scoutldr

Still happening...

It's baaaacccckkkkkkk!

Not shooting the messenger, Beav, but this is another of my pet peeves. If there's "guidance somewhere" how is the Scout and the SM supposed to know about it? If it's not a published requirement, then it's just "guidance". In my line of work, which involves a good deal of regulatory compliance, I can't tell people, "well, there's guidance somewhere that says it's a good idea, so that's why you have to do it." I would be told in very clear terms what to do with my "guidance".

To clear up any misconceptions, the ACTUAL requirement on the Eagle application states: "Requirement 2. Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your daily life. List the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf." Note...there is nothing in there about a letter or personal statement...the space for name and address merely says "Religious"...not "Religious Leader" or "Pastor/Priest/Rabbi". It could be a neighbor, or a sister, or a parent, or his best friend. But as long as the candidate puts a name in the slot, the requirement has been met. Questions about "demonstrating" can be satisfied at the EBOR. IMHO, Councils which are REQUIRING letters are adding to the requirements, and getting away with it. Letters are nice, but not required.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Good analysis, Avid.

"Its also worth noting that you and your scouts are MEMBERS of your council - its not just the professional staff, or the "super-scouters" on all the high-falootin' committees!" I may be wrong, but I don't think this is correct. Scouts and unit scouters are members of their Unit, which is "owned" by the Chartering Organization. THe Council is an independent not for profit corporation. The only "members" of the Council are the members of the Executive Board (which includes the CORs) who hire the Council "CEO", the SCout Executive. He/She in turn hires the rest of the professional staff and office employees. We are "customers" of the Council, not members. If you were a member, you would have a vote. That's why most councils run roughshod over the volunteers...the ones with the power to vote (CORs), don't bother to participate. (Sound familiar?)

OGE, we don't use words like "Butkus" on this forum. That should be "Buttockskus"...

Still getting it...

Starting this morning, I'm getting a popup saying "This website wants to run the following add-on:"Microsoft Data Access - Remote Data Services Dat..." from "Microsoft Corporation". If you trust this website and the add-on and want to allow it to run, click here..." Anyone else getting this and what does it mean???

COH only.

To get an idea of what a troop meeting should look like, take a look at the Program insert in Scouting magazine. I know SMs get it, maybe ASMs too. As a CC, I don't get it. But there are sample troop meeting agendas based on monthly themes.

None that I know of. I once saw someone I know register as a new member, but he's never posted.

Always 2 nights. It's not worth it to pack all that gear and set up for only 1 night. We meet at the church at 5 pm Friday, on the road by 5:30. Yeah in the winter, we set up in the dark...but that's part of the fun, eh? No big deal. Then we have a campfire and roast hot dogs and brats, in addition to the bag dinner that everyone is asked to bring (or eat before you leave). I usually take a half day off on Friday so I can pack and get there on time. Sunday morning, we cook a good breakfast, strike camp and home by noon.

We already have that. That's why "Issues and Politics" was created. Which, you will notice, seems to be the most popular. This forum reminds me of the old country store or barber shop where the good ole' boys would gather 'round and cuss and discuss anything and everything. Arguing for arguing's sake. Nobody wins, nobody loses, but ain't it fun?

I think philosophies have changed over the years (even if your long-term scouters haven't). I think the preferred practice now is that the rank patch is presented immediately following the BOR (same night). The COH is where he gets the formal recognition, card and parent's pin. Instant recognition...

One thing I never really thought about, but realized during our recent lake vacation, is that two GPS units are not necessarily calibrated to each other. We were renting a house on the lake, and a visitor launched his boat about 5 miles away. To find our location by water, I gave him my exact coordinates, which he then tried to navigate using his GPS. It got him to within about a quarter of a mile, when he called by cell phone and said "I'm right on the coordinates, where are you?" Due to the numerous coves and tree lined shore, line of sight was not possible. He eventually found us, but it wasn't as cut and dried as I expected.

I should know better than to try to quote uniform regulations, but I'll try again... Service stars are awarded for each year of registered membership in the BSA. The plastic backings indicate the program...yellow for Cubs, Green for Boy Scouts, Blue for adults, etc. You wear only ONE star of each color (with the appropriate number on them), until you get into the 20's and 30's, then you can wear, as I do, a 30 and a 2 to indicate 32 years of membership. Adults may combine all their years of membership into a blue star, or they may wear stars of each color, as appropriate. Sometimes, I will wear a yellow, green, red (Explorers) and blue to signify that I went through those programs. Another pet peeve of mine is when I see someone wearing three yellow or green or blue stars...when they get a new one, they just add it to the one already there. That's not really correct, because the stars are additive.

As a scout, I wore the approved uniform (CS, BS, Exp) without fail. As an adult Cub Scouter, i wore the shirt with blue jeans, which was the Pack custom. As a Boy Scouter, I continued to wear the shirt and blue jeans for field wear, and the official pants for "formal" wear. When I went on District Committee (Training), I wore nothing but the complete, approved field uniform, to set a good example. Now, as a mere unit scouter again, I usually attend troop meetings in my civilian clothes, since I usually go straight from work. When I do wear a uniform, it is correct and complete. I don't wear any insignia or patches that are not approved and I did not earn. One thing to consider...in B-P's time things were different. Often, the Scout uniform was the best clothes a boy had and he was proud to be able to wear clothes that were clean, untattered and unpatched. It was even cooler to look just like an Army soldier. As my Dad used to say when I asked him why he always got up at 5 am when he didn't have to, "because when I was a kid, the first one up got to wear the shoes to school!" (he was one of 5 kids) Nowadays, most boys get whatever they want, so if they have a choice, it won't be a dorky scout uniform.

Well, what can I say...sorry for the bum scoop. Perhaps I am recalling past insignia guides...or perhaps I made it up. My sincere apologies to those who I besmirched. 30 Lashes with a wet woggle for me.

At least they acknowledged the RSVP. That's more manners than most people have these days...

Looks like the Uniform Police haven't caught up with our Council Professional staff yet...they are wearing Southern Region patches on the right sleeve. On Lisa's original question, please refer to the Insignia Guide. Some of the responses above are not quite correct (i.e., wrong!) Position 1 is the CSP (touching the shoulder seam). Position 2 is EITHER unit numerals OR district/council position patch, not both (touches the bottom of the CSP) Position 3 is the unit position patch (touches the bottom of the unit numerals). The TRAINED strip touches the bottom of the position patch regardless of whether it's in Position 2 or 3. On the right sleeve for adults, only the Flag and the Quality Unit/District/Council patches (current year only)(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

OGE, I'm in your backyard! Took my bride to see Leon Redbone at the Roxy Theater in Northampton Thursday night. Combined the trip to see my octogenarian aunts and uncles in Easton/Bethlehem. As we were exiting the theater, we saw a crowd in back of the theater where the parking lot is...and Leon was there mixing with the crowd...he was gracious and signed an autographed and took a picture with us. Listening to Musikfest on the TV live as I type this in my hotel room...

I see no reason to inform those with whom he was not directly involved. This might be a good time, however to discuss the disease of depression as part of Personal Fitness.

Used to be even worse when Family Night was on Wednesday...we had a heck of a time getting them to stay the rest of the week...they didn't care that they wouldn't get their merit badges or OA qualification for a long-term camp. Now it's Friday and most scouts leave with their parents after the campfire (or sooner if they don't want to stay). Saturday morning is just continental breakfast, camp inspection and leave. We make sure that all tents are inspected by the SPL before they leave, the latrine is cleaned, and all we have to do Sat morning is pack our own gear and leave. It's easier than fighting the fight, since there's really no good reason for them to stay. Camp is 90 minutes from home, so transportation is usually not an issue. As you all know, we went to a new camp this year for the first time. The camp staff actually told us that their responsibility for the scouts ended at 5 pm Friday night. Whether they left camp or not was up to the SM and the staff didn't care and didn't want to know.

Around here, Camporees are the responsibility of the District Program Committee. Dates are set...April and October...every year (avoiding Easter Sunday). Other set dates on the Council calendar are OA Ordeals (3), Fall Fellowship, Conclave, Freezoree/Klondike, Beaver Days (camp work weekends), Summer Camp, Scouting for Food, etc. Units plan their calendars around those dates. The District Program Chair recruits a Campmaster at least a year in advance, who then decides the theme and location, recruiting other adults and youth to help as needed. Venture crews and the OA are usually in prime support roles. Troops can volunteer to be the "service troop", responsible for feeding the staff, crackerbarrels, parking control, etc. Average attendance is ~400. (Used to be 1,000+ before we split into 3 districts). There's a lot to be done, often beyond the capability of a single unit...patches and awards need designing and ordering, events planned, campfires planned, locations secured, porta-johns ordered, etc. Recently, we have tried alternate activities to the traditional Camporee, but there is a District-wide activity on that weekend.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)