frankpalazzi

Oh God NO! Your interpretation is not within the spirit or intent of which the YPT guidelines were written!!! They are talking about ADULT exploitation, exposure, etc. The situation you describe is the equivalent of "The stash of Playboy magazines hidden under a log at camp" brought into 21st century technology. The boys are being boys, nothing more. A discussion of "A Scout Is Clean," and the inappropriateness of bringing such material to a Troop function should suffice, just as it has since 1911. You handled it fine, and I'm sure the SE would agree.

This thread reminded me of a funny "Blue Card Story". About 20 years ago in the pre-internet, pre-download age one of our troop dads overheard me grumbling about the fact that council was charging .05 per blue card. (Yep, for an APPLICATION!) He asked me "Can I take one of those?" Turned out he worked for a local printing company and the next week brought back a stack of 500 of 'em, all ready to go! Fast forward about 3 years: A staffer at camp loudly proclaims to us (and others) that our blue cards are COUNTERFEIT! It took 3 years for someone to notice (or even care) that there were no perforations! The staffer raised a stink about it; all over camp, to the CD and the DE. They just chuckled and dismissed it, as well they should have, but that staffer wound up on our permanent s**t list, which is a place ya just DON'T want to be! That stack is long gone, but the old-timers still talk about that time! Fond memories.

Blue cards usually reside with the troop; Council never really sees them. Council gets an advancement report based on signed blue cards, so I'd say old blue cards are fine if they suit your troop's purposes. I believe use of blue cards may not even be required!

Yes, if you have households with 2+ brothers, one copy of BL per household will satisfy your 100% BL.

Have a GREAT TIME!!!! This is the ultimate Scouting journey!

We wrap up with a Court Of Honor early to middle June, then no more weekly meetings until school starts. We DO have one fundraiser during 4th Of July week and attend Summer Camp. It gives everyone a nice break, but the boys do have the option of planning a summer activity if they want to, such as visiting the Jamboree two years ago.

Problem apparently solved! BSA Nat'l called this morning, and I tried it again..with success! Richard: Thanks for your help, I owe ya one!

Ohhhh my, I wouldn't want to be within a BLOCK of the conversation where someone says "You can't do that" to many of the AL Post Commanders I'm acquainted with. That poor person would have some body part handed back to him.

I'm COR of an AL sponsored Pack and Troop. I've seen the "Boy Scout" patch worn on the pocket. I agree it doesn't "look right," but perhaps that's where the Troop and/or Post said it should go. Ask your Post Commander for his recommendation on either/both patches--and be PROUD to be a Legion troop!(This message has been edited by FrankScout)

From what I read in the OP, definitely a scam. The owner's insurance company should handle everything. "Meet me on _____ so I can get the cash" is a red flag, IMO.

This camporee is an invitational for Troops sponsored by the American Legion. It's a statewide camporee put on by the American Legion, not a council or district event so it does require a TP.

You guys are awesome, thanks! Now where do I get the PDF from? I'll just fax it to council and be done with it. Already informed the PD of the camporee of my issue, so maybe a fax receipt will be sufficient. (The camporee is THIS weekend---I know, I know...21 days, but realistically, can anyone do this accurately 3 weeks ahead?

...make that FOUR computers--same issue. I give up.(This message has been edited by FrankScout)

Thanks bnelon44, I did just that, and on their end, everything "seems to be ok". (Well, it's NOT! I've tried 2 browsers on 2 computers!). They gave me a trouble number to call back tomorrow--guess we'll just have to wait 'n' see!

Hi all...I'm trying to fill out the Tour plan on the myscouting site. I can't get past the first page, as it asks for type of unit, and the drop down box has no choices, so I'm stuck. This has been handed off to me by another committee member with the same frustration. Just to cover a few bases: -Yes, I did sign in with a valid username, and I have a BSA ID. -I have used both Firefox and IE to try this, but to no avail. -Yes, I have the latest versions of the browsers. I'm ready to just say "the heck with it," BUT, this particular camporee we're attending awards 5 extra points to overall score if a copy of the approval is submitted at check-in. I'm wondering if 5 points is worth all this hassle. Not sure what, if anything I'm doing wrong on the myscouting site, but if anyone has any insight, much appreciated!

We've been doing it for years! We call it "Troop/Pack Relations Chair."

Welcome to the forums! Fred is correct, a Board Of Review is exactly that, a review to make sure that requirements are completed and to get some insight into "quality control", ie, how the troop is doing. If the requirements are completed, he should be signed off on his BOR. HOWEVER, what you said about the "rude comment" got my attention. What exactly was the comment? Was it something "rude" enough that the members could "suspend" the board (not "fail" the scout) until such time as Scout Spirit shows improvement? (If the comment truly merits such action.) Our District Advancement Chairman told me of a case where he suspended an Eagle Board for a similar situation. Of course, the Scoutmaster should be informed of what happened. In our troop, the SM "presents" the candidate to the board, indicating that he/she believes the candidate is ready to the best of his/her knowledge. Same with the old rank patch, a friendly chat with the SM is probably a good idea.

Where there's a will, there's a way! I don't see a reason either why your wife couldn't attend. Having her take the online YP would be a good idea too! Check with your council, they might not allow unregistered adults to be the second adult--if that's the case, register her as an ASM or committee member! Track down your CC/COR to sign the app and turn it in! You're covered! Also, your UC should be able to help here if taking your wife along is a last resort (though I'm sure she'll have a GREAT TIME.) No camp wants to lose a troop--they'll help find a solution! Enjoy your week at camp!!!

Welcome to the forums! I think a meeting should be held with the SM,CC, Scout and parents to outline the problems and try to come up with a solution. Face to Face with the parents is much more effective than a letter sent home. Of course if the decision has already been made to have the parent accompany the scout, the parents should be handed a brief letter at the meeting stating the terms. This should definitely be done in person, not by mail in my opinion. I don't have a "form letter" for this kind of situation, but perhaps someone else might? What is your role in this? Are you an ASM, Committee member? SPL? (This message has been edited by FrankScout)

I heard about that technique years ago and never knew of anyone who actually tried it. Glad to see it worked for you!

We have a committee member (non-ordained) who coordinates Scout Sunday, helps boys with their religious awards, and updates the troop on area church happenings. So, I asked him to wear the Chaplain patch! (OK, pleaded, cajoled, pressured..) He loved the idea and so does the troop and the CO! Why not? He was doing the job anyway! Win-win all around!

Remember the Alka-Seltzer commercial? Well... I can't believe I read the whooollle thing! There's 10 minutes of my life I'm not getting back from reading this.... Filing it under "OH, PUH-LEEZ"

We categorize our expenses like this: ADMINISTRATIVE: Troopmaster license fees, office supplies, postage. ADVANCEMENT: Any and all awards--no set amount as it varies wildly. CAMPING/EVENTS: Cabins/Campsites. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES: Deducted from fundraising profits. GOODWILL: For expressions of condolence. Also camperships, dues aid. RECHARTER: The annual PIA. REGISTRATIONS: New scouts between recharters. Level funded, but we do keep track. TRAILER: Registration/maintanance/modification, fuel reimbursement for driver. TRAINING: Used to supplement or finance youth or adult training which requires a fee. TROOP GEAR: All equipment used by boys. Repair/replacement. Income of course: Fundraising, Dues, and Donations. The BSA Unit Budget Plan is an excellent starting point for guidance.

I agree with Tokala: Scheduling OA elections is the Scoutmaster's domain; he is the adult head of program. Committee members are there to support the program. I've gotten calls as CC by the Chapter election team in the past, and politely referred them to the Scoutmaster for further action.

Triple edged sword: Parents would love it, kids would hate it, unions wouldn't allow it.