Papadaddy

Volunteers serve at the pleasure of the Chartered Organization. They can be dismissed (removed from the charter roster) at any time, for any reason. Revoking membership in the BSA is up to the Scout Executive.

1. 1910 Baden-Powell started a worldwide movement. Boyce, Seton and West turned it into a business. Miki, where are you?(This message has been edited by Papadaddy)

Second what vol said. And I have no doubt we all bleed "red, white and blue". Just because we have differing opinions doesn't mean we're not all patriots and interested in preparing the next generation for ethical leadership. God bless us all.

I think I'm doing it now!

"You realize that this is a mission to protect civilians and bring peace to the region, right?" And we all know how that has worked for us in the past...

Letters are not required, but providing names is. I think it's entirely up to your District/Council Advancement Committee to decide if this is acceptable. I would ask for their guidance prior to having a BOR.

In the case presented by Trev in the op, I think the issue is between the CO and the Council. The DE should have made clear what the BSA's expectations are regarding membership eligibility. Perhaps the CO and the BSA are not a good fit and they need to relinquish the pack. Of course the DE will not do anything to jeopardize his "numbers", so he/she is content to let the unit leadership field all the discontent. Not fair. The unit should never have been chartered to that CO. IMHO. That being said, I believe the BSA's stance to be anachronism, and is, sadly, merely catering to the big sup

I used it at a medical conference once...there were enough fellow scouters (or former scouts) in the audience that it worked like a charm.

You probably can't MAKE her do anything, but any CO worth it's salt would be doing an annual audit of the books by an independent committee. In fact, the CC should insist on it, for the protection of everyone. It could as simple as sloppy bookkeeping, in which case you need a new treasurer. At the very least, there should be a Unit Budget Plan and monthly treasurer's reports to the Unit Committee (incl the COR) showing income/outgo and tracking against the budget. This is not an unreasonable request. If the unit is running out of money mid-year, there needs to be a budget review to see wh

Ditto what fish said. That was one of my biggest challenges as a young scout. The infamous trench latrine with a blanket strung up and a GI shovel next to it. Just couldn't do it without getting totally undressed from the waste down...the skeeters LOVED it! I also used the "back against the tree" method...but it wasn't an "approved location". And without fail, the urge hit me at 2 am. I had IBS from a very young age, but didn't know it.

I served on the District Committee for three years and worked my butt off training folks, mostly by myself. Hundreds of volunteer hours helping hundreds of folks get started down the Scouting path. I wouldn't exactly call that "nothing". Reinforces my decision to quit doing it.

I've had the same experience. And having suffered for years from irritable bowel syndrome, I dearly appreciate a clean potty at 2 am and often don't have the luxury of time to clean it thoroughly first. When I was on the district committee, I pushed for having a portion of the potties labeled for "adults only". If they didn't do that, I didn't attend the event.

Some of the operating committees of the District Committee are: Camping: encourage unit camping, track unit progress toward the national camping award, organize and staff day camps, represent the district on the council camping committee. Advancement: track unit advancement status and alert the Commissioner staff of under-performing units. Approve Eagle project plans, conduct Eagle Boards (or provide a district rep to unit-run Eagle boards). Training: track unit leader training metrics, organize and staff training courses within the district. Finance: ensure FOS present

Acceptable? In whose sight? I try to live my life as God would want me to...and I always fall short. Who among you is qualified to judge?

Approving an alternate requirement due to disability is up to your Council Advancement Committee. If it's just a short term thing, as described, or the scout cannot absorb this delay because of age, I think the answer will be no. Never hurts to ask, though.

A significant, increasing tax on gasoline would never fly. Because it would be a "fair tax" meaning everyone would have to pay it equally...if they wanted gasoline. It would also drive up the cost of small, economical cars beyond the means of the average joe. My nephew just started community college and is looking for cheap, economical transportation. Not to be had. All the "clunkers" are gone, thanks to Government meddling.

OGE, old friend, I am in no way condoning what was foisted upon you as a young Scout. I was only speaking to my own experience, and believe me, when I joined scouting, I was a fat, bookworm mamma's boy and had already had endured 11 years of bullying and ridicule. Through Scouting, I achieved three 50-milers and became an expert canoeist, swimmer and Lifesaving instructor, much to my Dad's amazement who didn't think I was capable of becoming a "real man". Now, I'm a 57 year old fat bookworm, and still endure daily comments from the ignorant (like the gate guard who calls me "big guy" every

Reminds me of our recent sexual harrassment training. The recipient gets to decide...if they don't like it, then by definition, it's harrassment. The moral of the story is, you can't predict who will like it and who won't, so we just don't do it at all. Personally, I thought snipe hunts were great fun...on both sides of the burlap sack.

I was raised in, and still am, an ELCA Lutheran (and a proud recipient of the rare and extinct Pro Deo Et Patria award), and have never heard any objections, or even discussions over OA membership. I understand that other Lutheran denominations may feel differently. I think the contention is over certain elements of the ceremonies, not so much in the purpose and aims of the Order.

And, the CO owns the troop gear. The CO should insure it, if it's not already covered (which I imagine it would be). That's part of the CO's obligation in chartering a unit, IMHO. Make sure your Troop Quartermaster keeps a current inventory of what's in there, and the purchase price and date, in case the insurance company wants documentation of the loss.

Welcome, chaoman. Not to be rude, but a lot of us prefer the anonymity of the forum, which can lead to more open discussions. There is a scouter.com Facebook page, if you want to reveal your true identity and learn more about some of us. On the other hand, some may not care!

Some Councils also go hog-wild buying custom hats, neckers, T-shirts, jackets, tote bags, backpacks, water bottles, etc etc etc. It may also include expenses for organizational meetings, "work up" camping trips, etc. In my opinion a lot of that is unnecessary and just drives up the price which excludes more kids. Ask your Council for an itemized list of what the fee includes.

I'm a little north of you in Va, scoutfish. Hunker down and stay safe!

The earthquake was a novelty for us, but the upcoming hurricane is a real concern for those of us in eastern NC and VA. Not many here have lived to see a Cat 3 or 4 make a direct hit on us, and it's nothing to take lightly. We are making serious preparations, and may decide to evacuate west if the forecast doesn't improve.

BUNKER HILL, Ind. (Associated Press) -- A 76-year-old man leading members of an Indiana Boy Scout troop on a hiking trip was stabbed to death Sunday when the group stopped to identify a tree, and a suspect who lives near the trail was arrested after a police chase, authorities said. The assistant scout leader, Arthur L. Anderson, of Kokomo, Ind., was with another male adult and two boys Sunday afternoon on the Nickel Plate Trail in Bunker Hill when he was stabbed in the neck in what witnesses told police was an unprovoked attack. Authorities and medical personnel responded to a 911 cal