Papadaddy

Congratulations, his2015 on turning your life around. I encourage you to follow the advice here. Follow the normal application procedure and be truthful if asked. If the BSA only accepted Saints, they would be out of business!

The BSA has always had a difficult time writing in clear, concise language what they actually mean.

Just say no.

This might be overkill, but if you know anyone who has access to a machine shop where they have what's commonly called a "bead box"...a cabinet where you stick your hands into some heavy leather gloves and sandblast small parts with glass beads which are inside the cabinet while you look through the window. He could polish them up for you real nice in about 5 minutes. I often wished I'd had one of those in my garage when we came back from a campout.

The correct answer is "nothing". A District is not a distinct entity with its own operating budget. It's merely a geographic division of labor among the professional staff. And having districts keeps events like training and camporees to a somewhat manageable size.

I vote to match the BSA strip.

No need to feel stupid. You are among friends...and Brother Arrowmen! The primary role of an adult in OA is to serve as an advisor to the Youth leaders. Every youth leader should have an adult advisor assigned, even committee chairmen (such as Ordeal, Fellowship, Christmas Banquet, Conclave, Elections, etc). The OA Chapter Advisor is not the leader of the Chapter...he is the advisor to the Chapter Chief. Other functions of adults are to facilitate the activities where an adult is required, such as driving, two-deep leadership, operating power tools and heavy equipment at camp work days and Ordeals, etc. If your chapter and Lodge are very active, you may see many Scouters who show up, walk around with a coffee cup and socialize in the back of the room because it's another way to get out of the house. They really serve no purpose. Some are there just because they are taxi drivers for the youth to get them to the meetings. SOme just pay dues and wear the flap. Some just wear the flap. It is what you make of it. Yes, Brotherhood is expected, even of adults. At the next meeting, ask when the next "Brotherhood Walk" is scheduled...usually it's done at Ordeals and Fellowships. PS: Welcome to the forums and welcome back to the Brotherhood of Cheerful Service!(This message has been edited by papadaddy)

Most parents I've dealt with in the program understand that boys (and men) are wired differently, and were content to let us have our weekends (and occasional weeks) of male bonding, and all of it's associated nuances. Living near Smithfield, VA, I once had the opportunity to visit the most famous pork processing plant in the world for my job with the health department. My advice, after that experience is the same. If you like and enjoy the product that ends up at your dinner table, it's probably best that you don't witness the process that brought it to that point.

In any event, did the "approved POR" meet the 6 month requirement?

This shines a whole new light on "two deep" leadership...

Take all this advice and reflect inwardly. If you still feel that you are being denied the Eagle due to no fault of your own, then by all means request an appeal to the District Advancement Committee. I don't think anyone wants to see a Scout held back if it was the fault of a negligent or mis-informed adult leader. But on the other hand, how much of this was within your control? Good luck with your decision.

You forgot the "(sic)" after "overhall". Just sayin...

Budgets are so tight around here that JV and middle school sports are being eliminated, along with bus transportation to the "academies" for the "gifted" (I hate that label). Parents are livid, because now they want to raise the property tax rate.

First things first. If you have no Arrowmen in your troop, call the Lodge or Chapter Chief and request an election, if you have eligible scouts. If at least one youth is elected, you can nominate one adult. Once both complete their Ordeal, the youth can become the "OA Troop Representative" which counts as a Position of Responsibility (POR) and you can be his "advisor" (assuming you are a registered leader in your unit). I agree with the sentiment that OA is not a troop activity and the SM or Committee does not have to authority to decide that "we don't do OA". OA is an individual decision, not a unit decision. One of the basic tenets of the OA is that your OA activities should in no way interfere with your responsibility to or active participation in your unit.

"Obama should have 8 to try to put it back together." Oh, is THAT what he's trying to do??? I've missed that totally... Sherriff Joe Arpaio supposedly has a blockbuster announcement coming...even if it's true that BO is not qualified to hold office, it's too late. The damage is done and the rioting in the streets would be catastrophic. Let's just vote him out and move on.

Or, simply put, 18 is the new 15.

OK, this is deteriorating into a public school-bashing session. My wife and I and our two boys are products of the public schools, and we turned out just fine, thanks. If the student is actually interested in learning, shows up to class, does homework, and is not a disruption, there is nothing wrong with a public education. If you want to blame something, blame the culture of parents who have "checked out" of their children's lives and expect the schools to raise them and guarantee their success. Let's start with making sure that each child has TWO parents who are actually interested in and participate in their child's life. That being said, this is an interesting, albeit academic discussion, no pun intended. School Boards in this neck of the woods are slashing budgets now due to the decrease in property tax income. No way can they afford to extend the school day with the concomitant increase in the labor bill for additional hours of salary for teachers, nurses, custodians and administrative staff. Now...back to Scouting.

No reason you or your son can't go to the Scout Shop and buy a pack of blank blue cards. That would eliminate one excuse. SM: "I don't have any cards with me", Scout:"That's ok, Mr. SM...I have some here all filled out and all you have to do is sign them, please."

This would solve the daycare dilemma and expense. Parents would probably love it.

I used to work for OSHA. OSHA has no juridiction over volunteers. Only employees.

But selling a dollar's worth of popcorn for $10 is ok.

(2007current) Bob Mazzuca (20002007) Roy Williams (19932000) Jere B. Ratcliffe (19851993) Ben H. Love (19791984) J. L. Tarr (19761979) Harvey L. Price (19671976) Alden G Barber (19601967) Joseph A. Brunton Jr (194801960-07-01 July 1, 1960) Arthur Schuck[1] (19431948) Elbert K. Fretwell, became Chief Scout on retirement (19111943) James E. West, became Chief Scout on retirement NOTE: from 1910-1911 John Alexander and then Edgar M. Robinson was the head of the BSA in the role of managing secretary.

I don't think "denigrate" is the right word. If I gave that impression, I certainly did not intend it. I agree, if that is the BSA's form of recognition, then there's nothing wrong with wearing it, if that's what one chooses to do. I think the discussion is about the BSA, not the individual. It is a rare and high honor (or at least I would feel that way) if someone had honored me in that way and I certainly would wear it. I just feel that if I myself donate the money, that's different, and there should be a different recognition, if at all.

Beautiful, Wannalancit! I think that's the way the award should be structured. I don't think it should be possible to "buy" it for oneself. Now, we never know whether the person was "honored" in a meaningful way, or whether he just needed an extra tax deduction at the end of the year. I guess Council doesn't care, as long as the check clears.

Just to expound on what Fehler said, service stars are not an "award", IMHO. They simply indicate years of registered tenure in the BSA ("registered", not "active"). Since they are an added expense to the unit, most adults I know just keep track of their own tenure and purchase the appropriate star...if they wear them at all. As to the varying requirements, there are several versions of the progress tracking cards for knots out there on the internet. In my experience, the District Training committee is the ultimate arbiter of what they will accept. If they sign the card and issue a certificate, the knot is earned. For most knots, a CC signature is also required, but he/she is not the ultimate approval authority.