hotdesk

According to Chris McCloud, IL Department of Natural Resource Spokesman, states "What's not included in those talks, though, are plans on how to eventually reopen the parks. McCloud said the agency won't make those plans until there's money in the state budget to pay for the parks." Even if these state parks are not used during the winter they are important to their local economys as stated by CalicoPenn. Personally, I am tired of Rod Blagojevic's constant political ploys, lies, and deception. Just last month he brought the General Assembly and State Senate back to Springfield for two special sessions. The first was to discuss education, where he nor Emil Jones had a agenda set or legislation to discuss. Therefore, lawmakers spent the day voting against the automatic 12.5% pay raises. Later in the month Rod Blagojevic called for another Special Session. During this one State Republicans met in the chambers and Democratic leaders headed to the State Fair. Another point to make is that BSA Camp Lowden and the Blackhawk Area Council does use the Blackhawk Statue for part of its program. The high adventure program has started doing a hike to the statue and then a canoe trip, on the Rock River, back. The Council also offers an award for completing a hike the statue, with some other requirements involved.

Dear Friends, In yet another poor decision made by IL Governor Rod Blagojevic, 11 State Parks are slated to be closed by November 1, 2008. This announcement was made on August 28, 2008 during the Democrat National Convention when the spotlight would be on national politics instead of State Politics. The State Parks slated to be closed include Lowden-Miller State Park. Lowden Miller State Park allows BSA Camp Lowden to use its water front property (on the Rock River) to have a waterfront so important badges like Canoeing, Rowing, and Sailing can be offered and earned. While it is not known if the Blackhawk Area Council has made arrangements to maintain its ability to use this waterfront property, it is entirely possible that it could be lost. IL Department of Natural Resources Spokesman, Chris McCloud said that park entrances would be locked and that those found on State Park property after November 1, 2008 would be charged with trespassing. Not only is it time to tell Governor Rod Blagovech that we WANT OUR STATE PARKS OPENED! but it is time to tell him that we are tired of his political ploys. We want our government to WORK FOR US and that it has to happen now! Please spend time during the next few days contacting your State Senators and Represenatives and let them know that you want Governor Rod Blagoviech to stop his political ploys and KEEP OUR STATE PARKS OPENED! There is an online petition at www.gopetition.com/online/21603.html Please forward this on, contact your local represenatives and State Senators, and let them know where you stand! Thanks, Will McKay The State Parks slated to be closed, in full, are: Castle Rock State Park, Oregon Lowden State Park, Oregon Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, Sheffield Illini State Park, Marseilles Channahon Parkway State Park, Channahon Gebhard Woods State Park, Morris Hidden Springs State Forrest, Strasburg Kickapoo State Park, Oakwood Moraine View State Park, Leroy Weldon Springs State Park, Clinton Wolf Creek State Park, Windsor Articles on the closings: http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=4673 http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2008/08/29/news/illiana/doc6c99657899b76991862574b4000b5402.txt http://www.sj-r.com/state/x499365834/SJ-R-Exclusive-Dana-Thomas-House-other-historic-sites-closing http://pantagraph.com/articles/2008/08/29/news/doc48b6e2bf7256b655654087.txt http://www.sj-r.com/time_out/x1181305401/IDNR-closing-11-state-parks-laying-off-39 http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=3914797

Doesn't it mean Brotherhood of Cheerful Service?

With a normal unit I would agree that fundraisers are the appropriate way to go for funding. However, I am working with a low-income, latino, Cub Scout Pack. Very little parent participation or even the motiviation to participate. Therefore, with the limited number of volunteers who already have sons in other units, fundraising enough to provide the initial activities is not something that can be easily done. Typically, I would say that the Chartered Organizations be asked to make a small donation to the unit committee for scouting. However, with the Professionals asking us to start these two units, I would say that it would be appropriate for Council to also provide some finiancial support.

As a Committee Chairman for both a Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop I would make it very clear, at the next Committee Meeting, with my Chartered Org. Rep on the same page, that the consumption of alcohol, while in the Scout Uniform, and in front of scouts while wearing the Scout Uniform, set a poor example and that any leader participating in this poor example would be asked to provide his letter of resignation from unit leadership. I would make it clear that it was acceptable to change from the Scout Uniform and consume alcohol, but again the Scout Uniform represents the ideals of the Boy Scout Oath and Boy Scout Law.

As I am serving as the Committee Chairman for a recently started all latino, low income, Cub Scout Pack, I believe we need a couple of more things that Lisabob did not mention: 1) People who are bilingual to help translate flyers, letters, and newsletters 2) People who can help recruit volunteers from within Boy Scouts to help provide leadership to the pack (think of all the nonparents involved in scout units) 3) Some financial support for the individual unit when it is first started (to provide events and uniforms)

People can be very generous... at the beginning of the summer I started serving as Committee Chairman for pack that consists mostly of low-income hispanic kids. I have talked to adult leaders from my troop, friends, teachers, and others about it. Within the last week I have received two checks for $100 apiece as donations to the Cub Scout Pack.

So I've been reading the posts above mine tonight and I feel that I need to put in a brief comment. Bob White, You are a wise man with a lot of experience and knowledge that makes you very valuable on this forum. HOWEVER, stop asking why this guy is asking for this information. Simply acknowledge that he is asking. Maybe he's doing it because he doesn't have the knowledge or maybe he's doing it just to make sure he covers all the bases. If you feel that he's doing it for the first reason then either decide to offer or not offer advice. If you feel that he's doing it for the second reason decide to offer or not offer advice. Remember that a Scout is helpful and kind. Be polite to posters. Please do not knock them down each time they ask a question. Thanks, hotdesk

My dens from McHenry, IL would be interested in doing this. Email me information at wmckay06@yahoo.com Thank!

Remind the parents that you are parents TOO. That Cub Scouts is not a babysitting program and that parent involvement is expected. If they have a problem with this then unfornatuly the program isn't for them! Also, encourage your Committee Chairman (and if he's inactive) your Cubmaster to work hard at recruiting specific people. It's amazing and that response you get from people when you have a specific role in mind for them. It's also amazing and the number of people that won't say anything when you simply say "we need help!" IF you have to leave the Pack let the parents in your den know why and where you are going. About seven years ago I served as Den Chief for a pack. In this pack an entire den left because the Den Leader didn't get along with Pack Leadership and it was causing problems. The Parents backed the Den Leader and they all went to the same pack, and I believe, formed a den together.

If you have questions regarding staff and the camp program please see the council website. The contact information for the webmaster, Camp Director, and Council Program Director are all on the site. They are great people and will be willing to answer any questions.

Today I was named Committee Chairman of a Cub Scout Pack! I'm excited, but kinda nervous at the same time. Most, heck all of my experience has been in Boy Scouts. I have served as Assistant Scoutmaster, Spaghetti Dinner Chairman, Membership Coordinator, New Scout Program Advisor, Communications Director, Scouting for Food Coordinator, PLC Advisor, and more. I earned my Eagle at the end of 2005. But I have been looking for a new challenge and I think I found it. This pack is small, 6 registered boys. The Cubmaster has served as Cubmaster, Committee Chairman, and Chartered Organization Rep and is ready to accept help. The boys are from low income latino families. I've been told by the Cubmaster and District Executive (who has been working with this pack) that they love participating in scouting. But I'm nervous because there is a lot of work to do. The Committee is inactive. No help there! The pack has not really been active, no program to talk of. The only things they have done are things that the District Executive plans for the pack when he has time to do things. That's not often (he also has a wife and toddler at home). Today my first action was getting them signed up for Day Camp, which the want to attend and was suppose to be arranged already. Thankfully it worked out! Mainly because the DE has been so active with this pack. But, I need advice. Would everyone please post the one piece of advice they would give to anyone in my position. Please exclude the "take training" lines and "recruit new leaders". I know and understand the importance of both and have been working on it already! Thanks, Hotdesk

BSA Camp Lowden in Oregon, IL is looking to fill several positions on its 2008 Camp Staff. These positions include Aquatics Director, Handicraft Director, Commissary Director, Commissary Staff, several instructor positions, and CIT positions. Staff week is the week of June 15 and the final week of camp obligations is around August 10. Because of the new minimum wage laws in the State of IL camp salaries have drastically increased. If interested see the the Camp Lowden website at www.camplowden.org or contact the Camp Director at bsmall (at) mchsi.com

I agree with the above comments. You should sit on the Board of Review. Having someone he knows will allow him to start to open up. The situation will be a little more welcoming than normal. Do it!

Our scouts get to use their Scout Account for their Eagle Court of Honor Expenses (even if it's held after they turn 18). This includes programs, invitations, cake, eating ware, etc. The troop will purchase the Eagle Presentation Kit and each Eagle's name is engraved on a small "name tag" that is put on the troop's Eagle Plague. We have a Life to Eagle Coordinator that works with the scouts in planning their Eagle Court of Honor. Many of our scout families will give the new Eagle Scout a card and some money.

In our troop we actually encourage scouts to participate in other activities. We remind them that meetings are weekly and that there will be at least one campout per month. HOWEVER, the scouts that want to serve in leadership positions are expected to attend meetings and the ones serving on the Patrol Leader's Council are expected to attend meetings and outings. In order to be appointed to Scribe, Libriran, or Quartermaster the scout must have attended 50% of the meetings in the last 6 months. Those wishing to serve as SPL, ASPL, TG, or Patrol Leaders are expected to have attended 75% of the meetings in the last 6 months and at least 50% of the campouts in the last two years. So that's how we handle our leadership positions. We tend to find that all scouts, in their first year, are generally excited about scouts. If you get them to Summer Camp and they don't leave early they will stay with scouting. If you get them to First Class during their first year then they will continue to advance IF THEY WANT. Our scouting troop is small (26 registered scouts with 22 active scouts). Therefore all the scouts get to know each other pretty well and many end up doing activities outside of scouting as friends. Therefore they do attend meetings, as possible, to at least have that chance to be with friends. Our activites include a range variety of events. Our events from April through December include; Grant Pilgrimage, Rock Climbing, River Rafting, Summer Camp, Sea Base, High Ropes Course, Hiking/Biking, NIU Football Game, Scout Camporee, Family Mini-Golf, Day Canoeing, Bonfire, COBIA Overnight, Winter Survival Campout, Bowling, and Snow Tubing. We find that the scouts are more than capable to participate in these activities. The younger scouts tend to show up more and the older scouts (who have learned the skills) are those that take up other activities. So there's really no restrictions on the campouts. I would consider our troop successful for those in it. The boy's get the chance to lead, there are a wide range of activities, we attend a High Adventure Camp and Summer Camp each year, the scouts have multiple opportunities to fund their trips, and without being an Eagle Factory we have had nine scouts earn the rank of Eagle within the last two years.

The council site that I used as a reference states that: "Every unit must have the following leadership positions filled: executive officer; chartered organization representative; committee chairperson, a minimum of two (2) members of committee; and a unit leader (cubmaster, scoutmaster, varsity coach, post advisor, crew advisor)." The Executive Officer is your Institutional Head. On the same council site (and also the Adult Application) there is a code for the Institional Head (IH). So if there is a code and it is required that all units have the spot of Executive Officer filled how is it not an official Boy Scout position?

It's sad that we need specific quotes from Boy Scout literature to prove points. As an adult leader for the Boy Scouts of America I would stop doing something wrong if I was informed it was wrong by a Boy Scout Executive or most of the district volunteers. I would do it because I would want to follow the wishes and desires of the Boy Scouts of America. Most of the Scouters in my Council are the same way. This is why our annual Fireside Chats with members of the Council Program and Administrative teams are so popular.

Someone said that the 12 year old should be talked too about respecting his elders or something like that. It doesn't sound like the kid tried to be disrespectful or for that matter was disrespectful. He saw an issue and addressed the issue. In Boy Scouts we are told that we are developing boys into young men. In Cub Scouts the scouts are boys. They lack maturity, have limited common sense, and haven't made any real contributions to the group. By the time this boy goes on the first couple of campouts (and entered 6th grade) they do begin to develop maturity, grow in level of common sense, and lead their peers. Here they are becoming the young men that we promise to make. Perhaps, this 12 year old felt that was becoming a young man and therefore was no longer a kid. I think adults should be very careful referring to anyone with a term that considers age including; child, kid, youngster, grandpa, oldie, etc. We should limit our use of these terms and just talk to the person using words based on respect, consideration, etc.

I don't think I would count this scout serving 3 months in two positions as serving for 6 months. I believe the intent of the requirement is to be 6 calendar months. In our troop we usually expect the scout to be under 18 for the entire duration of the position's term (6 months). We haven't had the problem where a scout hasn't served for 6 calendar months in a position before Eagle though. As for the Institutional Head he is a chartered member. I found this from the Watertide Council: Following are the leader position letter codes used on recharter rosters: IH = Executive officer of the chartered organization (also known as institution head) CR = Chartered Organization Representative CC = Unit Committee Chairperson NL = Venture Crew Advisor MC = Member of Unit Committee NA = Venture Crew associate Advisor PT = Pack Trainer TL = Tiger Cub Den Leader CM = Cubmaster DL = Cub Scout (Wolf or Bear) Den Leader CA = Assistant Cubmaster DA = Assistant Cub Scout Den Leader SM = Scoutmaster WL = Webelos Scout Den Leader SA = Assistant Scoutmaster WA = Assistant Webelos Scout Den Leader VC = Varsity Team Coach SK = Skipper (Sea Scout Ship/Crew Leader) VA = Assistant Varsity Team Coach MT = Mate (Assist. Sea Scout Ship/Crew Leader) Following are rechartering highlights: A charter is considered complete when it has the following: (1) all required leadership positions filled, (2) been signed by the executive officer of the chartered organization (also known as institution head) and the unit leader, (3) youth and adult addresses, telephone numbers and birth dates and (4) payment of registration, Boys' Life subscription and accident insurance fees. Only the registered executive officer of the chartered rganization (also known as institution head) and unit leader are authorized to sign your unit's recharter roster. If there is a change of executive officer of the chartered organization, have the new executive officer complete an adult application (position code "IH") and submit it with the recharter. Every unit must have the following leadership positions filled: executive officer; chartered organization representative; committee chairperson, a minimum of two (2) members of committee; and a unit leader (cubmaster, scoutmaster, varsity coach, post advisor, crew advisor). Cub Scout packs are required to register at least one den leader in addition to the other positions listed in the preceeding sentence. Please keep in mind that no Cub Scout den should have more than 8-10 youth members and that two deep leadership is mandated by the Youth Protection requirements and the Guide to Safe Scouting.

We have done this for many, many years. We usually wear our troop t-shirt. We also require that all adults and scouts wear those florescent orange safety vests so that they can be spotted and safe while parking cars. We also provide most with a batton (sp?) that is painted florescent orange. If you have any other questions please feel free to email me at wmckay06@hotmail.com and I can provide you with more information on how we do this fundraiser.

Your IH is listed on the charter. He also signs the charter. There may not be a patch for this position, but that doesn't mean he isn't registered.

The difference between sports and scouts is that scouts is BOY LED! If the Patrol Leader's Council can sit down and come up with a group decision that is supported by the majority of its members and does not risk health or safety then why should adults give their two cents?

Okay, the scouts that I know who have served as Den Chief have earned the Den Chief Service Award while still serving as Den Chief. Are they allowed to wear this cord and the patch at the same time??? I would say yes because the cord represents an award and the patch represents serving in the positon.

Okay, to be honest with everyone.... scouts will not care what a Boy Scout Publication will be and unless it causes an issue of safety or grave concern adults should not force these things upon scouts. to prove my point regarding caring about a Boy Scout Publication (Insignia Guide for this time) look at the number of scouts in your unit who are SLOW at converting their old badges for their new one, especially when it doesn't deal with rank or if they have not been appointed to a new position.