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dsteele

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Everything posted by dsteele

  1. A few years ago I called and spoke to the head of risk management at the National Council Office with this question. Sometimes life is like the old quote from President Andrew Jackson, "The Supreme Court has made their decision. Let them enforce it." Let's just say that Bob White was on the right track and leave it at that.
  2. I love Wood Badge! Great for you to attend and even greater the things you'll do for youth with the leadership skills you'll learn. Here's my story of Wood Badge (page down if you don't want to read it. I'll never know.) I was sent to a professionals only Wood Badge course, and not because I wanted to go. It was only two weeks prior to getting married, and I had other things on my mind. It ended up being one of my favorite Scouting experiences. Even though it was all professionals, the syllabus was followed to the letter and it was a great course. When I left that cours
  3. I really like Bob White's description of an ideal district/council. My first reaction was to post a request that I be the Scout Executive of such a council. What a great place to be, I thought. Then I thought some more. What the heck would I do in a council such as that? Play a lot of golf, I guess. Actually, the districts and councils described above are the goals of every true volunteer and professional (and if they ain't, they oughta be.) When I started as a DE, I started in a district where a few key board members flat-out told my District Chairman that "Blank distri
  4. Eamonn: Yes, your region includes the Virgin Islands, as well as Puerto Rico. Lucky dogs! Also, best of luck to Matua. I think you guys have made the right decision. Guam is a long way from Honolulu, but communications in this day and age have become a lot easier due to electronics. DS
  5. I'll start this thread, which was begun by the question posted by RMV in "Schmoozin' with the Pros." The question is, what makes a great district or council? When I was a DE, I thought the answer was simply, consistently achieving the standards for quality unit, quality district and quality council. Obviously, there's more to it than that. I spent a good hunk of time last month studying 150+ pages of "Outcomes measurement" bunk to answer this question for the United Way. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts. YIS, DS
  6. Thanks, Bob. It's good to feel welcome. I certainly didn't want to silence the detractos, but thought they ought to know that there are a few professional scouters in cyberspace. Keep right on responding, Bob. You have a good way of putting things in easily understood terms. You're right about most volunteers having no need to interact with the region. About the only reason I can think of would be to file an appeal for having membership revoked. I just remembered I need to call the region and find out where the professional scouter recruiting materials I requested are . . .
  7. Don't you hate it when professionals repeat themselves? Just Kidding, RMV, I couldn't resist. DS
  8. If they got rid of Regions, who would award the Silver Antelope? Seriously, although anything can happen, I doubt they'll get rid of the Regional Offices. In spite of technological advances, people still like to see one another in person and build relationships. Having four offices (plus Irving, TX) around the country, the support takes on a more human feel than it would if it were all in Texas. Its also easier for a region to recruit camp visitation specialists, National Camp School Instructors, etc., when representatives of the region -- professional and volunteer -- know the peo
  9. There is another company that handles popcorn prizes. I saw their stuff before I came to this council, and it looked pretty good. The company is called Keller Marketing, but I don't have their contact information anymore. Last fall we gave our units the option of taking prizes or keeping 3% more commission. Several troops took the extra money and let the boys put it in their accounts. This fall we're keeping that option. We're also going to give 50% commission for every dollar sold over fall 2002. First time selling units will receive the normal commission, plus keep 50% commiss
  10. Mark: This isn't Bob White, but I'll go ahead and answer your question. You are part of the Central Region, or CR on the NESA scholarship application. Regions are part of the National Council, BSA. There are currently four regions (Northeast, Southern, Central and Western.) There used to be more Regions, but the invention of fax machines, email, etc. allowed the BSA to consolidate and save money by eliminating duplication of positions, etc. The regions provide services to local councils such as background checks on DE candidates and other personnel issues, approving natio
  11. Okay -- So I'm a softy. Not really, but if you want to know what recharges an old professional, I'll tell you. It's you. Here is my Scouting resume: 1973 -- joined Cub Scouting. 1979 -- Became an Eagle Scout 1984 -- Became an Assistant Scoutmaster 1989 -- became a District Executive 1990 -- met future wife at summer camp. I was Assistant Camp Direcotr and she was the health officer. 1990 - 1992 Senior District Executive 1993 - 1994 Senior District Executive/ multiple person 1994-1996 District Director 1996- 1998 Senior District Director 199
  12. So, do you want to know why some professionals are willing to go the extra mile? I'll give you a great example -- I just got a private message from a volunteer I worked with when I was a district director quite a while ago. It made me feel terrific. Thanks, DH. Now on the popcorn commission to the unit . . . I just managed my first council sale as a professional and learned a lot. I don't know why the poster didn't get his commissions on time, but I can tell you that I have never experienced a unit keeping the commission up front until I came to my present position. Simply never thou
  13. Twocubdad: I feel your pain. I've only been the Assistant Scout Executive here since last June, so I know you're not from my council. My plan (although I really like this council and area) is to serve three years well and move on to, hopefully, a Scout Executive position. However, while it's true that some professionals stay in positions for a long time, most would like to move up the ladder. The problem for some, however, is that there are fewer and fewer slots at the higher levels. For example, let's say I serve my three years here and only want to move if it's for a Sc
  14. Ryan: Woops! I don't know how my email got switched for yours. My address shares 0 letters with yours! Hopefully it's fixed now. I wondered why I wasn't getting any notification and why no one responded to private messages I've sent. Did I get anything good? Have a great day. DS
  15. Bob: The quoted mission statement came from the latest edition of the District Operations Manual for Professionals. As far as I know, it's the most current edition. Any district executive that has completed PDL-I should have a copy. I'm also sure there are several kicking around your Scout Office. If you ask to see it, and no one seems to know what you're talking about, ask for the "red book," and you'll probably get farther. DS
  16. SM -- Best of luck to you! You've done the hard part. Ignore the old guard at roundtable. Chalk it up to jealousy. DS
  17. Dear Sctmom: I'm a big proponent of the advancement (read rank and merit badge) programs of the Boy Scouts of America. I'm a product of them. When I was a kid, I "chowed" on advancement stuff and made Eagle at 13. Now that you're probably thinking I'm about to disagree with you . . . let me now agree with you. Advancement is but one of the methods the BSA uses to accomplish it's base mission. Our mission statement -- which is mostly unchanged since our original charter -- reads: "MISSION STATEMENT AND PURPOSE The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare yo
  18. Where is the link? I'd love to get a copy.
  19. The 100% cotton uniform shirt and pants are available through catalog order or Scout Shop. As to the DE at the District Committee meeting . . . Your training is teaching you the ideal. Reality sometimes differs. Well, okay, often differs. Realize that the only information I have regarding your particular scenario is that which is in your email and that free advice is worth what you pay for it, I'd say there may be several factors going on. The District Chairman should be the one running the meeting. Of course the District Executive has a responsibility to help him/her develop
  20. All the answers so far are good. One selling point I've used with starting new troops is that the boys get instant leadership opportunities that they wouldn't get if they joined an already "established" troop. They also have the opportunity to develop troop traditions. Once formed, make a big deal with the boys and the charter partner about the "chartering members" of the troop. A permanent plaque hung in the meeting place is a good way to go. Then give the boys the leadership opportunities and the program as promised.
  21. Your original applications should be on file at the council service center. The only reason I can think of that your Committee Chairman would want them is because of the health history on the back of the pack copy. You are correct in that you will all need to fill out new applications and check the transfer box. The health history (for the youth) should be completed again as there have probably been changes in the past five years. Your committee chairman may be thinking of the transfer form (available at your council service center) that can be used to get the information on boys'
  22. Where did the campfire go? . . . Doesn't matter. It's warm enough in here. When it comes to changes in uniform, I don't have much say in the matter. I was a scout when we switched to the "new" (read current) uniform and was totally opposed to the idea. Like RMV, I miss the sox with the garters, too. I've got all three styles of sox and like the new ankle sox the best. I also prefer the poly/wool uniform shirts and slacks -- although I've found they don't last forever. A 100% cotton uniform is offered, and, although they need constant ironing, they do last forever. As to Cu
  23. Is there room for one more professional around the campfire? I'm one of those Eagle Scouts turned professional scouter and have been in the profession almost fifteen years. Much like my colleague, I'm a middle-manager with the Boy Scouts of America, although in a much smaller council. As Assistant Scout Executive for the council, I supervise four district executives and work with all four functions of Scouting in the council -- membership, program, finance and unit service. To tag on to RMV on DE turnover, I can tell you from personal experience that relationships with volunteers ar
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