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ParkMan

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Everything posted by ParkMan

  1. We've hashed this out before. This is largely a theoretical argument - but a CO does indeed own the unit. The resources of the unit belongs to the CO. The CO enters into an agreement with the BSA to utilize the program of the BSA for the operation of that unit. The CO can set whatever rules it wants. At somepoint, the members of the unit may decide - "hey, this isn't for me" and leave. The members may even balk and tell the CO "no, I'm not doing thiat". Similarly, the CO can set rules that change or superceed the rules of the BSA. In that case, the recourse of the BSA is to rev
  2. You're correct on that the SM & Scouts plan the calendar. The Committee's role to do just what you describe and make sure that resources are available (people, equipment, money). The Committee should be looking to say Yes to activities - not to say no. One of the roles of the CC is to see that all functions are delegated and completed. Program is critical part of the troop, but it's still a function that needs to be delegated and completed. The important thing in all this is it isn't about power - it's about keeping things organized. So, if your CC is running around telling e
  3. I'd concur here. @David CO and I come from units with different levels of CO engagement. In @David CO's I've gotten the impression the CO is more hands on and directive. In mine, the CO has a very active COR who is an involved unit leader. So, we see few corrections from the CO and more collaboration. But, regardless of CO style, the unit leaders should have a very good handle on the priorities, policies, and concerns of the CO and should work with those as best possible.
  4. I can imagine this is tough. I was really thinking that you could change the unit with new blood. But, now reading about the mess with the COR/CC I agree that it's just time to go. My thinking on a schedule would be Hold a meeting of your key volunteers next week. Make a plan Tell your current COR your plans by the end of June or after Summer Camp - whatever is later. Have your new CO ready to go for August 15 Since your COR is wrapped up in this, I'd plan on moving packs too. Better to start fresh with a top notch team of volunteers who will run a class act.
  5. Hi @karunamom3 I think it's time to go start a unit down the steet. The CC is completely within his perogative to do just what he's doing. The committee has the responsibilty to approve events so that it can determine if there is adequate adult support and resources for the event to be successful. As chair, he can decide if an event is brought to the committee. A good CC woudl certainly delegate some of that to the Scoutmaster and try to be flexible as much as is appropriate. After all, it's our goal as Scouters to say "yes" to events. If the CC is starting to act like in a
  6. I've learned in Scouting that leaders have a certain style of leading. As a new parent, it's unlikely that you'll be able to get the SM & ASMs to change and to start adopting the patrol method. This is because they don't believe it. If they did, they'd be doing patrol method now. My recommendation - find a way to help make what they are currently doing better by taking on some volunteer role. Then, at some point when the opportunitiy arises, take on an ASM or SM role and be the change you want to see.
  7. This is an area where the GSUSA structure is better than the BSA structure. There are three premier awards in the GSUSA world - bronze award, silver award, gold award. bronze award - targeted at the 4th/5th grade age range silver award - targeted at the middle school age range gold award - targetd at hte high school age range This problem in the BSA would be diminished if the approach was: AOL - 5th grade First Class - middle schoold Eagle - high school Just a thought
  8. Thanks @Eagledad My gut tells me that these are some a key lines: Between what I see locally and what I read here, this is I suspect the root of the problem. I'd love to find a way to capture your ideas and turn them into some specific recommendations for chapter advisors. One could certainly just print out your post and share it. I'd love for the community to create something that we could share with advisors. A sort of "Guidelines to OA Chapter success".
  9. Do you tihnk they know what the benefit is for a Scout to join or to stay active?
  10. My favorite approach is: Year 1 - At crossover time, form a partol of new scouts who have all joined together. Assign them a troop guide. This lets scouts go through "new scout" stuff as a group and learn together. Year 2+ - After a year, let the scouts shift patrols to their liking. Try to keep patrols no more than 8-10. This lets scouts for patrols of their friends and work in groups where they are comfortable.
  11. @Eagledad, I understand your point. You've been a strong advocate for troop programs for older youth. How do you see the OA best fitting into the program?
  12. The strongest units by us are all 3 digits units (our Council doesn't use 4 digits). The few two digit units we have are all struggling. The strong packs & troops around here are ones that have focused on building a strong organization, great program, and solid recruiting. Mostly that happens because a few adults in that unit's history raised expectations and challenged them to grow and becomea a strong unit. Sadly in our neck of the woods those are not our oldest units.
  13. I see two things here: many OA members in recent years have been younger Scouts. Once those Scouts complete Ordeal, they tend to leave there are fewer older Scouts in troops and so troops are working hard to keep them active in the troop I've heard several older scouts comment that they like the OA because it gives them something to do once they get tired of troop life. It strikes me that this is a place where the OA can really help Scouting to grow. Provide programming and a place for older Scouts. Give them new experiences, new opportunities for leadership, and a new circ
  14. Your comment that the troop is not very active jumped out at me. I'm going to guess that this is part of the issue here. I've found that often Scouters get discouraged in their volunteer roles. That discouragement leads to volunteers scaling back, not being as on top of activities and requests we'd hope they'd be. I think you are in a unique position here. As Cubmaster, your Scouts will become the driving force that makes this troop go. Your parents will become the volunters in this troop in the future. I'd encourage you to keep raising expectations. Keep building a great pack prog
  15. Everytime national tinkers with the OA, folks say "it will kill the OA". I'm sure the OA is caught up in the trend that exists everywhere in Scouting - declining membership. I see many of these changes as National's way of trying to deal with declining membership in the OA. Do I personally agree with them? No, I don't. But, I understand them. The best way we impact declining membership is through quality program. Give the Scouts a reason to come and to spread the word that the OA is the place to be. Make it elite because elite Scouts want to be there. The more shining examples w
  16. That's a delivery problem. It's supposed to be an elite group. If we want it to be elite, we need a program that attracts elite Scouts. As mentioned above, the OA national leadership needs to strengthen the core program. At a local level we need to have strong lodges and chapters that deliver strong programs.
  17. Isn't the core problem here one of the program delivery not keeping up with the expectations of today's kids? Fewer and fewer scouts are seeing any value in joining the OA and so they don't join. So, if Scouts are not seeing value in joining the OA, isn't the remedy to improve the program of lodges & chapters? With all the changes around the Native American tie-in, feels like the national OA leadership needs to put some serious thought into what the OA is going forward. In parallel, there needs to be a concerted push on chapter & lodge quality. What are their annua
  18. My understanding is that Scouts are covered because they are members of the BSA, not members of a specific pack or troop. If some other Scouts come to your event, they are covered. As Cubmaster I'd encourage you to attend their next Troop Committee Meeting and discuss what happened. Why didn't they respond to your invite? If they decided not to participate - fine, but why didn't they even tell you? Further, when this was problem was uncovered, why didn't they try to encourage Scouts to attend? We're all volunteers and volunteers can make mistakes in moments of stress. i.e. - oops, w
  19. I believe some, if not all, of this is local council practice. We've always had a 3 digit system. Nowhere in any document or report that I've ever seen has there been a fourth digit attached. Our pack and troop have exactly the same number everywhere that I have ever seen - and I get lots of council reports. We're a pretty large council and so it's not because we're too small a council. Our council does try it use the third digit to denote district. One the original question - I'd just ask a few people locally in positions at the district and council level - council registrar, di
  20. I've got three uniforms and the pockets are all different and I still call them uniforms. We live in a world where people tweak things all the time. Most scouts I know would say - cool - your pocket is a little different than mine. Our troop avoids cares about uniform costs by encouraging every scout to participate in our uniform closet. Hey, when your uniform is too small stick it in the closet. Oh, you're a new Scout, we've got a bunch of uniforms in the closet - go find one that fits. To the topic at hand - I suspect that the perception that Scouts are sititng around a church
  21. I think the point isn't whether the uniform is valued by current members or not. It's whether the uniform is a selling point on joining Scouting. I take @FireStone's point that at the Cub Scout level it is. But, at the Scouts BSA level, I don't think a lot of youth join because they are excited about the uniform. Sure, it's part of the gig, but I can certainly see why those responsible for driving interest in youth becoming members may focus more on the "fun" than the process. Again - I do think it takes on meaning to current members which is why I do not believe the BSA would
  22. It's possible I'm wrong. I sense that today people are more interested in the experience than the organization. People join the BSA because they want the Scouting experience. So, it would stand to follow that in the marketing material we play up the experience. A bunch of people in pictures with uniforms detracts from the basic message - join us & do fun stuff. Put differently, you join to do fun stuff, not wear a uniform. So, why remind all the prospective members about the uniform when it's not a big sales point and may even detract. Now, once you're in the BSA the un
  23. Yea - this is the part of Scouting that no amount of BSA training prepares you for. How to deal with people and resolve signficnant conflicts like this. I'm reminded of something my mother told me a whlie back - "sometimes you just have to break things". Meaning - sometimes a bit of conflict and pressure is what is needed.
  24. I would imagine this is what is happening. The BSA marketing department realizes what we all do - good program sells. So rather than a bunch of pictures of kids in uniforms, they are showing pictures of kids doing fun things.
  25. We as Scout leaders hold ourselves to a very high standard. Just because some people are postualting that it is impossible to completly eliminate child abuse doesn't mean that they condone it or accept it. @yknot - The goal is very clearly no cases of youth abuse ever. End of discussion. No one is suggesting otherwise. There was a movie many years ago about the Secret Service - "In the Line of FIre". One of the primary themes of that movie was that is a person is willing to sacrifice his life to commit a crime, the crime can happen. Another example is school shootings by youth
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