scoutldr

"It's the district's responsibility to put together the board." Maybe in your council. In my council, the unit CC schedules the boards, then asks for a District rep to be present. The district advancement chair has a pool of people to call, and he sees who's available for that night. "I don't know who to believe anymore.................. " EBOR is one of those procedures that vary among Councils and maybe even among districts and units. If you are confused, ask your District Advancement Chair what the process is for your District. He is your definitive resource...not us.

Eagle Courts of Honor are usually planned by the Scouts and their parents, with troop assistance if requested. PS: Congratulations!(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

I'll admit, Gonz, I have heard of the Hawthorne Effect, but had to go to Wiki to refresh my memory. I think this one fits: Study 1d: This was conducted on two women only. Their production stayed constant under widely varying light levels. It was found that if the experimenter said bright was good, they said they preferred the light; the brighter they believed it to be, the more they liked it. The same was true when he said dimmer was good. If they were deceived about a change, they said they preferred it. Researchers concluded that their preference on lighting level was completely subjective - if they were told it was good, they believed it was good and preferred it, and vice versa.

In all the EBORs that I've sat as the District Rep, I can't remember a single time when we "interviewed" the SM. That would be highly unusual. The SM escorts the candidate into the room and introduces him to the board. Then the SM either leaves the room, or sits quietly in the corner...at the Scout's discretion.

I should have said, in answer to Hops' original question...the stated purpose of the BSA Lifefguard program is to train unit Scouts and Scouters to conduct their own unit level aquatics activities safely (in accordance with the G2SS, Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat). That's it in a nutshell.

With all due respect to those who work hard to put on a course, here at work over the past 20 years, I've suffered through Peters, Deming, Blanchard, Covey, Theory X, Theory Y, Kaizen, Cheese, and now "Lean Six Sigma", but they pay ME to do it. I don't see how it has affected our product one iota (since we're not a manufacturing company). Enough already. I suspect many of my middle manager/Scouter buds feel the same way.

I think the standards are fine...if enforced and taught properly. (I am a BSA Lifeguard Counsellor). Regarding the BSA/ARC agreement, see http://www.redcross-pdx.org/services/badge_day/BSA_National_AP_Agreement.pdf

In my case, the cost is off-putting. Units around here are on the small size and do not pay for WB, to my knowledge. So, just having spent over $1000 and a week of vacation time for the annual family "vacation", next week back at work and then another week of vacation time and $500 (camp fees, gas, and annual old codger physical) for summer camp. A third week off and $250 for WB just ain't in the cards.

There is a reciprocity agreement between the ARC and BSA. Check with your local Red Cross Water Safety Programs office. One of our DEs was working on the local agreement when he got transferred, and I don't know what the status is.

This deserves a bump...finally I feel validated, as I have been observing and thinking the same things for years, as I deal with scouts, parents, and co-workers who are "helicopter parents". We are creating a society of narcissistic morons who can't do anything for themselves.

Scouting is a way of life. "Be Prepared" "On my honor, I will do my best" "to help other people at all times" "Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, etc" And I can survive in the wilderness, swim, paddle, ride, hike, climb, make a compass or use a GPS, teach, cook, sew, launder, clean, change diapers, read, write, speak publicly, perform first aid, change my own oil, work hard, play hard, and be honest in all things. Everything I have, I worked for and paid for myself. I've not taken a dime of charity or govt handouts. Nearly 100% of this I learned from Scouting (maybe not the diaper part!). Scouting provides the tools to make a productive, responsible adult. And I raised two sons the same way to pay it forward. It's one thing to go to meetings, do what you're told and receive badges. It's what you do the other 95% of your time that counts.

From the NOAA National Weather Service: An Approaching Thunderstorm: When to Seek Safe Shelter: Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from area where it is raining. That's about the distance you can hear thunder. If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance. Seek safe shelter immediately. Outdoor Activities: Minimize the Risk of Being Struck: Most lightning deaths and injuries occur in the summer. Where organized outdoor sports activities take place, coaches, camp counselors and other adults must stop activities at the first roar of thunder to ensure everyone time to get a large building or enclosed vehicle. Leaders of outdoors events should have a written plan that all staff are aware of and enforce. Indoor Activities: Things to Avoid: Inside building, stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity. Stay away from pools, indoor or outdoor, tubs, showers and other plumbing. Buy surge suppressors for key equipment. Install ground fault protectors on circuits near water or outdoors. When inside, wait 30 minutes after the last strike, before going out again.

At least the appearance would be more "uniform" than it is now! But cold in the winter!!!

I already don't like it...

Much better!!! Thank you!!!

What galls me are the rates they charge Councils to advertise their council camps...we only did it once...couldn't afford it. I could send 30 boys to camp for a week for the cost of one ad (one issue).

So, the bottom line answer for CNY is that his BOR can do whatever they want...if he doesn't like it, appeal to district. Of course, for the future, it would be wise to meet with the Committee ahead of time and nail down expectations and procedures, to avoid any last minute surprises for the scout.

Where did we get the notion that Education should be a function of Government?

Handbook vs. manual? The word "manual" means "of or related to the hands" (Latin - manus). As in "manual labor". I would say they are the same.

"Im curious; perhaps someone can tell in what manual or where in the training material it says this? I have been told advancement doesn't count until the advancement forms are turned in to the council office so it would seem to me that these are the record." Sorry I can't quote chapter and verse. Perhaps your council registrar can clarify. I think the point is that if there is ever a dispute or question (such as verifying the Eagle application), the signed book is the final determinant for rank advancements. Advancement "counts" upon successful completion of the BOR. The advancement report just records it in Scoutnet. If the Eagle app matches what's in Scoutnet, your app is approved. If one of our scouts loses a book, we make him get a new one and get everything resigned in the new book. (not redo the requirements, just get them signed). As Ed said, it's the Scout's responsibility to maintain his own records such as book, blue cards, etc. Part of the Advancement method is teaching initiative and responsibility.

Scouting is a "game"...BP himself called it that. "BSA will happily grant a charter to a unit that doesn't do a lick of advancement, or that runs everything as a whole troop (and remember, in da BSA program literature, MC's wear civilian attire more often than not!). Internationally, Scoutin' is a movement that has some common themes and character, but every scouting organization implements it in different ways - recognizable ones, but different." In general, I agree with this philosophy. However, when my relatively small troop fails to submit an advancement report for more than a month, we are "flagged" as a unit in trouble by the District Advancement chair, and the "Rescue Squad" (Commissioner) is notified (as if they can do anything about it). No one checks if we're in uniform or not, nor do they care if we go camping. All they care about is membership, advancement FOS, and popcorn...not necessarily in that order.

As we learned in basic training, the signed book is the official record. All other forms of advancement records are just duplicates. The BOR member was within his rights, however the night of the BOR is not the time to spell out expectations.

I have lots of opinions, but not being a Wood Badger, (as opposed to a plastic badger?)...I'll keep them to myself.

"The BSA represents traditional American values. There seem to be some in this society who want to replace those with radical "progressive" measures." I grew up in the 50's and 60's. Some "traditional American values" back then were: "Separate but equal" schools Laws against mixed race marriage "Coloreds only" drinking fountains Black and Filipino mess stewards (Navy) Gender restricted occupations (nurses, stewardesses, teachers, ministers) Blue laws (no businesses open on Sundays) No liquor by the drink (bottle clubs) Sen. Joe McCarthy Philandering Presidents (OK, so that hasn't changed) My point is that the definition of "traditional values" changes over time. It used to be a sin to expose a woman's ankles. Now you can go to the beach and see whatever you want! I have asserted before that the BSA's steadfast refusal to rethink their exclusionary policy will be their demise, due in large part to being held hostage by the larger chartering organization groups.

"Yes, but I also know Professionals who: - Have earned Arrow of Light as a youth... - Are Eagle Scouts - Have earned their Religious Award... - Are/have been Scoutmasters in their own home Troops..." I would say that Scouters can wear anything that they have legitimately earned and are entitled to. However a fresh-caught DE may not want to come across looking like a North Korean General, and his/her boss (SE) may impart some guidance on that. Perhaps maintain two shirts if they are also volunteering in a unit.