John-in-KC

Well, Sue, I'm not trying to make this less silly, but... You just might be a WoodBadger if... You've made the decision that post-kids, your own service to your community will be in two organizations: Your church and Scouting.

I agree with what Mike F said, by and large. Since you've served on the District Committee, I trust you understand this is a time you want those stalwart fellows around. Hopefully the District Advancement Chairman (or a rep) and your Unit Commissioner are available. Depending on the potential for the parents to "go ugly", you might even want a stenographer for the meeting. Why? If the parents go ugly, the excrement hitting the fan will strike at the Chartered Partner and the Troop Committee. You're the man on the ground; you're the one who has to guage how likely it is the parents will go ugly. Since you've served on the District Committee, you understand the advantages of having the full protection of the Scouting system behind you. You, as the COR, are ENTITLED to it. Let us know how this plays out. YIS(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

We were told, BLUNTLY, by our SM/CD: Six months minimum, and that was a National standard. Of course, we all know about the secret hidden files left behind in New Brunswick before the move to Irving... John being conspiratorial

I have to admit, we had a great Troop Guide. He encouraged us through the intersession, though we were on task enough to get to our meetings and get the job done (even with gas at $3 a gallon at the very peak of intersession). I'm also glad we didn't change horses to another staffer. The ticket involves emotional investment as well as the work. I'm not sure I'd want to start involvement with another staffer in mid-stride, short of something urgent happening. The staff went off "someplace else" Saturday night. In fact, I think they slept outside the camp area. Is this something that happened to other courses?

I noted one thing. Boards of Review are not TESTING OPPORTUNITIES. They are chances for adults to interact with the youth, to get his input on the direction of the Troop, to make sure the values of Scouting are setting down in him. That said: If there IS a question on whether a Scout has mastered a specific skill, there is always the option of adjourning the BOR while the Board seeks input from the SM and the person who signed off. If, after that, there is genuine doubt by the Board about mastery of a skill, there is always "A SCOUT IS TRUSTWORTHY." Put the young man on his honor, and delve into what he did in that skill. Most Scouts will see the light all on their own

I think Jerry has to wait for his six months to expire... IIRC he was at his 2d weekend in August, the same time I was at my first weekend.

Gags, Executive Officer (nee` Institutional Head) is a Scouting term, not a KofC term. To me, what's implied is the gentleman Jerry speaks of is now an official of the chapter. Where he is in the food chain and what he does ... we'll have to ask Jerry. As to being an ASM and a Committee member, if your council is on the internet recharter, then you have to choose. The machine won't let you be both. That said, lots of smaller troops have folks serving de facto as ASMs who are on the Committee, or de facto on the Committee when they are ASMs. As far as 51% of the vote goes: The Chartered Partner OWNS the Scout units it charters. Read your charter. If the Chartered Partner has a particular policy they want to impose (quarterly inspections of the troop trailer contents, annual audit of the books, whatever), the rest of the Committee has a choice: Accept the decision, or accept the decision.

To SWScouter ... close. 20th. Thank you

Going to extremes does not help Scouting. Indeed, from all the Venturing training I've seen: A wise policy for the youth to adopt: Leave relationships at the driveway into the Crew's meeting place. Second, ensure sleeping areas meet the Venturing standard: -Under 21, men -Under 21, women -Over 21, men -Over 21, women The four do not mix. Third, be leery of cross-registering someone as an ACM/ASM in Cub/Boy Scouting and as a youth member in Venturing. Let the young man or woman decide whether they want to be an adult, supporting the program, or a youth in the program. Mixing and matching to me seems to be a road not worth travelling on. Fourth, if two youth are in a relationship, with one approaching 21, and the partner being younger, then maybe it's time for the older partner to take a few months away from Scouting. I'd especially encourage this is the relationship is leading towards marriage. Better to have two Scouters downstream than risk expulsion from the movement. My thoughts. Others may differ.

Jerry, Take a DEEP breath, working your ticket Beaver, and relax!!!! Executive Officer of your Chartered Partner means your ASM can take up any duties he wants!!!! He can actually serve the duties of an ASM at meetings and camps if he so desires. He just has a different patch on his left shoulder. He has a vote on the Committee as well ... in fact, he has 51% of the vote automatically. As the EO, his responsibility is to ensure both the Committees and the Program Officers receive support from the chartered partner. He is also the voice of all units in the councils of the chartered partner (whereas the COR ensures the program officers and committees carry out the program IAW Scouting and the chartered partners desires). Just make sure someone in his family is on the charter as a PAYING member, so he can continue to get Scouting magazine and the various media your Council publishes. This is a win-win!!! YIS(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

First: A CLUSTER is where several Councils pool resources to run a course. Where I went (Pony Express, St Joe, MO) used to be in a cluster, but they've run their own courses bi-enially for about a decade. Second: Invitation to attend? Reality check. The SPL made the tour of area roundtables (in his own and in neighboring Councils) and did the "NPR Beg-a-thon" gig (Please come to my course ...). My home council also had advertising and recruiters at its roundtables. I can see being invited to staff, though. John C-40-05 I used to be an Owl Working my ticket...

Eamonn, Concur. I know they can set interlocks so you cannot lock a vehicle if the keys are in the ignition or the lights are on; my 1996 Jeep has them! John

CA_Scouter, Go and read your charter. The chartering agency is the licensee of the Scouting program. You and all other leaders are an extension of that agency. Call your SE or DE. They'll tell you, in no uncertain terms, that when you fold, the property and the Treasury belong to the chartered partner. That said, last spring, a Troop in my area decided to close up shop. The Committee asked permission of its chartered partner to take its equipment and Treasury to the troop they were joining en masse. (I was the chairman at the time, and insisted the old committe do this). The old chartering partner was gracious, and allowed the property and funds to come across. The Committee dividing the property and the money amongst the members when a unit folds, if not approved by the chartered partner, can be construed as theft or embezzlement. Be careful here. Due notice: I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV.

Amazing how different courses/course directors do business. Our troop had ticket approval authority delegated to the Guides! Made life on Sunday much easier.

Some chairmen/women, Treasurers, and other Scouters really do need to go read their Charters!!! Scouting operates on a "license"(charter) system. The National Council licenses your local council. In turn, the Local Council licenses the Cub, Boy, or Venturing (including Sea Scouting) programs to local organizations (Kiwanis, churches, schools, VFW Posts, American Legion posts, and so on). These are the "Chartered Partners." The Chartered Partner owns the license, thus it OWNS THE UNIT, to include its property and funds. Yes, this applies to LDS units as well. I'll ask someone more expert in LDS Scouting to comment for more details. The chartered partner can set expectations within the Scouting framework of its units. It really is that simple. YIS

All, I just PM'd Eamonn, and as promised, here is information. Here in Missouri, the Emergency Nurses Association has started a seat belt campaign in the high schools, called "battle of the belt." While the website is incomplete, here are the links: http://www.missouriena.org/BOTB.htm http://www.missouriena.org/index.htm Short version is a surprise survey of the school one morning as students, parents and faculty arrive, then education over several months, then a follow-on survey. The Association conducts fundraisers, and they distribute the funds to high schools to support safe and healthy after-prom activities! The "Battle of the Belt" places it in a school-on-school competition, with highest percentage of use, most improved percentage, and a couple of other categories. The contact person is Ms. Lori Davis, RN. While I won't post her contact data here, you can drill into the Kansas City chapter to find it. She's currently (10/2005) chapter president. She is the "trauma coordinator" of the Emergency Department at North Kansas City Hospital. I hope this helps all. YIS, John

I used to be an Owl, and a Good 'ol Owl too, But now I'm finished Owling, I don't know what to do. I'm growing old and feeble and I can Owl no more So I am going to work my ticket if I can Back to Gilwell, happy land; I'm going to work my ticket if I can. John C-40-05

Eamonn, In one of those remaining hours in the week, I'm active in the local PTA. The Emergency Nurses Association of Missouri has an innovative campaign to get young drivers and their passengers to belt up. We just did the initial survey of our high school for this year. 67% of all drivers/passengers were belted. I will get the info and get it to you by PM as well as post it here for the good of the order. YIS.

Assuming you get him an app and training, he is what I call a "Transitional Scouter." - He can serve as an ASM, but not on a Committee. - He has to re-do his uniform, taking the youth stuff off. - He SHOULD take Fast Start, New Leader Essentials Common Core, Youth Protection, MB Counselor, and NLE Position Specific training for the Scoutmaster track. - He has the obligation to support the G2SS and YPT in all he does. NOTE: G2SS imposes specific restrictions on his activities. - Like Eamonn, if he's not ready to quit being a youth, let him spend time in Venturing, Sea Scouting, and in his OA Lodge. There, he is still in the program. He can still be used in reach-back to the his Troop from a Crew; he is a Venturer helping Scouts. (That said, I'd camp a Crew physically separated in space from the Troop youth). BTW, as others have said: DO NOT WAIT FOR RECHARTER. Wizard of Oz special effects happen for this young man on his 18th birthday!!! My thoughts. Others will differ (This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

Hmmm... good point. Will make this a point for my CP Executive Officer when he meets with the units next week.

Sue is a Beaver, She's an Overachiever. She's finished her Ticket, Now she'll run the Beading wicket. Last night was RT staff meeting, so I'm working Item 1 on my ticket John

Anyone else here notice how Dancinfox, after being called on being out of Wood Badge Order, cut and run to being a STAFFER??? What's really interesting is what he said, though. C-40-05 started off with 55 students (7 of 7 and 1 of 6) and ended up with 53 (6 of 7, 1 of 6, and 1 of 5). I thought 64 was the high end, but I see the logic of 48. Sue, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Too bad we don't have all kinds of cute emoticons here, or the below would work: :woohoo: John I used to be an Owl C-40-05

I agree with emb wholeheartedly. Our Chapter Advisor is the adult overseeing the youth. It's the YOUTH's job to run the chapter (and the Lodge). We had our chance; it's their turn (my chance ended 27 years, 11 months, and 25 days ago).

What Jerry said ... especially as we cooked our 1st night campout dinner: BBQ Chicken (47 cents a pound) Dutch oven biscuits Dutch oven apple crisp Veggies We ate WELL! Let us know how your campout went! John A Good old Owl C-40-05 Working my ticket

Always trust a Fox to be out of Wood Badge Order... Sigh...