Papadaddy

Dual signatures but NOT husband and wife.

Detailed Treasurer report (statements) at every Unit Committee meeting. (Quicken works well for this)

Limit to expenditures that can be approved by the Treasurer without the vote of the whole committee (registered Scouters, NOT parents) and/or COR.

Expenditures to be supported with receipts or invoices.

Audit of records annually or whenever the position changes to a new person.

(just thinking out loud here)

Alex, just curious. How do your "register" an underage boy without falsifying paperwork? If I'm not mistaken, the Lions program for Kindergarteners has been rolled out in some Councils as a pilot program. It's been discussed on this forum before.

The troop I served preferred "just camping" over District Camporees and other "planned" events. A lot of advancement happened on those campouts.

Every year at recharter time, the unit leader will get an official printout of the unit roster, which includes birthdates, name, address, year in school, rank, etc. When the unit submits their recharter paperwork, the committee chair and Institutional Head (CO), sign off on it. I think it's done electronically now in some places, but the idea is the same. I think it's a shame that records are being knowingly falsified to boost the numbers. That's not what Scouting is all about. All levels of scouting are designed to be "age appropriate" and the age limits are there for a reason. The point above is well taken...when they go to join a Scout troop, a new BS application will need to be submitted...how long will the Scout and his parents lie about his age? And for what purpose?

I don't think you need to worry about a "perp walk" in front of TV cameras, or anything like that. You haven't said (or I missed it) what your position is in the Pack? This is a contractural issue between the Chartered Organization and the Council, in that the CO agreed to deliver the BSA program as it is written (LDS units have their own "agreement" as I understand it). Your COR and DE need to get together and hammer out a solution to correct the birthdates in Scoutnet. Perhaps this can be done as the Tigers "age in". Not sure about how they will treat any advancements that were awarded prior to them being eligible for membership as they may be limited to what the computer will accept. Again, this can be hammered out by the COR, CC and DE. Your Cubmaster isn't the decider on any of this. I think with a humble attitude of repentance and a promise to do things correctly from now on is all that Council will expect. Your CO is the one who should be incensed about this, because the Pack has put them in an untenable position should some unfortunate accident occur to a scout who is not even eligilble to join yet. The BSA will run from you as fast as they can because it wasn't THEM who told the scout it was ok to join.

A Scout is Trustworthy. Honesty matters.

Stosh is correct. But it WILL become an issue if and when they fill out their Eagle applications and the birthdates don't match the Council's records. That is one thing they do look at to determine Eagle eligibility.

I would think that the name that's on the trailer title/license is the one who has the liability. They are the ones who should be insured. As I said before, BSA units are not usually legal entities which can own property or be sued...it's either the CO or an individual and/or the Council. And you can bet the Council will have it's backside covered. Caveat: I'm not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. But you should consult one.

Yes, that is too many. Optimum size is 8. Follow the program as it was designed.

Technically, the trailer should be titled to the CO, since the unit and all its property belong to them. Only in rare cases is the unit its own legal entity. (In which case, why would you need a CO?)

Barry, et al...don't get me wrong. I am fully in favor of a parent's right to "observe" any BSA activity at which their son or daughter is participating, and in the many years I was serving a unit, we always had "nonregistered" parents along to provide transportation, adult supervision, or to teach/mentor skills. But what I heard described was a uniformed "patrol" of parents playing Boy Scout alongside the youth. Forgive me if I misunderstood.

I'm having trouble with the terminology. When I think "parents", I think of parents of scouts who are not registered Scouters. If they are indeed only "parents", they have no business wearing the uniform and participating in troop activities, except when asked to in order to provide "two deep", counsel a merit badge (as a registered MBC) or to provide transportation. As stated above having one's parent along ALL the time certainly does change the dynamics of the Scouting experience. Sounds to me like an excuse to "helicopter"...thup, thup, thup, thup.

If the request is via the DE, has he cleared the concept with the District/Council Advancement Committees? They are the ones who have to approve it.

Yes, that is a recent clarification, I think. Any funds raised by a non-profit entity must be used for the general benefit of the program, not for any one individual, such as uniforms, camping equipment, etc. The unit must retain ownership of items purchased. As stated in the guidance, any funds raised remain the property of the CO, should the unit fold or scouts transfer or drop out. It's best just not to go there. Caveat: I am not a lawyer, CPA or IRS agent.

It is analogous to the SM/SPL relationship. The Advisor's job is to mentor the youth leaders (Chapter Chief) ... not to run things for them.

There was a similar effort for a BSA plate in Virginia a few years back, but the organizer could not get the requisite 350 pre-paid applications to put the plate into production. If there were an Eagle Scout plate I would def have one on my truck. The closest I can get is a bald eagle wildlife plate.

Could be their "one hour a week" is already spoken for?

I imagine a lot depends on what the ring is made of...gold, silver or some cheaper alloy. My HS class ring cost $36 in 1971. My son's was around $400 for the same thing in 10K gold.

An alternative would be to just allow parents to go to the Scout Shop and buy the badges and ranks that they want. It would save everyone a lot of time, and the end result would be the same.

Pay your money, get badges for showing up. It's what the "customers" expect and it's how kids are being raised these days. Work for it, and even sometimes fail ??? No, we won't allow that. It might cause hurt feelings and a drop in attendance.

The CPB works under Homeland Security, now run by Jeh (rhymes with Meh?) Johnson. Eric Holder doesn't care, as he doesn't about most violations of constitutional rights. I would not let this die...demand an apology or an explanation as to why the scouts' behavior caused the officer to fear for his life which is the only acceptable reason for a law enforcement officer to draw down on an unarmed minor citizen.

If a Scout is not interested in OA and has no plans to be active, then why bother going through the Ordeal? Is a colorful patch that important?

From the BSA website: [h=3]Summer Camp Merit Badge Counselors[/h] The same qualifications and rules for merit badge counselors apply to council summer camp merit badge programs. All merit badge counselors must be at least 18 years of age. Camp staff members under age 18 may assist with instruction but cannot serve in the role of the merit badge counselor.

OK, sorry about assumptions. Get the name of your Council training chair and call them requesting training. I think your dilemma is that the MB program was not designed to be done at troop meetings in a group setting.

From the BSA website:Your duty is to be satisfied that each Scout who comes to you meets all the requirements for the merit badge you are coaching. You do this by helping Scouts overcome the different hurdles of the requirements and making them aware of the deeper aspects of the subject through their learning experience. You may tell about your own experiences to help positively reinforce the subject matter. However, you may not tack on new requirements or extra work. While you may guide and instruct a Scout on the subject matter, he must do the work himself.

As each requirement is completed, you will test the Scout individually, with his buddy present. Update the blue card as the Scout completes each requirement. When the young man has completed all the requirements, you sign off on the card and the Scout returns the completed card to his unit leader.

You may wish to seek additional training from your local council/district on local policies and procedures for merit badge counselors.

My Council maintains a list on their website of all Eagles who earned it in that council. Other Eagles are included if they volunteer their information. Not sure how the information is verified, if at all.