SCOUTMASTER’S MINUTE
Gary M. Louie, Scoutmaster, Troop 176
Winter COH
“Diversity Potluck”
Thank you for joining us for our second “diversity potluck” Court of Honor!
When we had our last “diversity potluck” earlier this past March, I spoke of how fortunate we were to have all the cultural and ethnic diversity that we have in our troop! Many of you younger scouts may not realize it, but rich diversity that we have here in the
But, there are other types of diversity in our troop that add to our experience. We have many different adults and scouts with different ideas, experiences, personalities, skills, and temperaments. Some of us are louder, some are more quiet. Some are tall, some are shorter. Some people have strengths in certain areas, others have strengths in others. Some are natural leaders, some are folllowers. Some like to carefully organize and plan, others are more spontaneous and adventuresome! Some think in black and white terms, others see the grey areas in life’s experiences. Some are more rigid, and others are more flexible. Some like to take charge, and others like to support in the background. Some want to move quickly, and others like to savor each step. Some are more serious, and some just like to have fun!
Some see the glass as half empty, some see it as half full.
Some like knots and lashings, others like first aid!
Some like peach cobbler, and…others like cherry!
You see, when it comes to groups of people, there is no right or wrong type of person. If everyone thought the same, acted the same, and did the same thing, we would have a pretty boring troop! In fact, we would not be as complete and whole as we could be.
In a way, our troop is like a body. We have eyes, feet, hands, arms, legs, and so on. The eye can’t say to the toe, “I don’t need you”. And the leg can’t say to the neck, “I don’t need you either!” When one part is hurt or missing, all of the other parts have to pitch in and assist the rest of the body – just like limping. When your big toe has a giant blister on it, the whole body has to adjust when you walk! We all have to work together to make the body work properly!
Individually, we are incomplete. Together, we are a body, a “Troop” if you will. The diversity and differences we experience here in the troop are helping prepare us for life. The ability to appreciate these differences and see them as benefits that help us as a whole is a key factor in who we are as a troop.
What is important is that we all work together for the same goals and purposes –
Living out the Scout Oath and Law in everyday life.
Teaching our scouts to make moral and ethical choices.
Helping them to become better citizens.
Those are the muscles and skin that hold us all together!
Thank you all for being who you are, and for helping make our troop what it is today!