John-in-KC

Pack, Gung Ho, while it's come to mean over-enthusiasm, actually means in the Chinese "All Pull Together." Ask Gunny, he'll confirm that Scouting works best when all the moving parts do what they should. If you have a neverthere IH/COR, it's time for the CC/CM to have a friendly cup of coffee with them, and talk about the Chartered Partner and the Unit. Keep doing what you're doing in program. Like others have said, the DE's job is to grow units. If she gets her critical mass, there'll be a new unit at that other school, and you can concentrate on the kids that are already in your Pack, as well as the subset that's truly local. Good Cubbing.

Eamonn, Ironic point: I remember the weeping and gnashing of teeth there was the first time our parish liability carrier presented the Pastor and President with a youth protection training module. The carrier made it simple and sweet: Adults with direct contact of kids at Parish events had to take the training as a condition of coverage on the policy. Should something untoward happen, and the direct contact adult wasn't trained, the carrier could repudiate coverage. Pastor and President got the message, clear as day. What was worse? BSA YP, such as it was 5 years ago, was far better than what this company sent us. Thus far the war story... We will now sing Junior Cubman

The Scoutmaster is the gatekeeper of the merit badge program. I work for my DAC, training new MB Counselors. The above is one of the key points of my presentation every month. That signature on the MB app is Mr Scoutmaster's approval for the Scout to begin the badge, and it's Mr Scoutmaster's assignment of a Counselor to the Scout. If Mr Scoutmaster lets Billy's parents do 21 MBs with Billy because he doesn't keep the gates, then Troop 123 will reap what is sows. Personally, just because ACP&P says "Parents can" does not necessarily mean parents should. Adult association is about more than Mommy and Daddy teaching Billy. Family Association is a Method of Cub Scouting. Now, if Mr Billy is the only Counselor qualified in a Council for Stamp Collecting MB, that's a different matter. To me, it means the DACs and CAC need to be looking for more stamp collectors to counsel the badge.

Judge, Frankly, I'm not sure.

Welcome to the campfire. Please note the thread you are commenting on is seven years old.

OBTW, I don't expect DE's to help with sign-ups. Where was your Unit Commissioner? He/she should have been part of that. ETA: Take that back. If two Packs are in one school, and they are not friendly to each other, then the DE should take recruiting away from the units and give it to District volunteers.

One, and only one person should have a friendly cup of coffee with your District Chairman. That person is your Chartered Organization Representative. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Frankly, imho, your Pack should be providing assistance and support to stand up a new Pack at the other elementary school. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Frankly, imho, your Pack should have a recruiting booth at meet the teacher night. It can be in the parking lot if need be. On site presence of Scouts and Scouters in uniform, with Scouts having FUN, is the best recruiting tool for Cub Scouting there is. There is more than one way to get around no boy talks or "flyers only." IT'S CALLED BEING VISIBLE.

Sounds to me like you need a friendly cup of coffee with your District Chairman about how the District plans major activities and recruits key staff. There seem to be bigger problems in this District. Beavah: In the Council I serve, if the Camp Visitation team finds something out of whack, they have the authority to mandate immediate change, or even to shut down the camp on the spot. You've been on more than one visitation team. Is that true across most councils? Would you talk about consequences of a bad visit, to include what doesn't happen for the kids??

Actually, I would not mind if a Scout is appointed in July, assuming he takes training while the summer is still running, and gets together with his Den Leader to figure out program. A Den Chief does not have to be in direct contact with kids to be working his POR; he needs to be doing stuff which clearly supports his POR. Planning the program year, collecting games and activities (maybe even trying them out on the new socut patrol as a sanity check0, planning the first month program... Retention of new cubs is a vital task. Someone who is truly prepared will help DLs and CMs accomplish that task. We want to tend our cub scouts well, they are the seed corn from which we will grow PLs, Quartermasters, Den Chiefs, and SPLs in 6-7 short years.

I just looked at my current year Lodge induction weekend form. We require: - Current Class II/III health form (age appropriate). - Two deep leadership for each unit sending youth (exception, as always is parent/child) There's nothing about designated guardianship. That's the good idea fairy showing up, as far as I can see...

Agreed. A Scout might be Thrifty, but unless the 11 year old has a $30 a week allowance (or $ for chores), he's going to have problems timely earning the luchre to buy this uniform.

I know some people in Thunderbird. The Scout had best have six months of WORK behind him. IIRC Britt Davis is the Professional staffer for advancement, you can ask him, or Ross Pfannensteil your DD is good people as well. I suspect though "hiatus" won't fly. I assume the Scout in question is a Hardway Warrior or Firebuilder. If he were to talk about this with a member of the Tribal Council, I suspect the question he'd get back is: "Are you really serving your Fourth Heart's Resolution with less than six months of actual work?"

Since we are both in the Heart of America Council, what does your DAC say? If you don't know, then I recommend your SM (or you, if you are the CC) contact the DAC for a friendly cup of coffee. He and the NESA chair are the keeper of the EBOR District Guest or Member rosters (somehow I think you're in Beautiful Blue Elk, but I also have suspicion you're in Pelathe). I have a good suspicion what the DAC, when sitting as a Guest, or the other Guests of the Internationally Famous North Star District would say, it wouldn't be kind, and Mr SM would be asked a tough question in executive session by the District Guest: "Why did the SM sign off on EAGLE REQUIREMENT 4 (PORs) if the Scout hadn't done the job for the indicated time?"

OGE, Thanks. I'm going to send this to my district commish.

Of course, if the DE or Registrar is sitting on the apps... Right? No. Done? Dunno...

E92: Is your Council arranging a Visitation Team? Even for one session, I think it'd be a good idea, to help spot weaknesses. It can be done internally within the Council, but there are NCS for Council Operated Family Camps.

YAY ScoutNut!!!! RIGHT ON!!! Words I would have said myself, and they are spot on.

To my young Life Scout questioner: Read, very closely, what OldGreyEagle said. I can say it no better. To hadulzo: May I recommend you procure a copy of Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures #33088, as well as a copy of the guidance your Council Advancement Committee has published, implementing ACP&P. No two council have the exact same implementing procedures. There are things that are regulatory, things that are policy/program, and things that are local.

?? Is this a Council Organized Family Camp under National Camp Standards ?? (as in, is this one. I know they exist I commish for one in the Council I serve) If it is, then first problem is you are months behind on the camp development. Let's overcome that. Staffing: Now is not the time for email. Now is the time for phone calls inviting targeted key folks to lunch or coffee. I assume your program areas are set. Thus, you have some idea of the folks you need (rangemasters, lifeguards, assorted fun activities. I presume you will make another run on the Lodge. Start with the Lodge Adviser and the Chief. Have a specific list of needs, and get commitments from them As far as compensation: Yes, you've said volunteer. Even so... - I get a little tired of paying for the privilege of working. I hope you costed staff food into your budget. - Thank yous' cost little but give lots of mileage. Asking someone who matters in your Council (Council Commish, Council President of VP of Program) to personally thank the staff (especially the HS age J-staff I think you're wanting to get) for their time when jobs, girls, and Friday Night Lights are part of their back-in-school routine will help. - A thank you dinner afterwards (a specially done Dutch Oven meal evening or steaks on the grill) also seems to go over well with kids ... and if you let them bring their girlfriends, folks start getting the idea that Scouting for older youth isn't so dorky after all. Again, I hope you put that in your budget for the event. Good luck. Sounds like you're needing it right now. Let us know how this turns out.(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

If we are talking a true gifted/talented child, then one option set is to leverage the program: a) Use CS Sports and Academics (not belt loops, PINS!) to keep him engaged. b) Have him earn the 2d level religious emblem for his faith. Another option set is for Mr Cubmaster to have a friendly cup of coffee with his Unit Commissioner and the District Advancement Chairman: While ACP&P does not cover the situation of an accelerated child, maybe it's worth asking questions up the line. One thing I've noticed: Intellectual maturation doesn't always match emotional maturation. What really is best for the child? If it were my own EagleSon, I'd probably be encouraging him to look at all the branches on the trail. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ETA: Ed, we in the trenches of Unit, as well as up the line of District, Council and Region do not have authority, but the National Advancement Committee is formed of men and women...not gods (little g) . They can make exceptions if they choose to, given the right information passed to them. I'm not the one to say this Cub is at the 4th standard deviation on the curve; that's for folks who can meet him flesh and blood.(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

Here are my thoughts: In general, Beavah's message resonates with me. Lisa pulling her boy to see John McCain in person resonates with me. Doing the "big screen" TV gig does not resonate with me. If the President wants to visit high schools wherever he goes (and I think he should visit HSs, middle schools, and grade schools ... isn't that why all of us serve Scouting ... to raise future generations???), that's perfectly OK by me. Can you imagine an America where the President is not someone on an ivory tower in the Beltway, but is "the President shook my hand?" Another episode of TV Land? Anyone care to bet how many kids will be testing their eyeballs for light leaks?

As is very often the case, I agree with Lisa Folks, you either: - Use the BSA's system of background checks, OR - IF your Chartered Partner has more stringent procedures, you follow them. Doing anything else may put you, your Chartered Partner, and your Council at risk for civil or criminal violations. You'll need to know your State's privacy law. Remember, BSA is self-insured for the first million dollars. That means anything resulting in civil action can be taken from PROGRAM support dollars. Is it worth the risk?

He was neither trustworthy nor brave. He may have been a decent legislator, but he was neither trustworthy nor brave. With that, I'll give it the rest, Hal.

I have three words to say: Mary Jo Kopechne Consider the person who left her in the car under the bridge. Dead or alive, Ted Kennedy is guilty of leaving the scene of an accident. An honorable man? I've not regarded him such since my teenage years.

Our Council has run a sporting clays tournament annually.