RememberSchiff

Mighty big 10mm cannons to carry concealed, congrats to those who do.

Legally, the BSA can restrict on their property beyond that probably not. So there is no confusion, we have "non-scouting", family shooting at the local gun club. The club has it's own safety rules and they work well.

I reread the Adult Application background check information The consumer reports may contain information bearing on your character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living. The types of information that may be obtained include but are not limited to Social Security number verification, sex offender registry checks, criminal records checks, inmate records searches, and court records checks. The information contained in these consumer reports may be obtained by LexisNexis from public record sources. The consumer reports will not include credit record checks or motor vehicle record checks(?) This does not seem to be working for us, just Google and see arrests (abuse, porn, drugs). Assuming all the above is being done, what else could be done? Add checks of family members (including arrests)? Check social media accounts? (BSA would terminate RS and some others here ) Check browser history, email via volunteer's internet service provider ( put NSA to work) OR punt. leave the background checks and liability up to the CO and respective local governments? Are teachers screened better than us?

Good points.

No sash, no official problem 8.0.0.4 Wearing the Uniform—or Neat in Appearance It is preferred a Scout be in full field uniform for any board of review. He should wear as much of it as he owns, and it should be as correct as possible, with the badges worn properly. It may be the uniform as the members of his troop, team, crew, or ship wear it. If wearing all or part of the uniform is impractical for whatever reason, the candidate should be clean and neat in his appearance and dressed appropriately, according to his means, for the milestone marked by the occasion. Regardless of unit, district, or council expectations or rules, boards of review shall not reject candidates solely for reasons related to uniforming or attire, as long as they are dressed to the above description. Candidates shall not be required to purchase uniforming or clothing such as coats and ties to participate in a board of review. http://www.scouting.org/Home/GuideToAdvancement/BoardsofReview.aspx

That would be just a criminal record check. Background checks do that and often more - credit history check (debt), police calls to your house, memberships, family criminal background, social media check, reference interviews ...

As OP, this thread topic was the selling of drugs by a scouter on scout property, the apparent unawareness of the troop over two years, and concerns about background checks. Concealed carry discussion is encouraged to go another thread. The moving this thread to Issues & Politics seems to have encouraged the straying. This is a BSA issue. While researching the original topic, I found more arrests for recent activity of scouters than I expected. I am becoming skeptical of our background checks. I would like to see an after conviction review of our background check. Why didn't it filter these criminals out of our program? Maybe for this individual this was new criminal activity(no previous record), maybe we failed to check Facebook or known associates,.. the former is understandable, the latter not so much. My $0.02

So a council with no camp, no hq/service center, and no scout shop?

Nov, 2015 Outside Philadelphia, a Cub Scout leader and her son (adult) were charged with multiple counts of manufacturing, delivery or possession, conspiracy, endangering the welfare of children, and related crimes. Joann Badey did not post bail and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail. George Badey IV was released on bail, according to court records. George Badey was listed as a leader for Radnor Cub Scout Pack 371 on the group's website. Upon hearing the news, Scout leader David Bryan said she was no longer affiliated with the pack. The drugs were being sold to Villanova University students, according to sources. Police are continuing the investigation to see if any drugs were sold to students in area high schools, said William Colarulo, superintendent of police. http://articles.philly.com/2015-11-18/news/68356938_1_drugs-main-line-william-colarulo Background checks come into question here, particularly since this occurred in Pennsylvania. Her son has several drug arrests in both Maryland and Pennsylvania, I would think this would be noted in the PA State Police and FBI checks of her known associates. What I like about talking to myself is that I stay on topic.

Ha good point. Had x's on my mind from Algebra tutoring. I hope that Council is interviewing everyone in Troop ###, inspecting facilities, etc. I wonder who the CO is?

From: http://www.reporternews.com/news/crime/alleged-drug-dealing-scout-volunteer-terminated-after-arrest-29101687-cc59-21e9-e053-0100007ff048-364921971.html Mark Conrad, Texas Trails Council Scout Executive, said Monday that the organization has cut ties with a Scout volunteer reportedly connected with drug distribution in Clyde. The Callahan County Sheriff's Office arrested and charged Bill Cedergren, 52, and charged him with manufacturing/delivery of a controlled substance, following execution of an warrant in the 300 block of Forrest Street on Dec. 30. Deputies discovered about 1.88 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia including needles, baggies and a scale when they searched Cedergren and inside his pickup parked by the Boy Scout Hut, where he volunteered, which is also across the street from Clyde Elementary School. "Of course the behavior included in these allegations runs counter to everything for which the BSA stands," Conrad, Scout Executive/CEO of the Texas Trails Council of BSA, said in an email. "Upon learning of these reports, we immediately removed this individual and precluded him from any further participation in our programs." He added the BSA is cooperating fully with law enforcement in regards to the allegations against Cedergren who Conrad said was a volunteer and not a hired leader. "While I cannot comment on findings about specific volunteers, I can tell you that if the criminal background check indicated any previous history of inappropriate behavior, that person would not be allowed to participate in scouting," he said. "Also, it is important to note that these actions are unrelated to scouting. I have reached out to the leaders of the troop and will continue to help them through this matter." Leroy Foley, the lead investigator on the case, said Cedergren has been on the CCSO's radar for a while. "Mr. Cedergren is someone I've had in my scope for quite a long time," he said. "During my investigations, I would get his name dropped here and there. And after, four or five of those accounts, it becomes more credible. So we began to surveil and watch him." According to Foley, Cedergren's operation had been up for about two years. "During those surveillance times, we'd find him with known drug users and known drug dealers, so that gives more credibility to it," he said. "In truth, if it hadn't been for the situation that Cedergren was in, being so close to an elementary school, it was my belief and the Sheriff's belief that we would let him lead us on and taken him down further down the line, along with some other people." The CCSO has been using an ongoing undercover operation to track Cedergren and others. ... CCSO found nothing drug-related inside the building but the search yielded pornographic material in a safe, as well as in the shop . "The porn thing is a surprise to us, we had no idea about any of that," Foley said. "And I don't know if it goes any further than just his personal fetish. I have no facts that children were involved in that or anything at all." So drug distribution and porn at Boy Scout Troop's xxx Scout Hut...

He was selling out a troop (not council) building "Scout Hut" across the street from an elementary school therefore faces a first degree felony charge. What alarmed me was the duration of this activity - two years. A troop had an adult leader distributing meth from their troop building/scout hut (btw named for a former scoutmaster) for two years (at least two charter renewals) ...and no one in the troop knew? Our local public schools have random drug sweeps and surveillance cameras, maybe CO's should too? But If you would rather talk about the unrelated topic of concealed carry, that seems okay here.

9/11 changed that. https://leb.fbi.gov/2011/january/off-duty-officers-and-firearms Federal law, Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act 2004 (amended twice ) has changed off-duty carry policies. In the past year, states are now allowing off-duty officers to carry on school ("gun free zones") grounds (I don't think they have much choice legally or from a PR perspective). The BSA will probably update their GSS or be ignored by off-duty officers. But what does this have to do with a scouter making and selling meth?

Hmm, this be something Cochise to see.

Yes 1957. We didn't find out they were Vulcans until years later.

52-year-old Boy Scout leader William Cedergren arrested for selling meth out of Texas Trail Council scout office(?) in Clyde,TX. http://www.ktxs.com/news/boy-scout-leader-in-clyde-arrested-for-distributing-drugs/37342420 Cedergren was arrested and charged with first-degree felony manufacturing and delivery of methamphetamine. The scout office is located at 300 Forrest Road in Clyde (within a 1000ft of an elementary school!) Cedergren was arrested by the Callahan County Sheriff’s Department, who said they had him under surveillance for quite some time. The arrest took place after officials sent an informant into the Boy Scouts office to purchase a small amount of meth. ... Cedergren confessed to the charges and admitted that he had been dealing out of the Boy Scouts office for two years. http://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/news/breaking-news/clyde-boy-scout-leader-arrested-for-dealing-drugs-out-of-boy-scout-hut Some reports say he sold out of the scout council office, some reports say he sold out of Boy Scout Hut (shop?). I found no specifics as to his position in Scouting or any comments from Council or National spokespeople.

Not a scout activity, not a problem, life returns to normal - birthday parties, sleepovers, school projects, video gaming,...

The Cub that gave me the most trouble is now a policeman in my town. At den meetings, we passed a stick around and only the holder could speak. He hated that. Somehow I see him holding the stick and doing all the talking if and when I get pulled over.

I'm not sure I understand your question. They are not advancement pushers or helicopter parents. They are experienced and skillful in their respective professions and hobbies. Would they mind if their son worked on Woodworking/Gardening/whatever from someone else? No, but there is no doubt these parents would do a better job as they had in Cub Scouts and so this topic.

Plenty of bonding just not in scouting.

I would not "encourage" parents rather just inform them and their scouts. Leave it to the scout, if he is interested, to ask his parent to mentor a badge. Dad could we do Woodworking MB together? At the least, I think it will provide an easy, i.e. in their comfort zone, personal and tangible Me and My Dad/Mom memory from Boy Scouts. Maybe more will come from it. My $0.01

Torchwood: From http://www.scouting.org/BSAYouthProtection/Media_Center/KnowtheFacts.aspx Parents and youth are required to review Youth Protection materials as an advancement requirement. Every Cub Scout and Boy Scout handbook includes a separate pamphlet that helps parents speak to their children about youth protection issues. Parents and youth are required to review these materials together before the child can advance in Scouting. All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders. The BSA does not allow any secret organizations as part of its program nor does it condone physical hazing or initiations as part of any Scouting activity. Parents are encouraged to attend all Scouting activities. Our troop follows the above. Parents read and sign-off the YP foreword of their son's Scout Handbook. If they are not adult volunteers, they are not required to take the YP training course for our troop activities. Our troop activities are open for their observation. They can visit their scouts at summer camp, but if they want to stay overnight they must register as volunteers and hance would need YP. They understand the existing advancement method but they offered this suggestion which is the topic at hand. Selfish, unreasonable, misguided, innovative? I thought it was an interesting idea to discuss. Krampus: the BSA has contracted with LexisNexis. I think it is stated on the adult application. From the above link.: The BSA requires criminal background checks on all adult volunteers. The BSA grants membership to an adult volunteer only after a national criminal background check is performed. The background checks are administered by LexisNexis, a nationally respected third party that also provides this service to local, state, and federal governments; educational institutions; and other nonprofits.

Hedgehog: Our district EBOR committee nearly asks every scout, "Tell me about your MBC's. Who were they? Who was your favorite?... Their concerns with a scout who had his parent as MBC for more than 2 (their threshold number) Eagle MBC's: 1. the scout's troop might be an eagle mill for one or more scouts. 2. Lack of adult association in troop Sometimes a District person visits the troop or calls the SM as a follow-up. Is there any BSA rule broken? No. Does our district/council frown on this? Yes. Krampus: Well it is what it is here. In the scenario that these parents were requesting, a parent would complete a simple one page form and they were agreeable to adding a nominal administrative fee, say $5. New Thinking Council Parent One-Time Merit Badge Counselor Request Form Date: I, John J. J. Schmidt request to counsel my son Jacob and only my son in the following non-Eagle merit Badge: Woodworking My Experience/qualifications: Carpenter and General Contractor for 20 years. Owner of Schmidt Construction. I agree to following before signing my son's blue card. ( blah, blah, blah), Signed by parent, SM, and Council. DONE! Scout Jacob can now earn Woodworking MB with his Dad. No 524-501 BSA Adult Application. No registration $ No driver license or other sensitive ID information given to who knows who which may not be securely stored. No background check by state and council. No YP as he/she is the scout's parent for "crying out loud". No Essentials of MBC class Seemed an interesting idea to me.

All: Remember their viewpoint and expectations coming from Cub Scouts. They are seeing the same basic methods suddenly become more complicated. Add to that by this time, these parents have been exposed to other youth organizations - sports, church, schools (our competition) that are less complicated. Thanks for your feedback. hedgehog: Your son had you as his MBC for THREE Eagle required merit badges? That what be questioned at our district EBOR. perdidochos: Ok, you consider them selfish and unreasonable. Parents already read the YP in scout handbook with son and often see the YP course as redundant, and redoing YP every year even more so. From what I have seen in Boy Scouts, "pencilwhippers" become registered leaders from day one. These parents just asked why they could not counsel one, non-Eagle badge so they did not impress me as pencilwhippers. But maybe they were. The Adult Assocaition method is not required of a MBC, e.g., summer camp counselors . blw2: How successful have you been in registering talented MBC's from the outside (those who have no related boys in scouting)? scoutldr: Agreed, I have seen that happen in a previous troop. Four families ( 8 mom and dad MBC's) allied to offer 20+ mb's for their sons and friends in accelerated fashion. Neither SM nor Council blinked. I would like to see some constraints as to number of mb's and who placed upon MBC's. Some councils do. qwazse: Well, I listened to them. As said previously, their main issues were boy-run and fundraising. Their expectations were set long ago. This was just an addendum to those main issues, "And why can't we do one badge...we could all in Cubs." It seemed an interesting idea and who knows if I could have said yes, maybe I could have delayed their departure. Anyway I failed to change their expectations and decision, they left. I don't have firm data, but I think our troop's retention rate for scouts who were not Cubs is higher than for scouts who were Cubs, of course the vast majority recruited were Cubs. walk-in-the-woods: I tend to agree with you. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.