2019 Madison Scouts!

[mjoakes]

5 hours ago, Deb's Diner said:

The Scouts have leased a food truck the past 5-6 years.  The truck I used was in need of repairs that could have cost thousands of dollars as some were structural.   The Scouts sold/donated this truck to Pioneer.  I cannot imagine the logistics of arranging catered meals for one week.  As I posted earlier, we all bite our nails the final weeks wondering if the Scouts will make semi's or finals.  The East coast swing is where the members seem to run out of gas. Without a truck the members will most likely have cold breakfasts; sandwiches/subs for lunch and hopefully substantial meal for dinner. Let's hope whomever is ordering remembers vegetarians and allergies.   Snack, the MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY, has been virtually non existent.  The members will go to bed hungry. Last week of tour:  most members are out of cash so they won't be able to  buy food.  This is the week they need full meals and lots and lots of hydration.  Perfect storm brewing.  

Can anyone confirm these details? And why the italics - does that mean there is some original source beyond the OP?

[Deb's Diner]

Sorry about the italics; I am new to posting.  Being my SO has driven for the Scouts (most years the cook truck) I know for a fact they have leased the cook truck the past 5-6 years.  And, he went to Milwaukee to show Roman (Pioneer) how to operate the systems on the truck in service when I was head cook (2003-2008) after this truck was sold/donated to Pioneer.  The cook truck used for the 2019 tour came from a different company as the truck they had been leasing was at a FEMA site.  Regarding the caps for Snack - this is to emphasize my and other current head cooks opinions.  Snack needs to be a meal.  Lots and lots of fluid needs to be offered at snack.  This meal replaces the calories burned performing the show and/or after a final rehearsal block.  Walk the lot after a show and check the menu boards!  Most top placing corps offer snack in the lot Saturday after Finals and they all have a menu that is repeated year after year.  

A dear friend sent a great T-shirt to me from finals last year:  Stay Calm and Feed the Kids. #drumcorpscooktruck. Feeding the kids (although I have not been on the road since 2011) was and continues to be my passion.

 

[FlamMan]

On 8/3/2019 at 6:29 AM, Deb's Diner said:

 

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 6^th to 17^th and bouncing from 17^th to 12^th 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 17^th (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.   

Great post Deb and 200% spot on correct.

[FlamMan]

On 8/3/2019 at 7:42 AM, Jeff Ream said:

I saw the corps posted today they had to turn their leased food truck in....a week before finals. and help fund catered meals.

 

how in the hell do you not have a lease cover the entire season?

Answer? CK's awful leadership.

Edited August 5, 2019 by FlamMan

[Gantang]

After losing to Troopers last night, it's a good thing BDB and Vanguard Cadets aren't going to Indy or Madison may have finished outside the top 20 on Friday. 

It's time for the blindly loyal fans on Madison's FB Page to get woke. 

In all seriousness, should Madison consider dropping to Open Class and having a limited tour? They have no food truck and are begging for donations to pay for catered food. They are performing their brand of drum corps which doesn't fit with the current top point earning designs. They struggle to fill the corps with bodies, and the talent level of 16-19 year-old kids just can't compete with 20 and 21 year-olds. I think they are working too hard trying to do what they are getting worse at competing in World Class.

They would be top 5 in Open Class, save money, develop leadership and instructors, and have a fan base that will appreciate them winning shows and entertaining crowds.

Edited August 5, 2019 by Gantang

[HockeyDad]

14 minutes ago, Gantang said:

After losing to Troopers last night, it's a good thing BDB and Vanguard Cadets aren't going to Indy or Madison may have finished outside the top 20 on Friday. 

It's time for the blindly loyal fans on Madison's FB Page to get woke. 

In all seriousness, should Madison consider dropping to Open Class and having a limited tour? They have no food truck and are begging for donations to pay for catered food. They are performing their brand of drum corps which doesn't fit with the current top point earning designs. They struggle to fill the corps with bodies, and the talent level of 16-19 year-old kids just can't compete with 20 and 21 year-olds. I think they are working too hard trying to do what they are getting worse at competing in World Class.

They would be top 5 in Open Class, save money, develop leadership and instructors, and have a fan base that will appreciate them winning shows and entertaining crowds.

But they’re allowing females. Repeat the mantra:  this will fix everything. Nothing to see here. Move along. 

[lowend]

31 minutes ago, Gantang said:

They are performing their brand of drum corps which doesn't fit with the current top point earning designs. They struggle to fill the corps with bodies, and the talent level of 16-19 year-old kids just can't compete with 20 and 21 year-olds. I think they are working too hard trying to do what they are getting worse at competing in World Class.

They would be top 5 in Open Class, save money, develop leadership and instructors, and have a fan base that will appreciate them winning shows and entertaining crowds.

Sounds a lot like.....Pioneer.  Drum corps is not a static activity.  Every so many years a specific corps and show design shifts the paradigm.  I believe what we are seeing now is a direct result of Bluecoats' Tilt and Downside Up shows.  You can either keep doing what you are doing or you can keep up with the Joneses in an effort to stay relevant.  In modern DCI show design is 1A and talent is 1B.  You can't have one without the other.

[OldSnareDrummer]

1 hour ago, Gantang said:

After losing to Troopers last night, it's a good thing BDB and Vanguard Cadets aren't going to Indy or Madison may have finished outside the top 20 on Friday. 

It's time for the blindly loyal fans on Madison's FB Page to get woke. 

In all seriousness, should Madison consider dropping to Open Class and having a limited tour? They have no food truck and are begging for donations to pay for catered food. They are performing their brand of drum corps which doesn't fit with the current top point earning designs. They struggle to fill the corps with bodies, and the talent level of 16-19 year-old kids just can't compete with 20 and 21 year-olds. I think they are working too hard trying to do what they are getting worse at competing in World Class.

They would be top 5 in Open Class, save money, develop leadership and instructors, and have a fan base that will appreciate them winning shows and entertaining crowds.

I don't have the great and final answer to Madison's situation, but that would be an incredibly sad thing to happen, even if it were for the best. 

[Jeff Ream]

1 hour ago, Gantang said:

After losing to Troopers last night, it's a good thing BDB and Vanguard Cadets aren't going to Indy or Madison may have finished outside the top 20 on Friday. 

It's time for the blindly loyal fans on Madison's FB Page to get woke. 

In all seriousness, should Madison consider dropping to Open Class and having a limited tour? They have no food truck and are begging for donations to pay for catered food. They are performing their brand of drum corps which doesn't fit with the current top point earning designs. They struggle to fill the corps with bodies, and the talent level of 16-19 year-old kids just can't compete with 20 and 21 year-olds. I think they are working too hard trying to do what they are getting worse at competing in World Class.

They would be top 5 in Open Class, save money, develop leadership and instructors, and have a fan base that will appreciate them winning shows and entertaining crowds.

my God no. their finances can't take that hit

[cixelsyd]

2 hours ago, Gantang said:

After losing to Troopers last night, it's a good thing BDB and Vanguard Cadets aren't going to Indy or Madison may have finished outside the top 20 on Friday. 

It's time for the blindly loyal fans on Madison's FB Page to get woke. 

In all seriousness, should Madison consider dropping to Open Class and having a limited tour? They have no food truck and are begging for donations to pay for catered food. They are performing their brand of drum corps which doesn't fit with the current top point earning designs. They struggle to fill the corps with bodies, and the talent level of 16-19 year-old kids just can't compete with 20 and 21 year-olds. I think they are working too hard trying to do what they are getting worse at competing in World Class.

They would be top 5 in Open Class, save money, develop leadership and instructors, and have a fan base that will appreciate them winning shows and entertaining crowds.

OMG, not another "Madison lost to _____ last night" post.

If you people are so deeply concerned about Madison Scouts leadership, you should look into what it takes to get onto their board of directors.  If enough of those complaining here are as knowledgeable as they think they are, and actually got involved, they could affect the changes they seek.