Hawkrod

I do think there should be synergy between the units under a single CO but I am biased because our CO BOD requires our units to work together. We do not require our Pack to be a feeder to our Troop and strongly encourage our Webelos to visit all of the troops in the area to find the best fit for them, not the best fit for us. The units do have a purpose and that is to further our youth program and therefore we do expect them to work together and we also expect the Troop to support the Pack by creating program for the Webelos to participate in, Den Chiefs, Doing service such as working Pinewood

I think that B&G has evolved into the end of Cubs is because BSA pretty much has directed it that way. The BSA Cub cycle indicates that the bridging to Boy Scouts should happen in the Feb/Mar time frame and because that coincides with B&G it is used to make a "big show" of it. I know when I went to the Cub Extravaganza training at Philmont, we talked extensively on the program timing and it was explained to us about why and when Cubs should bridge. Some of the points that were discussed were too early of a bridging and the boys 1st summer camp experience would not be as good because th

Sounds like you have CO problems not a problem with the CC/COR positions. As I noted and has been discussed a lot, the COR can also be the CC, it is very specifically allowed by the BSA and not discouraged or frowned upon. What the BSA does not allow is a CO to have different COR's for their units. They may think they are the COR but when it is processed at the Council, the COR on the last charter entered into the system will become the COR for all units of that CO (ask me how I know! LOL). It really sounds like you have some issues but it isn't the structure to blame, it is the peop

By your definitions, a Charter seems to me to be much more like a franchise as the basic program is outlined and the BSA put requirements on the participents beyond limiting use such as adult training requirements as well as having a support system. It really isn't either of the two but it basically works the same way as a franchise which is why I choose to describe it that way.

My take was a little different than yours. What I read is an District level person having problems with units that are setup with CC and COR's that are related and how or should they do away with it. The reality is it does not matter and that is not the issue. The issue is CO's who do not understand their responsibilities and obligations to making sure that the unit is operating properly. Too many times a unit is slapped together and then to wither. I have met DE's who will do anything to get a unit chartered but they rarely do a very good job of explaining to the CO what really happens. They

I will add that for our unit, arrows are not the norm. We did give everybody who earned AOL an arrow as on our way to Jambo I had stopped at a reservation trading post and had a great opportunity to buy actual, native made, arrows at a great price (guaranteed to never happen again! LOL). last year we did not give arrows etc... A few years ago (more than I want to think about really, time flies) I was a Webelos den leader and we had all completed our activity pins about a month out of AOL (by plan) and for a month I worked diligently with the boys to teach them to make arrows. Each made his own

I had to laugh when I read this thread because I have heard it before. I have actually sat in a meeting where a person was upset due to the lack of checks and balances when the COR is married to the CC and all I can say is the BOD of the CO is the checks and balances, not any unit members. Now, if your CO is too hands off you will have issues but remember, a COR can also be the CC so where are the checks and balances there? How different is it that a married couple share the work than one person do all of it? I do think that many people think of the BSA as a democratic organization where

I pulled the budget planning and accounting form and it specifically calls for a 10% contingency and 15% for in-direct overhead costs. So Eagle92 is correct if you are just looking at contingency percentages but 25% is what you basically calculate as "profit" in that it is above the amount you spend, "normally". I say normally because you may spend some of the contingency money but in some parts of the country it is "frowned" upon.

It's been a while since I had to fill out the form but when I was the trainer I seem to remember the figure was 25%. It may seem excessive but it covers costs you don't often realize such as flyers for round table and the council staff that process the sign ups etc... I am not saying it actually costs that much, just that is how they calculate it. Without the padding most councils could not afford office staff that do all the behind the scenes stuff you don't think about so all events have a factor built in because the expenses do have to be covered.

Parking lots are always good because they do plow them but don't always clean up and I know around here we have some indoor sports facilities (even local high schools) that always need cleaning up after a game. Just ask around and I will wager that you will actually get more requests or suggestions that you will know what to do with!

Beavah, I am still not getting your point and for that I am sorry. I said if a crime was actively being committed. That has nothing to do with this issue, it was a point about what the options are in some circumstance. I think you are very, VERY misguided about calling the police and about your "standing". If crime is occuring (not something in the past that you have knowledge of, that is not what I said and I think it is innapropriate to twist it to make it sound as if I had said that) you can call the police. In general, if you are somewhere and see an adult committing a crime (and I am ass

I apologize to all, I am not trying to be a moral compass, I simply and truly believe that some of these questions can be answered without the drama. I really believe the popcorn examples above prove my point. Poeple thought that they were ripped off and got upset. The CC did not solve the problem. If a UC or a COR (assuming they are active) had gotten involved at the right point these problems could have been diffused. Obviously the one COR handled it poorly and that is unfortunate but following the appropriate line can often resolve problems faster and easier on all, I think that the is

Sorry Beavah, I just see your entire post as diversion. Your example of a Scout coming to you saying something was stolen is a horrible example as it isn't the same thing at all. You are responsible for the youth and it is your job to deal with it. This is an adult who wants to know how to handle something and the two scenarios are so vastly different that you can't compare them. Also note that you very seriously twisted what I wrote about how to handle it because I did not tell the poster to run off and call the SE and the cops without more information. I think it is repulsive to tw

I appreciate you guys understanding where I am coming from. I think too many get caught up in the why of a question and too often it really is not important. The question was asked and an answer is probably available. This was an easy one and dovetails nicely in what others have said. You do the right thing because it is the Scout way and take it up the chain of command. As I noted, in this case the COR of your unit takes it to the key 3 or the Scouting Executive. Document what you can, provide them with any additional contacts and let them investigate. If it is legitimate it will be dealt wit

I understand where you are coming from but my point is simply that the facts of the allegations don't matter to answer the question asked. We are not being asked to judge the merit of the allegations, we are asked what to do if this situation exists. To demand more of an explanation of the allegations is unnecessary to answer. Even if it turned out to be greater or lesser an issue, the question asked can be answered without knowing the details. What to do in this type of situation is specific and unless criminal activity is actively occuring and the police need to be called now, the response w

I will say that what the others have said is valid but I would also say that the details are not important and you guys keep getting hung up on that point. The point is that a Leader did something wrong, boys left because of it and the Leader who is trying to do the right thing is attacked. What do you do? Lets step back from the specifics of the situation and respond to what we have been asked. It does not matter what we know about the details, assuming the post is fact (and it does not matter, just answer the question asked). What does somebody do in this situation? You get the det

We are like many of the Packs above. We have right around 50 boys and we charged $150 last year. The amount varies by year and what we include can vary as well. We were top in popcorn in our district at just over 6K (we are in an low income area, this is very good money and hard work). We include cap, necker, slide, book, youth and adult registration, Boys life, insurance, all awards (not just rank advancement), door prizes at events, AOL gifts, WII crossover gifts, and a lot more that I can't think of right now. We do charge minimal fees for most big events like B&G and Crossover, not for

There is a lot of confusion regarding Jac Shirts out there that is for sure. Older ones are harder to find in larger sizes because size shift in the population. In 1966 it was uncommon to have a large group of men that wore a 48 or 50 coat but today it is quite common. It is also a misconception about materials. It is true that early ones were 100% wool but amazingly enough, the current blend started in the mid 60's and for a while, BSA sold both, a blend and straight wool. You can actually tell what it is, if it has a label because the wool industry has different label marks for wool versus w

Are you a parent chartered unit? If you mentioned it before I apologize as I probably was not following. If you are not then your COR should be choosen by the CO not the unit. The COR has a lot of responsibility and their job is supposed to include furthering the CO's program through the Scouts.

I'm with Nike, I have always felt it was important for boys to learn leadership skills and have seen tent situations as a learning experience. The boys all have their friends and that is who they bunk with. This can even cause problems among regular kids. I have always made the boys mix it up and they will end up sleping with somebody else on each campout. This way they get a better opportunity to get to know each boy in the den and they get to learn to "work around" other people who they do not know as well. I started this at the begining of Webelos and did it through the entire program until

I agree with your concept Beavah, I am just saying that the CO has a commitment to fulfill as well, based on the requirements laid down in the charter. I have yet to come across a CO that intentionally and willfully disregards their commitment once they are fully aware of it. That being said we know that a heck of a lot of them just are not aware of the commitment that they made.

And this is where Perry Mason says "isn't it true...." Yes a troop can really write anything they like into their bylaws but the CO agrees to abide by the BSA program and so a set of bylaws like that is in violation and any DE or UC should be able to get that fixed quickly but your example is exactly why I used my example, I have heard it before.

This has been an enlightening thread. I now realize we operate out committee by consensus. I do understand following the bylaws but the bylaws cannot be in direct conflict of BSA policy. If BSA has a rule (advancement for example), the bylaws cannot set a different standard for the same thing (for example, you can't require that a boy going for Eagle be at least 17 years old and have been SPL for 2 years because those are not the BSA requirements).

Eagle92 AND????? You know that once a patch is official, you can always change to it, you can keep changing lodge flaps. LOL Sorry, I could not resist. If you only have 13 year old patches then you have updated far beyond me. I have uniforms that are and have 35+ year old patches on them but I also have boys that want the "new ons". Our LA install snaps on his shirt pockets and it seems like he swaps lodge patches if somebody sneezes! LOL BTW, My son has several dozen various lodge patches and we are thinking of going with snaps for him as well. Fortunately he has his Ja

I should have noted that our Troop is relatively new and fairly small. At this point we are probably lucky if we can get 6 people to a meeting on a regular basis! LOL If everybody (actual positions) actually showed up I am sure the CC would have a heart attack and fall dead on the spot!