I have been a Madison Scout fan since my teenage years. I was a volunteer from 2003-2009 running the food program. I am the Mother of a Madison Scout. I live with a Madison Scout who marched from 1969-1976. My SO has volunteered multiple seasons as a semi driver.
Many posts talk about the Scout’s placement success until 2007. For the past 12 years we have witnessed the Scout’s sliding from 6th to 17th and bouncing from 17th to 12th and back. Since 2007 we bite our nails as the season winds down wondering “will the Scouts make Semi-finals and/or finals.”
In 1975, the first Championship year, Bill Howard walked into a staff meeting and delivered a simple message: “I want an undefeated season.“ The staff delivered. Beyond this championship, the Scouts were known for “blow your face off” entertaining shows. The Scouts would rather produce an entertaining show than a show for high placement. Is there anything wrong with producing both: entertainment and placement? One year while I was on the cook truck a staff member commented that he talked about setting a goal to win and he was told that was not the Scout way. Fine, but is the Scout way to be in 17th (or lower) place?
The corps has also moved from respected and revered TRADITIONS. When is the last year we witnessed a company front breaking into a fleur dis leis? Handing out members jackets was a revered ceremony. Veterans and staff talked to the members about the meaning of the jacket, the rules of the jacket, the importance of the jacket, the pride in wearing a MS jacket. When ndkbass received his jacket in 2007, a BOD member brought the box to the housing site, put the box on the gym floor and the kids dug threw for their jackets. The nail program was started by staff who were Alum as a program to link MM with alum. During one of my SCV years, I talked with the staff member who started the nail program and learned the program has been converted to a fundraiser. The MM were so proud of their nails and the connection to an alum. One MM REFUSED to remove his nail when he entered the Marines. He came up with a good story and was allowed to wear his nail. His story: This nail represents my religion and it’s the Madison Scouts!
The leadership of the MM needs to be returned to the MM. Strong leaders from previous years need to return to guide the new MM on how to be a Scout (not a strong man but a strong Scout.) MM need to understand the history and legacy they are participating in and carrying forward. SCOUTS ARE IN THE HOUSE!
This corps has 81 years of TRADITION and HISTORY. If you truly love this corps and want to see it rise like a Phoenix, then get involved. Do something, anything. Sign up to volunteer. Volunteers are the life blood of tour; camps and Spring training. Go to a BOD meeting and/or Annual meeting and voice your opinion. Cast your vote.
Airing concerns and griping on DCP will not affect the needed change: DP and CK and the BOD must be replaced, soon. If not, they need to take a group photo for the final chapter of the Scouts history book: these are the folks responsible for the demise of the Madison Scouts.
Regarding "Carmen" not being a full member and receiving a jacket: when Michael introduced "Carmen" to the members they were told she was a guest performer, and not a full member, therefore she would not receive a jacket.