John-in-KC

No, Kaji, please do not take my message wrong there. First, the YOUNGEST CUB EVER to earn the old Lion rank is pushing 50... very, very hard!!! Second, I was pointing the irony of "the more things change, the more they stay the same." MY ISSUE: Does National really think stretching the envelope down to 6 year olds will solve the problem? We've all but abandoned the Tiger concept of 1/1 direct involvement. TOO MANY PARENTS WANT BABY-SITTERS OF AMERICA, not another activity demanding their time working with their child While we are at it, I for one, would love to see us g

Eamonn, Here are my points, in question form: $1M + expenses on the Council budget breaks down into gross expense per youth member of $239. Is that a true statement? I counter to you that my Council is using a gross expense per youth member for 2006 of $160 per member. There's a delta between your Council and mine. For someone on a Council Executive Board, a per youth number that's out of line with other Councils of similar size Nationwide is call for some questions. That said, do your Council revenues rely on 3d parties (Community FOS, golf tournaments, planned giving,

Thanks for the input/feedback ... John

Your personal integrity can never be open to negotiation. Once it is, the game is over. You did the right thing.

Kahuna, I know a Repbulican Eagle Scout Congresscritter (Sam Graves, MO-6) who may lose my vote if he just simply rolls over on line item veto legislation, instead of advocating an Amendment. Ditto the Republican Junior Senator from Missouri, Jim Talent. I've already shot them email, as well as one to the Senior Senator, Kit Bond. Since he's on the long cycle to re-election I didn't say this was a gut-check issue for my vote though. I don't expect those I vote fore to fall on their swords on major issues; I do expect them to fight the good fight.

Dan, Concur. That's why I said in my first post in this thread: You have the ability to discuss, program officer to program officer, the PERCEPTIONS of the youth as reported to you. You can make crystal clear your expectations of adult conduct. Cross-communication, effective listening, and feedback are essential. Lisa'bob's comments above are appropo as well. This unit has done things right in the past, and quite possibly is even now, but the youth saw something ... and they reported. My3sons220 has the chance to ask the right questions and listen. If she doesn't hear t

Lynda, It depends. As LongHaul said, Venturers who are young ladies may not use the Boy Scout rank advancement system. Period. Venturers who are young men and who joined before achieving the rank of First Class Scout may not use the Boy Scout rank advancement system in the Crew. Venturers who are young men, who joined after reaching the rank of First Class, AND who are not yet 18 years old may use the Boy Scout rank advancement system. Of course, there is still the small matter of what Crew Members have decided for themselves on advancement. If the Crew decides: Boy

fotoscout, That's why I advocate talking with the Chartered Partner and the professional staff even as our Cubmaster lays down the law with the Scoutmaster. Drinking at a BSA youth event is just not acceptable. There is NO WIGGLE ROOM on this. As a Commissioner I know says: This is a time for declarative sentences in one or two syllable words: "If grown-up leaders drink on Scout trips, I will keep my Cubs from your Troop. Do you understand this?"

Kahuna, I used Jamboree support as a working example. I'm not necessarily against this; I want it fully debated in the public square before we trade so much power between the branches of government. To me, that means amending the Constitution.

From the Guide to Safe Scouting: The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members. As always, boldface in the Guide is BSA policy. If there was booze, you have another lever: "If I hear of leaders using alcohol in the field again; then I will schedule a meeting with our Council Scout Executive." Let us know how this turns out.

Lots of good advice here. Short Version: As Cubmaster, you have the ability to take this Troop out of play for your Pack if need be. The Long Version: You have an advantage: You're the Cubmaster. YOU are responsible for the Pack's program. You can set ground rules. You have the ability to discuss, program officer to program officer, the PERCEPTIONS of the youth as reported to you. You can make crystal clear your expectations of adult conduct. If the adult leaders in the troop persist in a bad impression to youth, you can tell the Webelos Den Leader: DO NOT VISIT TROO

This is the dupe, believe it or not. Long story.(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

Do not get me wrong. I have now dropped over $1K into my sons' skills with the tuba. I hope some of that will come back in some form of collegiate support ... especially if he chooses a smaller school that doesn't have a full music conservatory. At the same time, tonight I drive him for another one of his Eagle Leadership Service Project performances ... he's interested in Barbershop quartets, he's providing music as part of the recreational therapy plan to patients at an area pediatrics service and at two VA hospitals. He's about 1/3 done, and is working down his last MB. We're looki

Take Lisa's words. Apply them to central Flyover Country. The issue, when I talk to parents, is MONEY. You do not know how many 6th, 7th, and 8th grade parents I know who are banking on full ride athletic scholarships for their children. Scouting doesn't generate full-ride $$$. It falls below their cut-line in terms of perceived value added. I think way too many of these parents are due for big disappointments. I further think they are short-sighted in parenting their children. The ratio of college athletic scholarships to graduating HS athletes most certainly is not 1:1. The

Scouters, I think over the past months most who know me at here know Im a conservative, Christian, most of the time Republican. I actively believe in God and Christ's saving work, BSA, America's youth, and our Constitution. Tonight, I write this because I believe both the President and several senior Members of Congress are off in left field. Today, listening to All Things Considered on NPR, I heard a news blivet where President Bush wants a line item veto. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5246868 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=52

From G2SS: 6 When staying in tents, no youth will stay in the tent of an adult other than his or her parent or guardian. As always, boldface represents BSA policy.

Lisa, In point of fact, with rare exceptions, once a youth (or his parents) decide on sports, and he drops out of ANY Scouting unit for a semester, he's pretty close to gone forever. Thankfully, son's Crew Advisor in his Crew understands his Eagle project, and understands son is off doing chunks of his project on meeting nights

Lisa, Your point is well-taken. The unit hosting the ceremony has responsibility for the agenda. They may or may not also have all the "stuff" that goes with the ceremony. I note in this case the Troop receiving most of the boys held the ceremony at the front end of their campout. That works as well. You are SPOT ON on "keep the adult politics out of delivering program to the youth." BTW, I think I finally have this Scout math figured out: It's 168 minus ANOTHER hour a week. YIS

The short version: Once a Scout or Scouter has completed the Ordeal Ceremony, their membership in the Order depends only upon: - Their being registered youth/adults in a Pack, Troop, Team, or Crew. - Their paying annual dues to their Lodge. Note: So far as I know, a member of a Learning For Life Post Post must have a registration in a Pack, Troop, Team, or Crew to be eligible for retaining Lodge and Order membership. I was a youth member, a long... time ago. When I changed programs from a Troop to (at the time ... 1971) Explorer Post, I retained my status in the Order so l

Ranger Joes, the US Cavalry Store, lots of places sell battle dress. Some of them are to US DoD spec, others are rejects off the line. We wore woodland camouflage for almost 25 years. That a lot of time for it to be accepted as a universal article. Mind you, as my generation went to college (and very few of us found our way to the Armed Forces), Vietnam jungle fatigues were the surplus item of the day. My Dad, a veteran of Japanese PW camps in the Phillipines, the Hell Ships, and the Home Islands, out and out forbade me their wear. It's one of my quirks, especially when I f

OK.... If a youth, Scouter, or units chooses to wear garments with a camouflage pattern commercially available (read Cabela's or Bass Pro) whilst out for an autumn or winter camp, I don't think anyones going to raise an eye. BSA hasn't had cold/wet or cold/dry outdoor apparel for years. The wool coat is the best thing in the inventory, and it only works as an element of a layering system. If, however, you or your youth choose to wear: - The current version of the USMC camouflage combat uniform. - The (now only made for USAF) Battle Dress Uniform. - The Army Combat Uniform

Two comments. Agree with Semper and the others. Get those last two boys across the bridge. Let them camp and learn as guests of the Troop most of the boys are going. I rather suspect they'll pick up a skill or two that weekend! As to everyone saying "AOL is a Pack Ceremony", "Bridging is a Pack Ceremony", and/or "Bridging is a Troop Ceremony", can you please point these statements out in a BSA publication for me? Last time I checked, who did what, especially in bridging, was SHARED! OTOH, I do know of youth who said goodbye to the pack, waited a few weeks, and then formally said

Duplicate post....(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

Welcome to the forums! Mr RK France gave you a very detailed view of things. If I may, I'll approach this from a different perspective: The Committee Chairman of a Pack, Troop, Team, or Crew (your case, Pack) is the leader of SUPPORT SIDE VOLUNTEERS in the unit. He or she, working with the Chartered Organization Representative makes sure the PROGRAM SIDE VOLUNTEERS (your case: Cubmaster, Den Leaders) have the resources they need, when they need them. Your unit is licensed (chartered) by your local Scout Council to a church, school, civic club, or even business. That entity

Considering that the picture of the Chief Scout Executive used in the current Boy Scout Handbook - has Mr Williams wearing the beads - with an open collar shirt - and no neckerchief I am not going to pole vault over mouse turds.