AlFansome

Here's the current one for you to compare with...

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/28-406.pdf

NJCubScouter-

Me thinks you don't know Gern so very well... :-)

Indeed, it's good we have Glenn Beck to rely on to give us the truth. A true American patriot!

Specifically, here is what the BSA says about unit websites. Note that they are "advisory guidelines" and not rules. Ultimately, anything created by a unit is owned, controlled and the responsibility of the Chartered Organization which runs the unit.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Marketing/Resources/UnitWeb.aspx

Facebook's policy doesn't allow for children under 13 to have an account:

http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=13455

How do you expect your Cubs to access FB? Would they use their parent's accounts and get access to everything their parents can see?

IMHO...any Pack-related communication should focus on parents, not children. Even then, use it as another way of reaching out via event invites, page updates, and the like...don't expect much interaction except for a few parents who tend to comment on everything.

moosetracker-

TDC may not be an option in your council/district, but it certainly is in ours. It's still a valid course and either it (or Trainer's EDGE) can be used for training the Pack Trainer.

rkfrance-

I been unable to find anything that states that either TDC or Trainer's EDGE is required for a Pack Trainer to be "trained". If anyone has a reference, please post it. Trainer's EDGE is required for NYLT and WoodBadge staff to take, and has replaced TDC for that audience, but I can't find anything one way or the other regarding Pack Trainers.

I'm a Pack Trainer after having been a Den Leader for 2 years and a Cubmaster for 2 more. Basically, I see a Pack Trainer as the go-to person for any Pack-related training needs. This would include:

- publicizing upcoming district or council training dates, PowWow's, etc.

- update pack leaders on all the on-line training courses, helping with account setup, etc.

- having as a goal 100% trained status for all pack leaders (and publicize this as an expectation as new leaders come on board)

- making sure that leaders understand Youth Protection Guidelines and to a certain extent the Guide to Safe Scouting

- maintaining all the records of all the training for all the leaders in the pack (don't count on Council or District to do it right)

- publicizing supplemental training over and above the requirements (CPR, Phlimont Training Center, Wood Badge, etc...)

To answer your original question, a Pack Trainer is considered "trained" when he/she has completed:

- Fast Start Training (Pack Committee)

- This is Scouting

- Youth Protection

- Pack Trainer Position Specific Training (yes, there is such a class...I've taken it and seen the syllabus). In fact, it's mentioned at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/Adults/Training/Trained%20Leader.aspx

The Trainer Development Conference (which is still a valid but VERY infrequently offered course) is also a good class and satisfies the requirement for the Pack Trainer knot. Note that the knot requirements says "a trainer development conference" in lower-case...not all caps, so I take it to mean that Trainer's EDGE (which is also a trainer development conference) could also be used for the knot requirements. See knot info at http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/13-083.pdf. I've never seen anything that says a trainer development conference is explicity required to be "trained".

Hope this helps.

Here's what a Chartered Org agrees to do each year to get a charter to operate a unit:

http://www.ctyankee.org/fs/page/000945/28128annualcharteragreement.pdf

See Section 4 of this doc http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/04-113.pdf to see what the job of the COR entails.

I'm a COR of 5 units (3 packs and 2 troops). Luckily, leader recruitment isn't an issue and all the units are run well and in close proximity to the way BSA describes. In general, I try to set direction, be there to put out any fires as an unemotional backstop for the leaders, and pass along any info I may get from Council, the Net or elsewhere. As an example, even before the recent changes to Youth Protection requirements for leaders, the Chartered Organization and I had already begun the process to require training in certain instances over and above what BSA requires for our units.

As with everything, too much of a heavy hand is a negative, as is too much of a hands off approach. Ideally, the COR and the CO have a vision for and a reason to run their units. Otherwise, it's like a ship without a rudder.

Here's more info sent out by our Council. It doesn't look Council-generated, but rather as if it comes from National, although there is no mention of the source of the info in the PDF that was sent out.

Youth Protection Training Policy Changes

Questions and Answers

June 2, 2010

The recent changes in Youth Protection requirements have generated a number of questions. The following are answers to some of the questions we have received. We will send regular updates to this information as it becomes available.

Q: Does the executive officer (Institutional Head) of a unit need to take Youth Protection training?

A: If the executive officer is not a registered leader, he or she is not required to complete Youth Protection training, although it is strongly recommended. If the executive officer is registered as an adult leader, then he or she must complete Youth Protection training.

Q: I am a Tiger Cub adult partner and ScoutParent. Do I need to take Youth Protection training?

A: The Tiger Cub adult partner and ScoutParent designations are not registered adult positions; therefore, mandatory Youth Protection training is not required. It is strongly recommended, however, that all adults

involved in Scouting take Youth Protection training. All registered adults are required to take Youth Protection training.

Q: I am sure I know all there is to know about youth protection. Can I test out by only taking the Youth Protection online quiz?

A: No. You must complete the entire online training in order for your Youth Protection certificate to be valid. This ensures you receive the latest information on BSA Youth Protection.

Q: Are parents who attend weekly meetings, weekend campouts, or summer resident camp required to take Youth Protection training?

A: Only if they are registered leaders. However, it is highly recommended that any adult participating with your unit activities take Youth Protection training. Having them register as adult leaders is also highly

recommended.

Q: What is the deadline to meet the new Youth Protection training standard?

A: All registered leaders should take or renew their Youth Protection training so that it is current as of today. A unit will not be able to recharter without its key registered adults being up-to-date on their Youth Protection training. No individual leader will be able to register without being up-to-date on his or her Youth Protection training.

Q: Can a council or district organize Youth Protection group training for its adults?

A: Yes. It is encouraged that adults take the training via the online module, but the instructor-led model is still acceptable as long as the most current version of the Youth Protection DVD (Item no. 610327 or 36121) is used and the end-of-course quiz is proctored by the trainer at the end of the training session. Reminder: It is critical that training completion certificates be issued after successful completion and that a formal training record roster is submitted to the council registrar so proper credit can be recorded in the profiles of each participant.

Q: Why a new training policy on such short notice?

A: Youth safety is the No. 1 concern of the BSA. It is important to implement this training at all levels of the organization. The BSA is always reevaluating and reassessing its policies to ensure the safest youth program and the best training is being offered. The BSAs Youth Protection training has been in existence long enough for it to be understood and accepted as a mandated training for all registered BSA adult leaders.

Q: The new policy indicates that a Youth Protection certificate of completion must be submitted at the time of application. What does that mean?

A: A BSA application should only be collected from a prospective leader after they have fully completed the form, attached a copy of their Youth Protection certificate of completion, and submitted that to the Council

Service Center.

Q: Will both the regular and Venturing leader versions of Youth Protection training meet the requirement?

A: Yes, as long as they are using the most current versions of the DVDs for group training. The online version is the preferred method, as it allows for those taking the training to get one-on-one training and take all the time they need for review. The online quiz does not require printing of any test pages. They are issued an immediate certificate of completion and it allows for the updating of their ScoutNet record.

Q: Do leaders need to wait until they have final clearance on the background check to meet with youth?

A: No. As long as their application is fully completed, approved, and submitted to the Council Service Center, their fee is paid, and Youth Protection training is certified, they will be able to interact with youth while the Criminal Background Check (CBC) is still pending.

Q: If a units leaders Youth Protection training is not current, should we not register any new youth to their units until they do so, or will those who are not current be dealt with through the recharter process?

A: This policy does not affect youth registrations. However, if a units leadership has not complied with the new Youth Protection standard by the next rechartering period, the unit will NOT be able to complete its registration.

Q: Will the system be able to handle the overload of people taking training at the last minute?

A: The system platform that houses E-Learning is expected to be able to handle the high volume.

Q: Will the new adult applications have this information?

A: Yes. All new applications will reflect these changes.

Q: When does the change go into effect?

A: As of June 1, 2010, all registered adult volunteers must complete Youth Protection training prior to beginning their volunteer service.

Q: Do merit badge counselors need to take Youth Protection training?

A: Yes. A merit badge counselor is a registered volunteer position.

Q: If a person is not a registered leader, how can he or she log in and take the Youth Protection training?

A: A person does not have to be a registered volunteer to take Youth Protection training. To take the training, log into myscouting.org and create an account. From the myscouting.org portal, click on E-training and take Youth Protection. Upon completion, print a certificate and submit with a new application or submit to the unit leader for processing at the local council.

Q: Can units that have some adults that have not completed Youth Protection training be rechartered?

A: In order for a unit to be rechartered, it must have all the required positions filled with Youth Protection trained adults. Adults who have not completed Youth Protection training will not be reregistered.

Q: Is there a grace period to get all adults trained?

A: No. If a leaders Youth Protection training is not current, the volunteer must take or renew their training immediately. Every effort should be taken so that all adults involved in Scouting have a current

certificate of completion of the Youth Protection training.

Q: Does all volunteers mean all volunteerseven board members and council presidents?

A: Yes. The goal is to have all registered volunteers Youth Protection-trained. This is an important statement for us an organization and shows our commitment to the well-being of our youth members.

It's right around 299 or 300 at this point, if I counted right.

Go to myscouting.scouting.org, login with your username and password, and click on "Update my profile" on the left. At the bottom of the next screen is a place where you can enter your council and membership number. The Council drop-down list contains all councils (plus council numbers) along with National and the regions.

Couldn't find any other official list on a BSA site, however.

"He has betrayed who he really is as a person to earning award. He did not live by the law and oath he took on a weekly basis."

Basementdweller-

How so? Because he didn't live by your definition of "moral" or "clean" or whatever?

Can't find anything that would disallow the den emblem on the blue uniform, so it looks like it's OK.

In particular, http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/InsigniaGuide/05.aspx makes no distinction between blue or tan where the right sleeve is concerned.

Check out http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/NewLeaderTraining/specific.aspx

There, the term "Boy Scout Leader Specific Training" refers to the different classes needed by SMs/ASMs/CommitteeMembers to be considered "Trained".

The classes for SM/ASM are still the same: This Is Scouting, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills, along with Youth Protection, of course.

Edited to add: Looks like I was looking at the same page as you were! To answer your question...yes, it's just a heading thing. The individual class names haven't changed.(This message has been edited by AlFansome)

In my son's previous pack, there was never an issue with scouts finishing their rank badge during the school year, so no need to continue in the same rank over the summer. At the last Pack Meeting in May/June, we'd have a bridging ceremony where we presented the new neckerchief and handbooks to the boys. That way, anything done over the summer at camp or some other council, district or pack events would count towards the next year's requirements and electives.

That being said, there's no requirement to do it this way. If you have some boys that want to finish their current badge over the summer, that's fine, too. BUT...it's either all or nothing...can't work on the current badge during the summer and then also use items done at the same time for next year's badge. They count for one or the other.

Yep, same patch as your Cub Scouts get (blue/yellow diamond shape). Wear it on your right pocket as a temporary patch.

Info at: http://www.boyscouttrail.com/content/award/award-433.asp

Apparently, you haven't googled the requirements. They seem reasonable and an attempt to promote responsible time management and choice of video games. My son earned his right before he bridged over to Boy Scouts this past February.

Requirements for the Video Games Belt Loop

Complete these three requirements:

1) Eplain why it is important to have a rating system for video games. Check your video games to be sure they are right for your age.

2) With an adult, create a schedule for you to do things that includes your chores, homework, and video gaming. Do your best to follow this schedule.

3) Learn to play a new video game that is approved by your parent, guardian, or teacher.

Google "adult square knot" and you'll have your answer.

Or, just click on either of the links below :-)

http://www.boyscouttrail.com/square-knots.asp

http://scoutleaderawards.com/awards/knots1.asp

Thanks for the info.

Wonder why the 1st class pin is $24.95, though...

http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=GIFTS&c3=PINS&c4=&lv=3&item=17

Also, no Tenderfoot pin available online, anyway.

See also ... http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=271335

Where are Boy Scout rank pins (not patches) used for? Are they for uniform wear or just a memento? I notice that they are restriced items, but have never seen a reference to them in any insignia guide.

Example at:

http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=GIFTS&c3=PINS&c4=&lv=3&item=14

Note that these are not the same as parent pins. These are larger and are restricted items.

I typically never get involved in "Issues & Politics" discussions, but I saw the news item below and figured others may want to read about it. Seems like the case may be of tangential interest to BSA.

Court splits sharply on campus Christian case:

At issue is whether law school can deny recognition to exclusive group

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36648454/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

I go by what's on the Uniform Inspection sheet at http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34283.pdf

4" from shoulder seam to bottom of patrol emblem.

For the Quality Unit patch, it can be touching the bottom of the patrol emblem or below a National Honor Patrol star as described in the wording for the right sleeve on the inspection sheet.

(This message has been edited by AlFansome)

If indeed the Unit is owned by the CO, then it follows that the CO "owns" the financial activity of the unit. If the Unit is using the EIN of the CO, then the CO should be aware of and get a summary of Unit activity as the CO's fiscal year ends. The CO should then report this activity (or not) on it's tax returns as appropriate on advice of its accountant. If the unit is using it's own EIN, then typically they do not have to file an IRS form 990 (see link below).

There are several ways a CO can be organized 501©(3), 501©(4), etc. and different COs are in different situations in this regard.

There's a doc at http://www.bsacac.org/PDFs/Financial_Policies_for_Units.pdf that goes into more detail on some of these unit finance questions. The web page at http://whiterockdistrict.org/content/fiscal-policies-and-procedures-boy-scout-units attributes this information to Russell C. McNamer, Tax and Legal Specialist for Boy Scouts of America.

David CO-

I wouldn't say that scout accounts are budget items per se, but rather balance sheet entries. They're "owned" (loosely) by the Scout and used to pay for scout expenses (summer camp, outings, dues perhaps). What money goes into these "accounts" is up to the unit. Some put a portion or all of the fundraising proceeds, some may put a portion of the dues in there...up to the unit.

The monies are typically co-mingled in the Troop account and managed via spreadsheet or some other program (like TroopLedger from the TroopMaster folks). So, if the Treasurer reports that there is $4,000 in the Troop's checking account, a note would need to be including saying that of that $4,000 there's $xxx in scout accounts -- or -- that $4,000 is understood by the unit committee to be the net amount after deducting the scout account contents.

Alternately, you could open a 2nd account just to hold the Scout account money, but then lots of transferring back and forth is required.

Yep...what eagle92 says.

The CO is granted a charter by the local council to use the BSA program for its own needs as part of the program for its members which includes approving and recruiting leaders and supervising all other aspects of running the unit. Further, there are easily found documents on the web that encourage a unit's bank accounts to use the EIN (tax id) number of the CO. To say that the CO doesn't own the unit is plainly incorrect.

To think of it another way, a Scout unit chartered to a Rotary Club is not very different organizationally than a Sunday School program run by a local church.

In practice, however, a CO all too often doesn't live up to what its agreed to in its charter agreement with the local Council and the CO itself doesn't know or care that it really does own the unit.

I'm a COR for 5 units (3 Packs and 2 Troops) chartered by a Kiwanis Club. Before I joined, we were definitely one of those hands-off COs. Still a work in progress, but the relationships (in both directions) are better now that there's at least one person in the Club that has an idea of the actual responsibilities on both sides of the relationship.(This message has been edited by AlFansome)