John-in-KC

Y'all are thinking this waaaay too much. Honor God. As Stosh says, that's simple. The Processional Cross leads everything. Honor the Nation. Where does the parish place flags now? The church is asking for support, not the Troop is asking to do something. If they put a church flag in the position of honor vice the American flag, follow them. Frankly, I'd be more concerned uniforms fit, that uniforms are uniform (S-E wear MB sashes, Scout-FC don't, no OA sashes (or OA sashes), ad infinitum... Make sure the kids show off to folks who normally don't see them (or who do, and don't know they're Scouts). It's time for the Cub Scout Motto: Keep It Simple, Make it Fun. My 0.01. Inflation, don't you know...

Concur, now the question is: Who was the lead donor? What did he donate for? (Hint: Probably his name is on the building)... My council has been blessed, we had a wise steward lead us through the last capital campaign.

Two comments: 1) That appears to be the BSA standard pit latrine structure, based on the location of the manhole. While ours have full siding vice board siding, they're the same as yours. In fact, I'm not sure our urinals have water to flush down to the tanks. 2) Facilities tend to come from capital improvement dollars,not general operating dollars. About 15 years ago, I was part of a crew which helped a guy build a new Catholic Chapel on our Scout Reservation. The two Archdioceses (we're on a boundary) covered 80%, the builder himself covered the last 20, and all the labor was volunteer. As part of our labor that day (we were helping with the foundation concrete pour), we poured foundation pedestals for 48' containers being placed in a new boathouse on the property. Again, all the money for that was gift for facilities only, not operating $.

In the case of the LCMS, it's a very specific dynamic of the BSA-Local Council-Chartered Partner relationship, from the Spring meeting.

Moderator's Note: Posts discussing policy, not implementation, were moved to the parallel thread in I&P.

T2E: The theological issue is practicing homosexuals are in active sin, are not welcome at the Lord's Supper sans change and repentance, and should not be involved in activities of the congregation or its collateral ministries.

CP, Here's how I expect it'll play out. That statement went to the various liability insurers. Even if it didn't , they have people whose job is to keep eye on things which make for risk. That line "seek legal advice" will jump out like a sore thumb. The insurers will refer that to their own legal departments. They'll cut letters to congregations saying "You've been notified of a risk you can manage. We advise you to manage your risk accordingly." At most parishes, a local attorney, a member of the congregation, gives advice to the parish President pro bono. He's going to tell the parish President and pastor: "Drop the agreement. This is an iron fist/velvet glove letter: They won't cover us if something happens." So, parishes will drop charters.

The licensing system of BSA requires good will between it and the licensees/chartered partners. I see that good will being frittered away.

Krampus makes a vital point. If I,as the liability insurer for my congregation, find out the national church body stated in official correspondence to congregations "Seek legal advice before proceeding", I'm going to have MY attorney issue the congregation a clear and concise warning: "That's a significant area of risk, and we advise you to limit your exposure." Trust me, when the local attorney who does occasional work for the parish pro bono sees that, he will say three words "Don't go there."

K of C isn't the only organization. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has pulled the plug on its relationship with BSA. It's told parishes if they wish to continue chartering, to seek local legal advice.

You can read the full article here. Key passage quotes, verbatim: As of Dec. 1, 2015, the LCMS no longer has an official relationship with the BSA. While legal speculation is just that, we are concerned that the legal boundaries are still being drawn with each court case, and we are concerned that LCMS congregations could be pulled into such a legal battle. Congregations who continue their BSA charters after the Dec. 1, 2015, dissolution of the LCMS MOU should seek local legal counsel and guidance on how best to safeguard themselves legally. MODERATOR'S NOTE: This is discussion of policy. There is a parallel thread in Open Discussion: Program for implementation matters. Click here to go to the implementation thread

You can read the full article here. Key passage quotes, verbatim: As of Dec. 1, 2015, the LCMS no longer has an official relationship with the BSA. While legal speculation is just that, we are concerned that the legal boundaries are still being drawn with each court case, and we are concerned that LCMS congregations could be pulled into such a legal battle. Congregations who continue their BSA charters after the Dec. 1, 2015, dissolution of the LCMS MOU should seek local legal counsel and guidance on how best to safeguard themselves legally. MODERATOR'S NOTE: This is not for discussion of policy. This is for those who are members of units under charter by an LCMS congregation, and for LCMS congregations who are local chartered partners. There is a parallel thread in I&P for policy discussion. Click here to go to it

Basically, you train them up as full members of the troop committee. Good.

Moderator's Note: Moved to Advancement, shadow topic left.

Tenderfoot, January 1968: 1 Know Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan. 2 Give Scout sign, salute, & handclasp. 3 Describe Scout uniform & when to wear it. 4 Describe Scout Badge & explain its meaning. 5 Describe US flag & flag history, when to fly it, how to hoist, lower, display, fold, salute it. [Pledge of allegiance now assumed as part of Tenderfoot ceremony] 6 Whip a rope. Tie square knot, sheet bend, clove hitch, two half hitches, bowline, taut-line hitch. 7 Understand the Outdoor Code. 8 Give your patrol name & yell; describe the importance of the patrol in your Scout activities. 9 Explain what to do to earn Second Class. BTW, SCOUT will be what my Tenderfoot was... http://www.troop97.net/pdfbin/bsa_ranks.pdf(where I found my youth requirements) http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/2016BoyScoutRequirements_8.14.2015.pdf

Moderator's Note: Moving this to the fundraising forum. A "find me" tag will remain in OD: Program

Stosh, call your Council Advancement Adviser (professional). This is an Irving decision, and as the GTA says, no one below them has the authority to modify or waive. Challenging leadership includes knowing when to choose your battles.

WRT to how Council Advancement Committees decide to do EBORs, they can... Hold all EBORs at the Council level. Hold all EBORs at the District level. Hold all EBORs at the Unit level, with a District Advancement Committee trained Eagle BOR guest rep present. (He's the QC on the process). In my Council, the Advancement Committee has authorized Districts to use either one of the latter two methods ... but only one. My District, before it split (again) used unit boards with guests. The neighboring district used central district boards.

As I recall, it came out in 2013 or 14. It is a fairly recent change. As I said right underneath it, I disagree with it, but I am not on the National Advancement Committee.

For me, it was Railroading. There never, through my youth membership, was a Counselor IN MY COUNCIL. Tough to earn a badge when no one will counsel you.

Personally, I believe the above to be sad. My son asked his Camp Director (it was his first season on camp staff), his PD (a Scoutmaster in his own right), and a member of the Council Executive Committee who he knew to be part of his EBOR. My CC later said that was one of the more thought provoking boards he'd ever seen in action.

You may want to point out to your District Advancement Chairman page 55 of the 2015 Guide to Advancement, Section 8.0.0.3: 8.0.0.3 Composition of the Board of Review A board of review must consist of no fewer than three members and no more than six, all of whom must be at least 21 years of age. For further specifications, see “Particulars for Tenderfoot Through Life Ranks (or Palms),â€8.0.2.0, and “Particulars for the Eagle Scout Rank,†8.0.3.0. Unit leaders and assistants shall not serve on a board of review for a Scout in their own unit. Parents, guardians, or relatives shall not serve on a board for their son. The candidate or his parent(s) or guardian(s)shall have no part in selecting any board of review members. (emphasis added)

Bryan Wendell posted this while scouter.com was down. Boy Scout service hour requirements to increase beginning 2016

Bryan Wendell is actually posting useful stuff... New Boy Scout requirements put more emphasis on physical fitness

It works.