ThunderingWind wrote:I was trained that if a parent was registered in Scouting and did the Adult Mentor book along with their son or Venture daughter, they could earn the Adult Religous knot. Of course the Counselor would have to sign off just like for the youth.
Please help clarify this issue and provide some "chapter and verse" of BSA policy so we can all be on the same page.
What was the name of this training, and who performed it?
A big part of your problem seems to be a confusion over what BSA has control over. The ONLY thing related to Religious Awards that BSA has ANY say so in is what is worn on their uniform.
The silver knot on purple is able to be worn by any youth or adult who has earned a religious emblem as a youth. The purple knot on silver is able to be worn by any adult who has earned a religious emblem as an adult. These are the ONLY
BSA requirements for wearing the knots. Neither the BSA, or you, as an employee of BSA, can stipulate WHEN the religious emblems themselves have been earned, or what must be done to earn them. That is the absolute prerogative of the religious organization whose religious emblem program it is. They also do their OWN training for their own emblem programs.
The different religious organizations each have different requirements for their adults to earn their religious emblem. Many have a number of different awards that adults can earn, but only ONE that qualifies an adult to wear the adult religious emblem square knot. Most of those are not "earned" through completing a series of requirements, or mentoring one child. They are "awarded" based on meeting criteria set by the religious institution, being nominated, and then picked for the award by a committee from the religious institution.
For instance, the nominee for the Catholic St George emblem must have made significant and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youths through Scouting. Some of the things to look for in anyone considered for nomination are -
- Promoting the religious emblems programs for Catholic youths or serving as a counselor, moderator or coordinator. Encouraging non-Catholic youths to participate in the religious emblems programs of their own faiths.
- Giving notable service in promoting Catholic activities and service projects for the church and being willing to serve on committees for those purposes.
- Actively participating in and promoting Scout retreats and days of recollection.
- Giving notable service in organizing and maintaining Catholic-chartered Scouting units including multiple units where needed.
- Giving notable service in bringing the Catholic program to those youths not in Catholic-chartered Scouting units.
- Using fully one's general Scouter training as well as "Scouter Development" to provide an outstanding Catholic Scouting program for youths.
- Arranging opportunities for Mass and other Catholic worship services at camporees and summer camps. These must be consistent with the documents of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. Providing also for the spiritual needs of non-Catholic Scouts.
- Encouraging appropriate ecumenism and Catholic leadership within the various Catholic-chartered Scouting units.
- Using the Catholic press and other communications media to create a better understanding of the aims and ideals of Scouting as an apostolate to youths.
- Educating clergy and laity about Scouting as a youth apostolate in the Catholic Church.
- Giving leadership in promoting Scouting for all youths regardless of race or creed. Helping organize Scouting units for minority and disadvantaged youths.
This is a bit more involved than just completing an Adult Mentor book while helping your son or daughter earn a religious emblem.
