Proud Eagle

I know the Brandies School of Law at the University of Louisville has a policy similar to the one involved here. (I was a student at U of L for a time, and while I was a student I was also a member of the Cardinal Battalion of the Army ROTC.)

Anyhow, the Law School was at one time the site of the battalions commissioning ceremonies for the new 2nd Lieutenants. However, after the law school created its new policy, the Professor of Military Science was told he could no longer have access to the law school's facilities due to the Army and DoD policies. So the ceremony was moved to the main library.

This is just an example of the sort of conflict going on at one state university. The law school is actually barring a part of another unit of the same university it is a part of from using its facilities. Totally ridiculous. How can a public state university bar its own students and faculty from using its facilities?

OK. That all was very nice but had little to do with this case. So, on to a more pertinent observation.

The BSA v. Connecticut case should have been used the Department of Defense as an example of a precedent indicating that while there may be a 1st Amendment right to choose who to associate with, or who to allow to recruit in your facilities, there is no protection against being penalized for taking that stance. These schools took a stance and incurred a penalty for doing so. They should be willing to live with the loss of funding that comes with that, just as DOD should be willing to accept be excluded from some places do to its polices.

Though I personally think the BSA v. Connecticut ruling wasn't so good, and I don't think this case will ever be concluded in such a way as to exclude DOD from recruiting and withhold funding from the schools, though that would be the position that is consistent with the Connecticut decision.

What I think should happen is that DOD should be allowed to recruit at the public institutions and should therefore restore funding to those public institutions. The private institutions should remain free to exclude DOD on the understanding that doing so will mean losing this funding.

After all, how can one manifestation of the government by the people, for the people, and of the people, exclude another manifestation of that same government (and by so doing exclude the same people it is by, for, and of)? For one government entity to reject another government entity is in a since a form of rejecting its own identity.

OK, I think perhaps that makes some sense.

So basically the Lodge Adviser should be registered in the same way as the other members of the camping or Boy Scout committee, or whatever committee or board they serve on?

You know it is little details like this that make everything more complicated.

isvirtual,

I can understand your frustration. I think in your case it is the SM and other unit leaders who are likely the at the root of the problem. There may be problems in the chapter or lodge as well, but the SM has to make an effort for OA to mean what it is ment to in the unit or else no one else will see it properly.

The idea of having you drive several hours total is not at all friendly, or kind, or any number of other things. It is in fact somewhat rude. Even had your son been elected, he did not have to attend the tap-out. It is possible to skip the tap-out, though it adds to the experience and helps in some small way to prepare a person for later experiences.

Well, anywase, there are a great many things that are great in concept but sometimes come up a bit short in execution. In fact, all of Scouting is in that category, as are all the other youth programs I have ever been involved with. Sometimes things work well, sometimes they don't. It all depends on the people involved and what they are trying to do.

dan,

I don't want this to get too political, but I personally pick the candidate based on their record, positions, beliefs, attitude, etc. I pick the candidate that I think will represent my beliefs and who will do the best job for the nation or community.

On the yard signs, are you all asking to take them or do you just go around and pick them up? I am guessing you are getting permission first in which case I am sure it is just fine.

dan, I really hope that last bit was a joke. Also, is it even legal to pick up election signs like that?

Here is an idea. It isn't something we do, but then we don't seem to have much of a problem with this.

Each boy is issued enough stakes for his portion of a tent before his first camp out and told not to lose them. It is made clear that if he loses them, he must get his own for future camp outs.

Then, keep some extras for those times you have less Scouts in each tent than you planned on.

Or, that could be the worst idea ever. I really don't know.

Oh, here is a funny one. At the annual council camporree a couple years ago, we had a new camp ranger. It was his first major event. Friday night at the leaders meeting, he asks everyone to please not use metal tent stakes, as these are dangerous when he goes and mows and some are still in or on the ground. Apperently someone was injured by a lawnmower propelled tent stake. Aslo, it damages the mower. However, the reaction to this (most troops had set up using metal tent stakes) was quite negative, so the idea was dropped.

I made that transition myself just about 3 years ago. I know how you feel. The hard part is the older Scouts that are nearest to your age, or at least that was the case with me. Fortunately, most of them will be able to understand what the change means if you (or perhaps the SM) explain this to them. It should be a little more than simply saying you are an adult now, it should explain what your role in the troop is.

Speaking of which, you need to have a chat with your SM about exactly what he wants and needs for you to do. At the same time you could volunteer for what you think would work best for you, and discuss your future in the troop. Also, talk about training.

Start getting trained. Take Youth Protection Training, Boy Scout Fast Start Training, and then get to the next New Leader Essentials you can find (usually offered by the district or council).

Training Survey

http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/training/start.jsp

Youth Protection Training

http://www.scouting.org/pubs/ypt/ypt.jsp

Boy Scout Fast Start

http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/faststart/

Also, you need a copy of the Scoutmaster Handbook, and once you have it, you should start reading it.

I would be willing to bet you can still get on staff as long as there are still vacancies, and assuming you can come up with all of the money that you would have ordinarily paid by this time as part of your first payment.

Your region office could probably tell you the type of opening available, if any, at this time.

You need to get an application, fill it out, and have it approved by your council very quickly. Make certain it is forwarded to the region once it is approved.(This message has been edited by Proud Eagle)

No, no, no, that won't work.

The pack can not be chartered to itself.

That just isn't allowed.

It can be chartered to a "Friends of Pack X", "Organizing Committee of Pack X", "Concerned Parents of Pack X", "Citizens Supporting Pack X" or something like that, but a "self-charter" is not only against the BSA's own rules, it is quite possibly a violation of the congressional charter.

So, either the unit doesn't really charter itself, or the unit leaders and council made a major mistake.

It is quite possible the council is now attempting to correct that mistake.

I probably shouldn't say anything more just yet. Better for the lodge to know before a bunch of Scouters across the country do. Also, looking at that previous post, it would have been more accurate to say what the lodge or council is asking me to do, rather than what the Order is asking.(This message has been edited by Proud Eagle)

I would put it at about an 8 on average. Though there are days it is a 10 and days it is more like a 4.

Really though, I can't think of anything else I would rate higher than an 8.

I am proud to be a Scout (Scouter now).

I am proud to be an Eagle Scout.

I am also proud that I was elected by my peers to be a OA candidate, that I passed the Ordeal, that I sealed my membership with the Brotherhood, and that I was selected for the Vigil Honor.

I am proud of what I have done as an Arrowman, a record that includes ceremonies, conclave staff, service work, committee chairmanships, chapter offices, and being Lodge Chief.

My experiences in the OA have been an honor and a privildge, but they are also quite humbling.

And yet, what I have been asked to do for the Order in 2005 is even more of an honor and is even more humbling than what has come before.

I am wondering, is there a way for council committee members, or the members of the various committees at the council level to be considered "trained" for those council positions?

If anyone knows much about registration policies or procedures, you could probably help.

I am wondering how exactly a Lodge Adviser is supposed to be registered. They are appointed by the Scout executive, and their position includes membership on the council camping or Boy Scout committee. It also comes with a position patch and silver shoulder loops.

This is spun from another thread in the Order of the Arrow section. Please place answers in that thread.

Oh, and this isn't just an idle curiousity, I have a specific reason for asking, but I would rather not get into that just now. Suffice it to say I have a need to know.

If there is no answer to the question, then I would appreciate knowing that as well.

I know how advisers and associate advisers for lodges and chapters are appointed.

What I would like to know is, how are they registered. After all, they are considered to be council/district positions complete with position patch and silver loops, so it would seem there must be some special registration status to go along with these positions.

I asked the current lodge adviser about this, and he said as far as he knows there is no such thing. The advisers in our lodge are just registered in other positions, mostly as unit Scouters. However, I am thinking there must be some particular way they are supposed to be registered.

For an example, lets say an Assistant Scoutmaster who holds no other positions is appointed Lodge Adviser by the council's Scout executive. What should this do to the persons registration status? (Lodge Advisers also serve on the council camping or Boy Scout committee as part of their position.)

If I should be asking someone else let me know.

Though if that someone else is the staff adviser or council registrar, I don't think they can help.

Also, if there is no answer, that wouldn't be unexpected since the current lodge adviser doesn't think there is.

Yet, I can't help but think that there should be some box to check or something like that some place in ScoutNet. It also seems like there should be a membership card noting the position or letter of appointment or something, but the lodge adviser said he never got anything like that either.(This message has been edited by Proud Eagle)

Proper Planning

If you plan for driving the speed limits, build in a buffer for the unexpected traffic problem, and make certain to depart on time, you should never have a speeding problem. Make certain the drivers know there is time to travel the speed limits and still arrive early. Most people seem to assume travel plans are based on going 75 non stop and anything else will make you late. Make certain travel distances, alloted travel times, and times of departure are clearly set out ahead of the event so everyone knows the situation. If someone speeds on a Scout trip when time is not an issue, they aren't really being very smart.

On the other hand, there are times and places that not speeding is actually a safety issue. There are some places where it is dangerous to drive the speed limits because the normal traffic speed in that area is significantly greater than the speed limits. Generally it is unsafe to either drive significantly slower than, or faster than, the flow of traffic. This is particularly true on congested roads. (I hope everyone knew that already, but you never can tell.)

Well, it is a small world. I think BJ is going to be helping out the 2006 coarse our council is hosting. I talked to her about 2 weeks ago at a training event we were both on staff for, and she was helping to promote it a bit.

You probably also met a Tanner or two I would guess.

We need a momentum shift.

We (BSA as an organization, not us as individuals) have to take the initiative.

There should be BSA reps, in uniform, going on all the cable news shows, the national news programs, the morning shows, and the radio programs to push Scoutings message. We should not respond to the ACLU's criticism, instead, we should be actively pushing a message of our own, and using every chance we get to spread it.

If someone wants to have a ACLU and BSA rep come talk about the latest, case, while the BSA rep shouldn't dodge questions, they should use every chance to talk about the positive aspects of BSA (but we should not, as an organization, attack ACLU or others).

In any strategic activity, be it a PR campaign or a war, controlling the momentum is critical. We need to shift that momentum into our favor. (I think it is in something of a neutral position at the moment.)

The Cub Scout age boy may not be able to be a true leader, but they can set an example of good behaviour.

I should note that we celebrated RCM's 50th anniversary this summer.

It started out as the Kentucky Lake Scout Camp back in 1954.

There is a special edition council strip and special addition temporary patch to comemorate this.

If you are interested, I may be able to find a way to put you in touch with the Ranger's wife, who runs the trading post in the off season. There may still be some left for sail. In fact, there probably are.

Actually, the Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America are, from what I remember hearing, contained in a single document. Your council should have a current copy. Also, you could contact the national office, or your council's representative to the national council, or any professional Scouter. They should be able to track down the document.

You will notice that in the Uniform and Insignia Guide, and the Guide to Safe Scouting, there are quotes from the Rules and Regulations.

Now, I have never seen this document, but I think it does exist.

Hold it...

You guys aren't suggesting...

no...

couldn't be...

I mean... everyone knows theres no such thing as life outside of Scouting.

So who do you want to speak out on moral issues?

Do you think some committee of the laity should have that job? The same laity who, over half don't really believe in the real presence, mostly because they haven't been educated well enough to understand it.

Or perhaps you want the political parties to become the voices for morality in society, of coarse, they would have to define the meaning of the word "is" first.

Everyone makes mistakes. That includes the Church and its leaders. While those mistakes do reveal the truth that they are human, they do not remove all moral authority. The bishops and priests can and do make mistakes. They sometimes don't always agree on every issue. In the end however, they are one of the more competent authorities on matters of theology and morality, because they have been educated and trained for that, and spent their lives dealing with those issues.

Also, I know of no priest or bishop who directly completely endorsed, or denounced any candidate by name as part of their official work. There were priests and bishops who spoke up on issues. Some even went so far as to outline who some candidates agreed and disagreed with the Church on certain issues. However, I never heard a single endorsement of a candidate or party from a member of the Catholic clergy this past election. If you did, I think that is highly irregular.

As to a certain lawyer and his memo, keep in mind that was his legal opinion. A Catholic can agree 100% with the Church on an issue, and yet still believe that the law says something else. I am not saying that is necessarily the case here, but it could be.

As to how best to end abortion, I think we could all agree that supporting an unlimited right to choose, even to the extent of taxpayer funded abortion on demand is certainly not the way to go. Certainly other tools besides the law should be used, but the law is a tool that must be used in some way to end abortion. As to what type of law would best do this, and its exact mechanisms, that is something I don't have the background to determine.

My troop has been doing trips like this for each of the last several Jambos.

We usually drive up before Jambo, tour some stuff like one of the civil war battlefields, then go on to tour Baltimore or some other place, then do a visit at Jambo, and also hit the major attractions in DC. It makes for one heck of a trip.

However, this year the start of school is less than a week after the start of Jambo, so we may scrub the trip this year.

There are many thing which require over a year to plan properly.

In these cases having the PLC decide to do it at the annual planning meeting does't make sense.

Setting it as an objective for the future, and letting the adult leaders start making arrangments would be more reasonable.

Also, informal decisions such as asking everyone at camp if they want to come back to the same camp next year seems OK with me.

It should probably be made known to the PLC at annual planning that a reservation for such and such has been made, and if the PLC wants to do something else they can, but the troop will still be out the deposit.

The key thing is to make certain the PLC or the Troop are consulted BEFORE making a commitment, even if the consultation isn't quite as formal as a PLC planning meeting.

The routine thing is a problem, but it can be overcome. If the park says it doesn't have the money or manpower to fix it, then it obviously isn't going to happen unless some volunteers do it. Now if they are planning to fix it anywase, then that is more problamatic. However, where there is a will, there is a way.

The bigger issue is community benefit.

The Scout has to be able to explain who this benefits and how. He can't just say the park wants it done. If he can make a real case that it actually will benefit people (outside of Scouting) then I would say go ahead. If the candidate can't make that case, then it won't work.

Remember, the candidate is going to have to sell the idea to several people, so if he can't sell it either in person or in writing, it isn't going to work.

Final issue, is how much leadership is this going to allow him to show? The candidate needs to be able to explain how he is going to be a leader in this project. It sounds like there is potential, but ten markers and some GPS readings doesn't sound like much from a skeptical point of view.

What about the possibility of expanding the coarse to include more markers? Are there other things that could be incorporated into this same project that would make the overall result a greater success?

Those are the sorts of questions I would either want to know the answer to, or want the candidate to think about before going ahead with this.