FScouter

Our district has a poorly planned Round Table program, or I should say there is no program. Unless there is a training such as Safe Swim Defense or such, the program consists of swapping stories. Many times the Round Table leader cant make it to the meeting, and were on our own. I want a preplanned program where there is a theme or particular topic that will be discussed. Topics Id like to see would be Troop Jr. Leader Training, Court of Honor ideas, how the committee really functions, money earning event dos and donts, PLC / boy-led ideas and methods. It would be great if we knew

I don't see any problem with properly recognizing each rank advancement with a separate Court of Honor. I do see a problem if we try to cut corners and kill two birds with one stone and combine two advancements in one ceremony. Is there anything wrong with encouraging the boy to finish 2nd Class, then work on the remaining 1st Class requirements? I was not aware that there was a regulation concerning the frequency of Courts of Honor. Our troop policy is that Boards of Review are scheduled six times a year, approximately two months apart, each one followed one week later by a Court of H

SCOUTER-Terry: Could you please again clarify a bit about the proper content for the Issues & Politics forum? Is it intended for political and other issues only related to Scouting? Or is it intended more for issues not necessarily directly related to Scouting? Or is it 'any topic' as long as we don't stoop to insults?

OGE: Hey ! You can be in a silly mood any time you want! Life is way more fun that way. We're going to make real waterproof matches the good old fashioned way. And find some real waterproof pill bottles to put them in. But my mom would tan my hide if I used her double boiler to melt paraffin. Walmart is fine and I wouldn't want to spoil your retirement, but I would hazard a guess that 50 years from now the boys will remember the matches they made. That spark generator sounds mean. Are you sure you don't need a license or anything? (Luckily I save all my old hack saw blades.

sctmom: An excellent choice, both for young men, and adults as well.

The PLC wants to do something different at the troop meeting and someone suggested to make waterproof matches. Does anyone have any experience at that?

I think a boy would be missing something if he earned two ranks at the same time. He needs to have some period of time to wear the badge and be proud of his accomplishment in one rank before moving on. I would encourage any boy heading in that direction to spend more time on the lower rank requirements before working on the higher ranks. In any case, I would schedule separate courts of honor for him.

Don't hat sizes run in the 7-9 range? I must have a fat head. The old Sears catalog used to have several pages in the center of the book that described "How to Measure". Maybe some other men's catalog would have instructions.

BobWhite: I contend that the uniform policy you are quoting is very vague and must be interpreted by the members of the Board of Review. Here are two fictitious examples of policies that are very specific: When presenting himself at a Board of Review, a Scout must wear the official Scout shirt with insignia, the official Scout pants, the official Scout belt, the official Scout socks and the official Scout merit badge sash. At the other extreme, but also very specific: When presenting himself at a Board of Review, a Scout may wear any uniform part or parts, or any street clothes,

BobWhite: Most of your points are well-taken, and I am in total agreement that we need to follow the official BSA policies and not bend them to suit our personal desires. One case that you have mentioned repeatedly is that of what uniform is required for a Board of Review. The tone of your posts seems to indicate that it is the boy who may decide what uniform parts, if any, he will wear. And you have said that we are in violation of BSA policy to require otherwise. You said the official BSA policy is that the boy must be "wearing as correct a uniform as he can". A policy like tha

Here's a link to the actual resolution: http://www.bsa.scouting.org/press/020206/resolution.html

Bob White: Your suggestions to encourage full uniforming are right on target.

Bobwhite: Perhaps the 30 second Board of Review example was a bit flippant. But I would hope the Board would not pass the boy regardless of how qualified he may otherwise be. Our troop policy is that the boy must wear his complete uniform, that is to say all the uniform parts that he owns, when presenting himself before the Board for review. All the boys know and accept this, and are counseled as such at the scoutmaster conference. What message do we send if we set a policy, and look the other way when a boy ignores the rule? I shouldnt speak for our committee, but I believe they wou

The lack of comment from the wise sages of this forum, such as Eisely, speaks volumes.

Rooster: Yes, nudging the fence-sitters is appropriate. I think what I was trying to get across was that continuously haranguing a merlyn is pointless. You are not particularly guilty of that, but collectively there has been a huge number of keystrokes expended. A merlyn won't change, and excessive energy in that direction diverts us from our primary Scouting mission.

The boy would get a 30 second Board of Review: 1. He did not receive advancement because he failed to wear his Scout pants and his butt crack demonstrates a poor Scout attitude. 2. He must specifically put his pants on prior to the next BOR. 3. Come back next month.

Rooster, I am one of those that have remained silent, not because I agree with those seeking to destroy Scouting, nor because I have been worn down. Rather, I have kept silent because I see no particular positive benefit to be gained from jumping into the melee. A person has only so much mental energy. I would implore others to use their energies in positive outreach to the community. Write an article for your local newspaper about the good things your Troop has been doing. Participate in Scouting for Food. Do one more community service project. Build character. Teach traditional v

It is amazing how much energy has been expended in defending BSA ideals. Ideals that are far stronger than are the Merlyns of the world that would seek to destroy them. Continue our mission to "deliver the promise". Our success in doing so strengthens our institution far greater than attacks on our detractors.

If a kid owns a pair of official Scout pants but chooses to show up for a Board of Review wearing baggy shorts with his crack showing, I would have to say that he is NOT "wearing as correct a uniform as possible". I would be dismayed if the Board overlooked that and reviewed him anyway. And I'd be totally disheartend if the boy filed an appeal with the Council.

Our Scout Shop has never heard of a publication called "Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America". It's not in the catalog either. Do you have a copy?

"The Cremation of Sam McGee" is a fun poem and perfect for a winter camp. Any of the Jack London short stories are good. "The Law of Life" would be good to illustrate what might happen to a straggler on the trail. "To Build a Fire" is all about the importance of staying dry, and the difficulties of building a fire.

Anything in official BSA publications would be considered official policy. Refer to the Scout Handbook, Committee Guidebook, Insignia Guide, Scoutmaster Handbook, Guide to Training Jr. Leaders, etc. etc. etc. BSA has more publications than the IRS!

Wow! Have you been it Scouting continuously these last 80+ years?

Frankly, I don't believe that improvements in the quality, durability, and cost of the uniform would make much difference at all. Troops will continue to "do their own thing" because they like to be different and do their own thing. Personally, I love my uniform.

Like Weenender, I am working with the boy leaders and the PLC to do some of the legwork for outings. It's a tough go, but if the moms and dads won't help, maybe their sons will.