insanescouter

I enjoyed reading all the stories about SM and how unaware so many are with what they take on. However many of the stories also left me thinking and where are the ASMs and the committee members ... why are they leaving so much weight on the sm and then complaining about what they caused ... we are after all -just volunteers putting in "an hour a week" ... Salutes all the wonderful leaders out there... great thread ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

Am I missing something... wasn't the new site suppose to go live today? Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

I suggest you try contacting the Las Vegas International Scout Museum http://www.boyscoutmuseum.com/ Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

My wacky 2 cents is simple ... The more the boys do themselves the better ... in fact they should be doing slightly more then they are comfortable with so they have the chance to fall down and pick themselves back up... they will grow a lot from that fall ... however they need that friendly hand to guide and advice them - but also to make sure they get back up and keep on going ... So yes the scouts should be running the COH! Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

There will be major changes which will result in many links to their site to no longer work. They are also changing from jsp to aspx. If anyone would like to see the whole leader BSA sent out on their webmaster list, id be happy to post it. Just ask for it. Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

This sounds more like an advancement ceremony you are looking for... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

Here is my thoughts ... Yes, two scouts running one court is ok, as long as you believe they are doing equal work and are doing significant enough work to complete the said requirement More then 2 Scouts I do not believe they would do enough to gang anything from completing the requirement. However if it is say a very large special COH with lots to be done and lots of MC type work to share then maybe. Yes, I personally believe it is with in your rights to say they need to do a campfire or a different COH in the future. However it is also with in the rights of the Scouts to find a new counselor. Just my wacky 2 cents ... looking forward to see what others think.... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

First congrads to the new Eagle - welcome to the Eagles nest ... Most people I know go by the BOR date, once past they just assume they are now an Eagle I have heard in the news of cases where BSA rejects it, but it is very very rare and only for very good reasons. My gut feeling is that the SM did just space it with everything else going on. I am one of those if I don't have something written in front of me I do not remember it. Maybe the SM use to having a certificate, a badge, a card for the COH that it did not occur to him there was some one else needing to be mention. Also traditionally new Eagles are recognized at their own Eagle Court that they plan out and setup themselves which is only for them. However in all honesty I would also expect that a SM regardless if its their first Eagle or 20th would want to say something and make an effort to do so. Ok now that I sound like a yo-yo ... just take this as my wacky 2 cents... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

1) Ok... I am a little pissed right now ... so please forgive me if anything comes off harsher then intended... And the Scouting Police can take a chill pill... 2) I will admit the choose of the word "enforce" was a bad. Also note that leader does not have to mean youth, adult or even registered - it is just a generic term. 3) All I am trying to say is the leader (person) who signs off the book is also the one making the decision to do so - should they not be making this decision based on what the scout handbook says "activity serve" which to me includes performing the duties to the best of that scouts abilities per the SM handbook or the Junior Leader book for that position. However lucky for the Scouts I am just the Troop paper pusher - have nothing to do with signing off leadership or spirit. 4) This post is about actually performing the leadership duties ... the earlier post was about referring to them as "light" and "heavy" as those are subjective terms relating to the Scouts abilities, just because the position is Scribe does not mean it is a "light" position for that Scout or maybe it is right for an experienced Scout (for good or bad) with to much on their plate who could do more just doesn't have the time to do so. Anyway I am about to use my keyboard as a pillow - its after 2 am... so please just take this as my wacky 2 cents nothing more - nothing less ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

It was brought up tonight at our chapter meeting. So its getting spread about here. I guess the closest one to us is in Utah. Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

IMHO it is up to us as leaders to only sign off the leadership and scout spirit requirements when they earn it. I do not know what BSA's policy is here, but to me it is up to the leaders to decided when a scout has meet the leadership requirement to the best of their abilities and only then sign it off. It is not a weakness of the duties of that position, it is a weakness of our expectations and enforcement of the related duties. Anyway just my wacky 2 cents.... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

Maybe some kind of dvd card where scouts and scouters thank him and tell stories... and then play it at the above mentioned district dinner ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

Thanks... I just didn't recognize it under its official name, but I had heard of it... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

In most packs the Committee makes the decision to ask someone to leave, but as I recall BSA says only the charter organization can officially remove someone from a unit. In practice most units I know of, if there are serious problems, the committee will do it, as the charter org, sadly, is only in name. However I want to state this strongly - this is not something to do lightly - there can be long term side effects. Maybe the best thing you can do is talk to your District Executive and your Unit Commissioner - they can advice you the best way to handle to the situation. Anyway just my wacky 2 cents... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

As I recall when I was a Webelos Den Leader dues was $2 a meeting ... $1 went to the den the other $1 went to the pack ... packs cut was used for special pack functions, recharter, awards, pack meetings, etc ... dens cut was for any costs of den activities, crafts, events, etc Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

Are these positions really "light" or is your thinking about them "light" ? Scouting is about building up on step at a time. It is not possible to just jump up to the "heavy" positions, nor will every Scout be able to perform in all the "heavy" positions no matter how old they are. I am a perfect example, I could sprout excuses and facts such as the mile long list of all my learning disabilities, that fact I had the maturity of a 16 years old when I was 21... or even as I found out years later that do to my problems behavioral, emotional and mental that the Troop I earned Eagle from, at one point wanted to kick me out. My dad each time said, he goes I go... each time he saved me... Scouting helped me more then I can ever say... I would have never been able to do those "HEAVY POSITIONS" that does not matter - it was Scouting does for us. Scouting has given me life, it has given me experience, it has taught me almost everything I know about socializing, it has given me some of best memories and has made the greatest impact on my life. DO you really want to take all that away just because I could not perform a "heavy" position? For those of you who do not know ... I graduated college with two degree in Computers graduating with Honors and Deans List. I have been part of several start up business, holding down a full time job in web programming, and in option of those around me they say you do have all those problems because I have made the decision to fight it rather then let it rule me. Now I am not saying this holds true for every Scout, in fact probably my experience is only a very small percentage. The reality is most Scouts are lazy and do not do everything they are suppose to for a position, and us a leaders - well many of us are lazy to and we do not ensure that the Scout is actually performing their duties or we say things like who cares its a "light" position anyway. The thing with the leadership position is it needs to be something the youth can do and is some what but not to overly challenging for them. It does not matter what we think of the position it matters how it relates to them. Also if you have a good size troop, lets say 40 Scouts. And lest say 10 of those Scouts are older Scouts what are you going to do have 10 SPL's and Pl's - that is insane. Yet each needs to have a position of responsibility that meets their needs and the Troops - not yours or what you believe is a good or a easy job. Sorry all - rant over ... just my wacky 2 cents.... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

Forgive my stupidy, what is Arrow Corp 5 ... I am a inactive Brotherhood by the way ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

F - *F*antastic U - *U*rning for N - adve*N*ture Ok that was kind of silly, as I made it up as I wrote this post ... Just my wacky 2 cents.... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

IMHO it is not the position that is "light" it is the expectations we have of the Scout performing that position. Not every Scout will make a great SPL, PL ... that is why there is a large selection to choose from. In an old war movie they make a point: it doesn't matter if you are the lowly private peeling the potatoes and taking out the trash, a lonely Sargent, or the general - everyone has an important role and every job needs to be done. Just my wacky 2 cents.... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

Welcome aboard the scouting express deels.... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

ROFL - wonders how many here know what vegemite is considering I only sort of know myself ... lets feed it to Mikey and see if he will eat it ... Mikey likes it just my wakcy 2 cents... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time...

I suggest you ask your Den Cheifs or a local Troop to help. As a lad and a Den Chief I was often asked to help judge / run pine wood derbies. You will be surprised what the Den Chief may know and how much they can and yes can't help you. Another thought... There once was a Troop around here who for a small fee would supply the track, all leadership, equipment, etc for running the derby. It was their main fundraiser. There may be a Troop in your area willing to assist. just my wakcy 2 cents... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time...

Welcome aboard Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time...

In addition to my earlier post ... they way I see it you can do anything that is easy on prep and easy on cleanup... other wise what the point its another full blown meal Other ideas I got thinking about include: hot dogs, pizza, English muffin pizza, chex mix, fruit platter, vegetable plater (if your kids will eat such things), dutch oven french fries, and dutch oven indian bread (take the pre-made biscuit dough that comes in the tube and deep fry it) ... ok some are healthier then others .. but you just asked for ideas just my wakcy 2 cents... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time...

Lets not just limit this to audio podcasts ... video casts are quit interesting too ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....