frankpalazzi

Once the merit badge is completed and the blue card is turned into the unit, an advancement report is filed with the council. The blue card is usually just stored away (in our troop anyway)in case it is needed if there's a mistake at council during review of an Eagle application. Otherwise, if the troop enters the MB in their records (such as Troopmaster) and the council has a record of it, the blue card is usually never needed again. Of course, the scout should have his third, and the MBC should have his third, so there's redundancy in the system. I have a shoebox full of blue cards going back several years! Only had to dig into it once, six years ago to clear up an Eagle required merit badge issue. As far as who keeps it, it's usually the Advancement Chair or the committee chair, and does not really need to travel from troop to troop with the redundancy built into the system.

OOPS..I think I miscommunicated! As COR I would kick butt, not as the UC. The UC should advise and counsel only! If I (as COR) became aware of this situation, then *I'd* require all the adults be retrained, etc., etc. The boy and/or parents should approach the COR if the SM and CC are not on the same page, not the UC. Since the scout was not given a written explanation, or a procedure for appeal.

I'll now go surrender myself to the grammar police for misplacing modifiers.

These committee members who failed this boy are obviously not trained. If the CC is not on board with the SM, then why NOT involve the COR? The COR can lay down the law on this matter: no boards will be held until the committee has completed/retaken Troop Committee Challenge, Scoutmaster Fundamentals, and New Leader Essentials. This is what I'd do as COR, and no foolin' around. Want sugar-coated? Buy a donut. Want a song and dance? Buy a theater ticket. I'd shoot straight from the hip and unconditionally on this one.

This is a matter to be handled by the Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol Leader. Is there a reason why you attend many camping trips? Is there a problem securing two-deep leadership on outings? If so, why not sign up as an Assistant Scoutmaster?

Although I don't have the link, I remember seeing an "Official Tartan Registry" some time ago. Have you tried google?

A council JAMBOree is a great idea! I wish more councils would consider doing it. Mass and RI do "Mass Jam", a combined effort. I don't think there's anything preventing a council from doing this. It would be much cheaper than a national event, but with the right resources and staff would be fun for the boys, and a profit for the council. Win and win.

Oak Tree: Couldn't have said it better!

The Scout Parent program is a Godsend from National, AFAIC. When you have a full committee, each with a job, why add more registered committee members without jobs? What useful purpose does it serve? The Scout Parent program helps to keep parents involved, yet lets the troop function at it's best. A good Scout Parent Coordinator acts like a CC for the rest of the parents, and it sure does cut down on the length of committee meetings! Ours would be 3 hours or more because of Parent MCs who were only there to ask why Little Johnny isn't First Class yet! (Ask the SM, not the committee!) Endless questions/issues like that have no place at committee meetings, and we don't deal with 'em--just refer it all to the SM, and OUTSIDE the committee meeting! The committee needs to deal with the business of the Troop! NOT individual parent concerns!)

The SP program mentors parents with specific committee members in our case--doing a specific job or assisting with a task. I like to think of it as a corps of future MC's-In-Training! You'll often find willing, active parents ready to step into committee openings when they occur!

The Latino Rebels are a relatively new, small group of people apparently looking for publicity. http://www.latinorebels.com That apparently is why it's taken anyone ten years to take notice of this patrol's patch. Here's to the "professionally offended"! AND a candidate for my annual "OH PUH-LEEZ!" Award.

Oh people need to lighten up. The patrol itself is primarily Latino boys, did everyone miss that? Enjoy the irony of it.

Ever wonder what we did BEFORE cell phones existed? We provided parents with the Camp Office phone number, or a local point of contact in case of emergencies. Our Troop does the same thing today, and we DON'T give out leaders' cell numbers! Sure scouts bring their phones, but they quickly go dead from the texting and Facebooking and there's no place to charge them--Really cuts down on the helicopter traffic!

On all these issues, I'd say talk to your local council! There may very well be some statewide or regional jamboree-type events you may not be aware of! For example, we have a statewide event called MassJam every 4-5 years (Mass and RI). Your council should also be able to advise you on the sub-camp idea!

All of our adults wear "Old Goat Patrol" patches. I see nothing wrong with it, the boys and parents LOVE it, it promotes unity, and it shows that we are open to a little fun too.

This is Scouting, it's for the boys. There's nothing wrong with a little fun.

Lesson to be learned by all here, hopefully:

MAKE SEVERAL COPIES OF EVERYTHING!

(Shouting AND emphasis!!!)

Digitally scan all originals: Eagle App, entire workbook, blue cards, rank cards, even troop advancement reports! (I realize you may not have had this capability in 1991.)

Had this happened in my troop, I would have gathered up the SM and entire troop committee, and "gone camping" outside the SE's office after the 2nd "loss of paperwork".

The American Flag is never "dipped" in tribute to any person or for any event or purpose. Cubs do let it tip forward sometimes, though not intentionally...no major sin committed--those things can get HEAVY for a little guy. I hope folks would understand that. Just tell the boys to "Do Your Best!"

The scouts "drool"? We tell 'em, "Hey, there's no rule against you doing this too!"

Then, I swear I can actually see the "lightbulb" go off over their heads. Adults use the same gear and pay the same amount as the scouts ($10-12), so why can't scouts have steak tips and baked potatoes too? Budgeting? Comparison shopping? Are these lost arts? Easy on the cookies and Doritos next time! Don't know how to cook it? ASK! We'll SHOW you! Umm..isn't that what this Scouting thing is all about? I think you can even EDGE method this one! Just sayin'...

Most always, there is an vast improvement in the patrols' menu on the next outing. Eyeballing issue solved!

Sheath knives are banned in our troop, but per order of the CO. They define a sheath knife as "any knife that doesn't fold". Of course that excludes scissors, eating utensils, etc. (Common sense prevails) I believe the reasons are safety, and the wacky jurisdictional variances here in Massachusetts.

Sorry...misread that...Patrol scribe--no patch needed.

I guess that would be up to the troop, but they are available, so I'd buy one. All troop officers should wear patches, in my opinion.

One cell phone held by an adult would have been sufficient.

Yes, unfortunately that IS all you get from council/National. I like to get letters from as many important/influential people as possible including:

-Living Ex-Presidents and First Ladies

-State and Federal Reps and Senators in your district. (invite the state folks, they often DO come, and will bring certificates/state flags..at least here in Mass.)

-Find out who the Eagle Scout idolizes and try to get a letter from that person--you'll be surprised how many DO respond!

-Letters from your Town/City officials--they love doing it!

-The Flag is a great idea! Just make sure you order it at least 90 days before the ECOH! I've gotten the cancelled check back sunfaded from sitting in someone's windowsill!

You can get all the contact info from Google...try "Eagle Scout Letters" or some variation. The last ECOH I put together was in 2006, and that worked for me--sometimes you can fax requests in, saving time and postage.

Good luck and HAVE FUN WITH IT!!!

"I would rather have an active scout having fun out of uniform instead of a missing scout because he did not bring the uniform with him. I know, a very novel approach."

Touche Dennis! A scene which has played out many, many times over the years:

Scout: Sorry, Mr. Frank, I don't have my uniform tonight because...

Me: I'm sure you have a good reason, Scout, but I'm glad you're here!

All great responses!! When I was a scout, my SM said the definition of any leader (including SM) is one who:

Keeps the Group Together, and Gets The Job Done.

Check the "bargain" patch bin at your Scout store! (Ours has one)..I've seen "generic" Polar Bear/Winter Freeze patches in them before (no district info,date, etc.) Worth a shot!

If all requirements were done "by the book" and signed off by qualified persons, and the SM conference was completed, there's no reason to deny this boy a successful BOR. There's no rule against his parents "pushing" him, they just can't do the work FOR him, and that would be extremely difficult to prove if all requirements in his handbook are signed off by qualified adult/youth leaders. The next two ranks will be for the new troop to deal with.(This message has been edited by FrankScout)