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The following 2016 thesis submittal is really interesting. Interesting comments based on (starting page 28) Theissen polygon analysis of scouting membership data. Interesting figures start on page 28+. https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/bitstream/handle/1808/24173/Hubbard_ku_0099M_15024_DATA_1.pdf?sequence=1 Obviously a pro-scouter. One sentence near the end is interesting and timely. "Scouting is not for everybody but for those who are active, the chief lessons are not discrimination, blind patriotism, or xenophobia; takeaways are self-reliance, critical thinking, the value of co

So, just had a surreal experience and I really, really wish those people in this forum that insist BSA is full of "honorable" men and that the claimants are all frauds/the lawyers are vultures would have the same. Let me explain. This morning I checked the Omni Court Docket and saw that the clerk had put online 8 letters from sexual abuse victims that were mailed to Judge Silverstein. I won't link to them but I encourage all of your who are unquestionably defending BSA to read those 8 letters. They are from young(er) and older. They are from Eagle Scouts, OA, Cub Scouts.

There are a different ways of viewing honorability. If a captain goes down with his sinking ship, that is considered honorable behavior. If the ship is sinking though because he steered it straight into an iceberg, it might still be honorable for him to go down with it but he's also responsible for the disaster. That's kind of how I view the BSA Over the decades I think there's been a mix of institutionalized arrogance and incompetence which, while it might have been honorably intended, has resulted in BSA being inexplicably too blind or too slow or too in denial to see or react to certain dan

I have precisely 0 to do with any "money stream" so I don't know what you are talking about. And this entire mess wouldn't have happened but for 1) Sexual abusers who 2) Were given free access to scouts with 3) No oversight or supervision by BSA and 4) That BSA KNEW FOR YEARS it had a sexual abuse problem and did not much about. Oh, and if you want to point fingers, (effectively) NONE of this would resulted in BSA's bankruptcy but for 5) state legislatures reopening the statute of limitations of civil cases involving sexual abuse of minors. And I am not

Don't forget that PSZJ Law also has offices in NYC. This may be a sign, hopefully, that they are hashing out details for a settlement. BSA knows that they cannot exit bankruptcy successfully without TCC approval. TCC knows that BSA can burn up another hundred million + of cash on legal fees ... which will never go to the claimants. They also likely know National BSA's true financial situation ... more than any of us on this forum. They likely know that insurance companies, LCs and perhaps COs are the bigger targets. So, perhaps, the BSA and TCC and sit down and work out a d

The more I look at BSA financials and this case, I expect National doesn't have much money. Summit was a financial disaster. That has been documented in Scouter.com in multiple threads. I really expect if they sold Summit, it wouldn't not pay off the debt assigned to it. Who would spend hundreds of millions of dollars on a large campground in West Virginia? BSA had major payments due in 2020 and 2022 that they haven't made. We all question how they would ever make those payments. I expect JP Morgan adjusted the payment schedule as they know the property would likely only fetch 10s o

As one of the guilty, I love this line of friendly jesting and mockery. Regardless the historic basis and reasons, our use of language can be absurd in its lack of clarity and accessibility. I believe that was the initial poke, as well as an admission of a lack of patience and understanding of legal gibberish. It was a poke at us and himself. Jolly good humor, I say. While working in legal affairs for an entertainment company, I got in trouble for redrafting a series of agreements to make them understandable to the artists forced to sign them. It was one of my proudest moments as an attor

I still cannot get over this. I mean, all that the BSA has to do is turn over some financial statements regarding Summit to the court and TCC for review as to whether or not the JP Morgan note is legitimate or not. I remain convinced it is either a) fraudulent or b) legit but would show that Summit is such a massive sink hole of money that it would be a shocking embarrassment. And based on the latest news reports, it is likely BOTH. Boy Scouts Say Tort Claimants Can't Challenge $350M Note So, there's the fraud. Now, here's the embarrassing sink hole of money. Let that

Through Plant a Million Corals, Dr. David Vaughan has developed a way to place small-scale coral nurseries in neighboring Caribbean countries. Those nurseries – modeled after the one he helped establish at the Boy Scouts of America Florida National High Adventure Sea Base on Summerland Key – can eventually produce 10,000 corals a year through microfragmentation. ... Vaughan, who puts in some hands-on time at Sea Base, sees the legacy the Scout program can create. “Could you imagine talking to a Scout 25 years from now and saying, “We’re going to take you to the 2020 plantin

This is per California non-profit law and likely similar in other states. Are you a “member”? The term “member” is a term of art defined in California Nonprofit Corporation Law (the “Law”). Generally, a member under the Law (sometimes referred to as a “statutory member” or “voting member”) means any person who, under a provision of a corporation’s articles of incorporation (“articles”) or bylaws, has the right to vote on (1) the election of directors, (2) the dissolution of the corporation, (3) a merger, or (4) a disposition of all or substantially all of the corporate assets; or any pers

Assuming you're talking about the BSA (or any other corporation) as an "inanimate object," this is simply not true. It is a total misunderstanding of the nature of corporations. In fact, they are sometimes referred to as a "legal person." Corporations exist separate from their owners, but can do most all of the business, financial and property/asset transactions an individual person can. They can sue, be sued, invest, own property, hire, fire, borrow money, pay taxes, and, etc. They are very much alive and fully animate for all purposes relevant to this discussion. Specifically, they are 100%

I don't want to pile on or call (further) attention to myself and my story just for some additional acknowledgement or affirmation sake. For what it's worth, I will put a "face" on this and speak for others like me, as I try to do where appropriate. My experience tracks with all of those, except numbers 6 and 10. These are not isolated experiences nor are the letters from a select few who were most impacted or 8 handpicked and designated spokesmen. Caveat: I don't want to misspeak. Perhaps the TCC or some state attorney or consortium selected the men to write the letters. I should say, "

I pulled this conversation into another thread.

5/2/2021 "The talks to consolidate both councils began late last year after leaders decided the merge would make the councils more efficient and sustainable." No new name yet. https://www.kpvi.com/news/regional_news/greater-wyoming-council-merges-with-colorado-boy-scouts-council/article_059e28ba-6bf1-5bd7-a27a-f9ac600905d3.html

Right, this is NOT a forced Chapter 11 or forced Chapter 7. BSA came into this wanted to settle all abuse claims, but now REFUSES to turn over financial records to indicate what their REAL financial status is, and that of their single largest asset, Summit? "Trust us" doesn't work in a bankruptcy. "Trust us" doesn't work with 84,000 sexual abuse victims. There is no way any attorney worth a dime is going to tell their client to "trust" the people who presided over (or covered up, depending how you view it) the sexual abuse of 84,000 people. "Trust us"? No way.

I want to pull this out from that law firm letter for one reason. This is wild speculation, so big grain of salt here. Having the mediation in NY may mean nothing and could just be because it is a major hub and it is NY after all the center of the universe (they think). Whatever. But there is one aspect that occurred to me: New York wasn't just because of easy access to airports and Junior's Cheesecake. The lawyer(s) for the Ad Hoc Committee of Local Councils are based in NY. In terms of number of claims filed in November Greater NY Council was second only to Michigan Cro

I don't understand this whatsoever. Chapter 11 is voluntary, regardless the pressure of abuse cases that pushed the BSA to that decision. The BSA is requesting 84,000 CSA victim/survivor claimants to release them from future liability. This is not a hostile takeover or class action. They want a release? Produce the financial documents, especially if they really want to stop the fee bleed they repeatedly bemoan. This is nonsense. Want to demonstrate bad faith and a lack of commitment to "equitably compensate" BSA sexual abuse victims? Keep playing this game. Want to step up, be honorable and ne

That's cool. Probably a bit much for our 8-Cub pack, but probably a good one for older kids. Wonder if we could do the same thing with pine straw here in NC.

We spread it for $2/bag. It is a very popular fundraiser here in Texas for our troops, school bands, baseball teams..... Spreading is the high margin part and the big work part.

Thanks for sharing this study. For a hundred year old organization that has impacted millions of youth and adult, the Boy Scouts of America has had an amazing lack of serious, rigorous research. Instead we have relied upon anecdotal evidence to build our case that we are an effective program. It was announced in 2019 that Montclair University was launching an in-depth study (Building Evidence in Scouting Together) of the impact of Scouting which was funded by a multimillion grant through the Bechtel Foundation. I am not sure where that study currently stands.

Recently posted to a scouting FB group, a letter from a lawfirm representing some of the abuse victims. I was unaware of the mediation set for next week. To our clients: We apologize for the lack of a recent update. The judge recently delayed ruling on the Boy Scouts proposed plan and disclosure statement until May 19th. The Boy Scouts, in the meantime, filed two key documents. First, it filed a revised disclosure statement in which it provided additional details about a proposed

I'm going to put on my "Moderator" hat here for a second: Directly responding to another member is acceptable and a desirable part of this medium. I even understand that at times, emotions will peak and there might be a response that includes some sarcasm, snark, criticism or even anger; however, responses MUST move the conversation forward. If you find yourself writing a response that includes some of those "negative" feelings, I ask you to do two things. First, wait a few minutes after typing before you post, then re-read your writing and make sure it really reflects what you w

We learned the hard way that sometimes the best reaction to bad behavior is to quietly ask the scout to call their parents. They always made the call. Not as a punishment, but for a period of calm. Many times bad behavior (really bad decisions I guess) requires time for thought instead of instant reaction. Many of the scouts felt calling parents was a punishment. But, they also knew it was a last resort and they pushed too far. Once they were asked to make the call, there was no going back. And it wasn't just the adults, the senior scouts could make the decision. They rarely did without

Yes, you are right. When parents visited our troop, I told them that the troop (troops in general) is a safe place. Most misinterpret that to mean that scouts are safe from physical and mental harm, but I explain what it really means is scouts are safe from persecution for their bad decisions. The nature of learning and maturing from wrong decisions is making wrong decisions. The challenge for the adults is accepting wrong decisions as growth toward good character, not bad character in of itself. Most adults find that a hard challenge because our parenting nature is to coach change

No, not all is related to child safety. My teacher kids tell me many of the safe guards and policies are for protecting the teachers. Kids aren't stupid, they know how to take advantage of a system and some are willing. Scouting is becoming a thing of the past because the success of the program relies on trust. Even this discussion is how to undermine that process. Scouting is a practice of applying the Scout Oath and Law instead of rules and policies. The culture (or is it counter-culture) wants rules and polices. Barry

I do not get the cost (well I guess it's the BSA supply overhead expense) for the T-shirts BSA sells. Our troop prints our own T-shirts each year. Dri-fit, goods quality, left chest (single color) and full back (single color) screens. Run of about 100 shirts, maybe $11 per shirt. Boys like them and they are subtle BSA shirts. Do not screams SCOUTS. I see them wearing them around town. Keep the colors neutral. Many of the camps we go to have pre-sell of camp shirts, but those are $20 +. I get you have to make a buck, but cut the overhead and pass the savings on.

Golf shirts for cubs! Much more affordable and easier for kids who have trouble with buttons or sensory issues This year for a brand new to cubs in my Council: uniform shirt $35, belt for loops $12, rank hat $15, neckerchief $15, rank handbook $15. Then new kid joining fee $25 annual national & council fees $120. Pack dues $25minimum. $262 as a baseline this year if everything is bought new and before any fundraising happens. They need to find a way to make entry more affordable: Older scouts buy at least 2-3 uniform shirts thru their career , 1 handbook, 1 hat, 1 neckerc

You had me agreeing with you about practicality and comfort, but you lost me on this comment. The scout uniform is not at all paramilitary. Paramilitary stuff is far more practical, comfortable, and affordable than BSA products.

Along with making things cheaper and easier I would also look to increase functionality and value. There are some sharp looking t shirt like performance wear options that would be more appealing and weather/activity friendly for kids. Something between a class A and a class B that is truly functional. Anyone who has coached a sports team knows the kids never complain about wearing uniforms or team gear. That's largely because it's comfortable and weather friendly for activity. On the other hand, lots of complaints about the cub and scout uniforms -- it's hot, it's itchy, it gets caught on eve

You cannot hold an inanimate object accountable for anything. Instead, this bankruptcy and settlement process is expecting the scouts in my troop to pay for a victims fund (either directly through dues or indirectly through the loss of program). My point is that is wrong to fix a wrong with another wrong. All of this while the actual abusers and those that did not deal with them see very little in accountability. I can tell you this, my council is taking youth protection more seriously than ever. They are expecting all adult leadership to be fully trained. Short Term Camping standards mu