Jump to content

Eagle74

Members
  • Content Count

    247
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Eagle74

  1. Knowing I probably shouldn't go there, I'm going to do it anyway. Rooster7, you mention balance. Now there's the key. Both men and women tend toward the ends of the spectrum; too "soft" or too "tough". Us guys tend to wear the tough guy personna to the detriment of some well-timed compassion or tend to make such a show of compassion that it's just not real - "see, I can be more compassionate than you can". Gals tend to have the compassion part right at times to the detriment of an occasional "just show some spine" or tend toward the "you can't see mine, but they're just as big as your
  2. Now darn it, Bob White, you did it again. One of these days I'm going get back at you for reminding me of my age all the time. (I'm sitting here looking at all of the ten days / ten nights segments I earned as a Scout.)
  3. ". . . Opting to attend an alternate activity in lieu of a scouting activity is not always failing to honor a committment." Agreed. Unless one has made a commitment by virtue of attendance, that others are depending upon. ". . . there may be a time when the youth does not wish to participate in a specific activity,for whatever reason, leaving the adult to either honor his committment and not spend time with his child or to excuse himself from his committment." As Bob White writes "life happens." The choice can only be made by you; it is an individual choice based upon your ci
  4. RE: #2 There is a fine line there between too much and too little; striking a balance is something dad or mom must conciously work at. I have seen both in my years as a Scouter. Too much attention to others at the expense of one's own son is one reason that results in early dropout for a Scouter's son. Sometimes we try too hard to avoid an appearance of "favoring" our own sons. As I wrote in the "Balance" thread, my humble advice is that you must, must, must, have a parent-child relationship with your son(s) during the Scouting experience. During the time that my sons are in Sc
  5. I am thoroughly impressed and would like to sincerely thank those who have contributed to this thread. Unlike a number of other threads that sometimes degrade into hostile pettiness; causing me to occasionally wonder if I should even continue with the forum, the contributors here show thoughtful reflection on Scouting and service to others balanced by service to family. Thank you for allowing me to be "associated" with such a thoughtful bunch. My sons, both now in the troop that I am Asst. Scoutmaster for, do not expect any special treatment nor do I allow it. As KoreaScouter mentions,
  6. Add my vote in the affirmative column. In my line of work (fire & ems) we have switched primarily to digital, even for fire investigations that are prepared for legal proceedings. On the avocation side, I use digital extensively with results that equal or rival 35mm photography, except for very high quality applications. Digital's use in the professional world - encompassing all vocations - is gaining prevalence.
  7. Pretty much in agreement here. We allow anyone approved to sign off on requirements to instruct the TotNChip and FireManChit skills. That instructor then recommends to the Scoutmaster or Asst. Scoutmaster that the boy is qualified. Scoutmaster or Asst. is the one who signs off on the card, with the option of testing the boy's knowledge, skills and abilities. Taking (cutting off) corners - or revocation for serious offenses - may only be done by the Scoutmaster or Asst.
  8. OGE, I "feel your pain" re: medications. After all these years, I still cannot comprehend how some of these young men can be on so many medications. It's like a traveling pharmacy when we go on outings. Makes me wonder if my two, who are on no medications, are missing something.
  9. I was pack treasurer for about 6 years. Your resposibility should not be to determine how money is spent - beyond your informed input as "handler" of the funds. Rather your primary responsibility is keeping accurate and complete records of all funds coming into and going out of the pack treasury. You do have a fiduciary duty and I would recommend that your books be "audited" annually by another individual. I was able to use a friend who is an accountant and he donated his time. Policies and procedures for expenditure of funds from the treasury should lay on the shoulders of the Pack commi
  10. Bob White: Thanks for the clarifications. I think we are in agreement. OGE is on the mark with having a system in place to find out why boys leave (and then not burying your head in the sand).
  11. So; if the parents and boys believe the Scouting Program to be of value - having come through Cub Scouts and all - can I assume that if they leave one troop due to a poor troop program, they end up in another troop with a good program? Similar to the way they switch soccer teams if they don't like the way a team is coached? If that's what's happening, there's a problem with your troop's program. If not, either your program is so bad that it gives the entire scouting program a very bad name (and won't survive) or it's time to look at other things. Yes, there will be a few who over the y
  12. As I just finished planning for a Troop JLT campout this coming weekend, I couldn't help but think that some of what I think I'm hearing here is in conflict with the JLT principles of good leadership. If you haven't gone through the Junior Leader Training process, at least through the Troop JLT, I would recommend it. The canned program from BSA could use some work, but it is a good baseline. While we call them "rank" advancements, simply "advancement" or "skill" advancement might solve some of this problem. (Begs the question of how an organization with two "rank" structures within
  13. OOPS! That should have been "justifiably proud." I wish I could be as justifiably proud of my editing skills!
  14. Spork & Scoutmaster 424: Off the topic, but let me be the first to welcome you to Peterloon 2002 at Camp Friedlander (Lower Craig area). The camp is in the community in which I live and work. As a Scouter - one who was a Scout that attended Camp Friedlander Summer Camp way back when - and Asst. Chief of Miami Twp. Fire & EMS whose area the camp is in, we are justiable proud of the new facilities. Wishing for you another great and safe Peterloon experience!
  15. Pardon my late entry into this fray, but on the original topic of smoke-shifters, I have this addition. As a leader of another troop years ago, we turned this one around. We actually had a smoke-shifter. We built one out of some sheet metal dryer ductwork. When a Scout from another troop would come to us asking for a smoke shifter (left or right) we would pull this contraption out and send him back to his troop with it. It had a swivel elbow and we explained to him that he could swivel it left or right to suit the need. It also had a small battery operated fan in the duct, with an on
  16. I was happy to see that people have mentioned the green tie. What's up with its disappearance, anyway? Still have mine and I always thought it looked nice for more formal occassions such as Scout Sunday, Courts of Honor, Awards ceremonies and such. For less formal occassions I prefer the bolo tie, but wear the neckerchief when wanting to blend in with the troop. The only problem I have with the neckerchief it that it is too short.
  17. Are these boys advancing (being channeled) into leadership roles or positions that reflect their knowledge and experience? Particularly those that have attained the rank of Eagle. Or are they still just one of the rest of the gang? Keeping these boys in a challenging role is an important part of their wanting to continue in Scouting. Whether it's as a Troop Guide, Jr. Asst. Scoutmaster, etc. or simply a recognized mentor for young Scouts, put them into a role that challenges them to take the next step in leadership and allows them to continue accomplishments of value to the troop and thems
  18. It may just be a piece of cloth with a bunch of pretty thread formed into the shape of a knot, but behind it is recognition of a job well done. Personally, I can take it or leave it because I have reached a state of self-actualization in my scouting life where I know what I have accomplished and am satisfied with simply knowing that "I did my best." Our adult leaders though, are a precious commodity and they appreciate recognition where earned, just as much as the boys do. I feel that recognition is the key to keeping them involved for awhile longer, even at times past the stage where t
  19. Just had to add my two cents worth! On the original question; there is nothing that prevents a parent from being the counselor for his/her own son or signing off on rank requirements. From the ethics standpoint I personally try to avoid this for my sons, unless they are working on a merit badge together with another Scout or group of Scouts. If another counselor is available and reasonably convenient I have them go to someone else. Just gives me some backup to say that no "favoritism" was shown. Same with requirements. I usually have them demonstrate the skill and be signed off by on
  20. I feel the same way Bob. Apparently this came up a at recent Eagle Board of Review in our troop. No problems during this particular Board, but word from the District Advancement Chair was that something may be coming down the pike. I am trying to get additional info, as I was not sitting on the Board. The gist of it from those who were in on the Board was that it was, in essence, going to take membership in a church to get through the Eagle reviews. My personal feeling is that "membership" in a particular church is, in and of itself, no indication of duty to God. I have had the pleas
  21. Curious to know if anyone has heard any info regarding the "religious" reference letter for Eagle Scout candidates. Scuttlebut has it that it will be difficult to accept a letter for an Eagle candidate who is not a member of a church, synagogue, etc. I'm trying to figure out if this is something being cooked up at the district/council level or if national is pushing something. I have some very definite feelings about this, but am looking for any info that we are headed toward a stricter interpretation of "a Scout is Reverent."
  22. I anxiously await replies to this also. As my two sons went through Cub Scouts, I had to be careful to "play the game" right with my registration so that I could earn various knots. As with many of us, I wore more than one hat throughout my years as a Cub Leader. Fortunately, my Pack allowed me to register under the position needed to fulfill the letter of the law, while fulfilling the role of a second position. (I was a "Committee Member" for most of those years as Pack Treasurer, but registered through the years and served primarily as Den Leader, Webelos Leader, etc.) In some cases
×
×
  • Create New...