scoutldr

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!

OGO is correct. If you do not complete your Ordeal within one year of the date of election, you are no longer a "candidate" and must be re-elected. PS: Adults are not "elected"...they are nominated by their Troop committee based on what talents they can contribute to the Lodge, as an advisor, worker, driver, etc. Since units are restricted in how many adults can be nominated, if an adult has no intention of participating actively, in my opinion they should decline the nomination and let someone else serve.

My all-time favorite...Nut Culture. MB are usually "retired" due to lack of interest. I predict that "Composite Materials" will not be around long. It only exists because a trade association volunteered to donate the resources and expertise to get it going. I don't think there were a lot of 12 year olds sitting around the campfire saying "gee, I sure wish there was a merit badge for Composite Materials".

Ahhh, the backstory. Kids call each other "retarded" all the time. If I got wrapped around the axle for that, I'd have to quit...that's what kids do. And most of them handle it and move on. But what you describe is a pattern of disrespect and abuse that should not have been allowed to continue, much less been rewarded with an Eagle medal. I would have found a new troop long ago. What's holding you back?

I know it's hard to see one's hard work frittered away by our successors. I witnessed the same thing with the Cub Pack I started...from a high of 150 boys in 1987 down to 5 this year. They probably won't recharter in December. I am anticipating the same happening with the Troop we started, and still serve. We are down to 6 active scouts and they are all Life as of last month. No one is willing to take over the reins, all the new recruits either stay in-house (church-sponsored), or go to the big Eagle mill mega-troop down the road. We have no choice but to walk away from it and leave it in our CO's hands...which means it will fold. Too bad. But we (my fellow adults) realize that as we near retirement ourselves, we can't do it all forever. You have to turn it over, step away and not look back. My sons are now 29 and 25. I have served at the Unit and District level, as well as with the OA chapter. I wear over 35 years of service stars. How much is enough? You (we) did our part, now it's up to others to do theirs...for their own sons (and daughters). It will be their failure, not ours.

Is it only in the Air Force that non-coms are called "Sir"?

We don't always agree, but wish him well for us...speedy recovery.

This was not news to me...a few years ago, I found the IRS Form 990 for my Council. It's all a matter of public record and available on the Internet if you know where to look. I did find it interesting that our SE's Girl Scout counterpart gets by on about a third of what the SE makes, if the numbers are true. What is even more telling were the reader comments to the article; a glimpse of the backstory behind LDS Scouting. With all the disgruntled LDS Scouters out there, are we seeing the beginning of the end?

I work on a Naval installation. We are currently at "Force Protection Condition Alpha", meaning the lowest level of alert. All of what John says is true. If you are just visiting for a tour, it should be pretty painless. It is imperative that you make advance arrangements with the base POC, usually the Public Affairs Officer or Security Officer. A list of all vehicles, license numbers, and names and citizenship of all adults over 16. If they're not on the list, they won't get in. If you are planning to camp on base, expect a thorough inspection as John describes. If the FPCON increases for any reason, forget it...have a Plan B.

Actually not wearing the knots never occured to me prior to reading this forum. I just viewed them as part of the uniform, just like the CSP, unit numerals and Quality Unit patch. Same with service stars. If they weren't meant to be worn, BSA wouldn't sell them. If you had a scout show up at an Eagle BOR wearing a sash with only 5 or 6 merit badges on it, what would you say? That he's just being humble? Or that he's not wearing the uniform correctly? And as to the ultramaroon wearing unauthorized knots, he should have his membership revoked for being a fraud.

It must be a very recent change...the SB nomination form on the National web site still states: 3. Long-established policy limits the award of the Silver Beaver to adults 21 and older who are registered with the Boy Scouts of America as volunteer Scouters. Explorer leaders are eligible to be awarded the William H. Spurgeon III Award. 4. Nominations will not be considered for former professional Scouters or council employees within 5 years of their leaving employment with the BSA (i.e., any form of full-time or part-time employment such as secretary, ranger, or professionaltechnical position).

My wife says only she will decide if I ever get one or not. As far as I know, there is no "nominating committee". All nominations have to come "from the field"...or from one's peers. There is a "selection committee" who are supposed to decide only on the basis of what's submitted. Having sat on a selection committee, it's sad that many deserving Scouters never get nominated, or the quality of the nomination is poor because the nominator doesn't go to the trouble to document the nominee's accomplishments. Same is true of the Vigil Honor.