I submitted the following resolution regarding Supply Division actions and certain long-time supporters of Scouting – American labor organizations. Increasingly Supply Division is sourcing from overseas. It would be a tragedy for a Scouting emblem that represents American labor to have a ‘Made in Taiwan’ sticker on the back.

I have since had some contact with our Central Region Executive Brad Farmer and he has made contacts with Supply Division. I have since rescinded my resolution as it appears that it will not be necessary but, just in case, I am posting the contents here as well. Time will tell. Clearly I have tried to let BSA leadership know that their staff could do something really stupid.

Here was my resolution:

RESOLUTION for consideration at the 2007 BSA National Meeting

Whereas American labor organizations and their members are long time supporters of the Scouting movement through their giving of their time, treasure and talent; and,

Whereas BSA Supply Division increasingly is sourcing from overseas manufacturers; and,

Whereas it would be a potential public relations disaster if American labor related items in Scouting were produced overseas;

Now therefore be it resolved that the Boy Scouts of America acquire labor related and national identification insignia and awards such as the American Labor merit badge, George Meany Award, Whitney Young Award, US Flag badges and other such items, from USA headquartered companies using USA employees.

Respectifully submitted by
Roy A. More
Past President Great Sauk Trail Council #255

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Got a call last night that the new Chief Scout Executtive, CSE, will be Bob Mazzuca, Asst. Chief Scout Executive. Very interesting choice in my opinion. It speaks strongly to me about the direction the National Board wants for Scouting. And I think its good! A-listers that I know that know the candidates all spoke highly of Bob. He came through this area when we hosted a very successful National Endowment Art Tour for us and area councils. Bob also has a trail of strong performances at the councils he’s lead (that have continued to perform after he’s left – a real sign of leadership). Bob’s the oldest of the finalists and will be interesting to see what he does during his tenure (I have my hunches and I think there will be some of the network that are in for an awakening.)

Also, there are four new members to the National Order of the Arrow Committee that will be announced next week. Included in this group is the first female member to the National OA Committee. Also very interesting and probably right. One of Boy Scouting’s strengths is its inclusiveness. The more bright people we can include in helping Scouting address the needs of the youth of this nation will serve our country well.

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In my web-searching, I came across this article from Scouting magazine that the BSA has posted to the web. This is a great idea! Collectors in councils should be promoting these types of displays or having similar displays at Scout-o-ramas, summer camps, camporees, etc..

Here’s the link: Preserving the past, Enriching the Future

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I find it interesting, and often humorous, to hear the ‘back story’ on certain patches. A great patch recently surfaced on eBay – the first chenille from Eriez lodge 46 out of Erie, Pennsylvania.

First off, this is an incredibly rare patch. The C1 has an orange log. The C2 has a brown log. Up to this point, we have only ever had one C1 to broker. Major collections that we have handled like the Myers Collection, Leubitz Collection, Lee Collection, Basar Collection, etc.. did not have one. We have had a couple of C2s which is no slouch of a patch but the C1 is magnitudes harder. There are likely less than six of these that have survived. I don’t know if anyone knows how many were made but with chenilles you could order as few as one (1).

Well, on with the story. This patch surfaces on eBay on a uniform. See below:

The patch auctions off. Went for the low range of what we would value this item ($2,725). It is more likely, in our opinion, in the $5,000 and up range if properly marketed.

It is nice to see this patch with the dated camp patch that helps date when this was issued, circa 1943. We are losing this history and provenance so it is nice when we come across it.

Now, as Paul Harvey would say “the rest of the story.” From a conversation today with a friend of the person who won this patch, both good cutsomers of ours, we find out that the person selling this patch was a District Executive in this council and earned this patch. The interesting part is that this gentleman had offered it to members of current lodge 46 Langundowi for $500. And no one wanted it! They didn’t care about Eriez. They only cared about Langundowi. There is hardly anything from Langundowi worth $500 let alone the value of the early Eriez pieces. Even if they didn’t want to keep it, they could have bought it and made between $2,000 and $4,000 bringing it to a national collector. It is to laugh, if not cry, about the lack of knowledge of many local collectors. It also shows the lack of knowledge of the truly vintage OA items out there. It also shows that it is often not the best to sell back to a local collector as they don’t know the value those of us who serve the national collectorate. And thus, the rest of the story.

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