Eamonn

I understand what a Hoot is. But have no idea what YGBKM might mean? Y: Might mean why GB: I know that one - Great Britain. K: kiss ? M: Half a small candy? Why Great Britain kisses small candy? Oh dear what has Prince Charles been up to now?

As a District we invite units to support the Council.While we do apply some friendly "Arm Twisting" The units can do what they like. We do offer free rank advancement to the units that meet certain requirements. Sad to say this started off as a good idea, but over time the list of requirements just grew and grew, until people started asking "Is it worth it?" When it came down to the pack where each Scout only gets one patch a year, it wasn't such a great deal. The Troops fared a little better if they had a couple of Scouts making Eagle Scout rank. Units that meet certain levels in FOS family campaigns receive a portion of the money back in the form of a store credit at the Council Scout Shop. It is also a practice of the Council not to offer Camperships to units that do not support the Council. We don't change any fees or give discounts to those that do support the Council. Eamonn

Had a key3 meeting today. As we were going over some dates for next year, I said "... If that's OK with you." She gave me a sad look and smiled and said "Unless you want me there I will be gone by then." I got to thinking of what we ought to buy or get her as a farewell gift. I looked at the District Award Of Merit, but she really doesn't qualify. While I know that she has gone above and beyond, she has never served as a volunteer. She already is a James E.West and Heritage Member. I'm thinking of a nice piece of Waterford Crystal, in the Slane pattern. However I welcome any ideas. Eamonn.

Unc, Old Chap, Some ideas of mine. Not that yours are bad. The Great Egg Race. You supply an egg, balsa wood or light wire and a set of wheels along with a rubber band. They design and build a vehicle to transport the egg. One that covers the most distance is the winner. Pasta Bridges. Like indoor or mini pioneering. You supply uncooked pasta and they design a bridge. The bridge that can withstand the most weight is the winner. (A toy truck with weights in.) Head and Catch: Use a volley ball or a not to hard soccer-ball. Have them form a circle. Someone stands in he center of the circle with the ball. He throws it to a player and calls "Head it" or he calls "Catch it" If the call is head it - the player must catch it and if the call is catch it - the player must head it. Get it wrong and you are out. Young people this age love eating contests!! I don't know how many people you are expecting?? Shame your deadline is so close. Eamonn.

Not sure what you mean by "Fast Track"? To my mind a Scout meets or doesn't meet the requirements. If there is a problem with the Camp Staff signing off on a requirement, the Scout can invite the leader to the area and he can see for himself. Eamonn.

Can't say that I have ever seen it. However, you might want to be careful that you are not upsetting any Native Americans with such a ceremony. Just a thought. Welcome to the forums. Eamonn.

I understand and understood every word. Great job. Happy to hear that Scouts and Guides are alive and well in Brasil. I don't know why there has not been a Jamboree in Brasil. It might be that there was one in Chile in 1998 / 1999. They try and spread them around a bit. Welcome to the Forum. I look forward to hearing what young people in Brasil are doing. "One World One Promise" Eamonn

Me thinks the answer lies in the question asked by our Dear Friend from Ohio. In days of olde, when Scouts were bold And Computers hadn't been invented. The Charters came out asking what position you hold? They were then filled out, without word or shout and you were down as you intended. Things worked fine; Well most of the time, However people wearing too many hats Messed up all the stats. The Registrars were up in arms it's a crime, it's a crime a waste of our time They yelled and sometimes they snorted Oh what can we do to get all of this sorted. We have to many places, we don't know the faces. Is he just a counselor or a Scouter as well? If we can find a way everything will be swell. Eureka they cried, we'll soon turn the tide. They need to conform, and fill out a new form. The Data was fine, a code on each line. Now all through the Land Every things Grand. Please don't ask why? Or whimper or cry. Just fill out the form and learn to conform. If not you'll surely get busted. Eamonn. (This message has been edited by Eamonn)

Here I go being a wet blanket. While I admire and respect you KS. From your postings in this forum you certainly seem as a Scoutmaster who has got it. I think that Unit Leaders / Scoutmasters have enough on their plate without taking on extra responsibilities. Her That Must Be Obeyed bought my son which reads "What part of NO don't you understand." It of course goes without saying that I wish you all the best of British Luck and still know that you are not only up to the task, but way ahead of it. Eamonn.

Back home. not sure who was the US president, but Queen Elizabeth II, was still on the throne!!We used six man patrol tents. OJ and I camped with an English troop a couple of summers back and they still are using the six man patrol tents. OJ, along with some of the older Lads thought it would be fun to spend one night in a bivy-bag. Man oh man did he stink the next morning. Eamonn.

I like to think that we have a system for changing things. Sad thing is that so many choose not to follow it. Lord, knows I do more then my fair share of whining,and complaining. At times I use this forum as a way of checking out if there is any merit in my complaint. At times I use just to vent. As a unit volunteer you have several ways of getting things off your chest. Each and every month we hold a District Committee meeting all the Charter Reps. are invited and can voice any concerns that they might have. Our Commissioner Staff also have a monthly meeting where the Unit Commissioners report concerns from the units. We hold weekly key3 meetings where plans can be made to address any problems. As District Chairman I sit on the Council Executive Board and represent the District. We also hold quarterly Council Key3 meetings. As a council we send representatives to the National meeting, where they represent the council. We have representation on our Area Committee who report to the Region. We also have people who serve on the National Committee. I don't know how the Chartered Organizations are represented, but I feel sure that they have some input, mainly on the Relationships Committee. Of course with an organization of this size things aren't going to happen over night and change comes slow, sometimes so slow that we don't notice it. I by no means think that the BSA is always right and at times have voiced my opinions. Still I do think that there is a time and a place. I can't see me ever sitting around the camp fire telling a group of Boy Scouts that I think such and such is a load of rubbish. However there have been many a night when my best friend a VP in our Council, and I have sat down and put the world to rights. Maybe I do think that $13.00 is too much for a pair of socks, however it's going to take more then a few bucks to get rid of me. Maybe I think that allowing Scouts to be multiples in a Crew is dumb, but I will voice this to the right people and maybe it will change. Maybe the BSA will pass a ruling that Roman Catholics can no longer serve in the BSA and that will be the end of me. Not that I can ever seeing them passing it, but I am here to deliver or support the programs of the BSA. When we come to something that I can't live with, I will remember that I only serve. I don't own. Eamonn.(This message has been edited by Eamonn)

As part of a Key3 I just can't say enough good things about our DE. I know for a fact that we don't have any "Paper Units" in our District. In the past eight years we have seen growth in our Boy Scout Membership. We didn't hit the mark last year in Cub Scouts. We have seen an overall growth in Membership of about 20% over the past five years. This can all be attributed to having a good looking District Chairman and a hard working DE. Well - A hard working DE is true!! Eamonn.

Hey Unc are you implying that I'm dangerous in a bad way now?? I will give this some serious thought, I do have the Jambo next year. But it's just a matter of catching Her That Must Be Obeyed on a good day!! I have managed to sleep through the worlds worst snorers in fact it has been said that I might be one of them - It's all lies !! Eamonn

While the rules may differ from Lodge to Lodge. In our Lodge if you can provide some type of proof that you did what you say you did, they will welcome you back. We only ask that you pay this years dues. I have heard of others that back date them. Someone in the Council Service Center ought to be able to help you or put you in contact with someone in the Lodge. Hope this helps. Eamonn.

We offer a First Year Camper Program. (We also offer an Eagle Camp, which was the reason I asked) Over the years I have heard reports that range from outstanding to a waste of time!! I'm a little unsure why roll call is so important. If the people are working one on one with each individual Scout (Which I hope they would be doing.) As for Scouts "Testing Scouts" In our Council the Council Advancement Committee working with the Camp Program Director and the Camp Director try to ensure that those doing the teaching and the signing off are well versed and sticking to the requirements. One has to hope that this standard would be the same no matter who is doing the signing. If the requirement is met, then it has been met and if it hasn't... Even though I can't see why the other Scouts would answer for another Scout. The fact that they did is not good. I think a Scoutmaster conference would be in order. I have never heard of a Scout having his Scout Badge taken away? I didn't think that this could be done and I am in no way for it. It's not the way we do things. Eamonn

Are you a registered member of the BSA? Eamonn.

Dale Maybe we have not made it clear. WE LOVE VENTURING. There is nothing wrong with the program. The Program can and will work. However taking a bored Scout from a boring troop and selecting the ASM from the boring troop to be a boring do nothing Crew Leader and keeping the bored Scout on both the Boring Troop Charter and the Boring Crew Charter is in no way going to solve the problem. Yes if the Crew is doing stuff that will hold the interest of this young Lad we are 100% for him joining the Crew. More power to him. Eamonn. PS My reference to the Elvis Fan Club was to do with Councils that have gone into schools and signed up entire grades as "Venturers." I don't have any problem with a real crew doing it. It sure beats Country and Western!! (This message has been edited by Eamonn)

OK I have been on my soap box for a few days going on about Venturing. I really do enjoy spending time with young people of all ages, be they the little Lad who has just joined as a Tiger Cub, the Boy Scout who is a Life Scout and is in need of a friendly kick in the pants or the young adult who has just graduated from High School and is seeing his or her bedroom being made into the new sewing room. Yes I am an old fuddy duddy who has strong views on some things and I'm still trying to understand hip-hop music and fail to understand why all the shoes that my son buys are just plain ugly. I don't want to be young again!! Been there, done that and loved every minute of it. In no small part thanks to my involvement in Scouting. I do want to understand thing better. When I became a Scoutmaster I took myself to Wood Badge. When I became a Cubmaster and Cub Scout Leader Trainer, I took myself back to Wood Badge. When I became a District Commissioner, I went to Philmont for the Commissioner Service Conference. I really don't see myself becoming very involved in a Crew. However if attending Powder Horn (Is it two words?) Would improve my knowledge of Venturing I'm willing to go. But would it? I have no ambition to relive the adventures of my past. So if that's what it's about I will stay home and read the book. If I will come away and be able to say "Thats the way to do it -That's how it ought to work. I will go. Any thoughts? Eamonn.

Ron, I can't help but feel that I'm hijacking your thread. But that's never prevented me in the past. Our District is made up of three school districts. One area (School District) is fairly affluent.One is really poor and the other is a mixed bag, only it goes up into the mountains. You can get details from Schools about what percentage of the students receive or qualify for the free lunch program to find out the social economic situation in the area. But most of us who live in an area can guess that anyway. I use the numbers to help raise money!! The District has 3 towns. They range in size from a little under 5,000 to about 13,000. Most of our units are all huddled together in these 3 towns. So we didn't need to be Mastermind to work out that we were not reaching all the rural areas. I live in the small town of under 5,000. We have 2 crews,4 packs and 5 troops. Along with 14 churches. Not bad for an area with an aging population!! When we looked at where we needed to go we held a meeting that was a Brain Storming session. No idea was too dumb or too silly we listed everything that was brought up. Out of this meeting we came to realize that even though we only have a very small Black population, we have 3 churches that serve that community. I just made a phone call to the church, in fact I called all 3 and took 2 of the Ministers out to dinner. We now have a Morningstar Baptist Church pack and troop and one of the Ministers now serves on the Council Executive Board. Someone at the meeting remembered that a long time ago we had a Special Needs Pack. We called the teacher, had a meeting with the parents, got the green light from the Superintendent of Schools for that School District and we were up and running. We are still working with the Wild Turkey Federation about a Crew in a rural area. Our District Membership Committee has a list of people and Organizations that they are working on or with. (People are easier to work with,) The list has Fire stations, gun clubs, the Salvation Army, a golf course, 2 VFW's and an American Legion Post, which is located in a very run down neighborhood. The Club is willing to bend over back-wards to get the young people in that area into Scouts and Scouting. When I meet with these people I try to get them on neutral ground and I sell them the Values of Scouting. I try not to get into the mechanics about what each program does. I don't lie, but do dwell on the fun of Scouting and the end product. If you get stuck for ideas look in the phone book. Tell them where you are from and make a appointment, you might want to take someone from the District that you know and who knows you. I once had a real idiot come with me. He spent ten minutes telling a Catholic Priest that both the BSA and the church believed in families. It got so bad that the Priest looked at me as if to say "Where did you get him?" It could be that the idiot wasn't used to drinking Black Bushmills? Or it could have been the wine? Eamonn

Bob, I am not sure what part a unit has to do with a Merit Badge Counselor? We have Merit Badge Counselors on our list that have no unit affiliation what so ever. In our district if you want to be a Merit Badge Counselor you fill out the Adult Application and the Application to be a Merit Badge Counselor. A person can choose if they want to be a Counselor for the entire District or just the unit. Merit Badge Counselors can pay the registration if they wish. At rechartering time the entire list of Merit Badge Counselors is on the District Charter. As I said earlier we ask that an adult application be completed for every position. I have no idea if these all go through the "System" again. To be honest I don't care. However I would think that if the system had given Eamonn the District Chair. The all clear when Eamonn came up again it wouldn't need to recheck Eamonn. One reason we ask that everyone fills in an application for each and every position is that we were losing people. John Smith the ASM, is also a Unit Commissioner and because he is a cheap / frugal chap he has his primary registration with the Troop (They pay the membership fee.) We were falling short on Commissioners. Eamonn.

Me again! UNC Please know that you and your's are in my prayers. I hope it isn't over shadowing all the other joys that are going on this month. Eamonn.

BadenP First and foremost, welcome to the forums. I think you might need to give what I posted another quick look and then tell me how you agreeing with me makes me a cry baby? I wish I had you in our district, we need more people who see the Venturing program as just that - The Venturing Program and are willing to deliver the goods. If we (Me and anyone else who wants to join me = we)were to apply the label or tag of crybaby to any group I think it would be to those who insist on wanting Boy Scout programs to be available to those in the Venturing program. I happen to have a lot of faith in all the traditional programs of the BSA. When they are allowed to work as they are meant to and were intended they are outstanding. Even if I am becoming aged, I have never looked on the Venturing program as another "Boy Scout Program." In fact if you read what I posted you will see that I am saying that we need to allow Venturing to stand on it's own two feet. Forgive me if I don't ask you to pass the Kleenex. (Just joking) Again Welcome and I hope that you will stick around for a while. Eamonn.

OGE, I will go along with you and your thinking on this one. Eamonn.

Uncle, When will Venturing come of age? I have to admit to having a problem as to what comes first, a bit like the old Chicken or the Egg? Should we go looking for the Chartered Organization or the youth members? At present we seem to be not doing either. It seems to me that we are just turning our 14 year old Scouts into multiple members and twisting the arm of the CO to sign the needed paperwork. If I were the Scoutmaster of a well run troop with an active Venture Patrol, I would send these Venturing Crews packing with a flea in their ear. If this sound territorial? That is because it is. The problem is not in allowing the Crews to be Crews. The problem lies with leaders who see what is a good idea and a good worthwhile program not grabbing the bull by the horns and making the darn thing work as it is supposed too. It seems that in our area the most successful Crews are the ones with a high percentage of female members. I think this is because these females are not looking at the troop or what the troop is doing or has done. They see the program for what it is and just do it. Eamonn.(This message has been edited by Eamonn)

My knowledge about how things used to be here in the USA regarding race and civil rights is not as good as it could be. I think that OGE has hit the nail on the head, even if we were wrong we have come a long way and we are still working at it. Times and attitudes change. When I was a Scout the then correct way of disposing of cans was to burn them, bash them and bury them. Today we are doing our best to put Leave No Trace into practice. Also when I was a Scout there wasn't that many Scouts that were non-white, by the time I became a Scoutmaster the troop was less then 40% white. Those of us who have been through the 21 Century Wood Badge know that Diversity is not only a session but also a ticket item. In the small town in which I live I'm the only person in town who talks with an English accent. Yes there have been people who thought that I didn't pay taxes and I was sending boxes of money back home. Yes there have been people who have said that I ought to go back home. In fact one person who said this as a joke was our present Scout Exec. The other staff didn't think that it was funny and he apologized. Sure we are all going to mess up at times. We have some fairly stupid ideas about people and race, we want all people who look Japanese to be good at karate, the Irish to be big drinkers, the Americans to wear ten gallon hats, plait pants and white shoes and the English to carry umbrellas. Still I have yet to see where the BSA discriminates. My Scout Oath talks about helping other people it doesn't mention race or creed heck we are willing to go out of our way to help people who think that the BSA is rotten to the core. Eamonn.