Scoutfish

Incidentally, asof last night, we ( offically) signed up 22 new scouts and 4 new leaders. There are maybe around 12 to 15 youth applications that are still out or that went to other packs.

I'm still learning my role and duties. I thought I knew what they were, but found out otherwise while also having a whole lot more respect for our past CubMaster. No, I didn't underestimate the role of the job, I just didn't realize what the real role was. it. six and a half years ago, the last CM, stepped up after the rest of the entire leadership crossed over with their sons. So right away, a DL became the ONLY member with any experience at all. She ended up becoming the CM, CC, treaserer, publicity chair and popcorn kernal. The current ACM actually did alot of the CM duties. No wonder she was burned out after 6 1/2 years ( 3 sons if you are doing the math). So, when I was asked to take over, I thought I would be doing all of that stuff too. You might have heard me mention that we have a real working and functioning committee now. They do their job too. The only issue is the standard issue of finding new people to take over as their sons cross out. So now I am working with the ACM to learn my "real" duties as a CM. Learning to be an EMCEE and ringmaster. Learning to do all the silly singing and dancing too. I am having fun! So last night was our New Scout Orientation Night, Used to be in the past, we'd just bring the new guys in during a regular pack meeting, but this year, we changed it up. We had our new scout orientation during our leader meeting timeslot, and just had our leaders meeting afterward. I opened up by holding up the scout sign,and then the Pledge of Allegiance....pretty much standard stuff. We didn't do colors as we didn't have any of our existing scouts there. We did this to keep the chaos down. So after the opening,I introduced myself, and all the leadership, plus all the committee. I spoke a few minutes to the boys, laughed and joked, sang a song or two and then the ACM took them to do crafts and play outside. At this point, I turned the meeting over to the CC. Then....blah , blah ,( finances, fund raising, dues breakdown, rules, etc..) blah.. and it was back to me . I talked about council camping, pack camping and what our intent was. Two things I did that really went well with the new parents: 1) I explained that I wasn't to far removed from being a new parent myself. I know how overwhelming it can all be after sitting in that first meeting. School has been back in for a little over a months and checkbooks are still nursing their wounds from school clothes, school supplies, school fees, any other activities, sports, school pictures, t shirts, school wanting to sell stuff. I then explained that as overbearing as it seemed right now, in a month or so, it will be just as routine and normal as walking, eating, sleeping. And I admitted that sometimes, I might be having more fun than my son! 2) I did the "Not Much Time Left" rope presentation that I read in here a few months ago. Sorry, I cannot remember who posted it or what forum it was under. But let me tell you, the parents loved it! I had two new scouts be my volunteers and talked as casually as I could while cutting away at the rope. We had a Q&A session which is the most important part since you can never ever think of every possible concern, question or fear. And I sealed the deal with a simple answer to a simple question: Q: What if I don't like this pack? A "Shop around. There are 3 packs within a 5 mile straight line down this highway, and another about 12 miles down the road on the beach. A pack is not much different than a gas station, grocery store or restaurant as there are many of them around, but you tend to find one you like better than others. It may be the ambiance, it may be the people, the location, or even the night they meet. But if you find you are more comfortable with and have better chemistry with any particular pack,then you are more likely to stay active in that pack, therefore your son gets more from the program......and that's what it's all about!" I didn't get a standing ovation , but I did get alot of applause! Long story short(er) There is less work than I originally though, but since I have to learn a bunch of songs and stuff...It's gonna be tougher in a way I didn't imagine! (This message has been edited by scoutfish)

Let's turn it around: Wouldn't you want to know? Wouldn't you like that call? That's your answer.

Still, an easy fix: Just add those 3 boxes: 1)COR signature 2)CC ( or designee) signature 3)SE ( or designee) signature I mean, it shouyldn't be like doing to DMV to do BSA a favor of letting them know you are taking on an extra voluntary position. You are helping BSA out by doing this. Just a shorter, simpler form that has the important basic info: Name, scout ID number and that somebody from the CO approves you holding that position. When I went from ADL to Cub Master, I filled out a second adult application( which was really no big deal at all)print out my training related to the position and YPT , and had to chase down the COR and CC on different days at different times, then drive 35 miles to the scout office. I handed it to our "person who really knows what going on" and watched her click the mouse on her computer 3 times and type a few letters. She loooked at meand said: "Congratulations, you are now CubMaster for pack 235!" No verification, no SE signature, didn't even look at my YPT and other training that was paper clipped to the back. NOIw, I'm cool with that. Just the fact that I made the effort probably showed her that what I had was corect and true. But at the same time, I wasted 4 pages of an adult aplication and wrote down a bunch of stuff that had no relavance to me becoming CM.(This message has been edited by scoutfish)

What should be done - for transfers or additional positions - is a half or 1/3rd size form. This would be the "Transfer/ Multi-Roll Form". It would be only available to those who are already in the system. Your name, current BSA ID number and primary or home position. Maybe your main position in BSA ...for example..if you are a SM who decides to help a pack out by being s DL or a committee member, your home position would be SM @ Troop # XXXX So you have: Your name, BSA ID number and home position/rank, and what you are going to apply for. Fill it out,sign it, turn it in and the Council Registrar or "Scout oOffice Person In Charge Of Doing This Stuff" simply goes into your file and can add the info while simultaneously verifying that your YPT is current and valid. This would save the applicant time, save the council a BUNCH of paper and take only 1 additional minute for the registrar who is going to be putting this into the system anyways. Maybe a minute and a half tops! (This message has been edited by scoutfish)

Since i have had no interaction with this mom, and since I do not know her personaly or even publicly..I am basing my opinion on your post alone. And we know the deal with opinions.... So with that, let me continue with my concerns about mom: "She was understandably upset, thought that Council action should have waited pending DCF's investigation. I clarified BSA's position on that. She said she'd been planning to resign anyway since she's going back to school." She is almost dictating how BSA should respond and in a way that suits her. She also has that "you can't fire me..I quit!" one upmanship attitude about her. It's like her "planning" on resigning trumps BSA's decision and therefore, it's like BSA didn't do anything...in her mind. " (She is the parent who "wears the pants" in the family, is quite outspoken and direct, and not very subtle in my opinion.) So mom is usd to making the decisions and is used to getting what she wants? "She was concerned that her removal by Council may affect her son's ability to achieve Eagle. " Kinda self centered and self important. She should be of the mindset that nothing about her matters at her son's EBOR This EBOR is about him, not her or what she's doing, what role she serves, who she is friends with, her stle of clothes, etc... "At a recent Court of Honor, the scout's step-dad (with whom he also lives and whom I respect), tried to let me know that he hopes that "this summer's incident" is brought up at the lad's EBOR." Why again? " His reasoning is that no action is without its consequence, and the lad needs to learn that now, rather than later." So, somebody ought to teach the boy not to say he is being abused if he ( even if wrongly ) thinks so? Again, I won't say wether he was/is or wasn't/isn't being abused by mom and possibly dad. I have no idea. But I smell bad apples here. Something isn't right.

Not being in Boy Scouts, not having experience in Boy Scouts, or EBOR's..My concern, or rather, interest is in this little point: "Mom is NOT wanting to "even the score". She is concerned that the incident could have a negative impact on the EBOR members. She WANTS him to get Eagle, and has been pushing him hard (maybe too hard). The stepdad did not say he wants Eagle denied - only that it should be a topic for discussion." Mom is concerened about the potential impact of having this information could have on the EBOR.....so she decides the best plan of actions is to make sure know? Dad doesn't want the Eagle to get denied, so lets bring up ..what basically is a private and/or legal matter now( at least as far as EBOR procedings should be concerend) and talk about it at an event that has no bearing or relation to the incident. Sounds like ..to me - that is...that mom and dad are (wink, wink) trying to be real hush hush about anything that could make Jr look bad. They do not want to tarnish anything concerning Jr's image. Ooops! ( wink wink again) looks like somebody let the cat out of the bag. Oh well, maybe if certain younger aged people - not that we are naming names - should be more discrete about who they may embarass in the future. And after all, this is what it's all about: an embarrassing incident concerning mom, and her status in society! Now, I have no proof whatsoever that this is what is happening. But you know, I cab't prove I am a real live being right now either!

reverent/ˈrev(ə)rənt/ Adjective: Feeling or showing deep and solemn respect: "a reverent silence". Funny, it doesn't say that it's limited to any one certain sexual persuasion. Doesn't say that it's limited to, directed only to or at any one particular god of any particular religion. It does not say that it is a religious thought or feeling. Truth be told, I PERSONALLY know athiest people who abide by the ten commandmenst and follow a more morally straight path than many self procliamed "saved and heaven bound Christians". These people may not believe ina god at all or just not by your definition, but they do the right thing, teat people with the respect due the person and not just what they personally think. Thing is, as a "Christain" , you are bound by God and bible to not judge others. You are also bound to love one another, And to do unto others as you would do unto yourself. So far, all you have done is call them defective, bash their ability to be reverent because it does not fit YOUR PERSONAL definition... and You blame them for problems with in the relationships of what you consider "normal" families. So onevoice...what part of REVERENT are you practicing and living? Because....."....you're entitled to your opinion, but do you seriously believe that is what was meant by reverent when the scout law was written?" Well, do you?

Last but not least... ID10T- also known as ID10T Error: When a committee has to hold more than 3 meetings to handle something!

Funny, the one I notice the most, and is not listed... POR: Position of responcibility

Well Basement....wemust just be dull! WE pretty much just get together, eat and have a "Parent Son Cookoff". Basically, it's a desert contest. Some of the kids bring their den leaders gifts, but it's not pushed, mentioned, oe shied from either. If the scout of ghis parents want to, that fine, but that sums it up. A few of the adult leaders may exchange gifts with each other, but again, nothing organized.

So far, between 3 school roundups, we added 28 kids, passed out an additional 17 youth applications to those who could not stay due to previous obligations and around another 12 or so at our pack meeting. Handed out 8 Adult applications with 4 already turned back in with YP certificates. Waiting until our New Scout Orientation meeting this monday to get a tally on what we end up with. And though it's not conclusive yet, slightly over half the applicatione we have so far are for Tiger Cubs.

EWell, my point was that I'd try to get the boy to just have fun with it. Matter of fact, you could even tell him he is lucky as he doesn't have any pressure to "complete" the rank. He can just have the fun until he crosses over at the end of the year or just moves up next year. But you know how it is, We say one thing based on the here and now, but in a few months, the boy's attitude and participation may bring the DL to seeing if the boy wants to double up and try to get all the AB's and AoL in.

"My W2DL has told me (CM) that he does NOT wish to do any backtracking to accomodate these boys but will welcome them into the Den. " As I see it, he is correct and choosing the best thing to do. The thing is, the boy does not have to have a list of completed items to be a Boy Scout. He does need to have wrked his way through Webelos, and Arrow of Light to get in the Boy Scouts EARLIER, than usual. Know what I mean? he could drop out, and then join a troop next year if he wanted. so where dores tnat leave us: Let the boy join in with the other W II's and work along side them in whatebver they are doing. He will have fun and enjoy it. He will still get to do troop/webelos joint camping ( or whatever you call it) he can still hang out with his den. Who knows, maybe the DL might even decide to work with the boy on doing extra activity badges and possibly bet that AoL award. "-Put them in Webelos I Den. They will be with younger boys, but will get the whole "deal". This will be pending approval from Scout, parent, and WIDL." This will probably make him feel like he's standing out like the "sore thumb". Might even cause him embarassment.

Well, somewhere on a thread in ..I can't remember which forum.......I admitted to using some weed way, way, way back when I was 18. In a few comments upward of this one, I said I knew people who used cocaine, but never said or implied that I used it myself. Oh, I guess the Ritalin, Prilocet, Coumadin, and Viagra users are the self describied drug abusers. The shame of it all.

NJ, You can bet your ass...ets I'd be damn proud of that story!

Sooooooo, A person who takes on a religious vow of celebacy? Anybody who uses birth control? A male who has a vasectamy? Couples who choose not to have kids?

> OneVoice...You are missing my point. Why trust the media at all. They post numbers and results that get the most attention of their percieved market. You might have noticed that I said ythat all the number could also be lower than stated. I do not define right or wrong by any body elses opinions or by polls. I define it by my own moralistic feelings. But by the tone of your post, you jumped on the numbers that supoported your beliefs instead of ...even for one second...considering that: 1) In the area polled by the NYT, those numbers may indeed be correct. Might be the poll was taken in Greenwhich Village or a similar neighboring area. 2)The numbers you want to be true , may themselves be over ( or in this case) under stated.

Simulated snowballs? I hope you have a simulated safety class beforehand. And also since simulated snowballs are actually simulated frozen water...hold both SSD and Safety Afloat training for all involved! !

Nah Packsaddle, I don't think it up to the government to do anything, but as a Cub Scout Leader and possibly being a Boy Scout leader ( read mentor) I do believe that we should mentor the boys on someything as stupid as drugging themselves in an absurdly way for even the dumbest of wrong reasons. Why? Because as scout leadership and as youth mentors, that's what we are supposed to do. Oh, I don't know...wait til they try to irrationally and stupidly justify other medications or even try big time illegal stuff such as cocaine because: "It will make me sharper on that next high adventure outing". Why would they think that? Maybe because they are "a medicated stupid person".

I don't see ANY ads at all. I have Windows IE-8 and I use F-Secure security. No notices, warnings or nothing. Trust me, F-Secure will give warnings on it's own stuff sometimes. Very strict. I do see "commercial Links" if I scroll to the very bottom of the page, but you have to click on them.

Well,I had to look since everybody's talking about it, And here's what I think: From my 39 year old perspective...It's pretty dumb, lame and boring.I don't "get it". But I can say the same for "Silly Bands" , Camp Rock, Suite Life On Deck, Any of the Pokemon, Bakugan, or other anime type games/toys/shows. 4 years ago, I wouldn't have been caught singing some of the songs, and dancing some of the dances I do now at pack and den meetings. I wouldn't have taken the time to watch or be in some of the skits that happen at campouts. But ask a 9 year old and - well, they are just freaking awesome! Click to drag the patch to the correct spot on the uniform. Hey, why not? As many patches as I have seen that were wrongly placed ..why not have a site than can show where they belong? Again, from my 39 year old perspectrive ..pointlessand a waste of time. But a 7 through 11 year old perspective might think it's cool. As long as the scouts get something or anything out of it..Then I'm good with it!

There's a third side here too: Those who think it will make them overnight scholars. Now, I'm not saying there are any facts, or supporting studies, to prove those ideas..but you know how it is: Some peoplethink a speeding ticket is automatically void if a trooper or cop isn't waering a hat. They think that if somebody steps 1" on your property without permission, they are justified in plowing the person down with a .50 cal machine gun. Know what I mean? Some people I knew in school( knew, not friends or hang around pals) would swear how coke ( not the soda either) made you think more clearly. My best friend during my teenage years swore to no end that women COULD NOT get pregnant the first time they had sex with any individual. Not just their very first time, but if the had a new pertner each night, and it was the first time with that partner each night..they COULD NOT get pregnant. So how about those who think taking the drugs somehow makes them smarter instantly? That is your problem group. A scout sneaks some of his brothers mneds and takes one 5 minutes before the EBOR or something similar. Sure, it doesn't do anything for him,at least, not in the way he thinks anyways, but he just might swear that it did.

"and a separate question about whether they think it "should". I wasn't directly asking whether they personally support gay marriage, ie it was partially a question of what they have been lead to believe constitutional rights should be." Pretty much the same thing in this particular case. You can pretty much assume that if those who were polled were steadfastly against gay marrage - they would probably not say it should be a right...constitutional or other wise. "Actually, the NYT lies and spins the news the way they want quite often. A CBS poll 8/24/2010 said 40% supported gay marriage, Gallup poll says 44%, FOX poll says 37%, ABC says 47%, " And those media outlets never spin anything? EVER? GRanted, all media will tweak, dressup and "adjust" info in order get people interested. The actulal number may be higher. They could be lower. Also depends on where you go right down to the difference between one neighborhood to the next.

Calico...can you give us an address for that officail Organazation? I want to send them a part of the sweepsstakes I won from Publisher's Clearing House. They even used an offical United States Government employee to deliver it to my house in an offical government owned vehicle!