Leaderboard

FWIW, membership numbers are now accessible to district committee and commissioners.

As a SM, I was called at least once a week by a parent with an opinion of something they saw that bothered them. Sometimes more than 1 a week, rarely less. And you would be amazed of what bothers parents. Every SM has a strong opinion to someone, especially if they firm with how the program is run. All I can say is if SMs, or strong leaders, don’t learn the art of listening, they will have continued frustration and drama. Add the skills of patience and humility because sometimes the SM, or strong leader, is wrong. Barry

I.WANT.HIM.GONE dun dun DUNN! Last week I got a call from Committee Chair, great guy. He told me he was expecting Mr. Pillar at Committee that night. He's not on Committee, he's listed as ASM. I wasnt at the Committee meeting, of course. I was at the troop meeting. But apparently they took care of their other business then gave Mr. P the floor. I was told he started with I.WANT.HIM.GONE and then proceeded to attack me. They listened to him. Apparently he brought up the summer camp episode, the long ago, never explained suspicions from a Webelo mom, and the fact that a Scout

There are generally 3 numbers to consider, total youth served during the year that includes all youth registered (even if some were dropped), total active youth (this is at recharter time after dropped youths are subtracted) and end of year figures which are often close to the total youth served because most units are now on a calendar year. The only time a districts, councils or national numbers should be compared would be right after recharter is completed which is the most accurate count of ACTIVE YOUTH.

Great point: A big issue for Scouts is recruiting new members. and for decades now, rather than actually try to recruit, many troops simply depend on AOL's crossing over. Retention in a pack with a 6 year long program is a serious issue. If a pack does not retain members they will end up with few, if any, Aol's to cross to a troop. I would hope that now that things have settled down regarding covid that packs will do better recruiting and that they will address retention issues.

Unfortunately because BSA is a private organization with the right to select its members, they do not need to acknowledge a CO's investigation, let alone a criminal one, where the volunteer has been exonerated. They can still permanently remove an individual. My friend has never been reinstated in the BSA, despite a criminal investigation being done, and proving her story was the correct one.

My CO investigation process suggestion is the result of my having been involved in successfully resolving alleged YPT infractions. It respects the role and regulations of the BSA while simultaneously protecting the reputations of innocent adult volunteers. I suggest it as a universal approach for those who value fair treatment of line-level Scouters -- while continuing vigorous YPT enforcement. Rainshine should do whatever is in his best interests, but should understand that a tiny subset of ill-intended parents are not amenable to talk or reason. They must be dealt with firmly or be

I'm not going to switch between threads to check this (is it okay if I combine these threads?), but this case sounds more like a parent just being an ass - insinuated abuse but not reported to anyone that has a record of it? I'd find out who has what record before hiring a lawyer. That all said, Mr P sounds like one of those rare parents that SMs have to deal with. If he's only listed as an ASM then I'd let him know his services are no longer required and that if he does show up the police will be called. I say that because I had to do that once. While I agree with @Eagledadthat talk

Definitely high numbers... Our unit is strong. We have 60+ youth on the roster. At recharter, we have dropped approximately 10 due to aging out, attrition, and transfer. We expect to see those added back through Crossovers and recruiting during the year. We just barely hit our 85% retention rate for JTE Gold. Agree with @1980Scouter. Even a "rolling" one or two year average would be more indicative of reality and would flatten out the highs and lows.

Yes, these are likely the highest numbers. A fair number of cubs will drop off with recharter. I'm not sure how to define "most accurate" in this context, and that comparing like to like is most meaningful.

I would like to see the average for an entire 12 months. That would take out any highs or lows and give a more accurate number.

Would these not be the highest numbers or close to it for the year? It takes into account new scouts over the summer and fall. After rechartering the more accurate numbers will be available hopefully.

Yeah I can see that point, I just am saying as a former pro, to be wary of any numbers being reported. There is a lot games played with them.

I don’t feel like going down the rabbit hole of when numbers are most accurate, just that this is a year on year, Dec to Dec numbers. yes you can break up the data by a huge host of criteria.

Good advice. I’d also suggest the committee meet on a on-going basis when the SM can attend. I know not required, but it makes sense.

It'll take a few years for the cub growth to really impact the troop numbers, but hopefully the worst of the storm is passed.

Yes, that is for all councils.

Define “other countries” the largest organizations (India, Indonesia) are segregated. Some of the fastest growing (Pakistan) are unisex. Some of the slowest growing or declining (like ours) are facing negative growth. The most successful associations with blended organization are that way because their royals insisted it be so. Scouts UK has only just recovered its losses in male membership after decades of decline. And that was a result of a concerted effort of their leaders of Girl Guides insisting that everyone play nice. So, why should a girl AOL lack a troop to crossover? Two causes:

I agree with you 100%. Also, in some respects I think it is good that most of our local leaders really don’t know what is going on with the BK. They are just focusing on providing the best program for the scouts. There is such a dichotomy between what is going on at National and the local units. I think the troop that I am involved with is about to complete its best year of Scouting in years. It has been a joy to watch.

Well, what I was going to organize is not going to happen this time. I ended up with at least one adult having a conflict with the date, personally I have never presented this course and not entirely comfortable doing it, nor were a few of the other adults I spoke with. Moreso, I found there is a course being offered the next weekend nearby. I will be encouraging our Scout to attend that event, and I am going to plan on going as well just to observe how to present the material and other logistical type things.

I think that’s a great idea, especially if other SM’s attend and are inspired to offer it to their troops next time around. We typically do an all day Saturday ILST for anyone in the troop who wants to attend at a state park lodge. The lodge is much fancier than Scout Hall and they can hike to the trading post for lunch. The ILST games are pretty good. I had been worried about repeating them each year, but the Scouts either don’t remember them or just have fun doing them again. I bring the troop ‘game box’ just in case! The Scouts have the option to camp overnight an