scoutldr

I don't think anyone will dispute the value of an AED. But I have to agree with the others. An event such as a Camporee should be a "break even" proposition, not a fundraiser, unless it is billed as such up front. If everyone thought they were contributing to buy an AED then the Council has an obligation to buy it. If not, then they deserve a rebate.

The above advice is spot on. I would have a conversation with the PLC and explain to them the meaning of "commitment". "Trustworthy" and "courteous" are also appropriate. Ask the PLC to decide on a "rule" that would be considerate of everyone involved. For instance, take a final firm headcount 2 weeks before the activity and make a "go/no go" decision. All fees are due by then and anyone cancelling after that time forfeits the fees. If they don't have anything invested in it, they won't value it. Things come up, and are not always within their control (parents change plans, etc), but 3 out of 25 is a deal breaker. Things come up for adults, too. While I would expect the SM and ASMs to attend most functions, we have families and jobs, too.

In the council in which I am registered, they require nothing, other than a tour permit and normal due diligence as for any outing. G2SS, Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense, Climb on Safely. THat's about it.

They are a BSA catalog item...I ordered through the Scout Shop.

Just a dumb question...if you are "Ex-LDS" why are you in an LDS unit? Sounds like you have some "irreconcilable differences" and you need to move on and perhaps start a unit that is more "ecumenical". You are right...it's not fair to the non-LDS scouts to inhibit their constitutional right of freedom to express their own religion.

Another metric is the Quality Council award.

In my experience, it is left up to the Eagle Candidate if they want their SM/ASM in the room or not. Some do, some don't. If they do, the SM sits in the room, but does NOT sit on the board. They speak only if asked a question by a board member. It is also true that other board members can be selected by the Candidate, in addition to troop committee members. Frequently, we have the scout's Priest, neighbor, coach, teacher, or other significant adult in the scout's life also sit on the board. After a brief introduction on how a BOR works, they all do really well.

Maybe the guys in Irving DO read scouter.com...thanks!

Your best bet is to talk to your District Executive. It's my understanding that NESA chapters are attached to the Council. Not sure if you can have more than one per council. About 10 years ago, I went to an "organizational meeting" of our local NESA chapter, and that's the last I heard about it. Something else I didn't realize, apparently to be eligible for NESA membership, one must also be a member in good standing of the BSA. I think that's a change since I joined. www.nesa.org

Council checks everything...that's impressive! Just out of curiosity, what would be the fix for that? Take E Prep over again?

I appreciate your frustration, as it is well founded. Let me make some assumptions...if you are the SM, you are a member of the LDS stake. As I learned while on the training staff, your position was "assigned" to you and you don't have the option of resigningm since it is your assigned "mission"? LDS units are a separate breed...if the stake isn't large enough to supply you with a steady supply of 11 year olds, then this troop will never function properly. Does your stake also have a Pack/Team/Crew? What condition are they in?

At first I thought the same thing...recruit the girls for Venturing. But it specifically says "fifth through seventh grade". That's Boy Scout age, not Venturing. So what do they tell the girls? Had fun? Good, come back in 3 years and you can join. I agree, it's worth a try and certainly innovative. I'll bet the Girl Scout Council is ticked, though.

http://www.angelfire.com/wy/gilwell/plates.html

Our camp is another which registers all "youth" staff members as a Venturing Crew. The crew number is the Council number. Keeps the membership numbers up dont'cha know (although most are already registered in other units). They do wear the complete venturing uniform down to the overpriced shorts and socks, with silver tabs. Class "A" for flags and dinner, class "B" all other times.

Anyone else find this odd? We are beat over the heads to get application fees turned in as soon as they are received, "so they're covered by the insurance in case anything happens." Now we're running summer camps for non-members? And GIRLS, no less!!!

Odd that your council office is requiring a form, but can't provide you one or direct you where to find it online. What happened to customer service?

Agree. This amounts to sensationalism by an overzealous reporter. $6.50 per person for alcohol? I spent that for one beer at a ball game last week (and at that price, I only had one!). At my son's restaurant, one 3 oz. glass of wine will set you back $7-10. $20 for a prime rib dinner? A bargain. Our District dinners cost more than that, and the food is pretty bad. And since the alcohol was reimbursed, it's a non-issue.

In Virginia, groups interested in getting special plates must collect a minimum of 350 prepaid applications before a plate will be produced. A group has been trying for years to get a "BSA" plate, but cannot raise the required number of commitments. Sad, that we can get plates for "Tobacco Heritage" and "Parrotheads"...but not Scouting.

I believe the manual cited above is the "District Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures", which is available on the shelf of many Scout Shops. Boards of Review is a function of the Troop Committee...SM and ASM are not members of the Committee, and therefore should not participate actively. In our local council, Eagle boards are conducted by the troop committee with a District Rep present as a participating member of the board. If the Eagle is not awarded, the scout can appeal to the District Advancement Chair. That being said, it sounds like there's more information you're not telling us???

I sit on maybe 5-6 EBOR a year, and without fail, the Board Chair will pronounce, "Congratulations, you are now an Eagle Scout"...but technically, the above replies are correct. Perhaps a FAQ sheet should be presented to the scout and his parents outlining the procedure as to "what happens after the EBOR"...

And that would be up to the COR...no one else in the Troop can "fire" registered leaders.

Back to the Pokey!!! Woo Hoo!

What a travesty. I think I will boycott the Hilton family of hotels, and turn in my HiltonHonors card. To think that I am contributing to this spoiled brat's inheritance turns my stomach. At least the Marriott family is a big supporter of Scouting.

CC is Committee Chair. IN a perfect world, the Treasurer would take the input from the SM and PLC and draft a Unit Budget PLan, which would be submitted to the whole Troop Committee and COR for approval. The CC should not be making unilateral decisions about anything.

"When they say Scouts is a boy run program why are their so many limits of what the boys can do?" The only limits are what's in the Guide to Safe Scouting, and the controls that overbearing parents invent. In the example you cited, the yard sale, there is NO reason that the entire event could not have been handled by the boys - even handling and accounting for the money. In fact, in my opinion, sales would have been even better if the boys had been actively engaging the customers. Some people (me) will buy stuff they don't need or get their clean car washed again if the scouts are acting like they're interested.