ntrog8r

WCScouter,

Done this a couple times in different places. Once it worked out seamlessly and the local RC office was happy to review the MB requirements, modify their standard course as needed, and put on the training - that we paid a reduced price for. Another time the local office referred us to an instructor at the fire department - who put together a terrific 1/2 day program that met the requirements of RC First Responder, 1st Aid MB, and AHA CPR/AED certification. And once the local office wanted a bunch of money to "write a training course" for us and we said never mind.

Your local RC office (and your liaison skills) will be key to how successful this is. Regardless, your local RC can provide First Responder, Wilderness First Aid, and other classes. They may be willing to provide some of these in exchange for support with drills/outreach programs in your community. Fire Depts often have untapped experts willing to teach 1st Aid as well. Keep in mind there may be costs to cover training materials.

Though it was not called Thanksgiving at the time, what we recognize as the first Thanksgiving feast was celebrated in 1621 by the pilgrims of the Plymouth colony along with about 90 Wampanoag Indians. The Pilgrims had suffered through a devastating winter in which nearly half their number died. Without the help of the Indians, all would have perished.

After the first harvest, Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving and prayer to God. The food, which was eaten outdoors, included corn, geese, turkeys, ducks, eel, clams, leeks, plums, cod, bass, barley, venison and corn bread. The feast lasted 3 days. Though the exact date is unknown, the feast clearly took place in late autumn.

In 1623, a period of drought was answered by colonists with a proclamation of prayer and fasting. This prayer and fasting was changed to another thanksgiving celebration when rains came during the prayers. Later that year, Governor Bradford proclaimed November 29 as a time for pilgrims to gather and "listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings."

Throughout American history, there were many thanksgiving proclamations and celebrations. In 1789 George Washington proclaimed a National Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday in November, in honor of the new United States Constitution. Thomas Jefferson, the third president, later discontinued it, calling it "a kingly practice."

In 1863, Sarah Josepha Hale, the author of the poem "Mary Had a Little Lamb," convinced Abraham Lincoln to proclaim Thanksgiving a national holiday. For the date she chose the last Thursday in November because of Washington's proclamation. In 1941, it was officially changed to the fourth Thursday in November.

Since Abraham Lincoln's proclamation, it has been a custom that all presidents of the United States make Thanksgiving proclamations every year.

The video, This is America Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers, can be seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkayU08s6QM&feature=related

Kudu,

The quote I was referencing is, Advancement should be like a tansomething you get effortlessly while having fun in the out-of-doors. I've seen this attributed to Lord BP many times over the years. Although I have no primary source to quote it from.

While trying not to debate semantics, I'd rather gauge proficiency through repetitive performance and observation. Rather than scheduled testing/retesting I prefer to see Scouts _use_ the skill more than once, or twice, or thrice...

Obviously we agree on proficiency vice a single-pass performance (or test), and on the removal of Hillcourt from Scouting! I guess one day I'll have to stop reading my old books. And yet, the Patrol Method (boy-led even if adult inspired) addresses so many of these concerns. Maybe I'll just look them over one more time.

The application of skills in the requirements is, well, often lacking. When I visit units and see "Patrol meetings" where all of the Patrols are seated theater style in front of a podium while a lecture is going on about "the calendar" and then "moving on to outdoor skills" it makes me tic a little. Classroom-style learning? for Scouts?

As a SM for number of years in the high desert of the SW, we always lit fires for the requirement. In fact, we lit fires all the time. On camp-outs, at the Scout Hut, in my yard, etc. Whenever food was served, Scouts were lighting a fire and cooking. Now, it was almost always in the large brick BBQ oven at the hut or in one of my charcoal BBQ grills but the Scouts had plenty of opportunity to light a fire. One of the first lessons for the PLC at our "Leader's Camp" was get out the book and build a fire lay according to the handbook (on private land). We once put together a portable "fire box" made of stone and metal for the fire department (we also had to have a fire extinguisher, bucket of sand and a bucket of water on hand) to approve our dutch oven demonstration at the Camporee.

The principle at work is for the adults to get creative sometimes in providing opportunities (resources) for the Scouts to USE the skills. Its not about a class, or a training session but about using the skills. With an adult of character nearby, sure, but best next to a Scouting peer. As they use the skills, use them to actually do something - like cook or get warm, not just get their book signed - they _learn_ it. The patient repetition and chances for Scout leaders to act as the guide allows for development - both for the learning Scout and the teaching Scout.

Of course, when leaders aren't creative/resourceful about how to help the Scouts meet the requirements a couple of things can happen.

No Scout ever advances because the draconian unbendable "keeper of the way" points to the book and quotes the requirement.

OR The requirements get "modified" by the well-intentioned harbinger of success who sees it as too hard to do the requirement.

OR Safety gets ignored and bad things happen.

OR national steps in and waters things down to avoid local Scouters making decisions.

Back to the question of "One and done or Mastery"... I think successful accomplishment and proficiency are the same thing. How do we know if a Scout is proficient? By observation, not testing. Didn't someone once say, "Rank should be like a tan, something earned effortlessly while out of doors" or something like that...

Answering the question about the DE and CO meeting fro recharter - in my experience that is very, very rare. In fact, getting the CO, the Scout unit, or the DE interested has been difficult everywhere I've been. As a UC, the DE usually tries to push that to me, the unit rarely wants to, or understands the need to, meet with anyone and the CO is (usually) so hands off they wouldn't know what a DE (or UC) is...

As far as refusing to meet when there is an issue... Well that's an issue itself. Definitely contact the Scout Executive about a professional Scouter refusing to meet. Not knowing what the issue is, there are other avenues to discuss district volunteers other than the DE. You (may) also have a UC, a district Commissioner, and the district Chairman available. These are all volunteer positions and you may find (if you have them and can get their names) that they'll be more motivated in helping you anyway.

If the Scout Executive refuses to help - which I can't imagine happening - you can contact regional/national.

Good luck.

Confined to where my work takes me, I often feel the same. Trapped in the chaos of "civilization". Traffic, noise, lights, the clock, something critical always hanging in the balance.

There came a point where I felt my internal self was on the same pace as the world around me. A few years ago I decided to keep a "nature journal". Nothing really; a Moleskine plain paper notebook with pretty terrible sketches and a few written entries. The first page still has my intent - to reconnect and find calm.

That led to more drawing (sketching really), bird feeders (and bird watching), gardening, and getting up even earlier to have "alone time" to write/draw. Over time it led to me changing the way I take notes and record details everywhere - home, work, hobbies. It allowed me to focus.

I've always "run away to the wilderness" at every opportunity. I've had the chance to "visit" large cities all over the world; some things never change. But I've also found the simple, the natural, and the calming in all those places, too. Finding respite from the demands of the job and the bustle of cramped populations has been critical to my stress relief and sanity.

I thank Scouting for showing me that escape so many years ago. It was backpacking and camping where I first learned I could "get away from it all". Though I'd grown up hunting, it was Scouting where I first learned to appreciate just being in the woods. Without a SM that that gently guided us all to be more than we would have been and tightly knit Patrols that got outside I don't know that I'd have been able to find my stress relief so easily. Scouting showed me the way, journaling allows me to focus.

With some trepidation I enter the discussion...

Should values be selected and taught based on donors, end of year accounts, money, or even a majority? If NAMBLA or the KKK agreed to provide twice the revenues of current endowments would we consider adopting their values? If a majority of folks still said slavery was acceptable should our values change?

I think we would all be better served by keeping the discussion focused on what values are right and how policies should reflect right values. Frankly, I don't think it should matter to the discussion how much money is gained or lost based on BSA policies. If we started getting more money because of the policy do we then say its right on and stop the discussion? This is a values-centric organization. If we have devolve the discussion to bottom line, that is a message to the youth we serve as well.

This is a complex issue with a lot a factors that effect people's positions. We have youth protection concerns, inclusion vice exclusion, religious, moral, ethical, arguments that swirl around this. For many people (on both sides of the issue) there is no room for disagreement. But I suspect for the majority its not so black and white of an issue and there is still a lot of room for discussion and decision-making. I just hope we model how to have constructive discussions on hot topics well - and keep the money out of it.

Keeping the Aims of Scouting in mind: character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. I hope number 1 precludes financial influence ("Brand Image" being different and a valid concern). Though I think number 2 leaves plenty of room for choosing who you do business with.

Using myself as an example...

I live in Alaska, serve as Chapter Advisor and ASM. Have and use a myscouting account. I move to TX, fill out the application, provide my membership number on the application, and register as ASM and RTC. When I log into myscouting, nothing is visible for my new position unless and until I log in and change my primary Council at the bottom where I have been given a NEW membership number.

I move out of TX, fill out application for UC and CM, once again providing my membership number. Log in to myscouting, there is no indication of my current enrollment until I change the primary Council - again with a new member number.

I move back to TX, register as a UC. Log in to myscouting, again, there is nothing indicating my current position. TX has now registered me using my previous member number from the last time I was in the Council. Each of these member numbers is disconnected. So much so that training, etc is lost. Even the Commissioner tools are lost on my page when I transfer since the "old" number is invalid when I transfer. I only have one name so its the same on every application every time. I assume you mean that sometimes people give their middle initial and sometimes don't or write "Bill" instead of "William"?

I asked the local registrar why I get a new number every time I move, why she didn't just use the one I provided, and why they used the one from the last time I was in the Council. I thought maybe there was a reason - each Council was required to have a unique number or something. Her response, "Oh, I just saw the old one in there and it was easier."

Having different numbers doesn't change your myscouting account as far as user name and password. It does change what you see when you log in based on current registration.

Unfortunately, the same thing is true for many, if not all, of us that move. When I lived in this Council before, they assigned a new registration number. When I moved away, I received another registration number. When I came back to this Council, my registration automatically went back to the registration number I had here previously. I now have several numbers...

As a result my tenure, positions served, and training have been whacky over time. Fortunately I don't really care about the tenure and I keep all my training records.

Boomer,

I saw this set up at a demo. It was very stable and offered plenty of room. But it required multiple points to attach and the tension required to maintain its stability also required solid trees. Living in VA at the time with plenty of trees, it seemed the options would be pretty limited to find three trees solid enough to attach it to and still have room for the bivy hammock. Also, I asked about getting the tension set, they assured me it was easy but wouldn't loosen it so I could see; it looked a bit complicated to me.

I did sit in it, again stable but I still sank the floor (I weigh 169) but there was enough room to get dressed and I didn't feel like I was wrapped in the fabric or sitting in a bucket. I liked the headroom and was impressed with the fly coverage - it didn't seem there were any points water would drip in or follow a line into the sleeping area. Of course, 8lbs is a lot of weight for a hammock - or any single person tent.

The whole popcorn thing can be so frustrating... and rewarding. Just depends on how its managed. My wife and I were made the kernels for a Pack back when our son transitioned from Tigers to Cubs (yep, that dates us!). We had no idea what we were doing and no one was really willing/able to offer any help. Left floating in the ocean we tried something crazy.

We read the directions. Read everything we could find about popcorn sales; about the program, read all the flyers from Trails End, all the info sheets, comic books, etc. We ordered just over $2000 worth of product for Show and Sale to be distro'd at our meeting place. Of course, no one showed up to pick up their popcorn... So I loaded it all back into the Jeep and drove away ticked off. I now had another hour drive back to our house loaded with popcorn other people had committed to sell. But then our son was in uniform so I figured why not unload some of it. Stopped at a local business, asked to set up, and sold ALL OF IT!

Next week's meeting everyone's asking for their popcorn (that they were supposed to pick-up on Saturday morning. I'd already ordered more (Council was in shock) and had it ready. After unloading my feelings about being stuck waiting on Saturday (I was more of a hothead then), I gave out the popcorn. We had a pretty tight follow-up plan for those that signed for popcorn. By the end of the sales period, our Pack sold $23,000 in popcorn. That was more than all the other Districts combined. Great success, right?

Next year, somehow we're the kernels again. Council doesn't want to order $10,000 worth of product because we'll never sell it! Eventually we get almost as much as we want and sell all that we get. We break our record and 14 Cubs sell enough to qualify for the Trails End scholarship. Meanwhile other units are still turning in unsold popcorn.

We eventually become the District and Council kernels. Packs and Troops are loving the popcorn sale. Success was NOT based on us personally but on following the directions for how to approach customers, select sites, deconflicting with other units, and getting the Scouts to believe in the program. And then...

Council changed the way they approached the program. Eliminated all prizes (backpacks, mountain bikes, stoves, etc) for Scouts, held checks for an extra 3 months, eliminated the random drawing for a Scout to go to Disneyland, etc. All site scheduling had to go through Council - that's right Council, not a local kernel per city or even the District, but the Council office. Council preselected "partner businesses" that had to filled first before units could schedule sales at other businesses. One of the "partners" had a great rule; Scouts could sell but not within 25 feet of the door - but other groups could - and on the same day...

So we made more money, a lot more money, but stopped rewarding the Scouts and demanded more centralized control. Popcorn quickly became anathema to the units.

Backroads,

At risk of the ire of some - I understand.

As a volunteer Scouter (I don't get paid, and I spend a lot doing it), I am often in the Council offices and/or Scout Shop. Usually to get some business done as a UC, SM, or upcoming event. Sometimes just to say hi and check in on my pros.

I wish all my visits to the office were conflict-free but of course they are not. I once asked for the boundaries of the districts in our Council, only to be told by the professional Scouters (my DE, another DE, and the SE) that they weren't sure where the boundaries were... A few years ago, when my son's Eagle BofR was approaching, I had to sit down with the registrar and (again) go over every entry in his record, sometimes correcting the codes myself, to get his record straight. Thank goodness for keeping copies (paper and digital) of EVERYthing. Was once told event flyers and calendar updates weren't posted on the council website because that's a "volunteer's job" - of course when I asked why we have a PAID webmaster whose job description included posting the flyers and updating the calendar the answer was to attempt to shout louder. I volunteered for a specific and large project in one Council and a DE was assigned to "provide any help (I) need". His idea was that all supplies purchased had to be done in his presence and that he would keep them locked up and issue them to me - when he could - to (and I'm quoting) "make sure they didn't get used for non-Scouting activities".

Of course, I've also been present when the store folks are getting yelled at by a volunteer because they don't have something in stock (one Webelos DL because they didn't have 18 CS pocketknives and he needed him that night), or because they can't sell them the Lodge flap (despite the staff explaining he could get it at the connected Council office), or the numerous advancement chairs and SMs yelling, and sometimes cussing, because they asked for the advancement sheet before selling them Scout ranks.

I've also been there when the registrar was taking the heat because a unit didn't know about an upcoming event. And because a DE wasn't responding to emails. And even because the last Camporee was scheduled on a weekend they were working.

So I guess the lesson to all of us is that there are some people in the world that are great at what they do - and friendly, courteous, kind, and cheerful to boot. There are some who are great adult Scouters but when it comes to dealing with other adults, they just see them as servants, or roadblocks, or something else. Then there are the folks that aren't very good but are convinced they are - and they come in easy to get along with and not so easy to get along with, too.

As far as how to respond to the yelling/upset volunteer that comes into your office? Well, politely, consistently and with the courtesy and consideration you'd like to see from them. It is the nature of anyone in a customer service position to deal with customers who just aren't that easy or fair or reasonable. It is even more difficult if you're in a company that has a bad reputation for service (like the Council offices). When it comes to someone cussing at you or a certain level of yelling, I'd think another professional would be coming out to your assistance. I'd also like to think another volunteer might try to intervene if appropriate. I've found that volunteers are often more likely to listen to a fellow volunteer than anyone in the office once they're upset. A registrar is not paid to deal with a lot of things they get the heat for.

For those of us that do volunteer, I guess we should all be open to hearing about the other side of the fence. Try to understand that sometimes it is OUR fault and when it is, to be honest with our fellow Scouters, accept responsibility for the mistake and not take the easy way out and point fingers at Council.

Before our last move, I turned in money and my adult volunteer application to the Troop. Three apps later, I'm still not registered. "Council lost it" is the same thing I hear every time. Of course, being the track it down and solve it kind of anal retentive person I am - I'd already been to see the registrar after the first time. They were on the lookout for my paperwork. I called them one week and two weeks after the turn-in to the Troop on the second and third times. Lots of adults in the Troop are having the same problem. The SM then tells me its the "membership chair", she must be losing them. There isn't a "membership chair", she moved away months before I arrived; the SM had them all. Sitting in his truck. I know because a Scout found them there. I wonder how many angry adults visited the Council office wondering why they weren't registered? I wonder if any went back to apologize.

"Hey, you know I heard you talking the other day about Adolph Rupp. I was really shocked to hear he said something like that - of course people weren't as educated then and bigotry was pretty widespread. Anyway, I did some research and found out there's actually nothing to that story. Its funny how gossip and rumors can ruin a man's reputation like that isn't it?"

In the building where I work this week, we had a person make a very off-hand and inappropriate joke. Most were uncomfortable, a couple laughed, I just said, "Really? Do you really think that's funny? Did you think that's the kind of thing we want to hear? Let's get this job done and get refocused on our teams." Now, in my work environment that's easier than in a public gym. But my goal was basically to end the comments before they got worse without turning it into battle. The whole "soft answer" concept.

At the same time, we are dealing with a young man who has done real damage in his area with his comments and had gotten away with it for so long it was pretty bad. None of his supervisors thought to say anything and his peers kept quiet. The behavior just got worse. My question to all in the office, with him there, was why six people would stand around and watch this happen without jumping in.

But things have gotten better. There is plenty of room for us to improve - as people. But I'm glad to live and work in a Nation where we care about respecting others.

The llama on my page is a llama for a local bond issue. the llama is pitching "kids have a fun place to learn. Its a pretty llama - red, white, blue. Seems like a common color scheme for all the llamas these days. Even the TV llamas and the magazine llamas are using it. Of course, I've never even read the or noticed the llamas until now. That's the problems with web llamas - you never know if anyone sees your llama or not.

Shriscov,

This one was more like the "old-style" songs of BP akin to the college fight songs - like a Zing-Zang! Bom-bom! kind of song/cheer. Apparently every Scout on the hike, regardless of their nationality, sang it together on the way up. Marty and Jerzy - from Arizona and Poland - were singing it together but never met until 20 years later at the Blue and Gold!

And they both still remembered the song... Amazing, right?

Probably a long shot but...

At a Blue and gold ceremony many years ago, our Cubmaster and our guest speaker (Scouter from Poland) shared an amazing moment. Turns out they were both at the 13th World Jamboree in Japan and remembered the hiking song they all sang while hiking up Mount Fuji! They broke out in a spontaneous song during the guest speakers pitch - an amazing moment. I wrote down the name of the song then but of course can not find it now (more than 15 years later). Anyone else out there who attended the Jambo remember the song?

SWSCouter,

Understand completely! I'm a more is better guy when it comes to communication. I just received my first (and very informative) email today. Its pertinent to those working on Garden Ground Mountain - OA Village, Buckskin, etc. Perhaps the flow will begin for everyone now. I may have a possible POC to find out about your area. If interested, send me a PM and I'll respond.

SW,

The Staff Comments section is where the info is posted on my dashboard... Maybe your area doesn't have a POC yet? Where are you working?

Yeah, I definitely feel like there was more communication earlier last year than now as well. If you check your dashboard, it should have the points of contact for staff position and their emails.

OGE,

I'll see you there - on the same staff.

After the recent move though, I'll be driving from West Texas. Anyone need to carpool?

Eagle83,

You've stumbled into the sometimes complicated and often frustrating world of branding...

As jpstodwftexas states, there is a process that MAY not require fees if the decal is donated, but to stay in line with the law a WAIVER is required. Questions about unit use of logos and trademarks can be found here:

http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Licensing/Protecting%20the%20Brand/What%20Members%20Should%20Know.aspx

A current list of already licensed businesses can be found here:

http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Licensing/Current%20Licensees.aspx

More than you ever wanted to know about branding, including Font choices, how to build an effective sign and more, can be found here:

http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Home/BrandGuide.aspx

Current logos approved for use, and the phone number to request HD imagery for use, is here:

http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Home/Marketing/Downloads/CurrentLogos.aspx

The trademarked listing, and the number to request using them, can be found here:

http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Licensing/Protecting%20the%20Brand/Boy%20Scouts%20of%20America%20Trademark%20Listing.aspx

Of course, most units do not go through the steps of working through use of BSA imagery and just use them as they see fit. Many don't know there is a process for them to use and never think they may need to get a waiver to use the imagery in the first place. The waiver for one time use does work - as long as you don't need an answer immediately. I've had good success when I call the numbers; everyone's always been helpful and I've learned a lot in the process. I hope the above info helps you out as well.

Sqyire,

For me, it depends on what I'm doing. At Cub meetings/activities, I don't wear it; its a dangling cloth to get paint or something on. Visiting Scout and Venturing units as a Commissioner I only wear it when supporting a high adventure program, etc. So usually I don't wear it. But that's not because its limited by anything other than my own preference. Wear the Philmont Arrowhead whenever you want and encourage the program to all you meet!

roger,

Where is the conclave being held? What are the local restrictions for the area? What part of the set up are you looking for - setting the fire off, an alternative to flammable liquids, something else?

Welcome to the Brotherhood!

WWW

Well, the best I've seen was the Parent/Cub Bake Off for the annual Blue and Gold. Each team could enter a single cake for judging. The cakes were judged by members of the CO and the guest speaker - a person outside of the Pack.

Lots of prizes - most creative, best Scout themed, best decorated, most colors, etc - were given out. The cakes were auctioned and the money raised donated to the World Friendship Fund. Any cakes NOT auctioned off were served as dessert at the Blue and Gold on the spot.

This Pack did a silent auction with the bids in an envelope in front of the cake. So if you wanted to bid you pulled out the paper, wrote your bid, put it back in the envelope, and placed in front of the cake. No one except the Cubmaster and CC knew what the bids were (or what they weren't).

The CM told me he got this idea from a trainer at Pow Wow.