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ManyIrons

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Everything posted by ManyIrons

  1. FScouter and Scoutnut, it may just be me, but the "tone" of your last posts seem to have an edge to them. The posts from jteamnmj are requests for help, but your responses seem to be challenging her on the who can earn the Whittling Chip. She wants to agree with you and needs the ammo to convince her local Scouters. If I've misinterpreted your intent, I apologize, if not then let's give the lady a break. jteamnmj, press on with contacting your council -- if your CM is still unsure. What you've been told here is correct, but you may get less flack if you have a council contact to b
  2. You need a copy of the OA handbook to find the password for the Jumpstart website -- it's not the admonition. If you don't have a copy of the handbook, contact another lodge member and they will be able to help you.
  3. jteamnmj, I don't have a current Wolf Handbook, so I'm only going by what is written in the on-line version of the Guide to Safe Scouting. In the section on knives (http://www.scouting.org/pubs/gss/gss09.html#g) it says: "We believe we have a duty to instill in our members, youth and adult, the knowledge of how to use, handle, and store legally owned knives with the highest concern for safety and responsibility. Rememberknives are not allowed on school premises, nor can they be taken aboard commercial aircraft. References: Boy Scout Handbook, Fieldbook, Bear Cub Scout Book, an
  4. red feather, Wow, I think I'm in your unit!! Thanks, I thought it would be better to know what you've done before throwing a solution at you. Really the only solution that BSA advocates is targeted recruting (a.k.a. "selecting leaders"). It's outlined in the Troop Committee Guide, but I found a similar guide on the National Council's website under Commissioner's Resources. Here's the link: http://www.scouting.org/commissioners/resources/18-981.pdf We've got similar problems. Our committee's solution is to send a letter to the parents explaining the dire consequences if we
  5. An "Age Appropriate Guideline" for Scouting activities is available on the National Council website: http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/resources/18-260/index.html There are links to a chart, and although it doesn't specifically address the Whittling Chip", it indicates that activities with pocketknives are permissable for all cub ranks -- including Tiger (with an adult partner). The Guide to Safe Scouting (http://www.scouting.org/pubs/gss/toc.html) section on knives even references the Wolf Handbook. I would take copies of these with me in the future, in other words next time "
  6. What has been done up to this point? Parent's meetings? How many committee members do you have? Are the "old guard" looking to move on? Has the committee conducted any recruitment efforts? How many assistant SMs do you have? Why are they not showing up?
  7. Sitrep Wow. Where to start. Your question has nothing to do with the thread First, my question was valid. Your response to LauraT7 had nothing to do with her question about how adults are elected into the OA. You simply used the opportunity to throw darts at an organization you dont agree with. Youre welcome to your own opinions but they should be based on facts not accusations. I simply asked what your issues are/were. If you make public (relative in this sense) pronouncements on the quality of something you better expect others to challenge you on it. Not bitter?
  8. Our set-up is similar to Troop185's. I conduct my SM conferences in one of the back corners -- whichever is open. There's no place in the room that isn't in full view of everyone so YP is never an issue. I normally hold these at the troop meeting, but I'm willing to do them anywhere (within YP rules).
  9. sitrep: Still so bitter and no answer to my question. Let me rephrase it. What exactly is it that caused you to feel this way about the OA? You've complained that it "just a big popularity contest. What do you base that on? Youve also stated that it is a "secret society" -- it's not. BSA policy does not permit secret organizations and all portions of the Scouting program, including OA, are open to parents and leaders. Yes, there is safeguarded information, but this is done to avoid spoiling the experience for those who have not gone through it. Look at it this way, if
  10. Yes, American women won the right to vote in 1920, but I don't think women's suffrage enters into this. The statement doesn't say that girls can't be involved in "Scouting", just that they should be separate organizations. The line that intrigued me most was "programs for boys and girls must naturally proceed along different lines". It appears to be a recognition of (or an argument for) separate programs for separate needs (and I won't profess to know what those are). Of course, I'll admit that their motivations probably were colored by chauvinism. It's just interesting to me that this iss
  11. All, I realize this is a what if . . thread, but I found the following while leafing thru a 1926 edition of the "Handbook for Scoutmasters". Since it touches on this topic, I thought others might be interested in it. Girl Scouts: Relationship of Boy Scouts to Statement of the Executive Board, Distinctly Differentiating the Two Organizations (Text of Statement as given in Scouting, July 1, 1918, page 2) There is no connection between Girl Scouts of America and the Boy Scouts of America, nor is it thought wise or in the interests of either that the same or joint leadership
  12. sitrep, why the bitterness? What exactly is it about OA that you object to? Just for the record, OA predates 1948 (the offical adoption date into the BSA). It was originally conceived at the Treasure Island summer camp (near Philadelphia) in 1915. However; it is based on similar honor societies that were in use at private boys' camps possibly before BSA was established. There may well never have been at time when there wasn't an honor society co-existing with Scouting.
  13. Welcome Eagle81. The best thing about this campfire is there's always room for one more. My wife would characterize me as a 24/7 Scouter too. Sounds like there's a few of us out there. . . . Hmmmm, maybe Terry should create a spousal support group forum
  14. Tell you what SR, we've still got plenty of cake. I'll include you in that toast to Mr. West.
  15. Well, I can tell you that the date was in fact celebrated by the ManyIrons clan -- complete with birthday cake. However to be honest, it was in honor of the 15th birthday of ManyIrons III, my youngest son and a Life Scout. I'll toast Mr. West as I enjoy my next piece of left-over birthday cake. I can't wait to tell MI III that he shares a birthdate with one of the founders of BSA.
  16. Well then Id like to say thankyou on behalf of the group and myself and I hope we passed the audition. Sheeesh, does this mean Unc, ljnrsu, johndaingler, and I (a non-evil, non-Eagle) are back on base?
  17. I trying ask what are the reasons others give you that 14 year olds should not be eagles? The reasons Ive heard ranged from hes too young to understand it to theres no way he really did all those requirements and everything in between. Of course, none of that matters. BSA provides the requirements to reach Eagle. If the Scout has completed them, case closed. If it's true that a scout is less mature at 14 than he is at 17, how do you justify him worthy of the eagle at 14? Whether its true or not, show me the requirement that states a 14 yr old Eagle must possess the maturity
  18. Eagledad, "You think 14 year olds can be Eagles. OK, that's nice." Are you suggesting they cant, or shouldnt, or am I just misinterpreting you? "I was blinded by the fact that you suggest that the 97% of the scouts who didn't get eagle are to blame. Why?" Where did I suggest that? "The Eagle rank is not an age thing." We agree. I was trying to illustrate that point with the two Scouts I mentioned. One reached Eagle at 14 and one reached it on the eve of his 18th birthday. But both of them made it because they set the goal and then achieved it. "how is y
  19. Barry Yes, because you put the weight of the blame on one group Okay, Ill bite -- what blame? Go back and read the post that got you upset in the first place. I didnt post in that thread -- or even refer to it. Show me where I was upset. My response was an agreement with Uncleguinea.
  20. Climber, I was told the same thing ("wear whichever one you like"), but that was after completing the course and receiving my beads. During the course (and working our tickets) we were encouraged to wear the tartan neckerchief whenever we were in uniform. Of course we all did. It's an easy way of spotting other Woodbadge "candidates" as well as a great conversation starter. All that said, I believe Eamonn is on target, the tartan is retired once you receive your beads (or don't). After that it's your troop neckerchief or the "pink" one. I wear my troop neckerchief at the weekly meeti
  21. Off base because I stick up for a 14 yr old Eagle who really earned it on his own? Off base because I praise a 17 yr old who realized he really did want to make Eagle and then made it happen? Off base because I noted that, in my experience, those who disparage young Eagles, never made it to Eagle themselves? Sorry, but that has been, as I said, my experience. I am the Scoutmaster of my troop and I neither push the young men in my troop to make Eagle rank, nor restrain them from it until they reach a certain age. My job, and the job of my assistants, is teach, guide, mentor, ad
  22. Hey Unc, I agree wit-cha. I've heard the negative comments about young Eagles and in my experience they've always come from adults who were Scouts and didn't make it. Everytime I hear those type of remarks I mention that fact that I personally knew a 14 yr old Eagle. The troop was definitely not an Eagle Mill and his parents were not pushing him. This young man was very driven and it was obvious. I've also seen the flip-side. I had one young man look at his watch and realize he had about 10 months to get his last few badges and a project completed. He took charge and got it
  23. fgoodwin, I understood your post. My response was for Trevorum. Enjoy Jambo!!
  24. ManyIrons not ask question; ManyIrons repeat question asked by fgoodwin. fgoodwin says "The sermon wasn't sectarian; it was about boys growing up to be responsible men." ManyIrons scratches head; ManyIrons confused . . . but still bemused!!
  25. fgoodwin, thanks for taking my remarks in the spirit that they were offered -- somewhat bemused. I've attended many ceremonies since becoming a Scouter, only 1 or 2 could be considered boring. By far the worst one was a recent NESA Eagle Banquet -- the opening flag ceremony took 20 mins! This was on top of having the Eagles wait outside in the lobby for about 90 mins! Oh and the guest speaker -- he delivered a rambling, disjointed speech, but at least he kept it under 10 mins ALways keep your positive attitude handy -- it'll get you through those occasional boring events!!
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