Knot Again

  There are several posts and threads on many different forums on the Internet about Knots.  I most recently wrote one in July of 2012.  That post and ones linked to it talked about how the Boy Scouts of America have discontinued and replaced a lot of the Cubscout Program based Knots.

Many of us do things within Scouting for the Youth and do not expect to be rewarded publicly for our service.  Some of us are grateful for knots and wearing them in pride.

I am proud to wear the knots that I have.  They are the Tiger Den Leader Knot, The Cubmaster Knot and the Unit Leader of Merit Knot.  I did buy the James E. West Knot.  At this last Roundtable I got the Cubscouter Award Knot.  Each Knot holds something for me.

The Tiger Den Leader Knot reminds me that I made it through the Tiger year.  It’s a baptism of fire for me.  I really did not have a clue as to what I was doing, but made it through and provided the boys a lot of fun.

The Cubmaster Knot is one that made me aware of my responsibility to the Pack.  The Cubmaster is in charge of the Program and direction of the Pack.  It is its own Wood Badge ticket in of itself.  Through that Knot, the Pack now has a successful Summertime Pack Program and has accomplished two Quality Unit Awards and two Gold Journey to Excellence Awards.

The James E West Knot means that I have helped future Scouts that outside of my view to enjoy Scouting.
The Cubscouter Knot is the Cubmaster Knot extended.  I kept doing what I was supposed to do.  It kept me on task within the Pack.
The Unit Leader of Merit.  This means a lot to me.  It means that the Committee and Leaders thought I was doing my job.  This knot is the culmination of all the others.

I have learned a lot about Cubscouts and Scouting during my five years within the Program.  These Knots help tell the story of my journey within Scouting and how the Scouts in the Pack had fun.

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The Knot #100daysofscouting

Tonight, I got my Cubmaster Knot.  One great thing is that my one Tiger Den Leader and Webelos I Den Leader were there to see me get it. It however, was quickly taken away by my lovely Unit Commissioner.  She stated that at the next Pack meeting, she will present it.  uh uh uh…I want my knot!  No problem, I said.  That would be great.  I already bought another knot to use.  See, I have my Tiger Den Leader Knot still on the certificate as well.  Be Prepard!

So, I will have that knot on my uniform for Wood Badge starting on the 29th.

I understand that some people do not want Knots because it’s the way they are.  They do not work for Knots, they just do what they do.  I do not to it for the Knots.  But, if I do what the knots require, it will help make sure that the boys are having fun.  This knot made me start the Summer Time Activity Award.  It made me do Quality Unit Award.  It’s just like working towards the Rank for each of the boys.  They have to go out and do it for themselves.  From Tenderfoot to First Class.  It’s there. They need to figure out what is required and work to make it happen.  I did.  I am proud of the knot.

It’s now onto the next knot.  The Cubscouter.  Already told me DE that I have the International Scouters Award in mind too.

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What not to do about Knots

I learned something this past week about Den Leader Knots and made friends with a Scouter on the opposite coast as I.  I first wrote about Den Leader Knots in this post.

(These are not my knots. I googled and found them.)

I am on Linkedin and a member of several Boy Scout Discussion group.  The week of Thanksgiving I spent time making my points know in these forums and also on PTCMEDIA.net.   I had an idea of how Den Leader Knots worked.  You follow the requirements and submit the paperwork.  My education via this forum, PTCMEDIA and my twitter account was incredible.

Two administrative items that I learned are: Assistant Den Leaders cannot earn the Den Leader Knot, Tiger Den Leader or Webelos Den Leader Knots.  The person needs to be the DEN LEADER and also registered AS the Den Leader on the charter.  One way around this that I learned not via Linkedin is register them as a Den Leader on the Charter.  One person on PTCMEDIA asked why do people have Assistants, they should be fully involed within the Den.  I agreed.  I describe the people who are Leaders in our Unit as co-Den Leaders and not assistant.

But it did not stop there.  From the forum posts, I found a Scouter who helped me understand how Knots are earned and the spirit that they are earned in.  Just like Scouts earning their advancement in rank and other awards, Scouters need to do the same.  There is not an overlap or two-fer for them.  Meaning, one event cannot count as two.  Also, to avoid confusion, records should be kept and questions asked by those who would authorize/sign-off on the Award.  This was learned when I asked about the International Scouter Award.  This award is something that I have decided to work towards.  It will take atleast six or so years to complete due to all the requirements.  Which, once earned will only allow people to ask how I got it .  That will allow me to help others understand another side of Scouting and what fun can be had.

The main thing about Knots, is they are to be earned correctly. They are not to be given out as awards or as service.  I know some units/people do this since most knots can be bought through the Scout Shop without paperwork.  That action does a disservice to both the person and the knot.  A Scout is Honest.

Also, learning about Knots, I was able to make another connection through Scouting that has enabled me to understand more about how Scouting should work.  This is in the spirit of the Cubscout Promise and Law of the Pack.

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Unit Leader’s Knots

Why are Leader Knots cool? Why do we want them? From a 2009 blog post of the Trainer’s Corner, I found a good answer.

I believe that just as the boys (cub/scouts/venture/sea scouts) all have goals for their next rank, we as Scouters should as well. Granted there are Scouters that are really just volunteer Parents who do this to make sure their kids have a good experince.  Also to tag along with them.  These people do not want recognition themselves.  Having their kids get recognized is reward enough. There are also Scouters who look at these knots as silly just to have them up on their chest showing off their accomplishments. They again are just there to make sure the boys are progressing through their ranks and having a good time.

All reasons are good reasons. I am not going to knock them for their views.  However, according to Trainer’s Corner blog, it is a good system to keep the Scouters in line with BSA Guidelines and Rules.  It is also a great way to recognize each Leader’s dedication and service to the unit and the boys.  When the boys and parents see what recognition the Scouters have gotten, it will motivate others to do the same.

(Units should routinely recognize Scouters, Scout Parents, Parents and others who do something.  It will keep them and others coming back to help. I did this at our end of the year Pack meeting.  I gave out the Unit Scouter of the Year award from the District and Certificates of Appreciation to all Scouters including our wonderful Unit Commissioner!)

So, why do I want Unit Leader Knots?  I am not being selfish, nor am I just here for the knots.   I use the knots as personal goals within Scouting.  I already know that I will be going to atlest four roundtables and a Pow-wow each year.  I already know that I will be trained for my position and Youth Protection (even now it’s a rule from National).

However, here is one instance that led me to re-start two programs due to a Unit Leader Knot.  Summertime Pack Award & Quality Unit Award.  While the latter is much more a paperwork and Unit Goal award that is shared, the Summertime Pack is one that will help on many levels.   It stems from the Cubmaster Knot.  In order to attain it, both of these awards must be accomplished.  It is the Summertime Pack that really is important.

Everyone should do the Summertime Pack Award reguardless of getting a knot.  Its another patch, pin and helps out with the boys earning more awards.  That’s why we are all here…providing fun!

My goals within the Cubscout program is to earn the religious adult knot, Cubmaster & Cubscouter.  I had thought about the Unit Leader of Merit, as this is the first year Cubmaster’s can get it, but it is attainable in Boyscouts.  I crossover with my son in 2013, so I have time to figure that out.  My original idea was to earn the Tiger Den Leader (as I have) the Den Leader and Webelos.  This changed when I took over the Cubmaster.  I had thought that it would be Cubmaster/Webelos.  However over the course of this year I realized that staying at Cubmaster would highly benefit not only boys but also the Pack, Parents and Program.

I actually went to my son and explained why I wanted to be the Cubmaster and got his permission.  He agreed when I explained that I would still be at all of his Den Meetings, Outings and Camps.  That was important to him.   At the end of this year, the Bear Den Leader confirmed the enlistment of a Bear parent to be the Assistant Bear Den Leader.  This agreement also said that they would swap roles when going into Webelos I the year after this one.

I know that they are not doing this for Knots.  They are doing it for their sons and also the boys in the Den.  We have known these boys since Tigers, and I hope they continue to Boyscouts.

For more information about the knots you can get:here.
For tracking software for your leaders:

 

 

 

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