pchadbo

I will preface this by stating I speak for me and me alone. When I speak of "making men" or being "manly" I am generally looking toward the idyllic icon of the WWII vets that came home, got down to work, worked hard, did not complain and did what needed to be done. That being said, hand in hand with this conversation is the "feminization" of young men. Men were the bread winners, did not openly whine about problems, rather sought a solution to the problem. Men were about doing not talking. Many feel that the "cult of manlyness" has been assaulted and degraded to the point that many lo

Welcome to the warm glow of the virtual campfire. Grab a chair, a cuppa, and don't forget your sense of humor!

Follow up note: Apparently procrastination and delay are valuable tools. While we were debating this topic, the SPL and the SM sat down at a PLC meeting that was called at the alst minute, where they were the only ones to show, and had an hour and a half long discussion. . so those who voted for the SPL and SM to talk (me included) were right and those who voted leave it alone were right! I love this Scouting stuff

Well, at least I know my tenure as Training Chair will not be boring. . .

So first, the topic came up sitting around with a group of Scouts and Scouters which included the SPL, and during the conversation, he brought up to the group his concerns, he asked me some specific questions, which I answered, but the tone and tack of his questions had me raising an eyebrow. Second, I know my role as UC, hence the reason for me being here seeking advice, and I know I cannot, and will not "get between" the SPL and Scoutmaster. However, that being said, my role as UC is to see if the Troop is healthy and offer suggestions and guidance if it is not. This is what I am seein

Yeah, I understand what you are saying, but to "stop doing it" means to say no to the SPL who asked for help and advice. Not a good option either. I am caught is territory that I should not be in, I did direct the SPL to speak to the SM, but he also asked for help. I am just trying to figure out how to do that without upsetting the apple cart.

@@jwest09 -- yes bad choice of words. perhaps, "help the SPL to get more breathing room to run the program with less SM control" would have been a better phrasing. I know I am treading in very dangerous waters here, which is why I came here for advice on the next steps. Yes, I am planning on having the conversation with the SM about the SPL's concerns, I am just looking for the advice of how to walk into this minefield without blowing everything up. Edited to add: I have also noticed the slow ebb of boy leadership since the SM has taken over, just did not realize until the conversation wi

@ Jwest09 that has been at least brought up and the history is there, we have the flags to prove it, CO is willing to split if we feel it becomes necessary, part of this is to see if this is an anomaly or will continue, as the Pack has exploded in the last 2 years from 35 - 90

@@CalicoPenn -- that is exactly what I did suggest to the SPL. I was just trying to see if there were any out of the box ideas anyone could come up with to help "run interference" for the SPL to put his plan in action.

@@krikkitbot that is on the horizon-- timing just has not worked for him and work. . been working him since he was Cubmaster. . .

Hi all! I am coming to the virtual campfire for some advice with a "good" Problem. I am Unit Commissioner for a Troop that currently has 40-45 boys. The Troop is strong in most areas, camps 11-12 months a year, has 1-2 eagles per year on average, we send 5-7 boys to our Council camps as staff each summer, one of our past SPLs is the Current OA Lodge Chief with our immediate past SPL serving as Chapter Chief. All of the boys take what the learn outside the Troop and bring it back. The Troop is reasonably boy-led, but more as one big Patrol with SPL running everything not individual Pat

Welcome to the Campfire! I too hail from the northeastern part of our beautiful country, in the Daniel Webster Council. Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa and enjoy the glow and conversation around the virtual campfire!

If they are mirroring our Council which was one of the Pilot Councils, this will be only for Youth applications. The adult apps still need the signatures for background checks and the SSN. in fact from your post: "This system is not designed to register non-paying adult positions, position changes in the same unit, or youth or adult renewals."

My Rule of thumb when I handled the finances (days thankfully left behind) was at the end of the year, I wanted $0 + the MINIMUM cost to operate for one year, ranks, awards, books and other predictable expenses. This allowed for a year to recover if a fundraiser fell flat on its face without having to stop program due to lack of funding, but it also made sure that when we had a great fundraiser, the great fundraisers benefited from the work they put in.The boys that earn it should reap the benefit. Long term capital investments, trailers etc, are separate issues handles outside of the "normal

Gratz!!!

So the way I read this, the few MB overachievers who earn all 137 merit badges before Eagle would get Eagle AND 23 Palms at their COH??!?!

I Understand this issue, I both staffed Wood Badge, for the second time, as a Scribe, and got married last year. Both were incredibly rewarding experiences. The best advice I can give is some I got years ago: Sometimes, you have to be selfish in order to be a giving person. I f you are not taking care of yourself, physically, emotionally, and psychologically, you are not going to be willing or able to be the person that your family needs you to be. If that means missing an admittedly big deal in your niece's life, then you have that choice to make, I bet she will remember a day that you take

Definition of leadership 1 : the office or position of a leader recently assumed the leadership of the company 2 : capacity to lead a politician who lacks leadership 3 : the act or an instance of leading leadership molds individuals into a team — Harold Koontz & Cyril O'Donnell 4 : leaders the party leadership Definition of management 1 : the act or art of managing : the conducting or supervising of something (as a business) Business improved under the management of new owners. 2 : judicious use of means to accomplish an end is extremely cautious when it co

OK, Now I see the issue. It is a matter of expectations. Wood Badge is NOT a program training course. It is NOT designed (anymore) to teach Scout Craft. It is NOT a course on conflict resolution. It IS a leadership course that will give you tools that you can use and hone in your home unit to make you a better leader, and allow you to see where you see yourself and your unit going in the next year to 18 months, a reflection most of us do not do. Goal setting, communication, time management, project management, team work, remembering to have fun and yes, some conflict resolution

I am always intrigued by those wo "get nothing" from a specific training. If you go in with an open mind, there is something to learn from every trainer you encounter, regardless of how competent (or incompetent) they are. The course content absolutely has been covered for decades in other formats and classroom. As one of the members of "my" patrol when I was a Troop Guide told me, he did not think that this course would be able to teach a retired Brigadier General with more than 30 years of military leadership training anything new. Truthfully, he did not learn anything new, but h

I am sorry to hear that your council does not provide any real programs or services, that you have to register all yuor boys directly with Irving yourself and arrange the liability insurance, that you have to develop, print and distribute all of your own applications and recruiting materials, that you have no camps or staff at the camps, that you have no camporees or jamborees in your district/council. You get the point, Council is often doing that stuff that no one sees the work but screams if it is not done.

OK, I have a friend who is running a STEM Lab here in the Beautiful Daniel Webster Council in NH. Couple of clarifications: This is NOT a traditional Scouting program. This is not designed for the traditionally "scouting kids" This is a co-ed program for grades 5-12 This is all STEM based this is more for the kids that say "camping? ewwwww" It is a program for those kids who are STEM inclined already and to use the Scout Oath and Law to instill values in them while doing STEM stuff.

Looks kinda neat, I would still prefer the PWD. And not sure what the relationship with Don would be. . .Other than I will miss his leadership here in the Daniel Webster Council. A great leader, great man, and good friend.

welcome!

While cleaning out out storage locker at the meeting place, an older, green Scout uniform was found in good condition with the First Class Rank Badge sewn on. The Quartermaster and SPL thought that my son would enjoy that as he is a very active (albeit slow advancing) Scout who just achieved First Class. The boys were talking about this shirt becoming a tradition in the troop, handed from one FC to another based on Scout spirit and their embracing the "old ways" camping, hiking, helping, and being all around "FC" (ideal not rank) Scouts. They asked me for input on the name for this "a