scoutldr

I'd be more inclined to give the 11 yo a second chance after appropriate counseling. An adult that can't control his anger in front of the Scouts needs to be gone.

One adult threatening bodily harm against another in a Scout setting, I believe IS a YP issue. Let Council deal with him. Sounds like there were plenty of witnesses.

Unfortunately, it is the new morality, which is "I got mine, the hell with the rules". I saw it when BSA started admitting girls, and Cubs were the "trial run", with supposedly separate-sex dens. Then supposedly separate-sex troops. I heard more than one "leader" on here and on FB admit that they had gone fully co-ed, because "that's what works best for us", while maintaining the charade on paper. I "retired" from Scouting in 2018 after having been a continuous member of the same Council since 1963 (Eagle 1970) as a Cub, Boy Scout, OA, Explorer, and adult leader in nearly all positions including District and Council Committees. When I let them know I would not be re-registering, the response was "ok, thanks" and thus it ended. I do not regret leaving as I feel the BSA has lost its way, as evidenced by the plummeting membership numbers.

You should introduce them to Boris Badinov and Natasha.

I dunno, but in my career as a Federal manager, we were always taught that if we "suffer (require) OR permit" an employee to do work for the employer, it falls within the scope of employment and they must be compensated, according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. This was highlighted during furloughs or shutdowns when we had dedicated employees volunteer to keep coming to work to be able to "keep up" and in, some cases, the workplace was their life and they had few other options. So, by that standard anything the Professional does related to Scouting could be considered within the scope of their job, even if it's volunteering in their own kid's unit. I don't see anything wrong with that, just that it would seem to violate the terms of the SB award.

Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Discontinuance | Scouting America

One of our most popular activities was the annual Pumpkin Chunkin with homemade trebuchets. Apparently hurling 10 pound orange projectiles 100 yards was too much for the lawyers.

I would be interested in where the funds go and for what purpose? How is this different from FOS or the James E. West fellowship? Do I get another square knot? Or knot?

Induction of adults into the OA was never intended to be an "honor"...it was to fulfill the need for adult supervision and advisors to the youth. As such, they are not "elected", but "selected". I agree with the elimination of the camping requirement.

Nothing wrong with that.

No, but nothing would surprise me in this new generation of "wokeness". Adult leaders serve at the appointment and pleasure of the Chartered Organization. The Committee can recommend potential candidates. The PLC can voice their opinions, I suppose. But election? Nope.

What is your role in the troop? A SM Conference can be held at any time.

I hate the trend toward Merit Badge Universities, Virtual "classes" (you don't even have to be in the same Council or State), and working on MB during troop meetings with a MBC registered "for Troop XX only". I am old enough to remember when the training I took (and later taught) that the Merit Badge program was designed to not only stir interests in subjects that may result in advanced skills, but an introduction to lifelong hobbies and vocations. The "Merit Badge Counselor" concept was to encourage the Scout to a) take initiative to choose a badge to work on, after consulting with his SM, b) take initiative to reach out to a counselor that he probably didn't know who was a recognized "expert" by vocation or avocation, and c) to work on the badge with the counselor's guidance independent of troop activities. AKA, the "adult association" method of Scouting. Now, none of that happens. Scouts are told to show up at the MBU, or Troop meeting and in some cases TOLD what badge they are going to work on, which in some cases means just sitting there through the "lecture" as a group. Sure, some MB are suited to be incorporated into the Troop Outdoor program, such as Camping, Cooking, Orienteering, Hiking, etc, and should be a byproduct of the program, not the purpose of it. Scouts get enough of "classroom" with an adult lecturing at them. Scouting is not school. I agree with the opinion that Scouting has been watered down to the point of being ludicrous. For us, back in the day, it was a way of life, not just an "extracurricular" to list on the college application.

That's the risk of pouring millions into improvements of a property you don't own.

Since that is a primary responsibility of the job, perhaps they are not the right person.

Section 6: Rules around the number of local council members, the composition of members, the size of the local council board, and the composition of the board were eliminated. The new proposed Local Council Bylaws Template gives local councils flexibility to structure their own governance according to their needs. Of note, in order to allow local councils more flexibility in determining the appropriate number of members and in selecting their members, chartered organizations will no longer be automatic voting members of the local councils. Local councils can continue to elect chartered organization representatives as voting members if desired. Source: Facebook post by J. D. Urbach in "Talk About Scouting!"

The values of the DoD and woke Scouting no longer align. Predictable.

I get the impression that a troop is for ALL ages.

I was an Explorer for 4 years and wore the square knot with dark green background. The pocket had the patch shown in my profile pic to the left. I earned Eagle as an Explorer, so never wore the oval rank patch...which was OK with me.

A primary purpose of the BOR was to get a chance for Committee Members (who were less integrated in troop activities back then) to get to know the Scouts and have a conversation about their experience....feedback on how the troop program was meeting their needs. Also it was a chance for encouragement and goal setting for the next steps.

Absolutely. They can (and should) be held whenever and wherever is convenient for those involved.

We never had a set schedule for BOR. They were scheduled as needed. A BOR for T, 1,2 should never last more than 15-20 minutes. They can easily be done before or after a regular meeting if necessary. We have even done them on a Sunday afternoon to accommodate a Scout.

I just realized a pet peeve....people who disagree with and are obviously unhappy with the organization, yet continue to voluntarily sigh up for it.

I do it not just to congratulate the Scout, but to let them know they are joining a Brotherhood (Sisterhood) of Eagles who are welcoming him/her to the fold. Many went before you and we are glad you are joining us to continue living by the Scout Oath and Law. Eagle Scout, Class of 1970.

I could write a book of pet peeves...