gshafer

Thanks for all the input, I really appreciate it. To throw another twist on this what if the boy wanted to move to the JASM position? He's held the SPL position thru a transition of two SM's and is now ready to move on? Opinions on handling this? He still wants to be active in the troop just not responsible for weekly meetings anymore.

I guess I don't understand your opinion of this being a penalty. It has always been viewed by the scouts as a traditional promotion and used as a reward and opportunity to for younger scouts to move scouts into more leadership roles. I'm not sure that it's correct to say that the SPL appoints a JASM, I believe this is the SM's role.

"The Junior Assistant Scoutmaster serves in the capacity of an Assistant Scoutmaster except where legal age and maturity are required. He must be at least 16 years old and not yet 18. He's appointed by the Scoutmaster because of his leadership ability."

This is a common description I found at most Scouting web sites.

Doesn't make sense to me to have a SPL appointing an Assistant Scoutmaster.

Thanks for your input.

Our troop traditionally has this type of progression with youth leadership. If an SPL becomes an Eagle Scout, he is then move to the position of JASM and the ASPL becomes SPL for the remander of the time until the next election. Is there any "standard" BSA policy regarding this or is it up to the decision of the Scoutmaster? or does it really fall back to the PLC? Just looking for some guidance/ideas to head of any potential parental problems.

Thanks

The scout is 16 and my situation will play out as you mentioned. In our troop, we reserve the JASM position to active scouts who have obtained the eagle rank. He should be finished his Eagle in the spring. When the next election comes up he will become a JASM with the SPL spot opening to a different scout.

Anyone else get email from the above? Got one today about free web hosting and email to first 100 units who register. Are they on the up & up? Is there a catch?

Thanks all for the comments/suggestions! Well here is how it all shook out. Last night was to be our troop elections. Prior to the election, I had the present SPL call for a PLC. All of us went into the meeting, myself and my son included. I stayed only long enough to present the following. It was my suggestion that before the election they come up with what they wanted as to term limits, election rules, qualifications for positions etc. I told them in light of everyone filling out what positions they would like a former SPL wanted to run for the position again. I also told them it was their responsibility as the leaders of the troop to decide how they wanted to handle this. Then I left. My son stayed in the meeting while they discussed the above, because he is still a voting member of PLC. In the process they decided to allow someone to run for a position a second time but could not serve the same office consecutively. When they were about to take this vote and when they were discussing this portion, my son excused himself from the meeting because he wanted the rest of the PLC to be able to talk and vote without feeling any pressure. It ended up that the PLC voted to allow. During the meeting the scouts held there election and my son was voted back in as SPL. All of the scouts in the troop with the exception of one had no problem with it. The one that did, was very dissappointed because he really wanted to be SPL but didn't have enough votes. I think he had a problem with the fact that my son ran again and felt he didn't really have a chance. This scout also had a vote in the PLC and I was told that during their discussions, there was no one opposed to allowing someone to run again including this scout. I did tell my son on the way home he's going to have to work had with this scout to make sure he feels he's an escential part of the troop.

Sorry about the long post, but wanted to let you all know how it ended up. And I'm glad I'm not the only scoutmaster with a very active son in the program who has had to deal with this. You are right, sometimes being the son of the SM is both a blessing and a curse. It is usually harder on the son, because they generally have to work harder for all ranks, because we (SM's) want to make sure the rest of the troop knows we don't play favorites. Also, most of the other scouts can go home and the meeting ends, for a SM's son the meeting can continue for the rest of the evening.

Thanks again for your support. Once again, it proved that leaving the program to the ones that are to run it works. Isn't scouting great!

Yours In Scouting

Greg

Thanks for your replys, good suggestions. The thing that complicates this one is that the "former" SPL is also the my son and I am scoutmaster. Several of the scouts on the PLC are also interested in the position. I just don't want it to appear that I was influential in "allowing" him to run again. The PLC decision would be a good one in that it would assure the troop and the parents that it was the troops decision and not the leaders decision as to how they wanted the troop to run. I've been having a little struggle getting this group to take responsibility for their program (former scout leaders planned and ran everything) and this would help support how important it is for them to run their own program. Again, thanks for the input, I'll let you know how it goes.

I have an interesting situation, last week I had the scouts fill out a form for what position they would like to be considered for and why. I will then use this info to have them hold their election. My situation is this. I have a former SPL, (not the current SPL) who would like to be SPL again. There are a few others who want to run for the position also. I'd like opinions as to 1) have you had this experience before. 2) how did you handle, offer a different spot, let him run and see how the vote goes? This scout has strong leadership qualities and also the respect of the rest of the troop and could very well win an election again. I just don't know if i should put him in the mix or just leave it open to scouts who haven't had the opportunity before. Comments please!

YIS

Greg

Works great! I did a Power Point Pres. for my sons Eagle. Same as last post, scanned in all pictures, even some pre-scout pictures for fun and added appropriate music times to the pictures and showed using a computer projector.

Adds a great piece to the ceremony.

Anyone else having trouble reaching www.usscouts.org? Tried the last two days with no luck. Is the site out of business again?

Thanks

Tried to go to today, nothing came up.

Just in case you weren't aware of it, there has been female rangers at Philmont for a long time. I went to Philmont in 1975 and we had a female range and to be honest with you she had more hiking and backpacking skills than any of the youth or adults in our contingent.

Sounds like your leader just had a bad experience or maybe just has a problem with seeing a female involved with the BSA.

As for the other situation with having to go thru a campsite with girls running around in their underware, I'll just take your word that this happened. I hope it's an isolated incident, because the vast majority of reports I receive from our troops going to Philmont, they have never had this type of thing happen.

Girls in the BSA, might as well get use to it. The BSA is one few Scouting organizations world wide that is not co-ed. With the exception that the Venture Crews, Explorers and Learning for Life groups already co-ed. I think it's just a matter of time before the rest of the program opens up to females as well.

Just tried to get onto usscouts.org and nothing came up! Anyone else having a problem reaching the site?

Thank you all for your thoughts and input. I knew I was approaching a subject that would have many reactions.

I appreciate your time and the alternative ideas you have offered.

YIS

I know this is another common problem - peer pressure regarding scouts. I have a few scouts that are "embarrased" if other kids know they are in scouts. And on the other hand, the majority of my troop has never had a problem with their friends knowing they were scouts, all the way thru high school.

I have over the past couple years started marching the troop in our local Memorial Day and Veterans day parades. I have the usual scouts that I can count on show up usually about 1/3 of the troop, an additional 1/3 is in our two local high school marching bands and then I have the last third that doesn't want their friends to see they are scouts.

I have been mulling the idea of requiring any scout that is up for Star, Life or Eagle to be in the parade as a sign of "Scout Spirit" or I won't sign of on that portion of their advancement. This could cause a stir in the troop, but it wouldn't be the first time!

I think this is the least they could do to thank our veterans and show duty to country.

I'm interested in any thoughts in regard to this!

Y.I.S.

Finally!!

For those interested, I found a downloadable MP3 file of "On My Honor" that is good and would be good for use at Court of Honors.

It's not the original recording done by the Air Force but will work just as well.

Below is the web address:

http://www.scoutsongs.com/categories/scout.html

Thanks to all who helped with suggestions during my search.

Yours in scouting!

Greg H.

If you have the time before the derby, try contacting sponsors of actual race teams. Examples: Texaco, Penske Racing, Interstate Batteries. If you explain what that you are looking for decorations for a cub scout pine wood derby, sometimes they will send items that make great decorations or even prizes for the scouts. I have had success in getting actual race flags, posters, bumper stickers etc. and it made the night special for the cubs.

Good luck!

I agree, move this posting! Keep the political stuff in that forum!

Our troop does this trip quite about once a year. We camp at a campground outside of Gettysburg.

There is a program designed for scouts. Info is available at the information center.

Briefly, there are a set of patches the scouts can earn by doing three different activities. Two are hikes following a guide book, one of the Union lines and one of the Confederate lines, the third activity is to take the bus to the Eisenhower farm and tour.

I would recommend viewing the electric map of the battle before touring the battle field as it will give everyone a perspective of what took place.

Be prepared for hot humid weather at that time of year. Also there is usually a reinactment around the 4th of July which causes the battlefield to be crowded.

It is a great trip, enjoy!

I do have the words, but I am looking for an effect that is more impressive.

The professional recording of these two songs is what makes it special.

Thanks for the info though.

When I attended Philmont in mid '70s I brought back a 45rpm recording of the above sung by the Air Force Choir.

Now that I am Scoutmaster I would like to use this or something similar at an Eagle Court of Honor. The problem is I no longer have the recording.

Does anyone know if this is still available? Is there anything similar available?

Thanks