oldisnewagain1

I agree with ntrog8r. In our area must be under a certain length and must not be double edged. The law only deals with a knife carried on a person and does not apply to personal collections.

What about changing the meeting night? (No more problems with Monday holidays.)

So I can still make South Beach Diet stew as long as I don't use a Dutch oven

Lets say for the moment that this boy goes to the other troop and finds that he likes something that troop is doing. He comes back to your troop and suggests some things that are working for the other troop. Is this such a bad thing? The PLC could either accept the recommendations or not, right? Is it possible that the suggestions, along with the program already in place, could make your troop better?

There are times I see things at trainings, roundtables, camproees, or at other councils that I bring back to the troop. Not every idea is accepted but some are tried (insert Start, Stop, Continue here).

I have had boys from other troops come to visit us and I don't see it as spying, in fact I would hope some of our methods go back to other troops to make them better.

Just looking for some thoughts on PLC meetings.

Background: We are a boy lead troop and have been that way for years. The Scoutmaster has always sat back,

let the SPL run the meetings and the PLC has come up with "the plan". (The Scoutmaster also kept us ASM biting our tongues instead of speaking up. lol)

Last night was my first PLC as the new Scoutmaster and my intent was to sit back and listen but the committee was also meeting and needed my input.

When I returned to the PLC meeting, I asked what "the Plan" was for the year and was met with blank stares. They at least had the next few meetings planned out so there will need to be another PLC meeting soon. On the ride home I asked my son , who is a PL, what had happened during the PLC meeting. It seems like there were three different people (with strong personalities) who had three very different positions on the way things should run and argued the entire meeting. Each of these guys is bucking to be the next SPL in the coming elections (the current SPL will be turning 18 in a couple of weeks).

There is a part of me that thinks, this might not have happened if I was there and perhaps I could have kept them on track. But there is another part of me that thinks "boy lead" and they should work this out themselves.

Thoughts?

>Where is the next voice of Scouting?

(With apologies to Simon & Garfunkel...)

The words of the prophets are written on Twitter calls, blog sprawls and echos with Internet forums.(This message has been edited by oldisnewagain1)

WFIS? Not really. Did a quick google search on it and read what I could.

Interesting, but not really what I had in mind.

OK only one...

The return of the Scout Stave.

Only one?

Locally, I would have not had our council merge with another. It has been a huge mistake and our old council area has seen no benefit from the merge.

As to scouting in general, a more traditional approach to scouting in general with more emphasis on woodcraft skills.

Thank you all for all your wisdom.

There is one additional bit of information that I thought I would pass on. I have spoke to our CC and told her I am having reservations because of family. She has in turn approached the other ASMs and no one wants the job. One way or another our troop will survive.

mac3mpc: To answer some of your questions my son just turned 13 and my daughter is 9.

Her GS troop does camp (kind of)but my wife does not get involved with the GS troop (and that is more a personal choice based on the other moms). I am somewhat involved but can only go so far being a male.

Eagle92: It is hard to trust my feelings here because they are so conflicted but I am also reminded of something Yoda said "Once you start down the (Scout) path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will..."

The CC has called a meeting of all the leaders and parents so before I make any decisions, together with my wife, I want to hear how things could progress. Perhaps there could indeed be some kind of assigned responsibilities that could take the pressure off being a SM.

Let me start off by saying that this topic has probably talked about before but I am really struggling with this so I am looking for some words of wisdom. I have been involved with Scouts for most of my life and have served in many capacities including as a Scoutmaster in my younger days.

Recently I have been asked to take over my son's troop (Im currently the ASM) by both the outgoing SM and the CC. Both think I would do a great job at it and tell me I am their first choice.

BUT I am wrestling with the thoughts of having my daughter feeling left out because taking on the job of SM may involve even more time. Yes, I know there is Girl Scouts and she is involved with an active troop but it just isnt the same as Boy Scouts in her mind. (She cant wait to be 14 so she could become a Venture Scout.)

My wife has concerns over the time factor (spending more time with scouts then her). I know, if a boy lead troop and a good committee is in place, there shouldnt be an enormous time commitment increase as opposed to being a ASM. (Insert reality check here.)

So to make a long post short (too late)

Whats a good father, husband, and lifelong Scout to do?