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Jim_C

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Everything posted by Jim_C

  1. I have been contacted by two Webelos II Den Leaders asking if it's alright for the Webelos Scouts in their dens to join the local Boy Scout Troop in December. That is, they don't want to wait until the more customary and traditional February graduation. I recall that very recently the National Council reworded the joining requirements for clarity but I have tried to retrieve that information and cannot find it. I went to the BSA website and it says something to the effect that ... Boys are eligible to enter Boy Scouting if: They have been awarded the Arrow of Light and are at least t
  2. You might make a great Unit Commissioner (UC), but you need to devote a great deal of time to it. In Unit Commissioner Basic Training we spent some time explaining to new UCs that you should not be registered in other Scouting positions. Why? Because if you are doing the kind of professional job it takes you simply won't have enough time for anything else. Why not wait until you own boys have graduated out of the various unit programs before undertaking such a big job. I know from experience. YIS, Jim Costello, Unit Commissioner, Great Sauk Trail Council #255, BSA, Ann Arbor,
  3. Fellow Scouters, The Scouter Dress Uniform (blue blazer, gray slacks, etc., etc.) is rarely worn. Certainly most Scouters do not bother to purchase the component parts as they would rarely have opportunity to choose to wear them. However I have a full "dress uniform" for optional wear as required. As a Council Past President, I have a number of opportunities to be more or less "properly clothed" in such attire. The occasions that I normally choose to be arrayed as such include National Council Annual Scout meetings, Council Annual Recognition Dinners and Meetings, Boy Scout Sunday Ser
  4. Dear Scouter Friends, Thanks for the replies so far. What I understand is: 1. There are alternatives to the First Class rank swimming requirements, but 2. The unit needs to seek approval from the local Council Advancement Committee first. Can you cite the printed BSA reference pamphlet or manual so that I might read the exact wordage on this issue? That's the part that I will most need to pursue the issue in the boy's interest further. YIS, Jim Costello, Unit Commissioner, GST Council #255, Ann Arbor, Michigan
  5. Fellow Scouters, I'm a unit commissioner. I have a young Scout in one of my Troops who is handicapped as a consequence of MD. He can manage only to jump into water and make his way to the side of the pool. He cannot swim the distance required to pass the swimmers test. Can someone point me to the published text within the BSA that would deal with his handicapping situation. He's really trying to do the same things as the rest of the Scouts (who do not have any handicapping conditions). He wants to progress in the ranks but will not be able to pass the First Class swimming requiremen
  6. BSA policy is pretty clear on who can hire and fire unit leadership. It is the unit committee chair's job. Period. But, that said, it's not the answer to interpersonal relationships. If the conflict is unresolved within the unit (the best solution), you can rely on your Commissioner to advise on the situation. Normally, the Commissioner is on the outside of the "forest" and can usually see from a fair distance as to what is really happening. Why not ask his/her advice in this case. Yours in Scouting, Jim Costello, Unit Commissioner, Great Sauk Trail Council, Ann Arbor, Mich.
  7. As a parent of two (adult) Eagle Scout sons, I was either the SM or the SA during their sojourn in the Troop. At that time, I also had developed some wisdom with respect to other's "appearance is reality." I chose not to sign off on my own sons' advancement requirements nor their merit badges (of which I was a registered, qualified counselor). The purpose of merit badges, IMHO, is for the youth to develop the skill AND to meet other adults outside their own small circle of acquaintances. My sons on several occasions have thanked me for taking this approach stating that they developed new i
  8. Clearly this "mess" should be referred to a Commissioner, be it a Unit Commissioner assigned to your Pack or the District Commissioner. It is his primary job in Scouting to "help units succeed." I find it really difficult to understand why a professional Scouter (the DE) would be resistant to starting a new unit. New units are one of his "critical achievements" and his compensation is, in part, tied to creating successful new units. As a Commissioner myself I'd love to delve into this situation but, of course, it requires local assistance. Starting a new unit has a set of regular, sensibl
  9. Hello, Fellow Scouters, The forum is quite new to me but Scouting is not. I'm 64 years of age and joined when I was 8 as a Cub Scout. Many gallons of water have passed under the bridge in those years and I've witnessed many changes in the program, the uniforms and the needs of kids. But the core principles have not changed and I like that. When I tried to "fill out" the profile page I was not successful. I always got an error page following the submission and can't figure it out (given my relative lack of computer fitness); so I gave up on that. If anyone can help me with this p
  10. Our Council's Executive Board (Great Sauk Trail Council #255, Ann Arbor, Mich.) has established a "simplified" policy. All travel activities within the geographical Council boundaries do NOT require filing a Local Tour permit. However, outside of Council trips do require Tour Permits up to the nationally established 500-mile limit. If the Scouts are travelling with their own parents, the Local Tour permit is required. Reason: It is a Unit activity and the Unit will be held liable by the courts in the event of some untoward incident. This allows the Unit to carefully consider adequate
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