiff, Vice-
President of the Boy Scouts of America.
A Symposium
This resolution laid out a program for
five years of extension and intensive de-
velopment. '
The report called the attention of the
delegates to the fact that in its first ten
years 270 first class councils had been
organized to lead, to serve, to-supervise
boys, but there were still remaining un-
organized as many as 1,388 cities
and counties which have a population of
20,000 and over and which have the re-
sources for organization. Thousands of
troops of boys are located in these terri-
tories that are not now under council
leadership and the plan should be as rap-
idly ass possible to provide some form of
organisation that would within the next
five years bring to this area that fine de-
gree of lay leadership which is character-
istic of most of our first class councils.
It is recognized that this may mean some
adaptation of our present form of or-
ganization and possibly at first a grouping
of counties in some form of district or-
ganization but this is a problem that can
be met as the work of organization pro-
ceeds.
The delegates were stirred with the
thought that at our present rate of
progress, splendid as it is, it would take
fully twelve years to occupy this terri-
tory. These far-visioned men were not
willing to wait so long and after cutting
down the total number of cities and coun-
ties 25 per cent for safety and to allow
for unseen obstacles they adopted the
complete program in such unanimous ac-
tion that it was stirring and challenging
in its effect. They decided to go forward
and occupy this territory within the next
five years. This means, not only an ex-
tension of organized supervision but a
corresponding intensive development so
that Scouting may mean most to Amer-
ica's boyhood.
The budget for this work it was agreed
because it dealt with the work in the
field should be raised by the field itself
and a system of assigning equitable quo-
tas to each organized council was adopted.
The action of these laymen was thrilling
and daring, yet wise and sane. With such
leadership the Boy Scout movement in
America is in good hands and its future
progress is assured.
By S. S. Baker, Pittsburg Delegation
CONVENTIONS meet and conven-
tions adjourn; some of them might
profitably reverse the order and omit the
first action.
The tenth annual meeting of the
National Council of the Boy Scouts of
America met, and by formal motion, ad-
journed; but in reality the pervasive in-
fluence and spirit of that convention did
not and can not adjourn.
Inspiration a-plenty was fully in evi-
dence. Inspiration two-fold in its reac-
tions upon laymen, also upon executive
and administrative leaders. One was im-
pelled to notice the pulse quicken as prob-
lems unfolded their content and promise
for the immediate and future progress
of Scouting in the lives of boys and men.
Now and then there would beat in upon
our consciousness the fact that a nation
was speaking by delegation in a plea for
manliness, righteousness and Godliness,
and just back of this consciousness was
an appreciation of need.
We were impressed and delighted by
the excellence of our chosen leaders and
executives; perhaps they were impressed
by our eagerness and earnestness.
Archimedes is said to have shouted
"Eureka" when he proved the formula
for evaluating the gold in the king s
crown. M!ay not scouts, scout-masters,
and scout executives sing and shout
"Eureka" as they extend the content of
the Hand-book, Oath, and Laws, and
move forward with zeal and spirit that
shall permeate all educational organiza-
tions and activities for boys and young
men? - 1. j ,
The National Council was not blinded
by self-appraisement; it was curious to
know, quick to appreciate, and glad to
evaluate. It phrased convictions in mo-
tions and resolutions that will not only
stimulate but fortify_ officials and others
within the organization, as well as the
hosts waiting in the twilight zones of un-
certainty. . .
There was a clear appreciation of cer-
tain dangers that may obtain in scout-
ing, and barriers were strengthened.
School-mastering, molly-coddling, over-
professionalism, undue haste, and lack
of essential standards and measurements,
were points in constructive criticism that
were revealed in true colors.
Indeed, it was good to be there. It
was inspiring to see interest remain in
full strength until the invocation.
Mr. Livingstone, Uncle Dan, Mr. Schiff,
Mr. West, and many others, gave beauti-
ful evidence of the faith and hope that
is theirs and ours.
And then the banquet! _ Mr. Hoover,
Mr. McAdoo, Jimmie Wilder, and the
Scouts! O pshaw! what's the use of
trying to tell it in a few words?
God bless the boys, God bless "Old
Glory," and most of all, God help us to
be physically strong, mentally awake, and
morally straight.
By Nat F. Dortch, Louisville Delegation
THE most remarkable impression made
upon me in attending the National
Council Meeting was the feeling shown
in relation to helping serve and inspiring
the field work. It has never been my
pleasure to attend a meeting before, but
the fine spirit manifested in behalf oi
the Boy Scout movement was very no-
ticeable and especially so, that pertaining
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 8, Number 9, April 22, 1920, periodical, April 22, 1920; New York, New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth283168/m1/6/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.