Leaderboard

There is no program that serves kids that does not have the potential to attract predators. That is a sad fact. Also, children are more at risk from family members and close relatives/neighbors/friends than most other individuals. Sadly, Scouting now has the stigma of what mostly happened 30 plus years ago. The past several decades have seen Scouting create barriers to abuse that make it extremely difficult for predatory people to get exclusive access to kids. I know of no program that has come so far and done so much. Sadly no program is 100% safe and a predator without any 'history' could sl

02/21/2024: Another summary of the current legal situation more detailed, yet balanced. Good reporting. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/boy-scouts-settlement-pause-marks-shift-on-bankruptcy-doctrine

You'll get lots of diverse answers to this. Personally, I think someone with a Scouting experience would make a big difference. The issue then is how you find that person. It isn't exactly something you advertise for! Step one is to get Council Exec buy-in. Then, reach out to existing volunteers. I've found a surprising number of Survivors that are still involved with Scouting, mostly because they wanted to prevent what happened to them from being repeated. Many have now come forward because of the Bankruptcy. My dream, pie-in-the-sky as it may be, is that National will show some leade

@swilliams - I've worked with many Eagle Scouts over the years. Your Scout is in an important window of time with only 3 months before their 18th Birthday. The Eagle Service project in itself typically takes several months including all of the documentation and final submission paperwork. It would be a good idea for your Scout to hand deliver items and get receipts for paperwork turned-in (our Council provides receipts for paperwork items turned in). But in parallel they should start reviewing their Eagle Scout Application (not filling out the final copy), but reviewing all ra

I think we are at the point of agree to disagree and time to move on. Let's get back to the initial focus of this topic. @RememberSchiff

There is absolutely nothing wrong with gender separation, when it is by choice. This is a basic right called freedom of assembly (association), guaranteed by the First Amendment. I may associate with whomever I choose... You don't like it? Then work to get the Constitution re-written. Once re-written, I'll support you 100%. I do believe the current BSA model is neither well thought out, nor sustainable. "Separate but equal" is a bad idea. Chartering Organizations should have the option to have a single gender Troop( or Troops), or a blended Troop. Both have pros and c

Some folks will always be resistant to change. That's their opinion and at the present time those folks can continue to run single gender programs. World Scouting has been co-ed for many decades and it has worked out well. The BSA is a Johnny come lately on that score. There have been hundreds of girls now that have earned Eagle or been elected into the OA and who have held leadership positions. I think that is GREAT! The folks in favor of this are many and that is a good thing.

KIS(S)

Is it a requirement to have a youth sign off before the adult does? If so, then you are clearly adding requirements. Cut and dry. Plain and simple. In this can, plain and added complexity.

What is not ok? It aapears the GTA is not being violated. The scout is not being re-tested on requirements. The PLC is just initialing in the handbook that they provided the instruction and the scout is ready to be tested by the ASM/SM in accordance with the GTA.

"They also serve who only stand and wait." John Milton

Your posts above are neither. As you quote me telling you previously above. Asking you to stop attacking a fellow scout's character is frankly something that shouldn't even need to be said at all, yet here we are. Attacks are not nice. Being asked to stop attacking isn't not-nice. Every time you say girls are ruining the program for boys, you're reducing our chances of growing membership and creating a culture of growth. You're spinning that wheel of cause and effect every time you say that here. So please stop. Let's move forward.

Parents cook, we (scouts) are waiters

Yes, don't use a script. You are really selling yourself, not some tickets. Just know your stuff and talk to people. Connect with them. Or, come up with your own script. You can do it. Here's a teaser... "Hi, my name is Zhu, and I'm a Scout in Troop 4321 here in Malibu. We are putting on a great breakfast for Mother's Day! If you do not have plans already, the breakfast will be at Camp Josepho near Crestwood Hills, at 9 AM on Mother's Day. Tickets are $10 per person, and it is all you can eat! After that big breakfast, you can take a nice walk with your Mom to enjoy the outdo

OK, stop saying "fined." You are not being fined for anything. 1. Having the right attitude is the first tip for selling your tickets. 2. Know your product. What are the menu options? What time does it start? Is it a buffet, cafeteria-style, or served at tables? Is it kosher, or are there vegan or vegetarian options, or some other menu specialties (gluten free, allergy free)? Is it open to non-Scouting families? Will there be alcohol served? (Should be "no", but make sure you know the answer, in case someone asks you.) Are there flowers, gifts, keepsakes, pictures, mementos, in

Then, it is not a "fine." A Scout is expected to pay his way... so pay your way, either through the fundraiser, or with the buy-out.

I’ve been putting on a happy face since I read the news on Friday. Visited two troops last night; one of them had a ~15yo SPL who led the entire meeting from flags to closing; not a peep from the adults. This stuff is far beyond our control. But the thing that will help us weather the storm is strong units that provide great scouting experiences to as many youth as possible. I just hope my kids and grandkids have that opportunity.

My mother was a den mother back in the day... scoutmaster, cubmaster and Webelo's leader positions and accompanying assistant positions were not available to her. Today women can and often do hold all of those roles and it is only fitting that girls can join into the program and enjoy the benefits of leadership, character and citizenship training/learning that takes place while they enjoy fun and adventure. No child ever joined to have their character developed... that just naturally happens (sort of sneaks up on them) while they are having fun being given the opportunities to learn, lead and

Several of us have been members of this forum for many years and have watched thousands of Scouters pass through. Most of us who have hung around for that many years just have a passion to make the lives of new scout leaders easier with perspectives based from our experiences of success, and often failures. We have wisdom that comes from the blood sweat and tears of experience. Once in a while, a scouter comes along with their own strong personal ideals of how things should be and wants to impress on those of us with experience their perspective of better way. Ideas and perspectives are w

Nothing wrong with "Practice to Master," THEN test. The test should not be a practice session. Little is simple or obvious if one truly understands the skill-has mastered it. "Craftsmanship." Journeyman, not apprentice. "If I don't practice one day, I know it; two days, the critics know it; three days, the public knows it." --Jascha Heifetz (I thought Vladimir Horowitz said that. A Google search ALSO attributed it to Louis Armstrong-enough searching…it is the thought that counts.) As a BSA certified angling instructor, I STILL practice my fishing knots. They are inhe

When an organization's focus is on Quantity; Quality suffers. When the focus is on Quality; Quantity will also improve. Just summarizing our esteemed colleagues' aforementioned experiences.

Welcome aboard. I would see no problem with the Offishul Commish round patch. What is the concern ? Too "red" ?

Hot glue it to a 1/2" pvc pipe, make a heckufa necker slide...

It's how our PLC wants to do it.

Ah, movements of shallow ideals. I miss Martin Luther King Jr. so much. The difference between us is that Scouting isn’t movement. Scouting is an organization that uses the simple ideal of real-life decisions to develop young people into ethical and moral decision-makers. Sadly, scouting is being hijacked by activision that uses the simplicity of intimidation to make decisions of equality rather than developing free minds to make personal decisions to treat people equally. But, moral and ethical decision-making (integrity and character) is the humanistic ideal of fairness and respe