SCOUT EXECUTIVE'S MINUTE

Dear Fellow Scouters:

The other day I was thinking about various codes of conduct that have influenced my life one way or another over the decades: The Ten Commandments, The Apostles Creed, The Constitution, The Bill of Rights, The Pledge of Allegiance, The Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church, The Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America, The Scout Executive’s Code, The Local Council By Laws, The Scout Oath and Law, The Order of the Arrow Obligation, The Ritual of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, The Code of Ethics for the Association of Fundraising Professionals and CFRE International, and The Local Council Accounting Manual (yes, as boring as it is --- it really is at its most basic element, a code of conduct).

Whether it has been a spiritual faith code of conduct or a governmental code or a procedural manual or a private group's code ---- the sum of the action of all of these codes of conduct work together to define me.Much like Batman says in the movie "Batman Begins", "It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me."The sum of these codes of conduct govern what I do and how I do it, where I am encouraged as well as where I am limited to take action.

Regardless of age, color, creed, sex or national origin, I have found that the Scout Law is the simplest and yet a most far reaching code of conduct.It has only twelve basic things to remember.It has a certain easy flow to it as well as a rhythm that seems to "cover all of the bases."It's definite and easy to interpret.It prepares the young mind to learn and follow it while at the same time being designed to accept even more complex codes of conduct that will be followed into adulthood and full maturity.Yet it is still there to be followed even as an adult.

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.Wouldn't the world be a better place if more people lived by the Scout Law on a daily basis?Just like Batman, does what you do, based upon the Scout Law, define you?

Best regards,
Stephen J. Taylor, CFRE
Scout Executive
staylor@bsamail.org