Well, tonight was the last meeting of what was known as Gardendale Pack 714.
For those that don't know, I'm the assistant cubmaster for this scout pack, which is now transitioning into Gardendale Pack 100.
Long story short, the church we were meeting at wasn't overly happy with the way that we were growing, and wanted us to go in a different direction, 'under the guidance of the church', which was directed by one person, even though he didn't have this authority. Unfortunately, he was attempting to usurp power and authority that he did not, not was not allowed to have, and he coerced the pastor in to seeing his way over ours and policy. Basically political drama.
So we chose to start a new pack, troop, and crew. UNFORTUNATELY, this means a chance of splitting friends, and this isn't so great. We don't want to force anyone to come with us as we feel everyone is free to make their own decisions. Some of the scouts in our pack were members of this church, and we would not want to dampen their relationship with the church.
One of our leaders, who is a very good person, a great leader, and a heck of a guy with an awesome family came to Frank and myself this evening before the meeting and told us that he and his family have chosen to stay with the church instead of going with us to the new church and pack 100. I felt sad that he made this decision, but he said they prayed about it and they feel in their hearts that this is best for them. I fully understand and would not deny them the chance, but it makes me sad that we're losing a good family with great values. We did everything we could to let them know we support their decision and they're always welcome to come with us should they feel the need to change.
This is a hard part. Venturing in to new things, traveling new areas. Jumping off the platform without a net. But that's part of life's adventures I guess. I personally hope that Pack 714 lives on, and grows, and becomes as successful as it was with us. I wished there were more we could do for Pack 714, unfortunately I really don't think at this point we'll be allowed to. Once that door closed tonight, it was locked to us that are leaving.
I hate to see splits and separations like this; it's always hard. And it's hard for the kids who already have so much they have to face in their every day lives. What does this teach? When it gets tough, the grown ups run away? When you can't get along with someone, just leave? Where's the values, the morals? How do you explain this to an 8 year old or a 9 year old that doesn't understand politics and power?
I hope that the children will understand as they grow, that we as parents, leaders, guidance of our future in our children, have done what we felt was best for them in helping them to grow and mature. I hope that they'll see we're trying to take them from people that want to hold them down through us or through disagreements with one or two people but it's held against the whole group.
Anyway, I guess that's enough of my rambling on this. I hope that 2 packs can coexist and that we can make both packs flourish; but I don't see our new pack going anywhere for a long time, and I hope that those who stay know that the door is always open for them, and noone will stop them or make them feel guilty for not going.
Long Live Pack 714
