koolaidman

Finally we can create new topics?

Congratulations on starting a new topic! I'd just go to the scout shop, blue cards in hand and tell them you need replacements. I don't think it would cost much.

dedkad: Everyone is having the same problem since the site has been updated. I for one, am hoping the fix is not named Godot.

BD you have some excellent ideas there. I think I will have to borrow them. Only thing I can think to add may be a "best dressed" patrol. It could be uniforming, or simply best dressed (shirts tucked in, pants pulled up, general neatness). The "ribbon" could be a necktie.

My prayers go out for OGE's family and friends. I've only known of him from this forum, but I will miss him and his posts.

Calico, Thank you for the reference point. It is very helpful to have concrete evidence of the IRS's point of view. Link for those in need: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/booster_club_field_directive_6-27.pdf

As we have had a low participation scout for the past year, I can understand your feelings. It is sad when a boy is unable to participate due to lack of parental involvement, busy parents, or busy siblings. There are no active attendance requirements until Webelos and Arrow of Light ranks. If the boy complete requirements at home (and through Bear, parents can sign off), then he earns his rank. If he earns his rank and is a no-show at B&G mention his name with the rest of the den. If he didn't earn it, he didn't. Don't call his name. T here is nothing to explain to the othe

Our pack has always had a sibling category and an adult category.

If anyone figures a workaround to get the equivelent of the old "Last 24 hrs" page, please share.

As ASM of a 6 mo old unit I agree with what everyone has said. The only things I'd add are: Having some cash on hand (donated) to purchase some items helps too.(ie: flags, troop gear that otherwise can not be scrounged or borrowed) This is where the flexible parents help. If they "need" pretty flags like the school or previous troop had, then it will be couple hundred bucks. Those that can make due with a table top flag will have more flexibility with their budget. When starting up a brand new PLC, it helps to have some limited ideas for the boys to choose from anytime

Twocubdad, the use of the word "approval" in your underlined section is precisely what will change in the new GTA per the January advancement newsletter. The newsletter mentions that the new practices will be "mandated" when the new GTA is published, and until then conformance with the clarified procedure is "requested".

John-in-KC Is this what you are looking for? (page 37 2011 GTA, second paragraph) "Though it has not been clearly stated in the past, units, districts, and local councils do not have the authority to implement a different system for merit badge approval and documentation. In any case, through the years, many councils have created new forms and approaches to the process, some including IT components. In an effort to gather and consider these potential best practices, councils are now asked to submit descriptions and copies of their blue card alternatives to the nati

BD: Yep. When a SM decides he doesn't want a boy to earn a MB, that's ego in my book. SM would only hand out blank blue cards. After boys take class, signs all but "X". He didn't want that boy to have it. (Now that troop doesn't have the boy)

bnelon44, thank you for the link. I know this "development" may deflate some SM egos in my area. On the digital/paper debate. I think having a card to give to the scout gives him some control over his destiny when all other controls fail. Adults lose paperwork, adults forget to enter items into database. Accidents happen. A signed card/handbook is very good evidence that requirements were met.

Call me crazy but, I like them. I find them very comfortable and often don't bother to change out of them when I get home from a meeting. As far as mis-matching sizes. I little stitch with colored thread could help in matching them up. Just use a different color for each person.

OGE, I understand the tramatic argument. I just trying to wrap my head around the "medically unneccessary" argument. At some point (in the early phase) of pregnancy, the Dr. will need to verify for an abortion or prenatal care. I do stipulate, that if confirmed pregnant via transvaginal probe on day one, then on day 15 the woman decides to get an abortion, it would be unnessesary to do it again, but... As we found out after 2 miscarriages, the doctor will want to double-check before performing a D and C. I imagine the same would happen for an abortion (so they could call

Calico- Yes, that is what I was talking about when I said "wand". Please correct me if technology has changed, the doctor said that up to a certain point (we saw the dr. at 5 weeks) you could only see the ovum with the probe, you had to be further along for the belly transducer (my own scientific description) to work. That's why I have the question...

Eamonn, We do drink tea in Texas, just over ice and often unbearably sweetened. (Well, I don't drink the sweet tea)

Hate discussing politics, but I've been wondering what the hubub is about number 4. My wife goes to the OB/GYN says doc I think I'm pregnant. He says "What makes you think you're pregnant?", We'll I haven't had my period and the test from the drug store came back positive". He says "Well the best way to tell is" and breaks out his ultrasound wand. Seems if we seeking an abortion, he'd make sure she was pregnant in the same fashion (because can you imagine the lawsuit stemming from performing an abortion on someone who isn't pregnant?). So, if its going to be used anyway, how i

Seattle, They have a new treasurer, "old" treasurer is now CC. SMT, If the new treasurer has had no links to the funds in the past, I think he/she would be independent enough to be trusted with the reconciliation (not really an audit per se). It sounds like a policy needs to be put in place on deficit spending by the scouts. I wish you and your troop luck!

Bring it up in a committee meeting to see if they were "borrowing" against this year's troop allotment of popcorn money. If they were, address that issue and suggest a plan to avoid that in the future. If there is no good explanation, suggest a third party (not a signor on the account, not the treasurer, or anyone who takes part in reporting cash balances) reconcile the accounts. It could be that someone has been lax in accounting for scout purchases. Maybe the formula in splitting up the funds needs to be tweaked.

My apologies if my post seemed to come from left field. My tired eyes and read the original post to ask if camping was required in IOLS training....I blame Halloween. My council does not require IOLS for a tour plan...

I attended a 1 day (8 hrs or so) IOLS session and received my card without camping overnight. A neighboring district saw the need for the course as there are plenty of scouters that already have the outdoors skills and don't have the time to break away from families for training. The "challenge" course, as they call it, focuses more on testing and not the introduction of skills. The trainer was flexible and would spend more time on areas that scouters may have been uncomfortable with. So while I don't have official policy, I am proof that it's not techincally required. Council

I agree with ParkMan and BDPT00 and BSA24's first sentence. I would not bring it before the youth. Scouters need to lead by example and shouldn't need to ask the youth if it's OK for an unmarried couple to share a tent. Definitely discuss with SM and CC.

Seems to me for both issues the following facts are stipulated: 1. Fraternization between "youth" & "adults" is/will be occuring. 2. BSA liturature characterizes this fraternaization as inappropriate. (per the link SMB gave). 3. You can't feign ignorance, you received the email. 4. Some folks don't agree with BSA literature. What defense do you have if a third party decides to report it to the SE? What would you do as SE, given the current climate and recent release of the perversion files? What would you do as SE even if the COR, CO and IH th