scoutldr

My first suggestion would be to call your Unit Commissioner for help sorting this out. If you don't know who your UC is, call your District Commissioner (your Council can tell you who it is for your District). Start with a Unit Budget Plan (forms are available from your Council). A simple balance sheet budget should suffice. Have a Pack Committee program planning meeting to determine what activities will be in the coming year and decide a budget for each one. Don't forget awards for each Pack Meeting, which can be a serious expense. Next, decide how to raise the funds. Your CO may help out with "seed money", but don't count on it. Units are generally prohibited from soliciting direct cash donations, but fundraising is allowed (preferably by selling Popcorn, which some Packs are really good at). I'll let the lawyers and accountants help here, but my understanding is that units do not usually need an EIN or a 501c3 status. A Pack is owned and operated by the CO and is not a legal entity in itself. Therefore, packs do not "own" anything, including money. Lastly...this is all the job of the Committee Chair, not the Cubmaster. Good luck and enjoy!(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

In my experience, Scout Troops do not have "snack time". We do, however have a pot luck for Courts of Honor (usually quarterly). Of course, since troops are "boy-led", if the PLC elected to have snacks, we would let them, as long as the other meeting elements did not suffer.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but the COuncil you're in is dependent on where the CO is, not necessarily where you meet, where the leaders live or where the scouts leave (if different). The only way to do what you are suggesting, as far as I know, is to find a CO within your desired Council to charter your unit. You can ask the old CO to relinquish your unit number if you want to keep it, but they don't have to.

I believe it was a female Cub leader's hat, circa early 80's.

I can't count the number of times I was told as a kid, "Stop that or you'll put someone's eye out." If that were true, wouldn't there be a lot of one-eyed 50 year olds walking around today to serve as examples? I agree, on its face, it sounds like overkill. And why 2 years after the fact?

Just wait until you try to tell them the difference between 4 bells and 8 bells! I work in a military organization, and the way I always remember is it just to add (or subtract) 12. If it's 5 pm, add 12 to make 17 (1700). If it's 2100, subtract 12 = 9 pm. Midnight is 2400. One minute later, it's 0001. And then there's OH-Dark-Thirty which is REALLY early!

Just wait until you try to tell them the difference between 4 bells and 8 bells! I work in a military organization, and the way I always remember is it just to add (or subtract) 12. If it's 5 pm, add 12 to make 17 (1700). If it's 2100, subtract 12 = 9 pm. Midnight is 2400. One minute later, it's 0001. And then there's OH-Dark-Thirty which is REALLY early!

If one is not an MD, why would one wear a "Physician" patch? Our camp medic wears a position patch that says "Camp Medic". It must be a custom patch because I've not seen it anywhere else. Unless worn as a temporary patch there is no place on the uniform for an EMT patch. I like the idea of a hat or T-shirt. In the 60's and 70's, the Red Cross issued the rectangular "Emergency First Aid" patch to those who had completed the Basic and Advanced First Aid Courses. There was also an "Instructor" patch of similar design. These patches were worn by Rescue Squad and Firefigters (and our Explorer Post which was chartered to the local VFD). As a 16 year old, I was proud to be able to wear that "Instructor" patch.

I don't understand requirement #2. Being an experienced trainer, both at work and at the college level, I found TDC to be a tremendous waste of time. To make one repeat it every three years is cruel and unusual punishment. I learned how to use a flannel board (which I NEVER put into practice), but nothing about how to present the various CS and BS training modules. I had to figure that out on my own. In our district, to be on the "training team" all you need is the approval of the training committee chair. The only requirement for TDC is for a Pack Trainer to be considered "Trained" in their position.

About 3 miles, one way. The location was chosen to be centrally located, so no one in our district has to travel more than about 5 miles. We still can't get them to show up.

I vote "no". The religious programs are not BSA programs and should be earned through the Scout's church. The only connection with BSA is that the emblems earned are allowed to be worn on the uniform. While "duty to God" is a tenet of the BSA, religious instruction is not in our mission...nor should it be.

Gern said, "I'm one of those people who think obesity is choice, not a disease." This statement shows how ignorance leads to discrimination. I am 52 years old and have been obese since the day I was born. There is a genetic predisposition, and the disease called obesity is very complex. If it were about "choice" or "education", I would not be this way. That's like telling someone with Asperger's that they are just "choosing to be bad" or telling someone with depression to "just snap out of it." Smoking is an optional choice, but one of the most revered Scouters on this forum chooses to remain a bad role model. So, at the risk of highjacking this thread, let me say that I wrestle with the same moral dilemma. The God I know does not allow me to judge and reject our fellow humans. He reserves that right solely unto Himself. My religious teaching tells me I am to "love my neighbor as He has loved us." I find it difficult to remain loyal to an organization that forces me to discriminate, contrary to my religious upbringing. Yesterday, I saw a TV spot from the United Church of Christ, showing a gay couple embracing in church, and being forcefully ejected (as with an ejection seat). The closing message was "God doesn't reject people, and neither do we." Is the UCC the next organization to risk the wrath of the BSA?

Why in the world would we need 8 different styles of Stetson hats? Made by Stetson, I expect they won't be affordable.

As a frequent EBOR member, I would be more impressed if the thank you note came from the Scout. That being said, I've never received one ... from anyone.

It's not a question of language, culture, or freedom. It's a question of respecting the laws of the country. My forefathers were German immigrants in 1765. They immigrated legally through the port of Philadelphia and I have copies of the paperwork to prove it. I'm not saying the current laws or immigration processes are correct. But it is the law until changed. Crossing the border without permission (no they have not been "invited") is a crime. If you don't agree with that, then work to have the law changed.

I guess what I find most ironic is that those who most vehemently oppose non-English speaking immigrants are those who can't properly conjugate a verb, distinguish between "too" and "to", "breath" and "breathe", or "there" and "their", recognize apostrophic abuse, or understand etymology. Its like to intoxifying for word's

Ed, the root word for intoxicant is "toxin" meaning poison. The word is appropriate.

"...but ultimately they SHOULD learn it in the language it was written in." I guess the same could be said of the Bible. Anyone up for Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek lessons?

Have to disagree, oldsm. I think that teaching a scout to earn his own keep and pay his own way in society is one of THE most important "scouting outcomes." "A Scout is Thrifty"

Here we go again. The phrase, "(you) may not allow" answers the question, "May I allow the use of tobacco." (No, you may not.) Aren't there any English teachers in the room? (Except Eamonn)

Gas here is running from 2.919 to 3.079 for UNL regular. I paid 2.939 yesterday and felt like I scored a bargain! The reality of the situation is harsh, but necessary. The scouts and their parents need to understand there is no free lunch. Every activity needs to be budgeted and paid for somehow. Our biennial winter trip to Gettysburg and Ski Roundtop will not be done with donated gas next time. Or maybe it won't be done at all.

For tax deduction purposes, the IRS only allows 14 cents per mile. We are lucky in that our council camp is only 80 miles away. I usually take my own vehicle, in case I get called home or want to run into town, so I don't expect reimbursement. For trips longer than that, a gas fee will be figured into the cost per scout.

When taken in context, the decision is a committee decision...not of one individual (i.e., the CC or SM). Once the committee approves the alternate requirement, the SM's job is to document completion. The request must explain the suggested alternate requirements in sufficient detail so as to allow the advancement committee to make a decision. The request must also include the medical statement required in paragraph two above. The written request for alternate requirements must be submitted to and approved by the local council prior to completing alternate requirements. The Scout must complete as many of the regular requirements as his ability permits before applying for alternate requirements. The alternate requirements must be of such a nature that they are as demanding of effort as the regular requirements.

Parents are welcome to "observe" any BSA meeting or activity...that's BSA policy. They don't, however, get to impose their opinions or standards without being asked, unless they are registered leaders. And in no case, should an adult be distractive or disruptive.

I always thought that the scout, his family, and physician, with consultation with the SM, would come up with an alternative proposal to submit to the Council advancement committee. For the benefit of those reading, here is the complete policy: A Scout who is unable to complete any or all of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class rank because he is physically or mentally disabled may complete alternative requirements if the following criteria are met: The physical or mental disability must be of a permanent rather than a temporary nature. A clear and concise medical statement concerning the Scout's disabilities must be submitted by a physician licensed to practice medicine. In the alternative, an evaluation statement certified by an educational administrator may be submitted. The medical statement must state the doctor's opinion that the Scout cannot complete the requirement(s) because of a permanent disability. The Scout, his parents, or leaders must submit to the council advancement committee, a written request that the Scout be allowed to complete alternative requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class rank. The request must explain the suggested alternate requirements in sufficient detail so as to allow the advancement committee to make a decision. The request must also include the medical statement required in paragraph two above. The written request for alternate requirements must be submitted to and approved by the local council prior to completing alternate requirements. The Scout must complete as many of the regular requirements as his ability permits before applying for alternate requirements. The alternate requirements must be of such a nature that they are as demanding of effort as the regular requirements. When alternate requirements involve physical activity, they must be approved by the physician. The unit leader and any board of review must explain that to attain Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class rank a candidate is expected to do his best in developing himself to the limit of his resources. The written request must be approved by the council advancement committee, utilizing the expertise of professional persons involved in Scouting for disabled youth. The decision of the council advancement committee should be recorded and delivered to the Scout and his leader. (Source: 33215F - page 13)