As many of you know I'm pretty active in the scouting program for Gonzales and even for our district (south of Austin, Tx). One of the things I try to stress time and time again to our boys is that scouting is not about the Monday meetings and going camping once a month, it's about a way we live.
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
This week I've been left out to dry at a last minutes notice 3 times (no, not all by scouts, but at least once). At the last minute I get a call (or in one case I called to remind them) saying that they wouldn't be able to perform what they had told me they would.
In one case it absolutely killed an entire 1/2 day of my vacation trying to fix a problem that shouldn't have been a problem in the first place. The person knew weeks ago they couldn't do what they told us they would, and then backed out.
In a second (the one I called to remind), they knew at least a week before that they wouldn't be able to make it, how to I know, because they told someone else they were going to this other event...but forgot to tell me.
So now I go back up to my list of 12 things. Now I cherish these 12 things. I think they are pretty Biblical in their ideology, and can't imagine why anyone wouldn't want to live up to those standards (regardless of your religious preference). They are the Golden Rule broken down 12 different ways. They are the 10 commandments simplified. They are...you understand where I'm going with this right?
So how trustworthy is someone when they dump something on you they said they would do? I understand things come up, but isn't it then your place to come up with an alternative? Isn't being trustworthy saying I'm still responsible so I'll take care of it?
And don't even get me going on courteous! Courteous is finding out you double booked and calling immediately. Courteous is making sure things are going to happen regardless of your absence, because obviously someone was counting on you.
*exhaling*
I'm pretty certain Baden Powell didn't put those two words in there for only those reasons, but I can imagine as an officer and a gentleman he knew all about being trustworthy and courteous.
In every instance the 'panic mode' and 'scramble' could of been avoided if they individuals involved had just said something when they found out. I understand there are last minute emergencies. But I don't live moment by moment. Hell I schedule things out a year plus in advance. Between all my family, all my activities, and all my work I have to.
So next time you've told someone you're going to do something, and you can because of xy or z, let the the right people know as soon as possible so they aren't scrambling. Do your best to find a substitute or solution that would fill the void you've left behind. If you don't have the answers how about some suggestions?
There's a saying that says, "Unpreparedness on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part". Unfortunately it doesn't always work out that way, and somehow I seem to be the one that has to pick up the pieces and make it work. Trust me I put myself in that situation enough without anyone else helping me.
God Bless,
Dennis
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