Eagle732

There's lots of other patches that Scouts can sew on their uniform. I don't think not having to sew the POR patch on is going to destroy a kids opportunity to sew. Hawkrod, I purchased the Velcro Attach-A-Patch product from Industrial Webbing online. Comes in four colors, size is 4"X12". (This message has been edited by Eagle732)

One of the easiest things we can to to keep our adult leaders happy is to say "Thank You" repeatedly and with sincerity. Sounds simple but it is often overlooked.

I attended the 33rd Eastern Primitive Rendezvous in nearby Holtwood, PA in '09. For anyone who is anywhere near the upcoming event it is well worth attending. It is an absolutely awesome event and a wonderful living lesson in history.

Yea, sewing is a nice skill to learn. My son learned it in 7th and 8th grades when he had stuffed toy sewing projects in both grades. But I'm pretty sure most kids have their parents sew the patches on for them.

My thought was to have troop issued POR patches, in other words the patches with the velcro sewn on them belong to the troop and are on loan during your term. What we do now is give the Scout the patch. If a Scout wants a souvenir patch he can certainly purchase one himself. The Scout Shop is just a few miles down the road from us. I do not intend to do this for unit numbers, Quality unit patches, rank patches, etc, only POR patches. It's certainly better than boys having their POR patch safety pinned on their shoulder! Now if a MC or ASM wants t do this with their uniform than that's OK with me but what I'm considering here is something the troop will implement for the Scouts.

I am considering using this in my troop for position (POR) patches for Scouts only. Since most boys change jobs every six months I think it makes sense.

Anyone using velcro to attach patches to the uniform? I'd like to try using Velcro "Attach A Patch" for the POR patches similar to what the military does. I'm thinking we issue a 3" round loop piece to each Scout to be sewn on the uniform, then sew the hook piece to the various patches. Scouts would return the patch when their term is up so the next Scout could use it. This would solve the problem of Scouts keeping the POR patch on beyond their term, save a lot of sewing and save the troop money by recycling patches. I found Velcro Attach A Patch 4" wide by 12" long in Desert Tan for $5.70 with shipping. Downside; I can see some of our jokers turning someone's patch upside down or switching them around. All in good fun!

"Correcting bad habits cannot be done by forbidding or punishment." "Success in training the boy depends largely on the Scoutmaster's own personal example." Not my quotes, but you might recognize them.

Wish I could get one Scout to DC from my troop. The only one interested has a brother in a Pack with ties to a large troop. I asked if he wanted to DC little brothers den but mega troop already has it covered. Mega troop (100+) does assign a DC to each den of the pack under the same Charter Org. That's why they're a mega troop and we're a little insignificant troop.

"I've been asking for a den chief for my Webelos for 3 months. Still nothing. " Hey AKdenldr are all dens in your pack entitled to a Den Chief? Maybe you could sign up as an Assistant Scoutmaster with the troop that you expect a Den Chief from. Then you could go on all the camping trips, attend the troop meetings, help with the PLCs, etc... It certainly would add a lot of time to your Scouting obligations. This is why it's so tough to get Scouts to take the DC job, it basically doubles a boys Scouting obligations. Most of the DCs we seem to get are Scouts who take the job with a sibling's den. Makes life a little easier on the parents. Can you imagine the parent with a son in a troop who also DCs for a den and another son in a different den! That makes 12 meetings and 2 nights camping a month, minimum! That being said as a SM I hold the DC job in very high esteem. A good DC is a tremendous asset to his troop. Life's a two way street. And for the record I also serve on our neighboring Pack's committee.

"I still want my 1990 75th Anniversay OA ribbon!" Keep checking eBay, they have some OA 75th anniversary patches now.

Glad it worked out. Maybe you can buy a track for next year, one of them fancy aluminum jobs with the high tech computer controlled timers.

"we run a bunch of derbies for other units, some numbering 80+ boys." So if you're running derbies for 300 or 400 boys why don't you just buy a track? Charge a couple of bucks a kid and it would be paid for in one year.

But if they extend the deadline they'll sell more merit badges!

The Historical merit badge patches have been hard to come by here for awhile now. They get a few in and they're gone. I'm thinking it would be a very bad thing if a whole lot of Scouts earned these MBs and the patches were not provided.

Maybe BSA should consider extending the Historical Merit Badges for another 2 or 3 months since they were at least that long in getting the requirements out so the boys could start working on them.

As a CM I saw kids get bored in Web 2. I'd tell them just hang on until all the fun starts in Boy Scouts but many left anyway. When I was a Web way back in the late 60's our pack had a Web DL who was different from the Den Mother we had during Wolf and Bear ranks. After Bear all boys went to the Web den with this new leader who was into the outdoors stuff. We kinda entered a pre-Boy Scout program. Today the Tiger DL ends up being the Wolf, Bear, Web 1 and Web 2 DL even if he/she has no knowledge, experience or desire to be involved in the outdoor Boy Scout type activities. The other thing I've seen is entire dens leave a pack and either quit or go to another unit. In my experience this is usually a sign of some infighting among the parents and / or leaders that is not addressed by the CM and CC.

Maybe we could rate a Scout's physical fitness with a three tiered system: Bronze for the overweight couch potatoes that only want to play video games Silver for the average kid in reasonable shape Gold for the athletes in top shape We could issue special patches in each color so everyone would know where they rank. No need to help the bronze kids, they'll probably just quit. Then we'll have troops of all Silver and Gold kids and everyone will be happy. (Adapted from another BSA program.)

Considering what most college aged Scouts are involved with I doubt that many take the time to do anything but the very minimal in training. You might get them to take YP but most will just drop. With mandatory training we won't be able to carry them on the books for a few years until they are done with school in the hopes they will come back and be a part of the troop again. Most of the Scouts I know in college take a full load of credits, work part time, take part in extracurricular activities such as sports or clubs, some of which are attached to scholarships. Can't blame them for having priorities other than Scouting. I know when I was in college, out of state and paying my own way, that Scouting was not part of my life.

Good luck with your plan moosetracker, I hope someone comes up with a workable solution. We have not got to the "all leaders required to be fully trained" yet. Currently it's SM and CC only, plus YP for all registered. So our condensed training does not yet have a captive audience. When mandatory full training becomes fully implemented at the end of 2011 for us, my troop will loose 2 ASMs. Both 19 year old Eagles who are full time out of state college students who help out when they're home on break. Hey maybe they can sign up as BSA Alumni!

I have seen the quality of training decline in my area as the requirement to have it come into effect. SM training was 40 hours plus an ILOS weekend several years ago when it was not required. Now its required and is one weekend and 12 hours, condensed to make it easier for the ones who need it to meet rechartering requirements.

Please refer to my previous post "it's done now, but it is private." I am aware of the old Quality Unit program. In the past you either made QU or you didn't and pretty much every unit that tried made it. During my adult time in Scouting (1976 to present) I cannot recall a system that publicized different levels of quality. Can you? You can choose to believe this is the same program with a different name if you like. (This message has been edited by Eagle732)(This message has been edited by Eagle732)

John, this is my point. I don't think we should be publicly rating units. Clearly that is what is in the works. The powers to be were so concerned over sending a clear message that they chose to use the "Olympic" method of ranking (Bronze, SIlver, Gold) instead of the Boy Scout ranking method (Bronze, Gold, Silver). This was discussed on the webinar. The reason given was that the Olympic method is more recognizable so there would be no misunderstanding what units were #1. Different color borders on Quality Unit patches, graphics for your website, all in the works. How long before the rankings are on the District's website? Rating units is an easy way to track them, it's done now, but it is private. The purpose is to help the ones that need help, allocate the resources in the most efficient way. I'm all for that. I'm not for this (not that it matters). Fortunately units can opt out at their next recharter. My committee was so ticked off by the additional paperwork, tracking and comparing advancements to calculate ratings, making budgets etc, etc, that they are ready to toss in the towel! I don't blame them. It's interesting that when I called the Council's information desk they knew nothing about the JTE. They transferred me to the the Advancement Chair's office, I left a message. Two weeks later and no return call.

I must not be the only one putting the cart before the horse on concerns over using ratings to recruit since it's number 5 on the JTE FAQs. The figures could be manipulated if needed and no doubt some will do so, WE WILL NOT! Advancement - Need to put one more advancement on the books to make Gold so let's push Johnny Tenderfoot through to 2nd Class. Lowers standards, sends the wrong message to the Scouts. Retention - Need to have two more boys on the roster to make our 85% reregistered so lets just pay for the two boys we haven't seen for a year (this was actually suggested to me by a District rep.). Not truthful, doesn't do anyone any good for the long term but helps the short term goal of making Gold. Cost the troop money better spent on the active boys. Building Boy Scouting - See above, you have to retain before you build. Trained Leadership - This is one thing that gets me ticked. I have two under age 21 Eagle Scouts ASMs going to college out of state. How in the world are they suppose to attend ILOS and SM Fundamentals!? I will not drop them from the roles, they occasionally show up. Last year one spent the week at summer camp and ran our New Scout program. ASM is an honorary position for them with the hopes that after they get through college they'll be active again. Just toss 'em out? Not gonna happen. Does my treasurer, secretary and COR really need Fast Start and This is Scouting? Somebody tell the Professional Scouters in Texas that these people have jobs and families! We should be thanking them not piling more on them! Web to Scout Transition - Not a problem for a troop with a pack attached to it (yes the concept of feeder packs still exists here). We have 5 troops, two large, and 3 small and two large packs. Guess where the Webs usually go (although we got 5 last year). Budget - Dues X Members - Registration = Budget. PLC does the math, Gold. We have never had a budget and I fail to see how this will help us. We spend money as needed. If the PLC thinks we need new tents they do a fundraiser to earn the money for them (now there's a new idea, boy led). If it's something I think we need I purchase it at my own expense, I don't mind. And by the way the only folks that have a right to see our budget is the CO. Court of Honors - We do it 4 times a year but I don't think we need to. What happens if the PLC doesn't want to do Court of Honors at all, or maybe just one? (Remember, boy led). Again, be very careful how you spend other people's time...Lot'a time being spent here, somebody gotta figure all this out. I don't think B-P had this in mind when he said "Scouting is a game with a purpose" By the way I'm enjoying this discussion, nothing personal. I just don't think this is the way to go. I've spoken with other SMs around here and they don't like it either. This info just hit us as we recharter by 12/15. I had a jump on it because I read these forums. We start the JTE 1/1/11. Let the games begin! (This message has been edited by Eagle732)(This message has been edited by Eagle732)

I'm well aware of how the program works. Spent a few hours downloading forms, reviewing FAQs, and listening to webinars. Then spent an hour at a committee meeting figuring out how we're going to deal with the Journey. We will revisit in May to see where we are, another hour spent on something non productive. Some categories we have little control over or they just make work for the troop leadership with no real benefit, example Budget. They are not interested in helping Bronze units, refer to FAQ question #5: Q: I see the tiered ratings as a detriment to some troops. Graduating Webelos or their parents could use the JTE rating to judge troops and only go to those with a gold or silver rating. Has this been considered? A: This could happen. With the Journey to Excellence award, every troop will be working to improve so that the graduating Webelos, or new boys, will have GOLD or SILVER troops to pick from." (emphasis mine, by the way we have figured IF we participate we will be Gold so no sour grapes here) Listened to the Webinar too where it's stated that if too many units get Gold they will tighten up the requirements. "Be very careful how you spend other peoples time or else they will have no time to give." I don't believe publicly rating units is the answer. What are Districts and Councils going to do to help Bronze units? My experience has been no help at all.