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frankpalazzi

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Posts posted by frankpalazzi

  1. There's nothin' in the Big BSA Book O' Rules that says an independently organized activity with 2+ troops/packs is a district/council activity. So why would a DE say that? A District Executive has two main concerns: Membership. Money. So, why not go for a piece of the action? Ask the DE to produce that "rule" in Black & White. He can't, because it isn't there!

     

    Keep doing what you're doing, and have fun!

     

  2. Adults being children, Been there, done that, got the battle scars. The COR should insist on a meeting--do it after a troop meeting, then no excuses about "I have another commitment," etc. The COR should "lay it on the line" that if such behavior is exhibited in front of the scouts again, then BOTH adults can enjoy their Scouting elsewhere, regardless of "who started it". Their boys are welcome to stay. The Scout Law prevails here. By the way, Council/District does NOT get involved in these types of matters unless a crime is committed, then they may/may not take action.

     

    That type of behavior should get ZERO TOLERANCE in a Scout Troop setting.

     

    There are no liability issues that I'm AWARE of, but why take chances? Deal with it NOW.

  3. If it's a K of C function, and the parents give permission for their boys to be there working, then by all means, wear the Class A's and be proud! Let common sense rule the day. If we didn't, we couldn't march in the Memorial Day parade with our Legion Post, because the parade passes by 2 restaurant/bars, and a liquor store! Silly. Always trust the advice of your Chartered Org. Rep.

  4. There are a lot of myths about flag retirement as well. One popular one is that if the flag touches the ground you have to burn it. Nope, just clean it! Another one is that they must be folded into the triangular shape. That is a military tradition that has carried over to Scouting and many other groups. Any way you fold it is fine. Ever order a flag from your senator or congressman? It arrives in a square box, folded square.

  5. "Pressurized Fuel Training"....I'm still giggling about this....

     

    The national white fuel ban was from years ago. The problem was troops in the north weren't doing any winter camping because........Propane tanks freeze when you're in single-digit or below temperatures. White gas works every time, regardless of temperature. We use a mix of propane and white gas stoves and lanterns in our troop, but white gas stove use by a scout must have an adult watching, for reasons I hope are obvious. :) A 10-minute run through with those unfamiliar with the white gas appliances is all that is needed.

    • Upvote 1
  6. "think my District Advancement Chair would side with scoutnut. He said HQ checks "funny" things with blue cards (e.g. lot's of different MBs with the same signature, too many MBs where boy's and councilor's last name match).

     

    It's not too far fetched that a registrar could check a signature that he/she didn't recognize to see, just for kicks, if the counselor ever registered with the BSA."

     

     

    Quayze, does your council office also collect blue cards??? Ours just enters the information into Scoutnet from the advancement reports---we keep the pink copy, and the blue cards go into a shoebox, rarely ever to be looked at again UNLESS there is an MB problem at Eagle time, and we can't find the pink sheet and have to dig out the blue card. Council only sees the blue card when there is a verification question, and then they have us file a corrected advancement report and we keep the blue card.

  7. About 10 years ago, our troop was made up of mostly High School athletes. We moved the troop meetings to Sunday nights (no games/practices), and the PLC planned their annual calendar to include the greatest number of Scouts. A little extra work, but it CAN be done!

     

    Editing to add: Unfortunately, we couldn't come up with a strategy to compete with the video games. :)

  8. All Pack leadership is chosen (or approved upon recommendation) by the Chartered Organization, not elected or voted in. By-Laws? You don't need 'em. Everything you need is in the BSA literature. May I ask what kind of Chartered Org. sponsors your pack?

     

    Committee members are leaders other than the Cubmaster and assistants, and Den Leaders and assistants who have specific jobs in the Pack, such as Treasurer, Activities Coordinator, Fundraising Chair, etc.

  9. Here's the story that I shared at the end of Court of Honor tonight...

     

    The Christmas Scout

     

    In spite of the fun and laughter, 13-year-old Frank Wilson was not happy. It was true he had received all the presents he wanted. And he enjoyed the traditional Christmas Eve reunions with relatives for the purpose of exchanging gifts and good wishes. But, Frank was not happy because this was his first Christmas without his brother, Steve, who during the year, had been killed by a reckless driver.

    Frank missed his brother and the close companionship they had together. Frank said good-bye to his relatives and explained to his parents that he was leaving a little early to see a friend; and from there he could walk home. Since it was cold outside, Frank put on his new plaid jacket. It was his FAVORITE gift. He placed the other presents on his new sled. Then Frank headed out, hoping to find the patrol leader of his Boy Scout troop. Frank always felt understood by him. Though rich in wisdom, he lived in the Flats, the section of town where most of the poor lived, and his patrol leader did odd jobs to help support his family.

     

    To Frank's disappointment, his friend was not at home. As Frank hiked down the street toward home, he caught glimpses of trees and decorations in many of the small houses. Then, through one front window, he glimpsed a shabby room with limp stockings hanging over an empty fireplace. A woman was seated nearby . . . weeping. The stockings reminded him of the way he and his brother had always hung theirs side by side. The next morning, they would be bursting with presents.

     

    A sudden thought struck Frank : he had not done his 'good deed' for the day. Before the impulse passed, he knocked on the door. 'Yes?' the sad voice of the woman asked. 'May I come in?' asked Frank. 'You are very welcome,' she said, seeing his sled full of gifts, and assuming he was making a collection, 'but I have no food or gifts for you. I have nothing for my own children.'

     

    'That's not why I am here,' Frank replied. 'Please choose whatever presents you would like for your children from the sled.'

     

    'Why, God bless you!' the amazed woman answered gratefully. She selected some candies, a game, the toy airplane and a puzzle. When she took the Scout flashlight, Frank almost cried out. Finally, the stockings were full.

     

    'Won't you tell me your name?' she asked, as Frank was leaving.

     

    'Just call me the Christmas Scout,' he replied.

     

    The visit left Frank touched, and with an unexpected flicker of joy in his heart. He understood that his sorrow was not the only sorrow in the world. Before he left the Flats, he had given away the remainder of his gifts. The plaid jacket had gone to a shivering boy.

     

    Now Frank trudged homeward, cold and uneasy. How could he explain to his parents that he had given his presents away? 'Where are your presents, son?' asked his father as Frank entered the house.

     

    Frank answered, 'I gave them away.'

     

    'The airplane from Aunt Susan? Your coat from Grandma? Your flashlight? We thought you were happy with your gifts.'

     

    'I was very happy,' the boy answered quietly.

     

    'But Frank, how could you be so impulsive?' his mother asked. 'How will we explain to the relatives who spent so much time and gave so much love shopping for you?'

     

    His father was firm. 'You made your choice, Frank. We cannot afford any more presents.'

     

    With his brother gone, and his family disappointed in him, Frank suddenly felt dreadfully alone. He had not expected a reward for his generosity; for he knew that a good deed always should be its own reward. It would be tarnished otherwise. So he did not want his gifts back; however he wondered if he would ever again truly recapture joy in his life. He thought he had this evening, but it had been fleeting. Frank thought of his brother, and sobbed himself to sleep.

     

    The next morning, he came downstairs to find his parents listening to Christmas music on the radio. Then the announcer spoke: 'Merry Christmas, everybody! The nicest Christmas story we have this morning comes from the Flats. A crippled boy down there has a new sled this morning, another youngster has a fine plaid jacket, and several families report that their children were made happy last night by gifts from a teenage boy who simply called himself the Christmas Scout. No one could identify him, but the children of the Flats claim that the Christmas Scout was a personal representative of old Santa Claus himself.'

     

    Frank felt his father's arms go around his shoulders, and he saw his mother smiling through her tears. 'Why didn't you tell us? We didn't understand. We are so proud of you, son.

     

    The carols came over the air again filling the room with music: '. . . Praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on Earth.'

    THAT is going out to the entire troop on Christmas Eve!
  10. We were cleaning out a room in the church where our Troop stores stuff a few weeks ago and I came across this... I've shared this with a few folks and people either really like it or, ah, are not too enthusiastic about it.

     

    I brought it home to show my wife, thinking that she would not like it one bit, and she surprised me. She said "You can fill that out and give it to me and I'm gonna frame it and put it up in my office." Didn't see that coming.

     

    i-cxnG2x2-XL.jpg

    I gave one of those to the SM's wife last year, and she was thrilled to receive it! They are still available at the Scout shop.
  11. At the close of each calendar year, I send complete financials (bank ledgers, copies of statements, and committee financial reports) to the CO. I do it via Registered Mail and retain the receipt. In 21 years, I have yet to have a problem. And If I did, I'd simply produce a copy of the receipt, and the documents I sent. Ball Game Over. Troop/Pack finances should never be a reason for a treasurer to have to live in their car. If it is, you have TOO MUCH MONEY!

     

    Raise what you need, and spend what you raise. Follow that mantra, and you'll never be wrong.

  12. We have a problem with youth using ecigarettes in our schools and many children are addicted. Our school system is struggling with the issue. Kinda hard when you see a 10 year old using one of these walking home.

     

    We treat it as a cigarette and no youth are permitted to use it on a scout outing.

     

     

    Harmless, Probably fall into the same category as caffeine in coffee.....We do not allow youth to drink coffee with out a note from mom or monster type energy drinks on outings or activities. Caffeine is fine for most folks in reasonable amounts.......

     

     

    It looks like it will be irrelevant, the Canadian Health agency has banned the sale. The FDA will probably end up banning it as well.

     

    http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/features/ecigarettes-under-fire

    Agree totally that kids shouldn't use them. It's an adult product made (intended) for those who wish to quit cigarettes. Use it away from Scouts only because it can be easily mistaken for the "real thing".
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