matuawarrior

Broke into your equipment closet. That's not good. Have the leaders(IH, COR, CC, and SM) sat down to talks things out? You may have to ask them point blank if the Charter Org. wants to keep Scouting, if not, there maybe away for them to donate the equipment to the next charter. You may also work it if they can release the funds to the next charter. The worse they can say is "no". IF it is that bad already then form a new unit. Matua

River2K, Night Fox, and mn_scout Welcome to the campfire. You'll find many good and interesting topics and advice here. River2K Sounds like your walking into a well established unit. You're asking how we made our decision to be Scoutmaster? Wow, Actually when I first volunteered at the district office. I was looking to serve on the district committee. I was told that a troop needed to be taken care of (My unit now) and IF I could just step in as a "Temporary" Scoutmaster until the District finds a new leader. Needless to say I've been here for 8 years. I'll admit that DE was sly. Two months later after my first camporee with the scouts, I decided to accept the position be the unit's Scoutmaster. I'm not going to tell you it's going to be easy. IN Scouting nothing ever is. You just roll with the punches. Many times you're going to encounter things that is not in the manual. So what do you do? There are so many personalities to deal with and not with the Boys but their parents as well. Your patience will play a big part in that. How much are you willing to invest in Scouting? Is your son and family willing to share you with other boys and their families? Are you willing to take those late night/early morning calls regarding a misbehaved Scout from a single mother? Your going to become a second parent and a father figure to many of these boys. Is that something you can deal with? Ken, it's not going to be easy, there were many times when I wanted to walk away from Scouting but You know what. I'm glad I didn't. I wouldn't trade it for the world. You'll discover your niche as many of us, Scouters, have. Mine is seeing that look in a Scout's eyes when they succeed on their own. It's knowing that we can make a difference in someone's life for the better. You'll have Fun, I know I do Matua

Hello Troopmom, First, I agree with many who previously posted. Second, The final responsiblity lies with the Scoutmaster. Boys can only plan to what they've received in training. Alot of it is guidance as pointed out in previous posts. But if the Boys planned correctly using a checklist than their shouldn't be a problem. You won't be able to catch everything but you'll be able to catch most if you use a checklist. For example, As per rope climbing equipment, the boys should be guided to the expert. In Venturing, we call them consultants. They do the introductory call, make an appointment, request and receive a class from the consultant, and report back to the PLC. THE Scoutmaster is responsible in following up with the SPL and the Scout in charge of that duty to insure that it was actually done. Also a quick call to the consultant, just to touch bases with what's going on. The Scouts don't need to know what the Scoutmaster is doing. As for getting Adults to go on the trip, Now that's the responsibility of the Troop Committee Chairman and who ever is the Activities or Outdoor Coordinator. To tell the Scouts that there are no adults to go on the trip at the last minute is a cop out on the adults part. And to blame it on the Scouts as improper planning??!!! PLEASE!!!! How many SA's does the troop have that no one can go? Parents need to step up. As a Scoutmaster, I'm batting for the Scouts. To plan a High Adventure trip like a 50-miler takes a lot of time and planning, I'm pretty sure the adults had the specifics way before hand. I for one would tell the Scouts the Truth. "We can't go through no fault of your own but because none of the adults want to go". Matua

Welcome back Bob. Nothing better than a great vacation to refresh yourself and your family. Matua

Welcome LittleCarl . . . I had to reread each post to understand what was going on here. I have to agree though with everyone that the "unit" belongs to the Chartered Org. I'm the Institutional Head of my Chartered Organization and also the Scoutmaster/Crew Advisor. So yes, everyone pointed that out. That means even the equipment that was donated by whomever and all the funds that are in a separate bank account belongs to the Charter Org. Moving Forward . . . It feels that communication and lack of training are the main factors involved in this situation. The other point maybe control of the unit. It may seem that the Church is now resentful of the Scout Troop. It's easy to be a scapegoat when you're not around to defend yourselves. The best way to diffuse that is to be a "Blessing" within the Church. Talk to the Scouts and have them think of ways of going back to the unit's roots. Adding to CubsRgr8: What kind of community service does your Chartered Organization need that hasn't been done? Do you have elderly members in the congregation that need help with their yards? Do you tithe a percentage of what the unit makes in your fundraising? I mean this is a Christian Church, correct. The PLC could designate the patrol or volunteers to present your unit tithes one Sunday a month. There are so many ways to become a Blessing. Here are others tidbits that may help. Invite your IH to your meetings. Recruit extensively from the Charter Org first,Youth and Adults, before going outside. Check if you have posiible MB counselors within the Church. When the Church has a special event, have the Scouts wear their uniforms and have them network among the Church Family. Now should the above mention fail to repair any rifts between the unit and Charter Organization. Then I suggest that you go see your DE and have him help you start a new unit. Will you get the same number? Probably not. Will you get the equipment? With the situation that bad now, I doubt it. It takes five adults and five youth to start a unit. But I highly recommend that the unit patches things up first before they leave to a new home. Matua

Eamonn Loved the story. I'm sure he'll have alot to talk about when he gets home. Matua

I personally feel that your district committee dropped the ball on this one. If he was not the best qualified to run the camporee then they should have gone with the best choice. With that said let's move forward. Now is Camporee Chairman the same as Camp Director or are the positions different? Need clarification here. You would need to tell him what his job actually entails. There is so much more than having good ideas. There's logistics, program planning, awards, permits, underlying camp fees or insurance, there's marketing, camp staff, and much more. If you're starting to plan this now, then he's behind the power curve and needs more help then he thinks. October is only two months away. Since he's knew and this is his first time running a camporee. Keep it simple but challenging, keep it smart and not dull, keep it safe and fun. Delegate the OA to take care of campfire. I'm the camp director for my district's fall camporee this year, also to be held in October. Like Eamonn, we allow Venturing Crew's (Officers) to host the camporees with the Camp Directors having the final say. The crew officers, who become camp staff, go through YP, Safe Swim, amd Safety Afloat. I train them in planning, implementation, and coordination of their program. I'm also their liason between them and the district committee. My district's last three camporees were all venture planned. Two by my Venturing Crew, this October's Camporee will be thier third. Matua(This message has been edited by matuawarrior)

Like acco40, I believe that Scouting is a common ground for us to be tolerant of our views in regards to our personal Faith. AS per Faiths, Christianity has many different denominations. All with its own perceptions or interpretations on the Bible. It's up to us, individually, to decide which one out of many that we are comfortable with. Many decide to choose different denominations throughout their life. Church hopping to find that one Church that appeals to them. Many are with the Church that they grew up in as a child. Although, each Church or Faith teachs that they are the One True Faith according to their doctrine, and mine is no exception. The only way to answer that is, what is your relationship with God? How well do you know Him? As for me, I'm a former Roman Catholic. I was a hard core Catholic too. But there was something missing. I asked questions and all I got from the parish priest is "I said so". It wasn't until I was transferred to Germany while in the military that I was introduced to God by a family who took me in as one of their own. They showed me where to find the answers that I sought. 10 years later, I'm currently a Church Core Leader with my Home Church. I'm an Evangelical Christian. I'm an active member of the Assemblies of God Church and I Love being here, doing what I do. Unfortunately, my family had a hard time dealing with it at first. I wasn't trusted as I was used to before. I was ostracized by my family. Guam is majority Roman Catholic. It took my family awhile to come around to even see that I'm a better person than before. I have no regrets, no ill-feelings to anyone, and I Love serving God. With the BSA as a common ground, I'm learning about other Faiths too. Why they do the way they do it. That way I can understand why they do it. And it makes me understand why my Faith believes in what we believe. Matua

Usually I just lurk around the Issues and Politics to see what everyone gets riled about. I have to admit that their are members here who are passionate about thier beliefs or missions. There are those of us who are on the side of God's Word and are very passionate about it. I know I am, but for a long time I've been a closet Christian. I usually felt as long as its NIMBY. I didn't have a problem with it. Now I feel different otherwise. There are those such as Merlyn who go out of their way to stop the BSA from having units within the government: federal, state, and local. Although, I disagree with what he is doing. I have to admit that I admire the tenacity and passion that is the driving force behind his motives. There are many but few: Atheists, Agnostics, ACLU, NOW, Gay/Lesbian organizations that would like nothing better than to see the BSA disappear. They are using every legal means to get their agendas heard. BUT what are WE doing about it? The only time I see Christian Scouters say anything is after the fact. We go on the defensive just like in this thread. When are WE, as Christians, going on the Offensive? When are WE, as Christians, going to start fighting just as hard or even harder than Merlyn and his cohorts? I'm not talking about just posting on this forum. I'm talking of going the extra mile with the same drive that they have in fighting for our beliefs by visiting or writing the lawmakers that have the same values that we do. I have great respect for Ed and others who have stood by God's Word. I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I also believe that in order for an individual not to BELIEVE in God, that person would have to THINK that there is a God First. It all starts with Faith. Matua

Hello to all. Welcome Troopmom! Sorry I've been in and out of the campfire. Let me pull up my virtual log to have a seat. It looks like everyone has posted positively and a lot of great suggestions have been given. I can only reiterate what was said. I feel that If the PLC had already voted and the committee has given their support then its a done deal. Apparently this "dad" is churning up the waters, over this "punishment"(we call it corrective action out here). I don't know to much about the dad in question other than that he is an "Acting" SM. If he is a registered SA with the troop, then he doesn't really carry much weight as far as voting goes with the committee other than if he is speaking as a parent BUT each Charter Org is different. If he is a committee member, then he really doesn't carry weight with the PLC. The PLC is facilited by the SPL with the SM listening in the area. Just like our government, The BSA has its own checks and balances. Your either in the committee or your with the troop, should not be both. My thoughts, continue with what your doing. Alot of advice has been given. Matua(This message has been edited by matuawarrior)

Rooster, I could not have posted any better, well said. Matua

understood, not a problem . . . What you're planning to do sounds good. Never thought of that kind of project. It does sound interesting. As for Scout Exchange, We do participate with Scouts from Korea and Japan as a district though. I'll get more information from our district here as to how they actually coordinate it though. I know Council is not involved with the program and it really gets under their skin when we do things on our own but can you blame us when were 7 hours away by plane. Matua

Ozemu Child Sponsorship? Is that similar to Scout Exchange (Exchange Students)or home stay? OR are you actually sponsoring a child. Matua

When the U.S.S. Independence came out here for port call before its decommissioning a couple of years ago before 9/11. We, troop/crew, arrived late due to traffic for the Scouts only tour at a certain time. So we had to line up with the general public. We were at the tail end of over a thousand people. We watied no longer than ten minutes in line, when a Naval Ensign approached us and instructed us to follow him. So we did. He put us on the next charter bus and escorted us to the ship. He instructed the driver to drive by the rest of the charter busses parked outside the gate to the pier and to proceed inside. Once we got off the bus, we were escorted to the head of the line and up the steps to the elevator. We were given a special tour of the ship. We were able to see things the general public were not allowed to see: the war room, the tower, the flight deck, scouts got to sit inside a fighter and helocopter on deck, see the racks the sailors slept in, even have lunch with our escorts and a meeting with the Captain. We discovered that the Captain, his XO, the CAG, and our escorts are all Eagle Scouts. We eventually caught up with the other troops on the tour. We've had other door openers too. Free passes to movies, free admission to sporting events when Guam hosted the South Pacific Games, discounts at restuarants nad much more . . . Having Fun, Matua

Great Post Eamonn! I agree. This is one of the better Scouting sites because of the decorum that is agreed by those who choose to be members here. That apparently is being tested by a few to see how far they can get. I feel that as a Scout Leader just like many here that certain individuals have gone to far. I for one have Scouts and Venturers, from my troop and crew, who lurk on this site to see what Mr. "M" will say about a certain topic. I for one have encouraged many of my Scouts and Venturers and parents to research the resources here at Scouter.com. What I don't like is for one of my youth members to advise me of a situation going on this forum that "So and so" are at it again. Ladies and Gentlemen and fellow Scouters, there are YOUTH Members within our organziation and other organizations that use this site to learn more about Scouting and its programs and our ideas. Are we setting the proper example, when we attack others for what ever reason? Let us be mindful of our posts. Yours in Scouting, Matua

Hazing of any kind is serious. It looks like the committee met and agreed on a plan of action to implement changes. That's good. So what happened to the boys involved with the incident? Were they talked too about what happened? If they weren't expelled, what form of counseling did they receive? The Scoutmaster needs to do a reflection with the whole troop on Hazing and why it's not tolerated in the BSA. Laura, I've been in your shoes before for something quite similar. Two wrongs don't make a right. So I would suggest that you talk to all the boys involved and explain why you acted the way you did, Apologize for it and move on. Have everyone start on a clean slate after the committee implements its new policy. It's gonna take alot of time, love, and effort on both sides to get back to where things were before this happened. Like I said, I know what your going through. Yes, the "Matua" lost control and I was more than livid. Yes, it also happened at camp. I regret that it happened four years ago. The Charter Rep was at that time spending the weekdays with the troop/crew and talked to the Scouts and Venturers about what happened. They understood what they did was wrong and that the committee will have to be called to deal with what happened. After she had talked to them, She came and talked to me about what I did. I was wrong for losing it and there is no excuse because were supposed to know better. Let me tell you that it took a lot of humbling to apologize to 25 Scouts/Venturers telling them that I too was wrong for losing it, but I told them exactly how I felt. I told them that they had let me down for believing that they were better than the other troops at camp. I was disappointed in each of them for doing what they did. Too make a long story short, most of them apologized to me that night. Two days later, the troop/crew won the "Best Troop Award". It was a couple of weeks later that the last scouts finally came up to me to talk things out. Now four years later, it's one of the popular campfire stories the Jr. Leaders recite at our monthly retreats. "Remember when Mr.'M' lost it . . .". Laura, It's gonna take time to get back to normal. When you show them that you still care after they've done something so careless. They'll reciprocate. The other adult leaders too will come around. Be honest with the young men and let them know how you feel. Maybe in four years they'll be telling the new scouts "Remember when Ms. 'L' lost it . . .". Do what I do and just smile. Been there . . . Matua

Thanks everyone. Although, woodbadge is a couple of months away. 3 months is more like it. I'm as ready as I can be. This woodbadge I've been assigned as a Troop Guide. Which is cool. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm not sure about the extreme marital problems. Most everyone I've met at the last course that I attended have very supportive families. I was the youngest in my patrol and one of five youngest within the whole troop. I was laughing everyday since I got there. It was so much fun except for the "Game of Life". But it was back to Fun the next morning. My SPL told me that I was such a big kid. Isn't that what Scouting is all about? Matua

Congratulations to you, Rooster, and to your son. Matua

You guys make me glad I live on an island. I've experienced both extremes during my time in the military. Cold weather training at Ft. Drum, NY, and up at Alberta, Canada, and then Extreme Hot weather during the Persian Gulf War(Desert Storm). Here, if I get too hot. I just go to the beach. I have to admit though that when the wind is not blowing. It does get really Hot. Just thinking of the heat, I'm gonna hit the waves. Having Fun . . . Matua(This message has been edited by matuawarrior)

I've been out of the net for awhile and have not been keeping up with the forum as much as I would like. I'm not sure what has happened. Like dsteele and packsaddle, I am curious to know what is going on. I have learned alot. Since I joined, from everybody here and especially from you, Bob. You give us all the info you can when you post and the reference to find it and look it up ourselves. I for one appreciate that. We don't get all the updated BSA materials out here like you all do stateside. So this forum is one of my greatest resources. I pray you reconsider. Your Friend, Matua

This is a hard cipher to decode. Boy's Life really needs to let us Scouters in on what the Scouts are learning with that new code breaker. I may have missed it in my last issue. Let me try to change the fonts to bring it out. Having Fun . . . Matua

Way to go Laura . . . We'll said. I believe that there are enough ideas here to get the Tailoring, Sewing, or Home Economics (whatever you all want to call it) MB created. DS, National told me the same thing in '98, if Sewing (Tailoring) can become a MB. Someone has to do the research, design, etc. I was even helping a friend about the same time frame to create a Metal Detector MB as a hobby. I don't know what became of that. I'm a self-taught Individual Clothing Repair Technician since I was in the military years ago. I got tired of buying brand new BDU's after tossing out BDU's in good condition that had small tears or paying a seamstress to have them repaired because my platoon sergeant said they were unserviceable. I invested in a Brother Sewing Machine that is still with me. As with any badge, if you make it fun and you show enthusiasm in teaching the badge. The boys will enjoy it. You know what, Let's just do it. It would be really cool to see a new MB researched and designed by the forum members at Scouter.Com or by one of its members. I volunteer DS and OGE to lead the project. :-) Having Fun . . . Matua

Eamonn, Thank you. You reminded me of why I do this. :-) I was so focused on this young lady being a leader. That I never fully considered if being a youth member is where she really needed to be. We can still give her proper guidance as a youth member. This is an area that was not explored because of the perception that it would've caused. Although, I agree with most here that having the young lady as a leader does send the wrong message to the other youth members. I'll bring it up to my unit committee. - - - - - Now, I guess most of you have been wondering where the father-to-be has been during all this. Well, I can't say much about the young man. No, he is not a member of my unit or any BSA unit. I have never met him, yet. This is a Small Island. He's bound to cross my path one of these days. All I know is that their engaged and the wedding is supposed to be 2-3 months after the baby is born. Thanks everyone, Matua

Hunt and San Diego Suzie -- Welcome to the virtual Campfire. Sorry I haven't been keeping up with the thread. I've been really busy with the opening of my second store at the nearby airbase. It's really exciting to start something new in a different environment, But the economy on base is alot better than what is going on locally. I also placed an update on the "What do you do for a living" thread. Again, I thank everyone who has posted here. I've read most if not all the posts today since I last posted. I may have to go back and reread them again. Most of the posts will be discussed at my foundations next board of directors meeting to make some changes to the registered volunteer criteria in the by-laws. Anyhow, We are looking to conducting teen pregnancy classes in August when majority of the youth membership returns from their vacation break. We are not taking this lightly. Our Youth Pastor from the Church we attend will be talking with the Scouts and Venturers regarding the Church views on teen pregnancy. I don't think he knows yet because I've just talked to my Pastor about the situation the other day. Although unpopular, I've made a decision to make this young lady a leader with advice from the committee, and the Church, with direction from the Charter's by-laws. She has no direct contact with the youth members unless they are updating the scout or venturer's record. This will be a learning experience for all involved especially myself. How this turns out? Only time will tell. - - - - - - - - - Eamonn, As for allowing her to register as a venturer in the crew, that was dismissed by the CC, even though as the Crew Advisor I was the approving authority. The young lady would have too much influence with the Venturer's Leadership Council. She is only two requirements away from earning her Silver Award. My CC had the foresight to say " No,not at this time". The last thing National BSA needs is a 8-month pregnant venturer receiving her Silver Award. Maybe I'm wrong but what would the forum members say about registering her as a venturer instead of as a leader. I am open to any suggestions. - - - - - Matua

Update: Just opened my second store at the airbase. This is similar to the first store at the village (town). I have three more postal/forwarding service stores on the planning table to open within the next year. The biggest request are phone cards. Having Fun. . . Matua