Fuzzy Bear

"But Mary Strasser, vice president for community impact with the United Way, said the decision was made because the current Boy Scout policy of appointing only heterosexual males to leadership positions conflicts with the United Way's longstanding policy concerning discrimination. She said that any organization that seeks funding from the United Way must not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, and sexual orientation." Well, two out of four aint bad.

As stated in the Boy Scout Handbook: While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to your religious institution, school, or your community. (The project should benefit an organization other than the BSA.) The project idea must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your unit leader (Scoutmaster, Varsity Scout Coach, Venturing crew Advisor), unit committee, and by the council or district advancement committee before you start. Routine labor (a job or service normally rendered) should not be considered. Work involving cou

Bev, Let's assume that someone says, Here are the statistics on the 20 units in my district. Because your design is flawed, your barn will still be built with the same cow chips as before. The variables in unit attrition are high, making it a complex question requiring design control. Leader observation is flawed but it makes for good conversation. I like my cow chips with a little dip on the side. FB

Since you are looking for plausible answers, you might rephrase it. What are the perceived causes of high attrition? and What are the perceived causes of a low attrition rate? FB

I am trying to put this into perspective with past columns. I am sure someone will clarify it. I think this is how it goes: A religion/Church's stand against homosexuality is not considered discriminatory because it is part of their ethical code. But if a business has a rule against Gays and says that the rule is based on an ethical code, it still is considered discrimination simply because it appears that the rule was made to bar certain groups. Scouting has maintained that it is a business so their rule is considered discriminatory. Now if Scouting accepted the ruling of

The objective of the 40 area Academics and Sports Program is for Scouts to learn and improve skills. There are two levels of involvement and recognition, Belt Loops and Pins. Webelos may earn belt loops and Pins a second time to qualify for Webelos activity badges. Different requirements may be encouraged to earn the Pin a second time. Pins are to be worn on the A and S Letter ©. There are also pocket certificates, activity medals, trophies, and a participation emblem. The funniest part is that... Recognition is secondary. I believe that if a person earned all of this mess t

It makes little difference if the Patrol is all present at Summer Camp to learn about Patrol cooking and the Patrol Method. If one or eight members have learned to cook on a fire pit area where the water is on to boil for cleaning at the same time that the food is being cooked, then you are well you way to learning about cooking for a group or by yourself at Summer camp or anywhere else. This and several other short-cuts can be learned but usually only with practice. I learned while spending most of my life in Texas where the temperatures were hot enough to bake the morning biscuits just by ta

A perceived wrong is one that a person believes no matter what the circumstances. The basic reaction or feelings of anger to the perceived wrong is the same no matter if there is or isnt justification. It is what we do when we feel that anger that makes a difference. There may be hidden things that neither you nor OJ knows about which could be a comedy of errors or a situation of problem saturation. Maybe a phone call to an old friend would help both of you figure it out and more. FB

This is a good example of problem resolution within Scouting and Life in general. The Director had two options, give the Scouts their checks or not give the Scouts their checks. With either choice, the Scouts were going to leave camp. By not giving them their checks, the Director felt that he/she was able to express an equal amount of anger or resentment for the perceived wrong. By giving them their checks, he/she would not have felt that there had been any payback for the perceived wrong. That is a learned method of justice. The problem comes in what I call the "Ping Pong effect"

A few years ago and in a different Council and job, one of my fellow Shop Teachers carved in wood (*I don't remember him using wax)and then casting in metal an Eagle Medal replica, about 4 foot long. Ribbons were made from fabric. Being that I didn't have the same skill level and I wanted the Arrow of Light enlarged, I used the basic enlargement process of measuring and multiplying to get a replica 3' X 4' (approx.). This process may take a little longer but it is accurate. I also have difficulties with color variations so I had to ask another person to help with the choice of pain

You inspired me to search the Forum for past answers to your question. I made a file that turned out to be six unedited pages but it was about Eagle COHs in general, including two answers to your question, which I will now post. I also want to thank several of the past Forum members for their contributions to my file. This answer came from one of our past distinguished contributors: One troop has a big 3 by 4 ft box with stained glass copy of the eagle badge. Then there is a light bulb behind each section of the badge and they turn each on as they describe the meaning of each part

Three rules to remember as a Leader in Cub Scouting The CM should always remain a NON-voting member of the Pack committee. The reason: is to delegate and involve others to help run the Pack. The CM should only CONSULT with the PC Chairman on the Pack Committee Agenda each month. The main reason: is to allow others to have authority and to stay involved. The CM should only sign up for the CM position for ONE year at a time. If at the end that year, the PC decides to choose another, it is their decision or if the CM decides to move on then that opening is available. T

Quackers For more years than I want to believe men and ducks have been at war with each other hidden in the reeds. Men have guns of all sizes and shapes, With scopes and barrels the size of a canons. Ducks have their quack. Some say the ducks have the advantage. Some call it a Holy war but if you ask a duck they quack out hole(e) war. Nobody has complained about how lopsided it all is. The ducks, well they just keep coming back. Who is to say who is right? What is the point? Well, nobody knows or is talking or is q

I have done both over the years. I lean toward the patrol cooking. There are the standard problems with patrol cooking. The boys must learn to run a clean area, cook correctly and use proper storage. This can only be done when boys have been trained and then checked after each meal. This takes longer and there will be less advancement. The payoff is better food. The dining hall adds in camp songs and the rush to the MB classes. I suppose cooking breakfast in camp and then making quick lunches and having a prepared supper in the Dining Hall is a type of in-between answer but pro

Hunt I like your idea. I would like to see a list developed. 1. BOR- maybe once per year 2. COH- quarterly 3. Guests at meeting- 2 x's per year 4. OA elections- 1 X per year 5. Leadership Requirement- Set the Example 6. Scout Sunday 7. Travel to and from Monthly campouts 8. Camporees- Flag times and gatherings 8. Travel to and from Summer Camp 9. Dinner and Flag lowering at Summer Camp 10.

That's a good one.

Would we have even put our big toe into Iraq if they didn't have a desert full of oil? "They will have to pry my cold dead lead foot from off the accelerator of my six miles to the gallon Hummer before I ever give it up." John Charlton Carter (I believe that is what he might say.) Once we have no need for their oil, then all they will be fighting over is desert. FB

BA, I am not suggesting people are not working on alternative sources of power. What I am saying is that the rest of us appear to covet a way of life that is not sustainable, given that oil drives the economy. The price of gas is $3.00 a gallon and rising while consumption is up from last year's lower prices. People are still driving vehicles that get less than 10 miles per gallon. Urban planners do not include the least of ideas for energy conservation while houses are being built larger with fewer ways to save energy than ever. I am saying that if someone invented a car that conver

If it is a matter of being held hostage to our oil appetite and fighting terrorism for the next 100 years, then I suggest we give in and learn to walk, rebuild our cities, buy smaller cars and ride bikes. We could use some of that brain power that everyone speaks about when promoting their sons to the highest levels of academia to finding alternative sources of power and then they can brag about their sons Nobel Peace Prize. We need a country where people are fit and not a place where being overweight is considered normal. We dont need an economy of modern day commuter tanks just to impress

Brent Allen, I find your conclusion about Packsaddle's statements to be short of the mark. Please expand on how you arrived at your WW-2 answer. Zahnada, The reasons for wars are almost always different but the results of all wars are generally the same. That is the reason we should carefully study them. FB

OGE, I am not a revisionist of WW 2. It is my belief, that there are times to act to protect yourself, your family, and your country. I am suggesting moderation and to choose carefully when it comes to picking up a gun to change things. We should use our brains, our hearts and our courage first. FB

Although I have long been intrigued by the early jackets, I always itch when I think about them. I imagine them to be wool. Over the years of collecting Scout stuff, I have yet to see one. I have gone to many places where something like that would or should pop-up but "nada". I don't collect uniforms but I have several just by accident of being in the wrong place at the right time. I suspicion the jackets to be for professional use in part because of the scarcity. But, if they were in popular use, then the early Northeastern units would have them and so they might be found in

CSJo, Taking personal responsibility for a job well done is our goal in Scouting. The emphasis is on the taking personal responsibility which is probably more important than the requirement. One would need to look closer to see that if the overall goal of improving Character has been met in the BOR by others or at home by himself during his meditations. Let me review. What about being trustworthy? If a person does not do all of what is asked, is that person trustworthy? The goal of the requirements for fishing is not just to check to see if a person can catch and clean a fish

How are your present goals different than when you micro-managed?

It sounds like you have set some other goals for the group. What are those goals?