dsteele

In response to the original question, Bob White's first post was the answer I wanted to post, but he beat me to the punch. The simple answer is yes, but it seems some are looking for a bit more detail. If you look at an adult application, you'll see that for a unit scouter, two approvals are required. Either the insitutional head must sign or the charter rep as his/her designee. The committee chairman must also sign it. Their signatures indicate approval for that specific position. This is why another application is required when switching positions. No one can be forced to

KWC -- I don't think the council could afford me! Been there, done that, plus a bunch of other stuff. Now if you're looking for a Scout Executive, that's a different story (although I have to admit that I promised my wife and current Scout Executive two more years here.) However, in my case, at the end of those two years I'm going to be looking for a Scout Executive position. As Saltheart pointed out, however, looking for a Scout Executive position doesn't mean I'll get one that fast. It could take much longer than that. Considering there are only 52 councils in the country

I can provide an example of what Twocubdad is talking about when he refers to being able to drive to 8 troops within 15 minutes. Perhaps that district's experience can illuminate how we dealt with the issue. I served the district as it's executive (my title and responsibilities changed several times, but I was always primarily associated with the district,) for 8 years. There were always 19-22 troops and teams in this town of 30,000 people. That's a lot of troops for a town that size. It was a scouting town with a 38% Boy Scout density. I was not a heavily Mormon town and is in the m

nldscout: Thanks for providing the voice of reason. I was beginning to think I was going to have to pull the plug on the membership of the two "honeys." Just kidding. However, I will answer in the Webelos to Scout transition thread. I've got some feelings about that. Thank you again, nld, dear . . . just kidding about the dear part. Glad Bob mentioned the no kissing . . . LOL (which doesn't mean, lots of love, Grey Eagle) ... DS

I agree strongly with Shemgren's post. Correct me if I'm wrong, however, Shemgren, but I believe you accidently left out the word NOT out of your qoute about den leaders paying expenses out of their pocket. I think you meant DEN LEADERS SHOULD NOT PAY EXPENSES OUT OF THEIR POCKETS. Other than that, you're right on. Also, just in case anyone thinks I only carried my parents money to the den meeting to pay my dues, let me clarify what I meant. I received an allowance from my parents. That's how I paid my den dues. Part of my brain (the part that is still a child) considers it money the

I'm glad to see that the responsibility theme to dues came into play. It seems to me that it's quite often forgotten. When I was a Cub Scout (and Boy Scout for that matter) I was supposed to bring some small amount (I can't remember if it was 25 or 50 cents to each meeting.) I was never sure what it paid for, but it was a rule and I tried to follow it. I'm pretty sure my parents asked if they could write a check to cover it, but a wise leader pointed out to them that it should be "my money" and that I should carry it to every meeting. I'll never forget the time I used the quarter to

I'll second Bob's post. I'm taking it that when he said "volunteers (and even professionals)" he meant that professional scouters have to follow the rules as well. That's exactly right. We have to be registered members of the Boy Scouts of America to maintain our employment. Learning for Life executives do not, but if they aren't they can't carry a commission as a BSA professional, only a certification as a Learning for Life professional. DS

fboisseau -- Thank you for brining up the Webelos den example. One of the points about two deep leadership that is quite often overshadowed by fears of child abuse allegations and it's barriers to abuse is that another good reason for having a minimum of two adults is that if someone gets injured, one adult can remain behind and run the meeting and the other can take care of the emergency. There's room in the BSA for using your head and not every rule mentioned in youth protection training is 100% about abuse. From what I've seen of the BSA (and I've seen a lot of it,) if you d

Matua: So just who is your charter partner? Or if you're chartered to the base, who is a non-base charter partner (or CO) in forum-speak? I'm curious. I've toyed with the idea of taking a direct-service SE job -- but have yet to run the idea by my wife, which means I'm not very serious about it. I've heard of guys who have taken such posts. They're good posts, typically, but moving back to the states is a real problem. Neither national nor the local council wants to pay the moving expenses (which is standard) and I've heard that the pro scouters who do move back sell their phys

Merlyn: I appreciate the honesty of the reply you directed to me several pages ago. You are not a member of the Boy Scouts of America, and (although I don't believe in your mission anymore than you believe in the policies of the BSA,) you are going about it in a straight-forward manner and with the passion I would hope to see from anyone who truly believes in what they are doing. I don't agree with what you're doing, but I believe in your right to do it. Rob Sherman, however, ticks me off. His methods and behavior in his personal life do not make me respect him in the slightest.

TJ and Merlyn -- How you consider yourself good scout leaders while not living up to the BSA's standards of membership is beyond me. TJ, you are an avowed homosexual by your own admisison. Merlyn, you are a "lifelong atheist" by your own admission. If either of you were registered in the council I serve, you would both receive a letter informing you that registration in the Boy Scouts of America is a privelidge and not a right and that yours has been revoked. Regardless of how you feel about the standards of membership of the Boy Scouts of America at the present time, atheist

Thanks for the info, Matua. I always appreciate learning a new phrase in an unfamiliar language. It's cool. DS

Bob: National can probably only verify that your unit dropped for a year 12 years ago. When a unit drops, that means it didn't recharter, period. There will be no records in the council service center (unless someone actually drove the process and filed an un-reregistered unit report -- a very rare thing in reality, although it's required.) When a unit drops, there is no charter on file. Usuaully the charter paprerwork never comes in at all. Because the unit has no current charter, it is not authorized to use the scouting program -- no advancement, no insurance, no nothing.

Matua: I'm unfamiliar with Hafa Adai. What does it mean? Thanks for the kind words. DS

Willysjeep, your wishes were granted in the past. Actually, I'm referring to the 100% wool uniform the BSA used to have available. All you have to do is find one in your size and you can be warm, as well as official. The BSA does sell a polyesther/wool combination uniform -- I like them and they are my uniform of choice -- but they are actually less warm than the poly-cotton worn by most Scouts and Scouters. You might try e-bay or call an old council scouter who was around in the '70s. There's a former board member of your council who is a friend of mine up there in Houghton who m

Hops is correct. The reference you're looking for can be found in National Standards for Cub Scout/Boy Scout Resident Camps #19-108B. On page 18, Standard M-45 reads, in part, "Each camper is provided with a minimum of 30 square feet of sheltered space for sleeping and storing personal gear." DS

First of all, remembering that some of us are responding to the queries of a Scout -- the ordeal is nothing you need to prepare for , 92-SPl. If you're elected, you're prepared enough. Take the stuff with you that's on the equipment list provided by the lodge and don't worry. The lodge is as much a part of the Boy Scouts of America as your council is. If your parents have questions, have them call the council service center and speak to the lodge staff advisor (a profesional.) As to the point KS (Korea Scouter) started out with . . . the point of his son preceeding him into the OA, l

Scoutldr: You're welcome. Yes, 2031 is my anticipated retirement year. By then I'll be 65 years old and have served in the BSA profession for 43 years. That's a long time as far as I'm concerned. Especially since you can only pay into the BSA retirement fund (currently) for a maxmimum of 35 years. So, if I retire after 35 years of professional service, I'll be 57 years old. That will give me (if they open a window at that time, retirement of some portion of the highest of my last three years salary prior to my retirement. If I wait until my 65th birthday, I'll get 50% of my hig

In another thread, Scoutleader questioned me on an implication I made that professionals transferring every three years is expected. I didn't mean to imply that, but I can understand why it was inferred. I'd like to clarify and maybe shed some light. For those that would like to see the reference, I'm going to quote from the topic "Wood Badge - A secret?" started by Eamonn. Here's the quote that inspired this thread (edited for brevity) "I know we're way off thread, DS, but you've peaked my curiosity. Your post implies that transfers every three years are expected. I nmy council,

I think that this is an important question, but that it shouldn't take over this particular thread. I also think a lot of people don't take Wood Badge because they have unanswered questions and I believe the people who post here have either valid answers or valid question. So, sctleader, let's move your questions to another thread. I'll start if immediately under council relations and title it, professional tenure. Would you join me? And any others with this type of question? To quote Dr. Craine on Fraiser, "I'm listening . . ." DS

Excellent post, Barry. I don't have any children, but have had the experience of turning a troop over to someone else. I'm going to save your post. I felt a wash of emotions as I read it. Thanks for the memories . . . Dave

First of all, to Mr. Robby -- I think you're right on target about one of the keys to a successful relationship between volunteers and professionals. I agree that many of us will move on (either to another council, another profession, or shot, depending on performance and the ability to maintain good relationships. I also think that those professionals who try to keep everyone happy by never giving bad news are better off in politics than professional scouting. My personal theory is that people would rather hear a real answer, even if they don't like that answer, than fluff that turns out t

Photoscout -- no need for apologies. There was no offense taken. I'm a little hyper-sensitive to the "let's fire the Scout Executive (or substitute professional title) mentality that I've heard quite often in my tenure. I know you're not guilty of this type of mentality, but I've heard that type of comment often enough (usually not directed at me, but every once in a while . . . ) that I try to stamp it out where I can. Please accept my apologies for pointing it at you without provocation. Don't get me wrong, sometimes professionals screw up badly enough that they should be shot.

That's what I thought/hoped you meant. It makes sense to me. I just didn't want someone to get the impression that the BSA is in the habit of sweeping bad stuff under the carpet. I also think the nail was nailed when it was said that it should be reported directly to the Scout Executive (or professional responsible for youth protection in your council.) DS

Eamonn: I'd say it's past your bed-time, but I know better. As well, you know it's nowhere near my bed-time, even on a Friday when I have to drive to a Wood Badge staff development tomorrow. However, growl I had to take a few notes to be able to address your points and will now proceed to do so. I have no umbrella in my possession, I'll have you know, but I'll do my best to proceed anyway. (aside: isn't it fun to play this late at night?) I'll make sure I'm in my coffin before daybreak. On the topic of task of the DE . . . it varies by DE and by district. Judging by the d