John-in-KC

Funny. My Council uses the terms Class A and Class B in its official literature.

I guess my thought is this... if only one person is doing the vast majority of the heavy lifting, then it's time to have a hard look at closing the shop. On the adult side, Scouting is meant to be a team effort. Doing it alone is a recipe for emotional burnout. We all need some cheerleading and support! We are not Baby Sitters of America. Scouting is shared work and reward.

Roundtable has a specific purpose in the Scouting schema. It's to orient Scouters to the National Program for the coming month. A good Cub RT commissioner will have den ideas, Pack ideas, some game ideas, and some craft ideas. I see it happen every month in my District. RT also provides opportunity to get program events operated by the District or the Council (Day Camp, Webelos Woods, Family Resident Camp, District Pinewood Derby) in front of unit-serving Scouters (that means CMs, DLs, the CC and his/her committeefolk. Additionally, many Councils provide deeper-level supplemental training annually, at events called Cub Scout Pow-Wow or University of Scouting. On the Cub level, much of this training is designed to provide program ideas to the direct contact Scouter (meaning... DEN LEADER). Beyond that, Roundtable works with leaders who are not yet trained, but it works better with Scouters who've completed Fast Start, NLE, and Position Specific Training. You're COR for your unit. You have a right to call your DE and ask the District Training Chair to contact you. If you need training support, by all means ask for it!

A Spaghetti or chili supper does wonders. A unit car wash can help. Cubs like to play with wet hoses in the summertime Going to thrift shops, even if it means a run into a bigger town, can help buy those tables and chairs inexpensively. Thrift shops have helped many a Pack and Troop resource their "experienced" uniform closet. Here you can find the fund raising application: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34427.pdf Look at the rules on the reverse. Complete the questions on the frontside. Honor the deadlines. You didn't mention who your chartered partner is. As COR, one of your duties is to present the unit needs to the Executive Officer of the Chartered Partner. Many partners help their units by underwriting the National and unit flags! On a personal note, as COR, one of your major duties is to recruit leaders for your unit. COR/CM/DL... and a member of committee? That's a recipe for early burnout in Scouting adult leadership. I assume you have a son somewhere along the trail. You want to be able to enjoy the journey he's going to take. BTW, while we encourage the Scouting uniform, if family circumstances in your area make it prohibitive, an activity uniform (Pack t-shirt or sweatshirt) is a Plan B. Not the best Plan B, but workable. Finally, here's info on establishing a Pack annual budget: http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/resources/packbudget.aspx(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

Barry, my friend... Breathe in, breathe out, repeat.... Yes, the Denver convention has been the most recently reported on. Even so, Lisa is right... the folks in Minnesota are prepping for the fun and frolics which will be visited upon them! I think we all learned our lesson after Chicago 1968.

My cube farm neighbor reports Fred and Company did Tim Russert's funeral. I wonder if the RICO statute might apply to Mr Phelps...?

For New Leaders? TRAINING! - Fast Start and Youth Protection online. - New Leader Essentials - Den Leader specific for the level they're going to be at. BALOO is always useful, but supports the Pack more than any one Den. Safe Swim Defense is always useful, but again supports a Pack more than any one Den. - District Roundtable, every month, to get a lead on the coming National Program. - If the Den Leader or ADL has a Boy Scout assigned as Den Chief, absolutely go through the training with him!! Mutual expectations between Den Leader and Den Chief are vital!! - Finally, most Cub Scout Pow-Wows or Council Universities of Scouting (yes, Lisa, I understand...) provide a host of how-to classes to give ideas for games, activities, places to go and things to do! If it'll be a while until District Training Team does Cub Scout Position Specific trainings, there are good resources on the "what they do" for unit leaders on the cub website: http://www.scouting.org/CubScouts/AboutCubScouts/ThePack.aspx Here's some how-to stuff: http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/resources/The%20New%20Cub%20Scout%20Den%20Leader%20Kit.aspx Here are some Cub-specific topical podcasts: http://www.scouting.org/CubScouts/Cubcast.aspx(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

Read it here... http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/20/us/politics/20obamacnd.html?hp You can googlenews it too. Cue Cabaret... EMCEE] Money makes the world go around The world go around The world go around Money makes the world go around It makes the world go 'round. A mark, a yen, a buck, or a pound A buck or a pound A buck or a pound Is all that makes the world go around, That clinking clanking sound Can make the world go 'round. [GIRLS] Money money money money money money Money money money money money money Money money money money money money Money money ... It makes the world go round! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For that matter, cue Candide... ALL Now onto Aristotle! PANGLOSS Mankind is one; All men are brothers! STUDENTS: As you'd have done, do unto others! PANGLOSS It's understood in this best of all possible worlds-- MAXIMILLIAN All's for the good in this best of all possible worlds!(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

A Council is a different beast from a unit. It's a corporation of the State it resides in, and is subject to their non-profit/not-for-profit and corporation laws. Yeah, kb6, you've achieved Permanent Latrine Orderly status being asked to serve on that committee...

Knot Head is right on camping MB. It must be done within the purview of BSA. I'd not had enough coffee when I posted the extract from Requirements online! I think it's also a good idea for a Scout to approach his Counselor (when working MBs) before the event to say "I plan to do XXxx at this event." That gives the Counselor a chance to guide the Scout.(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

Gern, The azimuth is off. 1) Every human from Adam has sinned. Period. We all deserve God's punishment when we meet him. 2) God has a standard for admission to Heaven: Absolute perfection. You're welcome to try to achieve that standard. I've already failed abjectly. 3) God has provided a Plan B: He's called Christ Jesus. He did meet God's standard, even to death on a Cross. He rose again and is in Heaven. 4) Disasters are not indicative of God's wrath, they're indicative of sin being in this world. 5) The last time I checked, it's going to take a long time for Southern California to slide into the Pacific.

Here is what is listed at the National Requirements website for requirement 9 of camping Merit Badge: Show experience in camping by doing the following: 1. Camp a total of at least 20 days and 20 nights. The 20 days and 20 nights must be at a designated Scouting activity or event. Sleep each night under the sky or in a tent you have pitched. You may use a week of long-term camp toward this requirement. If the camp provides a tent that has already been pitched, you need not pitch your own tent. 2. On any of these camping experiences, you must do TWO of the following, only with proper preparation and under qualified supervision. 1. Hike up a mountain, gaining at least 1,000 vertical feet. 2. Backpack, snowshoe, or cross-country ski for at least 4 miles. 3. Take a bike trip of at least 15 miles or at least four hours. 4. Take a nonmotorized trip on the water of at least four hours or 5 miles. 5. Plan and carry out an overnight snow camping experience. 6. Rappel down a rappel route of 30 feet or more. 3. Perform a conservation project approved by the landowner or land managing agency. http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/advancementandawards/meritbadges/mb-CAMP.aspx There is nothing there about this being done only within BSA. The print edition of Advancement #33215 for 2008 may say something. If it does, the print edition still governs SFAIK. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Certification of the 15 days and nights camping for the Order of the Arrow is a discretionary matter of the Scoutmaster. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The BSA Historic Trails Award and 50 miler award are not discretionary. They must be done inside the purview of Scouting activities. Note the application has additional requirements over what is set in Requirements #33215. Requirements page http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/advancementandawards/meritbadges/fifty.aspx Application page http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/advancementandawards/meritbadges/%7E/media/legacy/assets/forms/34408.pdf.ashx

You mean the Kansas City Loooooooooooooooooooooosers?!? What about the Chumps? Listen to this, it's the football team I'm following the next four years: http://tinyurl.com/4j95rc (It helps EagleSon will attend there). I've followed this basketball team since Dad was a student there: http://tinyurl.com/4bo88l(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

It's nice to hear good news about our training system in action. It's also nice that your Troop really has turned the corner, compared to some of your posts 3 years or so ago.

I googled "Home on the Range" "Sheet music" and got many, many hits. You can, too. A capella.com has it for $1.60 a license, for printed. Others have print on demand software.

Trev, OK. We respectfully agree to disagree. It could be lots worse; we could be the Merlyn and _______________ show, or the Kudu and _________________ show. Later, my friend.

Michael, The C-Team Chair is the Chairman of the Ceremonies Team. In my Lodge C-Team is one of the operating committees under the Vice-Chief for Program. Next, the conversation you want to have with him belongs to one of two people: Whoever is responsible for the actions and conduct of the C-Team, or whoever advises the Ceremonies Team. If you are not one of those folk, this conversation is not yours to have.

I started studying the "Traits of Leadership" in the fall of 1974. Back then, ROTC required us to memorize them and their meanings. I've since seen MBO, MBE, MBWA, Lead from the Front, the senior leadership model, Be-Know-Do, and countless other descriptives and/or prescriptives. Between ROTC, Basic Course, Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff Officer Course, plus almost 30 years work in the field (active, reserve, and civilian contractor service) and an MPA, the leadership psychology and sociology taught in BSA's courseware isn't bad. Robert SS Baden-Powell was a Cavalryman. He'd recognize that today, the horse as a transportation tool of war is done. He also recognized that he had to place himself in the right place, at the right time, to be an agent of change. That's what you want to be, a major agent of change. So, put your effort where your fingers are. Get yourself on the National Training Committee. If you choose to just keep complaining on an internet forum, there's a different name for you, Sir: Don Quixote de la Mancha. If you recall the plot, that's a tragedy. Are you really a tragic character, or are you destined to do great and good things? That's a question only you can answer, but you must position yourself to be a man of effect. I choose to leave this particular thread. Good day.

Trev, What I hope are four core differences: - I am responsible to God for myself. No one else. Not Government, not BSA, not my employer are responsible to God for me. - I certainly do not believe God's witness if effective when the primary active ingredient is vitriol. - I am not allowed to issue judgment. God keeps that to Himself. Only by His Grace and empowerment can I even say the words He gives me. - Finally, but for God's own power and gift of His Son, I am damned. We could debate the great philosophers 'til the cows come home, but at the end of the day, I'm of the school which says humanity, one by one, is all fallen. And yes, I sin when I think of Fred Phelps "Will no one rid us of this meddlesome priest?" (Becket) I have to remember that God is trying to save him as well.

Trev, From what I've seen (and I did skim their FAQ), their key positions are... Hate The Sin. If you practice the sin, then Hate The Sinner. If you condone practice of the sin, then you are as guilty of the sin as being a practicioner, and Hate The Sinner applies as well. If we perceive you condoning practice of the sin, then you are as guilty of the sin as being a practicioner, and Hate The Sinner applies as well. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I have a very easy time with their theology. It's not the Christianity God has taught me in churches and Bible studies for a few days now. Romans: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. I don't care... homosexuality, lust, murder, theivery, fraud, ... it's all one with God. It's wrong, and God works on a one-strike rule. (I won't even get into original sin here, but it's part of my specific belief system). Ephesians: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. John 3: 16-21: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To me... God designed the human body. He designed the parts to fit. When we use the parts in ways that are out-of-design, that's on us. Does it mean I hate someone? NO. It means I share God's message. The time of witnessing continues through this life. It ends when we pass this life. God assumes the role of Judge then. I know folk who are G/L. I've shared with them what I understand God is telling me. Remember, though... absent the Christ, I am as foul and besmirched and undeserving of Heaven as everyone else who has been. I hope that makes sense, and explains the difference between most Christian churches and the sect called Westboro...(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

Kudu, Why don't you get on the National Training Committee? From my POV, all you do is rail. Until the curriculum changes, you're not going to be an effective agent of change... Remember, CDs nationwide are obligated to present the curriculum... not their curriculum.

You also do not need to own your facility. You need some secure storage space for gear. Inviting peers to share a campout is a good older boy recruitment tool. As far as the greyheads go, the Troop is small. The troop as a collective should determine what the best date/time is as a matter of Program. They present that to the Scoutmaster as a recommendation. The Scoutmaster approves. He consults with two people... the Committee Chair and the COR... hopefully the youth will be the ones explaining WHY. Everyone else gets to say "got it." Send youth back to the Pack to be den chiefs. That will aid the downstream development of the Pack/Troop relationship (your parents won't be CM/SM forever). It's fully reasonable for the SM to set obligations upon the SPL/ASPL/PLs/QM/Scribe... whatever... and they include "I expect you to be there and to do your job." We grownups have had a lot of conversations about the current leadership advancement policies. To my way of thinking, expectations start before leadership gets selected, and continue all the way through the term. HTH...

p212.... That is way cool

SR540Beaver is right; I just went to Westboro's FAQ section. They call themselves an "Old School" or "Primitive" Baptist church...

If you reject help and assistance the word will get around. You'll be known as a clique. Is that what Cheerful Service is about? I think not. Let me say something bluntly, and not quite shout it at you: He's a youth, thus voting, member of the Order of the Arrow. Do not dare to exclude him. Do you clearly understand that? OK, so he cannot necessarily make all the practices. Welcome to adult life. I can safely bet you a dinner at the Golden Ox that sometime during your college years you will have two simultaneous final exams by the academic schedule. You work around the schedule to get the job done. Are you the C-team chair? If not, it's not your call. You may point out the issue to your chair. I'd prefer he be the one to discuss it with the C-team adviser. There are lots of options, and they apply for all ceremonies... - Give him a copy of the ceremony book. Ask him to start memorizing his lines against all the roles. - Look at other activities around the ceremonial ring and in the C-teams life within the Lodge. Who is your stage manager? Do you use a drummer (can he drum?)? Does the C-team chair make every one of the LEC meetings without fail (would he serve as a backup?). - C-team collectively needs to be a group of team players. Ask when he's generally not busy. Schedule some extra time (I've not met a team yet that doesn't need extra practice, including NOAC champions!) to support his schedule. - Ask him to be a team player and show up for some critical rehearsals. ICS.