Eagledad

While I hold the highest respect for Lisabob in scouting matters, I kind of feel this situation is one step past that point of her advice. I would suggest SeaGull99 read her sons scout handbook on the requirements for the Star rank. Then I suggest she call the CC to set up a meeting over coffee (at her home if you wish) with both the CC and the SM to discuss the situation. Don't wait for a yes or no, but instead give them the choice of two times to choose from. When you meet, in a very kind voice just go strait into it and read the requirements out of the book. Then in a kind voice, ask for th

Thanks for your thoughts Beav, we are ok. The tornado took and interesting path that went 1 mile west of my mother, a half mile north of my sister, 2 miles west or my house and just a couple blocks from my mother in-law. In fact the picture on the front page of the Daily Oklahoman news paper this morning, showing all the downed power lines as far as you can see, is by my mother in-laws neighborhood. I drove through the storm last night to bring my mother in law to our home until she got power back. By the looks of the damage, I thought she would be staying with us at least a couple days, but a

Yes, we went from 12 first year scouts to 40 total in one year as well. I agree that it is very challenging. Barry

I had 16 Webelos and divided them up into two groups. Made the meetings better because we would have to activities going on at each meeting and have the groups switch after 20 or 30 minutes. Keeps the boys busy. I would suggest two 1.5 hour meetings a month because it is really challenging to plan a meeting with 2 groups without feeling hurried. You can easily fill the hour and half. The one day off a month lets you recharge your batteries and do more planning. I had it easy selecting the two groups because my scouts came from two Bear Dens. But I would suggest that you first have them pi

>>If the boys start out together (NSP) and stay together, then when they become 14 (presumably at roughly the same time), their patrol can become a venture patrol, and they maintain thier unity.

>>It would seem that after three years they really weren't interested in the program/advancement and were in it just to hang out.

Well looking at it in this context, I think I served the parents. I know I could care less about the CO. I use to tell parents that my job was to help better equipe their son for the day when he gets up in the morning to find his wife too sick to get out of bed, their babies crying to be fed, and his boss calling to find out why he wasn't at work. Barry

>>I think when the PLC gets ready for our next annual planning conference, I will suggest each PL ask each patrol member to think about what would be their best trip ever to go on, and suggest that. I don't think we've ever phrased the question in that manner. I look forward to seeing what they come up with.

>>Senior scouts that have to go to the same summer camp they have for 5 times earlier just because their numbers are unable to out-vote the troop will simply drop out of the program..

>>We all survived the evening without any DT's.

There are some minor risk involved that are being presented here, but if you know of some churches that want a troop and possibly expanding the scouting program, I would go for it. I been involved in few of these things and if the DE thinks it is a good idea, it is very likely the right thing to do. In my experiences, threatening to leave was a wake up call to the CO and they changed their attitude toward the scout units. BArry

Maybe I had some control about adult behavior, but I have personally only asked three adults to get out. Each case was a different circumstance, but I acted in each case because I felt the boys were in danger. For alcohol problems, I have asked two parents, one cub and one boy scout, to not volunteer for any unit activities. Both parents got professional help after. I did not suggest it. I know of one SM ask by council to leave scouting after he was caught offering a beer to a scout. That comes under stupid people tricks to me. But, as the District Membership Chairman, I suggested the Tr

I just had and interesting conversation with a couple of friends who are in business for themselves. They are not millionaires by any means, but do well when the oil business is doing well. They are also diversified in other things to ride through the slow oil times. I just saw them walking by at a local coffee shop and said hello. We talked about kids for a few minutes and then I asked a question really just in passing, when are you expecting the oil prices to change?. Boy, that got them going and I didnt get another word or opinion in the conversation because they just started talking and co

>>There's nothing in the requirement that states that the POR has to be at troop level with scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, etc. It does specifically state for some POR's but not all.

I would council the SPL to build the best team possible and then help advise him on what he comes up with from that. Rank and advancement should not be of any concern to him because that doesn't help him or his team. As to a Web Master, I only suggest getting your needs taken care of. If you need a good Web Master, go for it, our troop 90 scouts had two. But they worked hard and were better leaders after the experience. My objective with and kind of leadership responsibility was that the scout grew from the experience. I feel that every leadership opportunity should be a stepping st

Remember your main goal is building men of character. I think you should shift your thinking that PORs are for developing better decision makers through the practice of using leadership skills. They are not to advance a scout's stature. Yes, I know they need it for advancement, but once you start down that trail, its hard to get back, especially with the parents. Scouts should have to earn the respect of leadership so they are chosen to lead, not given it to get another badge. I also think you are risking becoming a trophie kind of program. Create PORs when they are needed and get

We are dealing with the fear of the fear. I have a sister inlaw that work for one of the banks that took the hit, but she saw it coming a year ago. Other then that, most folks we know want to spend money but are unsure because the media keeps saying harder times are a head. I need to replace an old car or consider just a new motorcycle but I can't get comfortable about doing those because of the threat the worse is yet to come. Barry

I would approach it just like adamsdwa listed with doing Lisabobs advise in adamsdwa #1 item. Also keep in mind that scouting is great for boys until the adults get involved. Barry

>>You know, if the Mormon Church wanted to exert a positive influence on this topic......

>>My question is: What do you do with the older boys like me that still want to be active in leadership, but have a job where they can't be at everything and don't want to be in a regular patrol?

Touche Kudu Barry

>>Those children will starve if they are waiting for the Pro-life groups to sweep in and offer to take care of them.

>>In an adult-led program, mixing and matching of patrols may be the traditional course of action, but when it's boy-led and they are making the decisions as to patrol membership, that is not possible.

>>All government can do is make the decision even more difficult and more expensive.

>>Sorry, I just can't get my mind around how scouts can mutiny against their own program? Maybe the question should be: "Is it Okay for boys to take back their program after adults have shanghaied it?"