jhankins

Planning and backdating is just about the basis of all you do in Scouting anyway! Just as one FOS campaign finishes, another begins, so while you're executing, leading and managing one campaign, two others are in the mix. While your youth and adults are at camp during the summer, you're planning and backdating all of the recruitment events for fall, and any fall fundraisers. While the recruiting is happening, you're planning for your winter kick-off for district and leadership FOS and organizing last minute fundraisers... In the winter and spring while you're working fundraising so the coun

I think it's really up to the council to pursue the nomination with the National Court of Honor. The certificate of merit is given by councils regularly, but if they don't see fit to move it up the line, it won't get there. 20 gallons is amazing. What dedication! I only had given a gallon before I became ill and can't donate anymore, but I cherish those that do!

My son is a Webelos I this year, and we've been discussing his choice in troops. I've supplied him with a list of questions to ask about what's important in choosing a troop, and then he makes the phone calls to set up a visit and interview with each troop and their SPL. Because it's his responsibility and I'm not choosing for him, he really taking the weight of it all seriously and weighing all the options. Letting the boys choose is a pivotal part of growing up in my opinion, and the decision making process will serve them for a long time to come.

I use "my" in the same way, but also because of my role as the district training chair, I call them "My leaders" too. When people ask me what I do, I tell them I'm a Boy Scout. When they ask what my job is, I tell them "I only work so I can Scout, so let me tell you about my 2,000 boys!"

I hadn't heard this yet. Will have to mention it to our committee since we have a stockpile of old books we use for bridging to Webelos.

It is fraud, and unethical. One of the reasons I'm not a professional anymore is because business practices came to light that I wanted to correct in my district and was told things wouldn't change so my SE could get his fat retirement. Every word of the Scout Executive's Code is an oath professionals take, and if I was going to be told to follow it, I wasn't going to do the job. I got a great start on cleaning house before I left. Sure enough, the SE retired, and the membership and financial audits came in. Everyone responsible has now retired with six figure retirements. Not every

If parents don't have a computer at home, we offer the training in a group setting at committee meetings. It's amazing what an internet connection can do for portable training. Simple yet meaningful training ensures that all the parents are on the same page. It takes less than an hour to complete all the trainings, and offers a safer program for everyone. The youth aren't penalized, they benefit by a safer program with consistent leadership. Not to mention, if you have boys swimming at an event, or need a backup leader for a tour permit, it's beneficial for everyone's state of mind.

The committee of a pack is supported and chosen by the charter organization in order to supply a program tailored to their needs and desires. The committee then enacts the vision of the charter in all manner of behavior: finances, service, meetings, leadership. The Cubmaster enacts the program designated by the wishes of the committee and the COR. The Cubmaster may run the program in your unit with complete autonomy, but the relationship between committee and cubmaster is clearly defined and should be run accordingly. Who has your committee designated to sign the rank advancement? It'

Seven people asking questions. National requirement is 3-6. Oops. "All boards must constitute at least three and not more than six members who are all 21 years of age or older. " I don't agree with a uniform requirement for members of a Eagle Board of Review. When we call in a doctor or lawyer who aren't scouters to serve on a board, some of them don't have a uniform. We call for "Sunday Best" dress, and that seems to work fine and respect the occasion. I even break out my mauve and woggle for a EBOR when I usually just wear my beads.

That's not totally correct. Your COR can also be your Committee Chair.

PD-L1 0804 here. The only required training: Youth Protection, Fast Starts for each program. That's it. I did it all one evening in the office while waiting for a meeting to start. Granted, I had already done them as a volunteer first, but it was a good refresher to have them done again. I was one of two Wood Badge trained in my course. I saw right away as soon as I met my volunteers that they had relied solely upon the DE in the past to make things work. I took a servant-based leadership model to heart and began to restructure and actually form a district committee that met for the

Your DE's job to your district committee? He's the secretary and advisor. He reports to the SE who in turn reports to the board how your district is doing. The DE sets the goals with the Key 3 and sets the agenda for their meetings. The rest is up to the volunteers. Your District Chair is in charge of program, membership and finances. No one going to camp? Have you talked to your camping chair? What about a report from each unit commissioner on what the units aren't going camping? Your Commissioner Corps are the quality assurance of Scouting. They go in and check to see the progr

The councils that don't separate LFL and traditional scouting do so to save money, plain and simple. The programs are vastly different and service different groups of people. When you add those units on top of traditional units, it makes double the work load for the DE, so that they become a manager rather than a "unit-serving executive." This was recently done in my council, so my DE is now not only in charge of 160 traditional units, but 50 LFL as well. According to national standards, that's enough units for two paid positions.

Former professional here. A trend I've noticed is that many districts have fallen out of the habit of being run by the volunteers, and in turn that translates to the council level as well. When a DE is tasked by an SE to draft a Webelos to Scout Transition curriculum for new leaders (instead of a University of Scouting class or a Membership committee meeting), there's just one symptom of a greater problem. Many DEs do the job of both the DC and DCom because they don't get done otherwise, and their paycheck is on the line. Membership audits are happening across the country. S

The requirement is clearly laid out in the book, so I'm not sure where the CM is coming from. That being said, when I'm teaching the Oath and Law, I usually recommend they learn it first, as it's easier to explain the points when you know what they are, but it's not mandatory. Some Cubmasters and parents need to remember that the pack committee sets the standards, and the CM enacts them.

On my first course as a staffer, I witnessed a participant look in the proverbial mirror and see something in himself he didn't care for, at all. This gentleman was so abhorred at his own behavior, he deflected the outrage back at the staff because he couldn't face himself. Four months later I'm starting to notice a change in this man -- he thinks before he speaks, he listens more attentively, and instead of berating Wood Badge, he understands it's changed his life and how he approaches working with other people. Some people have never recognized the qualities in themselves that could b

First, congrats on a successful surgery! I've been through the ringer myself with medical issues and have found Scouting keeps me motivated and young through it all. Keep It Simple, Make It Fun -- one of the best parts of training and working with the boys. If you're having fun, so are they. Being a den leader is a great excuse to act like a nine year old and have fun with it. New Leader Essentials has been replaced by "This is Scouting" online, so be sure to take the appropriate course. As a Webelos Den Leader, it's a breakout within Cub Scout Specific, and you'll learn everythi

From what I understand, District Training chairs will be able to input training just as Commissioners can input their unit reports online. It's supposedly in the works to be rolled out with the 2011 mandatory training. In the mean time, we have pack trainers and district committee members making phone calls to update records at the council level so we have a better idea where our true starting percentage lies. In my troop and pack, if you don't take training, you don't go on outings, period. All parents at the pack level have to have safe swim, safety afloat, weather hazards and

That answer really lies with your council training committee, at least for now. In my council we are looking at a short refresher (1 hour) with a "quiz" at the end to see if the meat and potatoes of the course is remembered, and we'll sign off the training card. This falls under the self-study aspect of district training, and we use it just for these types of scenarios. We're not going to make a Scoutmaster of 20 years retake a course unless he wants to, yet can still show competency on what needs training.

We had an 18 yo Venturing young lady on our last course, and while she was a seasoned camp staffer, she had a great time sharing her insight, role in Venturing, and learning from those around her. Just think of the leadership potential this young woman already shows, and just how much she will use the skills from Wood Badge not only with Scouting, but in her college life? If I would have been open and receptive enough to even take Wood Badge at that age, I think more than a few situations would have been resolved for the better.

For what it's worth, I'm a proud Owl, course WE4-45-2-07, and I staffed Wood Badge for the first time this year as a Troop Guide. 21st Century Wood Badge offers a chance for leaders from all walks of life to have a chance at some serious communication, team building, and leadership training. The Patrol method is not lost in 21st Century WB, it's accessible to all levels of the program. We had Cubbers, Scouters, Venturers, Coaches, and brand new district level people on our course, and it was an adventure for them all. Even corporate trainers in our participant roster found use in ever

Hi everyone! My name is Jessica, I'm a single mom to a new Tiger Cub, and I jumped in head first and I'm assisting the new Den Leader who is also a Girl Scout Leader -- so her attention is divided. I help her with paperwork and involving the parents and learning the behind-the-scenes while watching her work with the kids. As time goes on, I'm easing into more responsibilities within the pack, and am looking forward to being a Cubber for a long time to come. I've taken all the online training and am participating in Leader training in November. Our pack is only two years old, but we've