fred johnson

This is so so true. But it's multi-layered even more than scout versus parent perspective. I've been part of a Webelos den shopping for troops multiple times. Too many times. IMHO, it's over-emphasized and you just don't get a real feel for a troop from the outside. Troops that look great may not be. IMHO, troop shopping is less about finding the right troop and more about educating parents about how boy scouts works. Plus, IMHO, there are many negatives. - After one son joins a troop, parents are rightfully motivated to guide as many of their next son's friends / Webelos into that troop too. AND ... it defeats a real comparison. - Troop program becomes manipulated to satisfy the shopping needs of the Webelos. - Minor personality conflicts are often empowered to become major deciding factors. Troops need scouts to survive. Older scouts need younger scouts to teach and to keep energy of the scouting program going. IMHO, strongly consider your pack's charter org troop. Not only out of loyalty, but because it sets a pattern.

Boeing ... Yeah, that would have to be software used in company infrastructure (advertising, job postings, etc). I've worked lots of DOD and FAA projects Configuration control is contractual, budgeted, planned and flushed out in detailed. Skirting the processes on government, military or safety critical projects is a good way to earn a trip to Leavenworth.

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Anyone here any updates or news about BSA's new ScoutBook?

My big fear with my.scouting.org or scoutbook.com is everything seems to be a future promise. Everything evolves so extremely painfully slow that I view it more as hot air and empty promises. IMHO, I think my kids will finish their scouting careers before much of it is delivered. I fear the delivered platform will be way out-of-date before it is delivered.

My apologies.

You're blinded by wanting to say what you want to say without bothering to address the thread of discussion. You found a hole to bring up your favorite topic and did. Geezzzzz.... That's why I'm rattled. Whether you're right or wrong or just pontificating again doesn't matter. You damaged the thread of discussion with a repeat of a 1000 of your previous posts. You rattle my chain because you're adding noise instead of value.

Mis-post

Pack (50 cubs) - ends year with $1000 to $1500 in checking Troop (30 scouts) - Looks to keep $1000 to $1500 "not assigned". There is really no end-of year. We do have a end-of-fiscal-year analysis, but you would see $5000+ in checking. The difference is committed from camp deposits, etc or product sales. Our attitude is fundraising should benefit the scouts in the unit and too much in the bank can actually cause issues. We want enough in there to avoid any cash flow hick-ups. Flip side ... - Dues ... Don't pay --> not rechartered ... unless special circumstances - Camping ... pay as you go. - Unit fundraising offsets leader registration, awards, misc expenses and reduces camping costs.

Sadly agree. Not sure why the comment is necessary, but BSA's Eagle rank brand success opens up this thread for the continual nonsequitur shriveled worn-out dry tangent of the Eagle mill. That's why there should always be another DIFFERENT discussion on how to improve the quality of the BSA program. With the Eagle mill point, like a vampire hunting in the dark for a fresh victim's blood, I now regret commenting on this thread. Okay. I'm tired. I surrender.

You're just argumentative aren't you and you like distracting nonsequitur tangents. ... said with a chuckle ... Have a good weekend.

That's moot. It's like saying health clubs are failures because the vast majority of people who belong to health clubs are out of shape. It's about branding and the value people place on that brand. Whether or not the scout achieves it, the Eagle rank is arguably the best known, best understood and most valued award from all youth organizations. I doubt another organization ... or even BSA ... will ever create another such strongly branded asset.

I agree with walkinthewoods. We need to stop focusing on Trail Life. They are one of many other outdoor organizations: 4H, Campfire, Awana, Service brigades, caravan, squires, adventure corps, etc. Not to mention YMCA is gearing up their camp opportunities. BSA has one huge advantage with the Eagle rank and with the annual elementary school recruiting effort (or what is left of it). Girls is somewhat close with "Gold" though many do not understand it or value it as much. Not saying it's less. Just saying the branding is less. Beyond Eagle scout (and Gold) the rest of the advancement programs are just really titles within their program. They do not hold the universal label or value or advantage of the Eagle rank label. I doubt they ever will. We as volunteers need to focus as much as possible on the value of the Eagle rank and the BSA program. And not worry about Trail Life or other programs. They have always existed and always will.

Ahhh ... EDGE. I despise that requirement. It's a good idea. I just don't like adding every kitchen sink requirement to the rank. Too many of those kitchen sink requirements cause units to cheapen the interpretation of the requirements. Keep it simple. Do it well. Actually, the six months was critical for active in the troop. You can get around the POR in critical situations with a scoutmaster assigned project. Those projects do not require six months. IMHO, the scout got caught between units and different "interpretations" and a bit too much legalism put on the advancement process.

The consistency is on the interpretation and teaching of what is sin. For a normal business, I'd agree. But for a religious organization, I'm not so sure the rule applies. But your point stands. It is easier to defend on the close held faith element. And the approach I took is more spiteful. I'd have a hard time hiring someone who viewed their job in the past was to defeat my position. Because it is a matter of trust.

I applaud the actions in this case. It is how it is supposed to work. IMHO, the church should have said he's not welcome because he has not supported the church for years and he's been a thorn in our side. As such, we don't trust him to reflect the values of our church. Beyond that, we didn't talk about any other issues.

It is not about the sin. We all sin. None of us are perfect. ... You can be divorced an Catholic. You can be living together outside marriage. You can be a drug addict or alcoholic. ... It is not about sinning. We all sin. None of us are perfect. It is about saying it is not a sin and the church teachings are wrong.

Or whatever. Thank you for putting your two cents in.

As a devote and God fearing Catholic, the Bishop of Bismark North Dakota reacted emotionally and too much in-the-moment. He acted in a reactionary way instead of a thoughtful way. Too much change in too short a time. I fear this decision is a slap in the face of many of his congregation.

EAGLE94-A1 ... Yeah. When units fold and scouts switch units, there can be an issue with incomplete advancement. QUESTION - What specifically did he have trouble with before his Life BOR ? You mentioned he got an extra month to complete is leadership position requirements. But leadership position requirements for life has always been six months and the jobs are effectively unchanged with the exception of some adds. Without understanding more, the example doesn't make sense except if the troop was folding and the new troop was a stickler with the "active" part of the requirement. But then that is not really an issue with requirement changes as it is an interpretation thing.

Where does it say that? At any age charter partners can remove members. Ignore the specific conflict. Generally, a charter organization can remove any member who shows conflict with the charter organization teachings and goals. Most would never do it. But it is absolutely within the rules. For example, if a baptist church chartered unit had a scout who constantly and vocally mocked the teachings of the church, he'd be shown the door ... even if he was 12 years old. LDS units can require scout unit members to be LDS church members too. Any church can require that. He would still be a BSA member. It is BSA membership that won't discriminate based on sex or orientation.

Nothing. New requirements only kick in AFTER 2016 and after they complete their current rank. At that time, we'd let them know about the new requirements. And it would be the scouts, not the parents we work with. Merit badge requirements are between the scout and his counselor. For rank ... one troop that I saw, created a new small sheet to be stapled into the scout's handbook having the new rank requirements. ... BUT ... to be honest ... I bet a few scouts have slipped by on the old requirements still in their scout handbook. Should they have done the new requirements? Absolutely. Is there harm done? Probably not.

BSA took the only path it could. And by doing so (poor grammar, forgive me) ... And by doing so, BSA corrected the assertion of sins that some charter partners (churches) do not believe are sins. BSA had to either avoid those charter partners or allow the charter partners to use their own membership and their own values. As with all change, current society battles will destroy the good to make change. BSA needs to get out of the way and focus on it's core. Scout oath and law. Outdoors. Citizenship. Faith.

As atheists don't believe in a higher level of existence, the premise of the question is wrong. It is more correct to say there is a set of temporarily bonded molecules that are collectively known by that label. Those molecules demonstrate a complex pattern of chaotic behavior giving the illusion of the existence of such a being.

Yeah, that's not going to happen. If it is beer while chaperoning a youth event, may I suggest hockey. It's pretty common for kids to be left in hotel rooms with one adult present and the rest of the adults heading out to the local pub for a few drinks. That happens regularly even today.