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While the BSA registration systems might not be programed to prevent dual positions,,, Commissioner Administration of Unit Service Manual Page 9 (amongst other BSA material) cites:

"... Commissioners must not be registered as unit leaders. Although some commissioners may be registered on a unit committee because they have a child in the unit or because of previous personal history in the unit, their principal Scouting obligation should be with commissioner responsibilities.

Please don’t assign unit commissioners to their own units or chartered organizations. A commissioner needs an objective view as an arm of the district and council. Avoid potential conflicts of interest..."

Despite the above, often a Scouter volunteers with a Unit and as a Commissioner. Some people can do multiple positions well, but the downside of being a Commissioner for your own Unit outweigh any benefit. Unfortunately the benefits for some include boosting ego, upping Journey to Excellence stats, etc.

Many years ago my CO did to accommodate the number of boys. It worked well, two SM, two nights, shared equipment, etc. Cannot remember if two Committes. Currently no CO has two Troops in my District. With falling membership in recent decades I'd be impressed if any CO could sustain two Troops. If the motivation for multiple Troops is strife... Prognosis not good. If reason is lots of boys in multiple locations... Good news and good luck!

The following may help regarding official policy:

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/financeimpact/pdf/Fiscal_Policies_and_Procedures_for_BSA%20Units-9-2010.pdf

Many appropriate movies mentioned, but referencing the original post... a Merit Badge Counselor (MBC) should not be choosing the movie. Let the boy(s) pick it.. albeit with parents & MBC counsel and approval. As with most things in Scouting ... we adults have to keep reminding ourselves not to do something a boy could do.

Possibly the option (maybe only) youre seeking is https://www.flyporter.com which serves Torontos Billy Bishop Airport.

Unless plans include visiting the US, I would consider carefully if the cost savings (if any) incurred by transferring at a US airport is worth the additional time and the hassle of another passport control point. Id be surprised if transferring via a US city is significantly less cost than direct between UK and Torontos Pearson International Airport via a carrier like www.airtransat.com.

PS: I too recommend a Niagara Falls visit.

My understanding... For Tour Permits the BSA accepts certification from organizations that have American Camping Association accreditation. Thus it seems your friend should contact the ACA to accept his course.

See http://www.acacamps.org/accreditation/firstaidcpr

I've had first hand knowledge of two Scouter molestation accusations. One turned out to be false after the boy recanted and the DE lost his job. The other SM spent many years in jail. I knew the SM and it reminded me... you can't tell.

For those following the release of files... two items of interest if you haven't seen:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/26/us/boy-scouts-claim-good-faith-effort-to-protect-against-abuse.html?_r=1&ref=boyscouts

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/youthprotection/pdf/WarrenReportSummary.pdf

One of the fonder memories was an indirect compliment: Church ladies group have cookies set up for a social cookies are missing Scouts are suspected!

One day Im walking by and see two Scouts standing by the cookie table and overhear something to the effect: Were Scouts and shouldnt take/eat the cookies.

They dont see me and I keep walking feeling pretty good. Dont know for a fact if they ate cookies that day, but I dont recall any more complaints from the Church.

My Scouting has been in the most urban area of the country... One of the biggest challenges for Troops and Crews is transportation. Few have cars, van rental unreliable and what fun getting on a public bus or subway at rush hour with 20 kids & equipment!

There are many exceptions to the rule, but one thing the urban poor and urban affluent have in common (in my experience)... capable & willing adult leaders are hard to come by. Good leaders are hard to find everywhere, but I'd guess the potential pool is larger in the suburban areas.

As a Commissioner, deal with the Pack leaders. You invited some families to an event, good idea and not wrong to do. But you now know the CM's position. Do not contact parents. You should give the Unit leadership your best arguments for Den and/or individual attendance at District & Council events.

One of my peeves is receiving unrequested emails, usually with info that does not apply to me. Im surprised your Council has enough new info for a weekly blast. I seem to recall there may be State or Federal law(s) about this. Do not data-mine and add parents email to the list without their permission. Besides your Council mails a monthly newsletter to Scout' homes.

Strengthening the relationship between the Chartered Organization and Scouting is a more important issue. The CO may not be cognizant that the Pack is their program. Focus on that.

I was involved with a Troop for a number of years based at a homeless shelter which has since closed.

Heed the previous advice contact your Councils Scoutreach, ministries such as the Salvation Army and the agency operating the shelter.

A few additional comments from our experience

The shelter situation was particularly bad and thus meetings were at a nearby church. This worked out well and the off site location was a good respite.

Adult leaders were from a Chartered Organization church. Relying on parents or guardians is unlikely. (Other Units may utilize BSA para-professionals.)

Boys should pay something, however small, for dues, trips, etc. It reduces the charity stigma a bit and helps create a sense of commitment. The great majority of funds will be from the BSA, Chartered Organization, service clubs, foundations, etc

I agree with an earlier post about not getting wrapped up about uniforms... but the Scouts had uniforms and took pride in wearing them. Spending money on uniforms was worth it. Check with your Scout Shop about getting irregular shirts.

Transient families are an issue to be considered when planning the program. The earlier poster had good suggestions. There is a chance on continuity - in our unit many boys travelled to stay with the Troop after their family left the shelter.

My concern with the initial post is the reference to values and dregs. The plan is well intentioned but many, me included, find the reference to be an offensive pre-judgment. I do not know of a correlation between poverty or homeless and lack of values. The boys have more challenges and problems, but in many ways you will probably find them similar with other Scouts. As with all Scouts, there is pre-selection by a certain type of person the boy and his parent/guardian have agreed to join the Scouts and strive toward Scouting principals. People sense things, and if the boys or parents question motives or respect a volunteers efforts will probably not go well.

Anyone wanting to report the incident described should first consider... if it was my child, would I report? The do unto others rule.

Personally from the situation described, I would do what did happen... confiscate the machine and give it to the parent(s). Especially since (if I recall the posts correctly) the boy was not showing material to others.

Visiting unit meetings ? Yes. Know the units in a way that if a friend or relative asked you for a recommendation for their child... you could say who is good and who to avoid. Unless you have a drop-in type relationship... don't go unannounced. Most leaders what to know you, especially when they have registration problems, liability issues, Eagle applications, etc. If possible liaison via the Commissioner.

Fundraising: It may be good fund raising experience for the DE, but for the money raised via FOS & product sales in many Councils it is not worth a professional's paid time. Concentrating on corporate, foundation and high net worth individuals gets a better return.

If your District has successful FOS and product sales in the past... keep doing it!

If thru various DE and volunteers over the years it's been a flop... what's different now?

If nothing is different... A council has all the potential parent & leader names in the data base, just send a FOS mass mailing and forget the presentations. For those Units who want to use popcorn sales as a fundraiser and share the proceeds with the Council... great, but analyze the effort vs potential return.

If you haven't already, please review the following...

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-927.pdf

I would recommend that you son, rather then you investigate this. All part of the Eagle project and the Scouting experience.

You will likely get helpful answers in a forum such as this, but the answer to the question that probably matters most is that of the Unit and District or Council representatives approving the Eagle project plan.

The official, ie decision maker, of appointing the Cubmaster is the Pack's Chartered Organization Representative (COR). While most COR's leave this decision to the Pack Committee and Committee Chairman, the COR can exercise their prerogative.

I assume your Pack Committee Chairman is aware of the situation and thus if you want to go to "the top"... I suggest a small group of parents make an appointment to speak with the Chartered Organization Representative and/or the Organization's Executive Officer to express their concerns with short specific examples. It may help to invite someone from your District's Commissioner staff to attend and explain how the BSA functions. The Council professional staff is unlikely to act unless there are clear criminal or Youth Protection violations. The Commissioner is a volunteer and you may find the name(s) and contact info on your Council's web site.

Three comments: (1) As a registered Cubmaster, the person had to have completed Youth Protection Training (YPT) at least once. Training is valid for two years and must be kept current. Thus there could be a period between the Cubmaster YPT expiring and the Pack's annual re-charter. This is not uncommon among Scout Units. (2) There are likely extraordinary exceptions, but I assume the Councils utilize the Chartered Organization's address as the determining factor of which Council you are in. Basis info provided, it's unlikely your Organization's Pack can change Councils. (3) If there is no progress toward a satisfactory resolution by the start of the new school year, re-consider voting with your feet... join the new Pack.

Gotta ask... what's a bulling program?

Always pants.

Considering brush, bugs, rocks, sun... never shorts.

The exception... water... fording stream or hiking in the rain in warm weather.

Yes... more activity options for youth today and public perception of the BSA. Unlikely membership will return to the 1960 & 70's levels.

Two additional factors rarely mentioned...

(1) Fewer organizations are interested in chartering Scout units. Amongst the big charterer - religious congregations - many do not see Scouting as part of their mission, ministry, outreach, etc.

(2) Fewer qualified adults making the Scouting commitment. Too many well meaning direct contact BSA volunteers are not suited for youth work.

One suggestion: Hire college and graduate students to run the program after school so the Scouts can be home in time for dinner & homework. Some Units charge enough dues that this could be self funding. Others will need support from the Charter and Council (wishful thinking).

Not a total solution. but would help

To address the original question of BSA policy...

Traditional CPR Technique Still Official

see:

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/Alerts/CPR.aspx

Advancement... Treasurer... I'm surprised. I would have bet that at the Unit level the hardest job to fill well is Scoutmaster. Someone who will show up every week, is an outdoors person, has the personality and skills to work with kids and parents, etc.

At the District level... Capable people for Activities and Training get my vote. Not even considering Membership which often handled by DE anyway.

I can understand clothing cost, but patches, especially awards & ranks !!

A computerized embroidery machine in China is that much more efficient then in the USA ??

Even the Agency for International Development funding a program in Ethiopia allows Scout patches to be made anywhere (except Cuba, Syria, Iran, No Korea etc)!! At least give preference to an Ethiopian producer (if their is one)...

http://www.pactworld.org/galleries/jobs_rfps/012%20RFQ%20for%20the%20purchase%20of%20scout%20badge%20(SCEPS%20Project).pdf

If I read the Guide To Safe Scouting correctly: Assuming the activity is restricted to bouldering, top-rope climbing and belayed rappelling... And assuming you are located in New York... Then obtaining a New York State Tier II Rock Climbing Guide License may meet the qualified supervision & instruction points and your ASM certification desire.

See http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/30969.html

As per Safe Scouting it is snow, ice, lead climbing or canyoneering that involves instructor training from a nationally recognized organization.

You may want to consider the BSA's Emergency Preparedness Award insignia. Although CPR/First Aid is one of the Award options and not required... a first aid course combined with the options of an emergency kit and plan, may enhance the first aid course only certification.

Do not recall what the Handbooks say... but in principle the SPL eligibility requisites should probably be left to the BOY SCOUTS, ie the Troop's youth members, not the adults.

My reaction... besides the alcohol use... sounds like you have too many adults involved with a camping trip.

Let the Patrol Leaders Council decide.