Gonzo1

Beavah,

Usually, I'm right there with you, however, I must disagree with you here. It doesn't say anything about add a flexed arm hang. If he improved, he passed.

Happy Fetivus!

The Holiday for the Rest of us!

On with the Feats of Strength!

Let's all gather near the aluminum pole.

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Ed,

Let me clarify. I didn't want to be seen as someone who was trying to do this or that "just because I was working my ticket". I worked my ticket and did everything in as genuine a manner as possible, not just because I was working my ticket.

My Coach/Counsellor knew what my ticket was, so did other staff members. Maybe a couple of my patrol members knew too. When i volunteered to staff district events or to teach adult leader training sessions, I did it because there was a need for better quality instructors, because I like serving (helping) others (at all times) not just because I needed my ticket punched.

Gonzo1

I think some of the uniform problem has to do with our society in general. When I was a kid, "street shoes" were not allowed on the gym floor, nowadays, all the kids wear gym shoes or similar shoes.

Look at old video footage of people attending a baseball game from say 30 to 50 years ago, all of the men were wearing suits, with neckties and most wearing hats. The ladies wore dresses. That just doesn't happend today.

I'm not so old fashioned as to believe boys should wear "street shoes" today, but I don't see a problem with them wearing a uniform. If football players can get dirty and wear a clean uniform next week, so can scouts.

Yes...... and ... No.

I think that when someone is working their ticket, it should be their personal task to do. Sure, get and seek help if and when needed. However, I don't think that WBer's should say that they need this, that, or the other because "I'm working my WB ticket" I recognize that it may lead some to help, but it could drive others away from helping. Maybe the help could be sought because the WBer needs the help, nothing more, nothing less.

Moreover, I think the ticket is a personal and private matter. I think that if the WBer wants to reveal their ticket, it's OK, but should not be required.

John-in-KC is right,

Pot luck dinners work well. Have someone designated to bring drinks, and then have that person bring drinks that won't stain.

Best wishes,

Gonzo1

Mollie,

I did PM you, I'll do that again.

Thanks

Brian,

Even I have gotten some emails from our colleagues here that you don't "get it". It's time to get with the prgram.. After finishing WB, you should now know something about "the Program". Now, deliver the program. You can best help a decline in numbers by improving YOUR numbers. Get new scouts, new ASM', committee members, get them trained as well, not necessarily in WB, but start with Fast Start, New Leader Essential, outdoor skills, etc. Have somone go to roundtable, you too, go to roundtable. Develop a fun, challeging, exciting program and take pictures. Make it better than soccer. Focus on the outdoor stuff, any kid can plop his rear end on the couch and run a gameboy, only scouts can do lashings, pitch tents, build fires, paddle a canoe, hike and poop in the woods.

Kids (and most adults) love this stuff.

Email me if you wish.

I think the sad part is that the lad has been stuck for 2 years trying to make Tenderfoot. I think that's ridiculous.

If he shows imporovement, he passes.

jblake47,

Thank you for the link. That seems manageable. Brief, concise and to the point, not some contrived story about what each stripe stands for etc..

I like what a friend told me about retrieving the grommets and returning them to the person who gave the flag for retirement and about burying the ashes.

Thanks,

Gonzo1(This message has been edited by Gonzo1)

Brian,

Again, it's not so much disrespectful in my opinion as it is selfish (to have your beads mailed). Enjoy a small ceremony with your patrol members, a friend or two from your district, your course director and any other staff members you had or developed a special bond with.

Check the other threads in the WB area for ceremony ideas.

SR540, I know about the risk, but my name is out there anyway, I can only hope that scouters will not be waiting to 'beat me up' after a campfire program at some camp-o-ree because we disagree about something I'm generally more concerned that some patient is unhappy with his bill. I also exchange emails with forum members, privacy is and should be important to everyone.

Many of my friends, particularly old military friends call me Gonzo, I tried to use that but couldn't log in, so I went with Gonzo1.

Even though some of us disagree, I happy this forum exists and that we can exchange idea. In some emails, some of us will meet to go hike and camp, some of us will meet for lunch, everyone seems nice.

Brian,

I didn't list my previous experience as others have.

Arrow of Light

Eagle Scout

ASM

Committee Meber

ASM 2 more times in different troops

SM

Scoutmaster fundamentals,

WB

Tiger Den Leader

Instructor for Outdoor Leader Skills

Instructor for Fast Start and Leader (position) Specific training

Community Organization Award

When my son moves up in 2 months, I'll take on some role in his troop, whatever is needed to be the best use of my time and talent for the troop.

I think that's it.

Merry Christmas

Happy Hanukkah to you.

G

Now that's irony: Citizen Patriot

Since the local paper won't hel, how about the next town over or other surrounding towns? How about local talk radio? Are there TV stations nearby? Some cub reporter must be looking for a scoop.

Best wishes,

BrentAllen,

I echo Ed's comments, that must have been an impresive and memorable trip! You da man!!!

Brian,

I think I'm at the point where I'm about to feel sorry for you. You seemd as though the beeds on a cord will weigh you down. Most of the other awards ( I have a couple ) have a square knot patch for everyday wear. We dop't generally wear the medal. When wearing your beads, others will see you as someone who has accomplished something for the boys, for the program, not for you. It's not about you.

I was thrilled when I was invited to attend woodbadge. I could hardly wait. I recall that time with great fondness. Regretably, I don't see or hear from my patrol members, I have moved a couple of times and our paths don't cross. I attended WB in the North Florida Council, I live in the Northeast Georgia Council.

I encourage you to have a small, quiet ceremony.

I don't know why we seem to have and use anonymity here, maybe for a little cover, a little fun or mystery, who knows. I am Jaime Gonzalez, D.C., a chiropractor and retired Army officer. I currently serve as as Unit Commissioner and as my son's Webeols Den Leader. Anyone can email me if you wish: jaime.gonzalez4@us.army.mil

Merry Christmas!

Gonzo1

SR-59

Eagle Patrol

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Brian,

I don't think it's disrespectful as much as it is selfish.

You staff members helped you along, taught you, I dare might even say 'put up with you'. And after all the grief you get here, you're going to put your award in a drawer? It's not the weight (about an ounce) that matters, it's the symbol of accomplishment.

There are other threads on beading ceremonies, check them out. I had a private ceremony with my patrol, our favorite staff members, some district folks, some refreshments, etc. No Scouts for this one IMO, it's not about your receiving recognition in front of them, it's about serving them later, on an ongoing basis. Wear your beads with pride. When you see another scouter with beads, you'll have an instant bond.

Imagine if you see a scouter with beads and you tell him(her) 'yeah, I went to WB, got my beads too, but they're sitting in a drawer' I think that would be sad.

I hope you change your mind, have a meaningful ceremony, and continue to "work your ticket if you can"

Gonzo1

SR-59

Artillery? That explains it! (wink)

John-in-KC, please send me a PM with you email address.

v/r

Gonzo1

Moxieman,

True enough. The opposite could happen, encourage EVERYONE to go there and flood the place with scouts.

What a rotten way to be let go.

Just a thought.

Virginia,

Welcome,

Sorry to hear about your brother's situation.

It won't help in the short term, but you an some friends could contact all troops and packs in the council, and let them know what happended and discourage them all from going to Camp Teetonkah ever again. Furhter more, discourage them from selling popcorm, participating in Friends of Scouting and let the council know they if they truly have a money problem despite having +/- $4,000,000 in the bank, then they should rally know what it's like to have a financial hardship. Hit the council in their wallet.

Encourage the units to go camping, just not there.

Good luck,

Eamonn,

Has the library board considered remodeling? or an additin? These could be compromises.

All the best, You da man, and so is Ed Mori, Pack saddle, Beavah, LisaBob, Brentallen, gwd, fb, (female versions of 'da man' where appropriate.)

Good luck and Merry Christmas!

Gonzo

It's too bad the system isn't working for you.

Around here, EBOR is conducted at the District level, not the troop level. That way, no one on the EBOR know the candidate. HE must answer the questions.

In the end, the 'paper Eagles' will know too.

I agree LisaBob that SM's and BOR should not be letting the scouts slide through.

I think another way, beside troop level training is to encourage Scout Spirit at Camp-o-ree's.

For example, when I was asked to judge a station at a camp-o-ree, I wasn't given a score sheet, so I made one. I included casic info lke Patrol Name, Troop number, station. Points were also given for scouts in uniform, patrol has patrol flag with them, patrol gives patrol yell. They didn't get the points if they didn't have it.

Just a thought.

What ahs the SM said about it? Have you confronted him? How about the Committe Chairman, Chartered Organization Rep and District and Cnouncil advancement folks? I see you've mentioned it to district folks, too bad they don't care. Perhaps you could volunteer to be on that committee and help keep the program solid.

Perhaps you could find some "real" Eagles to be ASM's, CC, SM, etc to uphold the integrity of the program.

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Hunt,

I could be mistaken, but I think REquirement #8 for Tenderfoot says "Know your patrol name, give the patrol yell, and describe your patrol flag."

Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle requirements include: Demonstrate scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.

Hmmm.

As far as Scout Spirit goes, what do you SM's out there do when it comes time to "sign off" on Scout Spirit if the patrols don't have flags, yells, or calls? Is it just in the requirements list to take up space? It seems to me that's part of Scout Spirit. Wearing the uniform, giving the yell, having the flag, as well as living the Scout Oath and Law.

I asked a den chief recently what his patrol yell was, he's in the Flaming Arrow patrol and a Star scout. He said he didn't have one. I asked him if his patrol had a flag, he said no. I asked him who signs off on Scout Spirit, he said the SM, he just signs it. That somehow doesn't seem right.

Gonzo