jtswestark

Ditto mikecummings & E92, but we also had the candidates write up a quick reason why they wanted to be SPL and (more importantly) required one of the parents to sign it. We wanted to make sure the parent knew what their son was ready to commit to especially if he wasnt driving yet. Those were required to be turned in to the SM before the elections. The SM would observe the counting, just like in OA, but the outgoing SPL would announce the winner, pass on his legacy materials, and induct the new SPL officially. Watching the speeches and Q&A from the boys before the voting was alway

Back in the day, there was a local small troop that a buddy was in. A number of the boys smuggled some beer and pot on a campout and apparently the adult leaders didn't stop it. Council yanked the troop's charter after a couple parents reported it. No second chances. I don't know if any of the boys tried to transfer to another troop, I think they all just let it go. I personally have been made aware of things I wish I hadn't at summer camp. Things that shouldn't have been tolerated but selective enforcement was applied, sadly. I'm sure most of us can say the same that have been ar

Awful. There's some leaders, a diver master, and a dive buddy that will have nightmares for a long time over this.

I have met the "District" and "Council", and they is us. Thats beautiful! A long time ago there was an OA election snafu where someone told someone else something that was incorrect about elections and we had a unit all bent out of shape. I just happened to be at the next Roundtable in my role as SM when I overhear two leaders that recently became Arrowmen complaining about a recent election. Now, since their Ordeal neither has attended anything in OA nor seen an election done beyond their troop, suddenly both are raging experts on elections announcing to all in earshot that o

>>No, arrest is a very recent one, one of several increasing recently,

A few years back I got a response from a living person concerning the ScoutZone website (the predecessor to BeAScout.org) and how their searches were based upon only zip code. The township I lived in was split amongst about five different zip codes and I pleaded with him to adjust his search program to utilized geographical locations instead. After a few very cordial email interactions, we both recognized what I was asking for wasnt going to happen. I dont know if he was a contractor or an employee. Looks like the BeAScout,org took care of that problem.

Im with SP on this one, been down this road and lost some good kids to Scouting because there was bullying going on behind the scenes. You keep trying to give the kid the benefit of the doubt, expecting him to respond like most kids do, but he doesnt. Time after time. Wreckage along the way, complaints from parents, dropping attendance, fights, broken gear, discipline issues popping up it really becomes a time consuming topic seemingly always centered around one or two boys. Youre exactly right BP, the large majority of adult leaders arent experienced in dealing with at risk youth.

So there's the rest of the story you all need to decide how long and how far you are going to accept a disruptive Scout in your unit. Stay away from anything that occured outside of the Troop. All you can act on is what happens at Scouting events. Someone ultimately will have to make a call on how long you are going to tolerate the youth. Which is a shame as you dont want to force a kid out of what is probably one of the few bright spots in his life. But youve got to do what is best for the unit and other boys in it. Sad to say many times these situations dont have a happy ending.

HA! Whatever happened to BobWhite anyways? Did he finally get banned?

I can't answer your specific questions either, but can offer additional experiences: My troop had one back in the 70s. We had a number of Scouters that worked for the local school and got an older one donated. Was a great deal as we removed a few of the back seats for boxes and gear and all could ride in one bus. We had a couple ASMs that were drivers for the school so there was always a driver. Another dad was a diesel mechanic so we always had someone to work on it. Until those days ended. No more CDL licensed drivers. No one to donate their time to work on it. Insurance starte

For iPhone, I think all these are free, except one: Knots Gguide Shoplist (for camping menus) SeizeTheDay (a to-do list for meetings, campouts, etc...) starguide Chirp! Lite (bird songs id - doesnt record and tell what you are hearing tho) Helleniechsin (leni lenape translator) Star Walk - not free, but well worth the couple bucks cost!

There is no valid reason at all to discourage a parent from wanting to watch a ceremony. In fact, I regretted that rarely did a parent of many of our ceremonialists even make an effort to come watch how great of a job their sons did, and most of the fathers were Arrowman themselves. I dragged my wife and daughters out numerous times for tapout ceremonies to make sure she saw how talented our own was in his roles. The pride I felt in him I would never want to stop another parent from feeling. The pride in seeing your son as lodge chief is like that of few other. The real tragedy

If youre not interested in exposing your Scouts to anything beyond your Troop, feel free to stop them from joining the OA. No growth can be earned from ArrowCorps or SummitCorps... just slave labor. Never mind the fun and fellowship they will develop with Arrowmen in other troops, Districts, Councils, Sections. NOAC is only a huge waste of time. They won't need the personal growth of being a ceremonialist or vice chief of any board activities. Go ahead and tell these young men that all they need to know about Scouting they will learn from their almighty Scoutmaster. I wonder if you

Jeese oh man, just direct the parent to look inside the handbook covers. Any Scoutmaster gets this question at least twice a crossover. If the SM gave a smarmy answer, pull up your big kid boots and pay attention at the next Troop meeting. Next mountain we can build?

As you can see, it's not a good practice. The SM needs to hear your perspective before he signs off on it.

Fantastic! Please update this thread with his progress - we're now invested in this young man!

I compliment you their interest in your unit is a direct reflection on what they see in your leadership. They get it they know whats ahead of them and their up for it or they wouldnt be there in the first place. Youve already established an appealing environment and messaging that you arent doing a Baby Sitters of America unit, so keep challenging them and let them lead. To me, that was the paycheck working with the older guys that got it was one of the best parts of the job. Enjoy.

Whats make it worse is the guy is only willing to work with his troop. Come on, go big or go home! Agreed - refuse it as is. I would too ask him for a short meeting and explain that you are looking for experts in areas that can expand the merit badge experience for the boys, not fumble through it. Suggest maybe he pick a handful and provide the qualifications that apply. Make no bones about it and tell him you are looking for qualified experts in these areas only. And try to get him to work with ALL units (whimp). The sad part about it is when you have people that justify this cra

I think this is a great idea for a project. Projects benefiting the CO is common place in my neck, Im surprised to hear its not in others so. Better find out if he can! AFAIR maintenance projects arent prohibited in any national guidelines, so again, may vary by area. (as an aside, its a leadership project maintenance or new should be irrelevant, IMHO). The historical aspect is exactly what makes this a great idea maybe have your son do a little more research on how he is going to go about refurbishing these pieces. Ie well use gloves, special brass polish brand XYZ, applyi

Yup, don't count on the UC to fix it... he isn't a referee/judge, but more like an counselor that can only provide non-binding advice. The current CC is the one that needs to step up and take back the committee roles from this ASM. I would recommend a 'committee only' meeting with the UC to get some input on this, but ultimately, the action has got to come from the committee itself. Reads like the COR may be starting to pay attention? That much turnover in the CC role may just do that... you should get the COR involved with that 'committee only' meeting if that's the case to le

It's better to error on the on the side of caution in areas where you are responsible for other people's kids. No alcohol on weekend or summer camp for adults, leaders or not. Not a good idea at all. There's too many things that can go wrong on a campout anyways, why would you allow this to come into the picture? If a guy can't go a weekend or week camping without a drink - or understand why it isn't a needed, then I don't want that person camping with a unit I'm involved in - he has bigger issues going on. Kids get enough of alcohol influence around them all over the place. It doesn't n

Running or helping to run a Scout troop is not for the faint of heart. You get pulled in all kinds of directions. You are now a public figure and always under community scrutiny. The hassles mount fast and can get tiring over the years. I spent a couple days in camp last week with my old unit at our old camp. I watched my successor SM struggle with trying to keep demanding adults happy and still make it a good week for the boys. I had a chance to pull him aside a couple times to let him vent and offer some suggestions since he sorely lacks a UC. I was also glad to relieve him of a co

Come to the midwest then Packsaddle - we seemingly don't have any of these problems at the camps I've been to up here.

In principle, its wrong. But at the end of the day, does it affect your units mission? I dont see how. If this is a cause you want to take on, then do. I seem to recall the CC having to sign the Quality Unit paperwork, cant remember how that changed with Centennial. I might be a little more upset about someone signing something they shouldnt have, if that was the case. Quality District/Council status really only benefits the pros and maybe a couple District folk looking for a few more attaboys. As a COR you have a place to make complaints like this known. In general, it sounds

Great advice given here throughout. Never FIRE a volunteer, but you must redirect them when things aren't going well. Someone HAS to reign her in, again, great advice in dealing with a couple of the specifics you mentioned. In my experience when called on it either the problem adult improves or they decide to take their ball and go home (addition by subtraction can be a net gain, but let them make the call). I've been in a very similar situation myself, and I can guarantee you one thing - if "someone" doesn't reign this ASM in she will only get worse. People will vote with their fee