scoutldr

I need to remove that little purple patch anyway...need to make room for more square knots. I can't afford to go to World Jamborees anyway.

From what I have been able to glean, the WOSM is apparently spending millions on a new "World Scout Center" in Geneva, complete with hotel and conference center. The BSA found out about this and feels that our millions of dollars could be better used elsewhere, like for supporting Scouting in third world countries, but this decision was made unilaterally and without much discussion. Therefore the BSA is witholding our significant contribution to WOSM until changes are made in the leadership and governance policies to make them more transparent and participatory. Again, just my perception of what I read.

Welcome to our forum, helper2. It would be helpful if you told us a little about yourself, so we know in what context to take your comments. I don't know about other countries, but the BSA is a private corporation. It never pretends to be a "democracy", any more than companies like General Motors or Microsoft. As volunteers, we are "customers" of the corporation, not really "members" as we are labeled, with a voice in the corporate decision-making. Our only real power as individuals with BSA is to quit supporting it with our dollars and time.

Must be a lot of people on pain meds on this forum! :-)

"Asma noted that her mother had asked whether she was joining some Christian cabal. She was afraid that if we hang out with Americans too much, the young immigrant said, it will change our culture or who we are." I'm confused...if you don't want your kids to "hang out with Americans", then why the heck are you in this country? Sheesh.

"I've asked many times to have a fundraiser specifically for uniforms, but the CM doesn't feel that's important. Do I have to have his permission?" The decision to have a fundraiser is up to the Pack Committee, not the CM. It must also be approved by the COR and the Council. You could contact your Pack Committee Chair and volunteer to organize the fundraiser. The CM really doesn't get a "vote" in this. (I realize this is the "book" answer...it sounds like your Pack leadership is in desperate need of training, to learn the "BSA" way of doing things. This is where your Unit Commissioner should be helping out and "mentoring" in a friendly sort of way. As a DL, you really don't have much power, other than to volunteer to help do things the "right" way.)

The main thing that bothers me in your post is the statement "he agreed to stop hitting the boys"... Thank God you got him to agree. Corporal punishment has no place in Scouting...even in Mississippi...even if the parents give their "permission"...even if the public schools "allow" it. There is zero tolerance for child abuse and hazing in the BSA. I assume all of your leaders have taken the required Youth Protection training? It's available free on-line.

I thought to devolve was what one did when one arrives at their destination in their Volvo.

Right you are, OGE...the 70s are just a blur now....sorry, George.

And a partial score...New York - 7. From my mariner friends:"Now here this...stand by to stand by. There will be no Beano." Weather for tonight...widely scattered dark. (With apologies to Steve Martin as the Hippy Dippy Weatherman)

Nothing wrong with asking a Scout to tie a bowline. Just don't do it during the BOR.

I was one who left a troop and went to an Explorer Post as a 14 year old. This was c1969. The Post was sponsored by a Vol Fire Dept and Rescue Squad, and I was "recruited" by high school friends who were members. Since I was already Life, my Post advisor encouraged me to complete my Eagle, and I am grateful that he did. It was not part of the Post program, however. I did it on my own, without it being "programmed" for me, (which is not unlike how Boy Scouts should be doing it). I did a novel thing...I read the requirements and then proceeded to complete them. There was a small COH, with a cake, I think...certainly not on the scale that I see today. THe guest speaker was the Chief of the VFD and the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFD provided the cake and punch. This has got me to thinking...I think I'll sew on my original Eagle square knot...the one with the dark green background.

I didn't mean to imply that he MUST remain dual registration...just my opinion that if he does remain dual registered, the BS advancement should continue under the auspices of the troop, and he would work on Venturing awards under the crew. That's probably not written anywhere...JMHO.

Some of the Venturing scouters here may correct me, but I think the intent is that a scout be First Class before he joins the crew, and then he can continue the path to Eagle. If he maintains his troop membership, then rank advancement BORs should be under the troop...something his sister can't do. If she maintains membership in a GS troop, she can continue working on her Gold Award under the GS troop. So, under your example, I think the program is fair as designed.

Update...a year later: http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=137450&ran=12738&tref=po

Usually, only lodge members in good standing (ie, current dues paid) can wear the flap. One can only belong to the Lodge serving the Council of their current registration.

My take: service should be done because it's the right thing to do (not to mention the Scout Oath)...not something to be done only in exchange for a reward. I guess I am evil...so be it.

Our troop charges the annual recharter fee, plus $1 a week. We have two fundraisers, popcorn (which is minimal) and Christmas wreaths. 50% goes into scout accounts and they can use that for camp fees, or the parents write a check. The idea of fundraising is to reinforce B-Ps idea that a Scout should earn his own way. Having mommy stroke a check is a cop-out and defeats the purpose. If Scout wants to stroke a check from his own funds (job, birthday money, etc) that's ok. IMHO, if the fundraisers and Scout's contributions don't fund an activity, then the activity shouldn't happen. The BOYS didn't work hard enough for it. The plan for all this is the annual Unit Budget Plan, which the PLC should have a hand in developing. Life is hard for those who don't work and plan. A lesson which we should be teaching them.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't a troop committee hold a BOR for any reason (or no reason)...not just advancement? I do find it strange that they were willing to sign the original (incorrect) form, but then changed their minds. What happened in between? I had the same thoughts about the scout staying home to "help clean" while little brother has to take care of getting the form signed. To me that sends a clear message that the scout is not really interested.

I think it's expensive, too, Joni. Eamonn was a Course Director, so maybe he has first hand facts. I know that some courses include a lot of extra "doo dads" like T-shirts, caps, notebooks, etc that IMHO are unnecessary "fluff" and should be optional. There are some materials that are copyrighted and they have to pay a royalty fee, so that cost is passed on as well. As you state, there are "hidden" costs, such as extra uniforms, time off from work, child care, transportation, etc., that will vary for each participant. To answer some of your other questions, ANY scouter who has completed basic training for their registered position (i.e., can wear the "TRAINED" strip) is "eligible" for WB. The course is taught by all volunteer Scouters from your Council.

Good Luck! I always found it a lot easier to sell 30 $1 candy bars than one $30 tin of popcorn.

I think it would be really cool to incorporate it into a hand-whittled wood or leather neckerchief slide! Just a thought ... that would be "legal"...

Ok, I'll start...BSA Lifeguard...available on eBay...advertised as "not official".

The "book answer" to the original question is "no". It is for civilian wear only, as are the other "parent's pins" for rank. I often see scouters wearing little wolf pins or second class pins representing their sons' ranks. That's not "according to Hoyle" as us old folks say.

I sit frequently on Eagle Boards of Review as the District representative. Quite frankly, when a scout enters the EBOR room, and he is either within spitting distance of age 18, or already over age 18, it's too late to be deciding if he performed or not. The SM is the one who certifies that the requirement was met on the Eagle application. If there is a troop culture of "wear the patch, sign it off", without requiring the scout to actually DO anything, then the troop committee needs to address that during earlier BOR, when there is time to correct it. But to string a scout along for years and then have a "District guy" (me) come in and demand a higher standard is not fair to the scout. These are matters of troop leadership that is the realm of the Troop Committee, SM and Unit Commissioner. Yes, I have signed off on EBOR where the scout didn't have a clue what his POR meant. But then is not the time to raise the BS flag. Scoutmasters, start doing your jobs!