bacchus

Eagle, this is from the oct 06 newsletter at ldsbsa.org, http://ldsbsa.org/pdf/newsletters/Oct%202006-%20Entire%20Newsletter.pdf They mention this was an increase, and I see an attempt across the board to increase tenure.

Eagle92, here are the official stats from 2006: Tenure of Service (average): Cubmasters -- 21 months Den Leaders 17 months Scoutmaster 26 months Assistant Scoutmaster 21 months Varsity Coach 21 months Assistant Varsity Coach 18 months Venturing Adviser 21 months Assistant Venturing Adviser 18 months Committee Chairman or Chartered Representative -- 25 months Other Positions -- 22 months Average of all leaders 22 months

A young man just recently transferred into my Crew and he's almost Eagle - but you wouldn't think so by reviewing his council computer records. He has done his Eagle Project. He has most of the merit badges. However, some of the merit badges, going back over two years, were not submitted. His Star rank advancement was not submitted. I got a printout from the council and there were about 5 merit badges submitted, for which he had no cards. This is my plan of action, you Commissioners out there please provide some feedback. 1 - Submit an advancement report with the merit badge

I'll be a beta tester and get back with you.

Interesting turn of events. Our school's cubs want me to be the Asst. Cubmaster. I guess it's time to go get some training...

Basement, what I meant to say is that in some councils the LDS donate more FOS per capita than non-LDS, although my suspicion is that is a rare council, and definitely not true in mine. I didn't think those figures were a secret though. Are you sure? Other than individual donors' names, I think our information is somewhat available in my council. I'll check on it.

Varsity wear the orange tabs. I don't have the figures, but it seems most Varsity units are LDS - ages 14-15 typically. And I was joking about the beard, if in fact there is one.

Basement, FOS is a great program, but many LDS don't even know about it. You can't blame the council for trying, but sometimes word just doesn't trickle down to the typical parent or other friend. I have heard rumors of units where the LDS actually donate more per capita than non-LDS, but that is apparently only true when the Stake President (responsibility over a number of congregations) really pushes it. People listen to him. Moose, If you want to visit an LDS unit, just call the SM and let him know you would like to visit. If there are a lot of LDS in your area, he might assume you

Bando, you are the one talking about criminal acts. It is curious that you are the one mentioning about homosexual activity being illegal in some jurisdictions. But again, you are using USA Today, CNN, and MSNBC logic to twist the facts. Regardless, you won't find a large gorilla person at National doing some arm-twisting to make all these decisions, you will find a board that all have a pretty similar consensus about the subject.

Hankins, That is pretty cool. Jet, I like what you say about finding scouters with positive attitudes. Allow them to train, although I don't think being LDS necessarily negates somebody from having a positive attitude. You make it sound like in your area there are no LDS guys who love scouts, so maybe it's true there... Thanks for the other advice, and I agree - don't proselyte the scouts! That's like a bait and switch. I'm sure it isn't very successful anyway.

"So now you're equating being gay with murder?" NJ, you sound like USA Today and CNN with the way you are twisting words. No, being gay is not the same as committing murder. It is a different immoral act. Just like any other immortal act - it should exclude the leadership from choosing that individual to be in front of the youth as somebody they should aspire to be like.

I'll start. I'm going to every bit of BSA training I can get into. I have even *gasp* attended some things that require Sunday attendance. I feel it's important to know what the whole program is, to get the most out of it to strengthen our youth. I'm also doing everything I can to get the LDS training I need so I can figure out how to support the entire program. I'm working hard to support District and Council events, and making sure my youth are aware of those events. Although it is funny that it seems all the District Camporees fall on General Conference... When we can't parti

Sherm, finally something we can agree on!

We have had a number of threads about weaknesses in our programs. Some are stronger than others. Let me ask you guys: What are you doing to make your program high quality? What are you doing to build bridges with the rest of the BSA?

Scoutfish, Very well put. I still have to disagree. The fact that a Scoutmaster gets dropped off and picked up by his boyfriend says a lot to the scouts. The fact that a Scoutmaster gets dropped off and picked up by his 14 year old girlfriend (I guess her mother drove) says a lot to the scouts. The fact that a SM is finally out of prison after serving 10 years for killing somebody while robbing a liquor store says a lot to the scouts. The fact that a SM is dropped off by his pregnant girlfriend that his wife still doesn't know about says a lot to the scouts. There are certain rol

Eagle92, I think that's exactly why the 1st Amendment was passed. We don't have a flag in our chapel. We do, however, have the US flag, and some scout flags, in our scout room. We use them in the scout openings in our cultural hall (gym). We do have a flag on a pole out front.

Bando we are starting to get a bit off topic, but the amount raised by proponents of Prop 8 were a $3.4 million less than the amounts raised by opponents of the measure. Both sides received funds from all 50 states and around the world (sourced from Wiki). So are you accusing the LDS Church of funding both sides or something? Clearly more money went to the opposition. My follow-up question to you is, Who voted?

Thank you for clarifying your statement. A little different semantics, but it looks like you merely restated what I asked was your statement. If you go back to my statement a couple posts up, you will see what I'm saying the consensus is at Irving. Summary of our two positions: I say they have a consensus on the board that they will maintain their standards against immorality. You say it is one small group that is keeping them from becoming enlightened - a group you and your kind have been harassing for almost 200 years. So who's going to call and ask them? I think a simple

Sherm, just to clarify your argument, you're saying that National BSA would rather allow homosexual scouts and scouters, but there is one guy walking around saying "if you do that then we're leaving". And furthermore, the "we" who would be leaving is a group of scouts about 15% of the total scout population, who you say don't even fully participate in scouts. Is that your statement?

So many of you talk like there is one guy over at National walking around threatening people. In reality, I think if you were to ask all the people at National who have a say (a vote), you will find they all agree and there is no arm-twisting. To all the people who want a different program - just start one up. If there are so many people out there who would prefer gay leaders, then your new program is sure to take off like wildfire. BSA will suffer accordingly. But I think you just aren't being honest with yourselves.

Uz2bnowl, you resurrected this thread but I can't make heads or tails what you are saying in your post. Sorry for my ignorance. Basement, I know people like the guy you mention. Serious personality issue in my opinion. But then I just don't like know-it-alls who really don't know anything but think their loudness proves their case. Re: segregated situation. I see it too. It is not by design, or intended by the Church. All we can do is try to overcome it. I recently went to the funeral of an LDS scouter known well in the council and there was a large contingent of scouts present

"The J.E.West Knot is one of those that can be abused. I've seen it where one person bought one for his entire family: Wolf Cub, Explorer daughter, wife, and himself." Is that abuse? Didn't it cost the guy $4000?

Good input. It sounds like you are saying if I'm not utilizing the committee to its potential, I'm contributing to its ineffectiveness. I'll do what I can. Now I need to get them (the CC) on board with quorum identity.

Gary: "The committee also approves the yearly calendar, after the youth leaders build it. The committee don't direct the program the support the program by tracking advancement, organizing transportation, keeping track of funds, equipment, and outdoor/camping. However, if the leaders (YM Pres)is not following the scouting program properly its the committees responsibility to help them get back on track." Maybe it's just semantics, but my YM calendar, which includes scouting activities, is approved by the bishopric. Also, although the committee may want to help get a Scouting unit "back o

"You have to be real careful to ensure that the Team and Crew work on their various programs and are just not an extension of the Boy Scout Program,(ie: focusing only on BS advancement)." I see some of this and need to get it corrected. Maybe a simple training on Coach PST and Advisor PST would do the trick. Although it seems a bit much to expect a committee member to spend 4 hours each on 2 different trainings just to sit on the committee. I also see a bit too much of the committee trying to direct the YM program, which should be the position of the YM Presidency/Unit Leaders (SM,