matuawarrior

Alright Mike. Way to Go. You won't regret it. Oh, and when you plan the "Game of Life", Remember it's just a game. Read "Leadership and the One Minute Manager" and "Who Moved my Cheese". These books will get you up to speed on the lecture part of the course. I just read the "Leadership Pill" it was really good. You'll have Fun. Pay no attention to the other Critters making noise on Gilwell Field. It's the "Fightin' Bobwhites" that starts the pecking order Or is that Food Order? have Fun . . . Matua I used to be Bobwhite and a good ole Bobwhite too.

Here in our District we have an Award for Scoutmaster of the Year, Commissioner of the Year, Cubmaster of the Year, and Crew Advisor of the Year. We've been doing this since 1997 with no standard set. Just send in your nominating letter in and the District Advancement Committee will decide from there. What I'm looking for is to set a Uniform Standard for each Award. I'll be bringing this up at next Thursday's Roundtable so I need some resources or suggestions from the forum to set the pace. I feel that the individuals must. . . . . . serve at least 2 years in thier current position. . . . complete Basic Training. . . . receive quality unit at least once in two years. . . . go beyond thier described duties for thier registered position. . . . exemplify the Scouting Ideals for their respective Programs. I feel there should be more but I'll leave that up to the forum members. So please feel free to post your suggestions. It would really help me out. You can list criterias for only one position or all. I'll leave it up to you. Matua

We hold our own long-term camp between Dec. 27th and 31st. We've been doing this since 1997 with the exception of 2001 and 2002. Our Senior Scouts and Venturers conduct MB classes as CIT's. We use this time to Bring our new Scouts up to par with First Class First Year Requirements. We'll be having Fun, Matua

LV North Carolina . . . Looking at the pics made me feel how much I miss that state. Spent 5 years at Fort Bragg while I was assigned there. But I made it a point to get lost in the country to know my way around. I didn't like the barracks life. I spent weekends stomping around beaches around Wilmington and Onslow Beach. I love the fishing there, especially up at Jordan Lake. I miss the pistachios down at Dublin. I used to by them by the bags whenever I drove by from Wilmington on my way back to Bragg. Sure do miss the Triangle. I loved camping in Asheville. Well, actually past Asheville towards the reservation. Made many friends there. I spent time exploring the Outerbanks during Spring Break and 3-4 day weekends when I wasn't on duty. Most of all I miss the Jumps at Ft. Bragg. Matua(This message has been edited by matuawarrior)

I've been debating for days if I should post or just continue to lurk around. I've read all the posts in the relating two other threads. This is not easy nor is there any correct solution to this situation. I started the "unwed mom-leader" thread a couple of months ago. To think that the other Scouts don't know, you're only kidding yourself. They knew before you even found out. To hide it, just tells them that you may not be able to deal with it and it does tell them it is okay. This situation has to be dealt with at all levels of the unit: From the PLC, Committee, Unit leaders, and Charter Organization. I feel for everyone involved. But especially for the volunteer leaders because your in the middle. You'll have parents who don't want this Scout around because of the bad example he set and the impression that he may have on their own kids. You'll have others who say he should stay because he can still learn the values that Scouting has to offer. We're taught to deliver the program but nobody tells us what to do when this situation arises. Council/District tells us "It's up to the Charter Organization." I agree with BW and KS that you would need to find out what the Scout wants to do, how he expects to deal with his new responsiblity, and how he will get the help he needs, but get his parents involved. His life has just changed and in a few months it's not going to get any easier. My experience, with "Unwed Mom" after the baby was born, was She stopped attending meetings and activities. She is to busy to do anything else. I believe that the Scout should still be supported by helping him find resources outside the troop that can help him deal with this situation: Spiritual Leaders, teen pregnancy groups, Crisis Centers, etc. Don't be afraid to tell the Scout that you are disappointed in his actions. Let him know how you feel and then move on from there. To not say anything will give the impression that it is okay. The greatest thing you can do for this Scout is to Listen and provide Guidance. As Eamonn stated, Scouting is not just for the Good Kids. Matua (This message has been edited by matuawarrior)

Thanksgiving was yesterday for us but since Aloha Council expands across the International Date Line. I still have time to post. So Happy Thanksgiving to all who post and lurk here. Matua

You can try this website: www.1sttarrantbpscouts.org/index.html

We camp a weekend a month for 10 months out of the year. Scout Camp is 7 days long. We haven't had one since two years ago due to Typhoons. Then we have our Unit's Holiday Campout between Chrismas and New Years. That's about 7-8 days. On average about 34 days a year, if, of course, there are no typhoons. This Year, we are currently at 14 days. Were still recovering from last year's typhoons. We just had Typhoon "Liput" pass South of the island earlier today. Matua

Proud Eagle -- Your unit has a Proud History. I pray that my units will one day celebrate their Silver Anniversaries. I commend your unit's past and present Leaders, Parents, Scouts, and Chartered Organization for keeping the Troop Alive. Matua

Our Crew did a Service Project for the center where we meet. We maintained the lawn and picked up trash along the sidewalks. We have a backpacking trip scheduled to a nearby beach and natural springs in a cave this Thanksgiving weekend. Matua

It's up to the Chartered Organization to decide if they'll allow Girls or not. I have a Co-ed Venturing Crew since 1997 when it was an Exploring Post then. From experience, the girls have always been in charge in our Crew. I don't know why that happens. Maybe because there are more girls than guys. Most of the guys seem to just hangout since they've done their Leadership time in the Troop. There are times when the guys just want to be with the guys and likewise with the girls. Like others with Crews, It is hard to get 21+ yo female leaders. We also scramble to find one. Like OGE, we normally piggy back with another crew that has a female leader. When we have a female leader then they piggy back on us. It works. Times are changing and it won't belong before we see young ladies in the troops and then in the packs. I'll say within the next 25 years. It'll be like the Venturing Crews with the Chartered Organizations deciding if they'll be Co-ed or not. If and when that time comes will be very interesting. I'm not gonna sweat over it. Matua

35 years of Exciting Life. Matua

I served 7 years as a Youth. 2 with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and 5 with BSA. I now have served 8 years as an Adult Leader. Total in all: 15 years. Matua

We start ours next Monday. It's the first time were doing Scouting for Food. What we collect will be going the Salvation Army for their Food Bank. Matua

Relax and Breath. Breathing is very important. I have sat on many Eagle Boards of Reviews. Here are some areas that have caught my attention: Talk to the members and relax. Don't get to relaxed. Know your project and any set backs that may have occured. Speak up so that all members can hear your reply. Don't mumble. Have all your resources on hand. Normally all paperwork is looked at by the members prior to you meeting with them. Please be early to your Eagle Board. If your Running Late, Call. Make sure your uniform is squared away. Matua

It is November 11, 2003 here today. In fact its 2:26 pm and I was at the Veteran's Day Ceremony at the Governor's Complex earlier this morning. Nice Ceremony, Alot of Veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Lebanon, Panama, and the Gulf War showed up to pay respects for our fallen comrades and just to see and meet others who have served. It rained alittle. I met some Philippine U.S. Army Scouts. Some of the remaining Guam Militia, who hunted for Japanese Stragglers. I served with the 82nd Airborne Division during the Gulf War as a Communications Sergeant attached to 2nd Brigade (325 Airborne Infantry Regiment). I did 8 years with the Army. My last tour was with the 32nd Army Air Defense Command in Darmstadt, Germany. Matua (This message has been edited by matuawarrior)

Troop activities planned by the PLC are First in our book. District/Council Activities are options. IF our Jr. Leaders, individually, committed to helping out with the District/Council's MB Activity as C.I.T's, then, they are highly encouraged to follow through. The rest of the Scouts would go on the Trip. Matua

I was just browsing the archives when I ran into this thread again and reread each post. It seems to me that the "Gold Star" is placed on the Unit Flag for "Members" who died in the service of thier Country. If that is being the case, then it is true to say that, "Once A Scout Always A Scout". I like the idea of the Gold on Gold embroidery for the names of those who have gave thier lives in service for thier country. Thinking Outloud, Matua

I, too, will remember his family in my prayers. It is a sad loss. Matua

I've been following this thread for awhile. It's good to see that the question is now being asked. The Pro's are looking into it and we'll be getting answers in a couple of days if not a couple of weeks. This is a good thing for the Scout Patrols. It opens up other options for them. I can see it now. A patrol camping out at a Scout Camp. A Scout Troop camps out at an adjacent site close to the patrol. The Scouts in that Troop see that the patrol is having Fun and Learning on their own. the Scout leaders are tripping out asking the Ranger "Can they do that?" "Of course." the Ranger replies, "BSA Supports patrol activities". The Scouts in the Troop are inspired by the independence of the patrol. The Scout Leaders think, "Uhmmm, this could work". Can you even imagine that a Scout Camp in our respecive Councils are full on a weekend with patrols from different troops at each campsite. Mind boggling, Huh. And all they have to do is show the Ranger their required paperwork and approval from the Scoutmaster. Are we starting a trend here on the Forum? Maybe in a year, we can come back and see which Council camp offers patrol campouts. I now I'll be pushing for mine. All it takes is an Idea and a Question to be asked. Matua

As the IH for the Chartered Organization, WE preferred to have all unit numbers the same as DS and BW mentioned. It cuts down on costs since we are the ones who buy unit patches for our Webelos, Scouts, Venturers and Scouters. Not to mention the neckerchiefs for the Scouts and Venturers. It does build unity and shows a unique relationship from one unit to the other. Most parents know that their Webelos or Scouts will be moving to next unit program in the Foundation. When someone mentions "26" they know it's Mr. "M's" Scout Group. The two digits in front of our national number depict the program level of the unit; 44-Cubs, 94-Crew, and 14-Troop. My chartered organization has 4426, 9426, and 1426. In our District, the Units are recognized by the last two digits. A couple of years ago each village, going back to the early 50's, had its own distinct number. My village of Yigo's (pronounced Gee-Go) Troop # was 10. That now belongs to the LDS Church in the village of Barrigada (Ba-ree-ga-da). 26 was the second number assigned to the village and then 35. Each of the island's 19 villages had a Cub Pack and Scout Troop up to the early 1980's. Now the unit numbers are assigned to the Chartered Organizations. Troop 10 will be celebrating their 50th in a year or two. 26 and 35 had breaks in tenure. Matua

I was a Life Scout. I held the following positions: Patrol Leader, Scribe, ASPL, SPL, and JASM. My current position is Scout Roundtable Commissioner. I've been asked to serve as the District Commissioner and I'll move into that position in December. I am also currently the Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and Advisor for my units. Those positions will be filled by new volunteers this recharter. I also mentioned in another thread that I am the Institutional Head for my Chartered Organization. It'll be good to be wearing one hat in a month but I doubt I ever will. In Scouting, Uhmmm. Pipedreams. Matua

I'm jumping onto the band wagon. I'll be going to the 2005 Jamboree. I'm looking into the Commissioner Staff as Eamonn suggested. I guess I'll see you there if your going. Matua

DS, That's the way it should be. More Patrols going out doing their thing without adults. Most of our Troop Campouts are for the FYFC Scouts to get them going to be active as our other patrols. Out on their own. Once you get them to that level, there is no stopping them. I have level headed trained leaders and most of the patrols are mature and skilled for their age. I had one patrol during the summer campout by themselves for a month since we didn't have any District/Council Summercamps. They camped at one of the member's family ranch. They helped with the ranch chores, went to movies, spearfished at my family's beach, and did other things on their own. It was hard at first to let the patrols go own their own but I learned to trust that I trained each of my leaders properly. Like others on this forum, my parents were against it but now they want their boys out of the house. I'm all for patrol campouts and patrol activities. As long as its properly planned, the parents agree, and I know I have responsible junior leaders, the scouts can go camping. It's been awhile but I think "Scouts Pace" is a 7 or 8 minute mile alternately running and walking. It sounds right, Now I may have to break out my "old" Scout notes to find out. Matua

Jersey John, Welcome to the Forum. Putting on my District Hat. From the Council's perspective, Local Units getting corporate sponsorship is a No-No, unless that corporation is your unit's chartered organization. At least in my Council it is. Most corporations in your area may already be donating to Friends of Scouting. Most of theses corporations were probably told that the BSA will only approach them once a year for FOS. Some areas in the states are managed under United Way or other like institution, sorta like a community chest. When units go out and solicit corporate sponsorship. The donor may think that they may be contributing to the FOS fund. This causes confusion for the FOS committee and the donor. Also, the only time a Scout may wear his uniform for fundraisers is during the annual "Trail Ends Popcorn sale". Anyway, the Unit Fundraiser sheet tells you exactly what you may need to know and do. You can get this at your Council. DS, can get more in depth for you on the professional side of the house. Having Fun, Matua