scoutldr

CNY: Looks like the DE got his come-uppance anyway if the unit disbanded. Now he needs to form 2 new ones to make up for it and get ahead. Of course, he could keep the unit active on paper...I've seen that done as well.

"Row" to hoe. Did you sign the QU form? If not, then the award is not authorized and you should refuse to wear the patch. If the DE wants to lie and forge your signature, then I would have a very one-way discussion with his boss (SE).

Note to acco...while the "Life membership" idea is not bad, the real reason for yearly re-registration of adults is to be able to do a new background check.

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I agree with the others that it HAS to be that check-in starts at 3 pm. Expecting all participants to be on site and checked in by 3 pm on a school/work day is a non-starter. The troop I serve travels to Gettysburg every other year over the MLK weekend. Scouts get out of school on Friday, since it's a 7-8 hr trip, but most teachers will excuse the absence since the trip has an educational component.

C'mon Merlyn, we don't use the *-word here. Have to agree with tj's post. I see too much pandering to special interests on the part of BSA, Inc. Also have to agree with the San Diego decision. BSA should not get special treatment from a governmental agency that is not offered to other groups on an equitable basis. I also look askance at any "survey" commissioned (i.e., paid for) by the group which the survey makes look good. Those who know how to do surveys know that you can produce any outcome you want simply by how you craft the questions.

So, Sitrep, how many years of experience did you have in the BSA prior to 1948? Right, Laura, my comment was not directed at you, sorry if you took it that way. My point was that adults should be selected for reasons other than to "honor" them. Adults are needed to be advisors to the youth who run the organization. Every youth officer and committee chairman has an adult advisor. Other than that, they serve little purpose.

The Junior tie was yellow, the Cadette tie was dark green. See: http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/history/exhibit/ I also note that adult GSUSA uniforms are now made by Lands' End. Very simple...polo shirts with "Girl Scouts" logo and khaki chino pants. Very simple.

If the Jambo cap is not a "uniform item", then why are all those District and Council people wearing them already?

Adult membership in OA is often misunderstood. Adults who were not inducted as youth should be recommended, not based on their service record, or as a "reward" for service, but with an eye toward what they can offer to the Order. The adult role in OA is to serve as "adult supervision" for Lodge and Chapter events, and to serve as advisors to youth officers and committee chairs, in addition to providing strong-back labor and transportation for work days, ordeals, etc. In my opinion, an adult in OA who does not serve in one of these capacities, and merely walks around with a coffee cup or comes to meetings just to socialize in the back of the room is really just in the way.

If you use the Unit Budget Plan, expenses for JLT should be included as an annual expense.

Something like that is worth a thousand square knots or Silver Beavers! Congrats, Bob. Thanks for helping us keep it all in perspective.

If we shouldn't care how or when they eat, why do we care what they eat?

I was on the District selection committee last year. Some awards went un-awarded because no one took the time to nominate anyone. Some who were nominated did not have enough supporting information...just a name and a unit number. Some got the award because they were the ONLY one nominated. To all who read this...if you know some unsung hero who deserves to be nominated for District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver, Vigil, etc, PLEASE take the time to write a nomination. It never hurts to have the same person nominated by more than one person, but if they are not nominated at all, they will never get considered.

As far as I know, the only "requirement" for SPL is to be elected by the members of the troop. If they elect a bad one, they live with it for the next 6-12 months. Sorta like electing a President, which is the point.

No trash intended...just trying to learn. Where does the "separate income" come from? As I understand it, there are two "divisions" within LFL...a school classroom-based curriculum, and the Exploring program. The question is, how are these programs financed if they get no support from BSA sources?(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

At a recent District committee meeting, we were reminded that when we complain about "Council", we are talking about ourselves. WE are the Council..an organization of Scouts, Scouters, Professionals, and even LFL "participants" within a defined geographic area. If Council is the problem, we are part of it. If there is to be a solution, we all need to be a part of that, too. What I see as problems are: 1. Autocratic Scout Executives who hand-pick their Executive Board and neutralize those who disagree with him or don't jump to his whims. 2. Weak Executive Boards who are there for the fancy title to add to their resume of community "service" and defer to the wishes of the SE because he is the "expert". 3. COs and CORs who are unaware of or refuse to exercise their responsibilities at the Unit, District and Council levels (balance of power...see #1). 4. Unit Volunteers who see the professional and District staff as "meddling in MY unit" and "creating BS rules to make life harder". 5. National groups who hold the BSA hostage to further their own religious or political agendas to the exclusion of others. 6. Parents who think that Scouting is "someone else's job", but are adamant that their son has a "right" to a good Scouting program. As I list these, there is plenty of responsibility to go around. As Eamonn said, the framework is there for a successful program, but only if all the pieces are there and everyone does their part. If one piece is missing, another will grow to fill the void, resulting in an unbalanced, poorly running, inefficient organization. (This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Sorry if I'm dense this morning, Eamonn. That was a lot of words. So what is your message to the Council?

OK, Johnny, if you're hungry, go ahead and cook your share of the beef stew. The others can cook theirs whenever they want. So, which "Patrol method" is this???

There were 3-4 girl scouts in my 4th grade class. The bow tie was yellow.

My philosophy is the same for Eagles. If the parent has to beg, threaten, cajole, plead, etc, is it really the scout's "accomplishment"? We can all do amazing things if we are threatened with enough pain. But the mark of the Eagle is to show initiative, leadership, skill and organization. It's not about how well the picnic tables are constructed. It's has to be her decision and about her choices, if it's to mean anything.

COntact your DE. He is supposed to maintain a relationship with all CORs and monitor things. Also call your District Commissioner and ask him/her when you can expect a visit from a Unit COmmissioner. THey are the ones to meet with the CO and explain their responsibilities. Could be that with the turnover of PTO leadership every year, there is no corporate memory from when the Pack was formed. They need to be re-educated. Don't be surprised if you end up looking for a new CO. Some don't want to be involved any more than they are, so you have to weigh your options. Another suggestion: Your CC should request to meet with the PTO Board at least once a year to deliver a "State of the Pack" report. Make sure they are invited to all activities, esp the BG Banquet. When leaders earn their "knots", have the President of the PTO make the presentation. Make sure it's your Cubs who present the flags, or do other service (in full uniform, of course!) at every PTO meeting. A little communication and visibility can do wonders. Let them know that their interest is expected!(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

"How does one get a staff when most are wearing so many hats already?" That's the same problem we all face. I had it when I was Training Chair, and one reason I had to give up the job. You are the leader and coordinator, you can't do it all yourself. Cub RT staff, when I was doing Cubs in the early 80's, were "former" Den Leaders, Cubmasters, etc, whose own boys had moved on, but they were still sharing their experience and skills. One dear lady was a Grandmother in her 70's when she died, but she was still doing crafts at RT every month. Look for those who are experienced, but no longer have an active role at the unit level. I am a firm believer that the District should not entice people away from key unit jobs, or burn them out with more work. Look at the BS Troops ... there may be many ASMs or MC out there who were active Cub Scouters and moved on to a troop because their kids did, but really are active on paper only. A troop doesn't really need 15 ASMs, but they may be really knowledgeable about running a Webelos den, and would be willing to give you one hour a month ;-). BTW, CSRT Commissioner is a District position, so silver loops are correct. Also wear the position patch without unit numerals (a pet peeve of mine, if dual-registered with a unit). Our RTs meet at a school, so we have to find alternate meeting places during July and August. Sometimes we just meet on the front lawn if the weather is good. (This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Eamonn's posts have set me to thinking. I also thought that LFL was a "separate subsidiary" of BSA. While I knew that there was a "DE" responsible for LFL in the Council office, it never occured to me that we were financially subsidizing it through our FOS, popcorn sales, James E West fellowships, etc. If it is to be a separate program, then shouldn't the finances should be separate, too? Perhaps they are. Perhaps the parents of LFL students/participants/members are charged a fee to cover all materials and the DE's salary. Perhaps the schools pay for it. Perhaps they have their own popcorn sales. Perhaps it is being funded by a federal grant. Perhaps all those little Cub Scouts going door to door selling popcorn are paying for it. I admit I don't have all the facts, but maybe someone who does will enlighten us, in the interest of full disclosure. Then we can all take that into consideration when we fill out our pledge forms next year. I'm not saying it's good nor bad. Just give me more facts, let me decide, then I'll vote with my checkbook, just like the United Way has done.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Think Supreme Court.