scoutldr

Is this an LDS troop by any chance?

Your pack should be scheduling summer activities in quest of the National Summertime Pack Award. Packs who have year-round programs generally have higher retention rates. I have seen Packs who struggle to "get started" again in Sept, and frequently don't get the ball rolling until Oct, Nov or even December, losing boys and leaders in the process.

Ahh, but that's why companies are taking their mfg business overseas. No EPA, No OSHA, no minimum wage laws, no labor unions demanding more benefits. That equates to more profit for the stockholders.

The Troop is owned by the Chartering Organization. They and the Troop Committee decide how to run the troop, ideally through the Patrol Leaders Council. A District Commissioner's job is to recruit and train the Commissioner Corps within the District, which consists of Assistant District Commissioners, Roundtable Commissioners, and Unit Commissioners. A Unit Commissioner is typically assigned 2-4 units which he/she will routinely visit, get to know, and monitor their program. The UC's job is that of a friend and mentor to offer advice on improving the program. Also, a UC can be sent in to trouble-shoot a troop that is not advancing, not participating in District events, etc. All are symptoms of a troop in trouble, and keeping a unit from folding is a #1 priority of the District Committee. In the situation you describe, it sounds like the DC was asked for advice and he gave it. I don't disagree with the advice. In the Troop I serve, we don't inform or involve parents except in the most serious situations. I think the Scouts appreciate the fact that every little infraction is not going to be reported back to the parents, but we deal with it "man to man", so to speak. Of course, I would have no problem calling a parent if the situation warranted it.

The Advancement plan was changed via the "First Class, First Year" emphasis allegedly because a study showed that most drop-outs occurred before a Scout achieved First Class rank. Back in my day, you had to earn Tenderfoot before you could start working on any Second Class requirements. My experience is that Scouts do not make FC any faster than they did in my day. Theoretically, a Webelos can bridge over in February and be First Class by the end of July if they attend Summer Camp. I have not heard how the FCFY emphasis has affected retention rates. It has been my observation that most drop outs occur when a Scout turns 16 and now has competing priorities of cars, girls, sports and jobs.

So, were there any "actionable outcomes" or was it just a gripe session of the obvious.

I agree the demand to remove the ear ring was out of line. Good on the SCout for standing tall for his convictions. Yes, the armed services allow tasteful ear rings, but only for the girls.

Let's see...they are all Boy Scouts, on a Scout outing, playing a game with friends, having fun, using chips with no value that they can't keep anyway. And we are looking real hard for a reason to stop all this. Sheesh. We should probably ban Root Beer, too, just to be safe. Magic and YuGiOh deal with the occult and supernatural, so they have to go. Capture the Flag is a war game - nyet. As to the religious question, whether cards, gambling or food, I don't see it as my role to be the keeper of the Kosher, although I love Kosher food. If a boy has been raised in a Kosher household, it is up to him and his parents to keep the family religious tradition. Of course, if the Scout requests accomodation of his dietary requirements, religious or otherwise, we gladly agree and provide alternatives, but if he voluntarily piles the bacon on his plate, that's between him and his God. I work with a Jewish guy who will meticulously pick the bacon off of his cheeseburger, but will always show up for "all you can eat shrimp" night. I don't begin to try to understand or keep track of how individuals interpret their religious obligations. I know what Leviticus says, but there seem to be a lot of people out there who didn't get the same translation.

The important thing to remember is that Eagle boards are not conducted the same nation-wide. In the Council in which I serve, the EBOR is a unit function, just like the other BORs. It does require a District Rep present, which is usually someone from the District Committee...I have frequently filled that role. In addition to myself and the Unit CC, there are usually several other members present, some of which are chosen by the Scout. These have been family friends, religious leaders, former unit leaders, teachers, etc. Frequently, these people have no scouting background, but they do have a pre-conceived notion of what an Eagle Scout should be. Rarely, are they off the mark by much. The first 30 minutes are spent explaining the BOR process, reviewing letters of recommendation, the Scout's personal goals statement, Eagle application, and project notebook. As the District rep, I serve to answer questions that the other Board members may have about the process, explain that we can not add to the requirements, it's not a "retest", etc. I also have a copy of suggested questions that I have downloaded from the internet to give the other members an idea of what type of questions can be asked. I also remind them to ask "open ended" questions that cannot be answered with a "yeah" "Nah" or grunt. Usually, they "get it". Then the SM brings the Scout in, introduces him to the Board, and then leaves (or stays to observe, if the Scout requests it). If everyone else is shy, I start the questioning, and the others then follow my lead and join in. I have yet to have a less than enjoyable and rewarding experience. Bottom line is, the situation you described does not seem too odd to me, albeit a little disorganized. It's also rare to do four at one time, although there's nothing wrong with it as long as the process is not shortchanged for each Scout.

My guess it's considered a temporary patch and is worn centered on the right pocket.

As a govt employee, I am required to obtain and use a Government Travel Card (VISA) issued by the Bank of America. The account is in my name and misuse or nonpayment affects my personal credit rating, although I am forbidden to use it for personal purchases. Those account files were recently "lost" by BOA. I guess it's like riding a motorcycle...it's not a question of "IF" I get trashed, it's "WHEN". All these organizations passing your personal information all around the world, saying "trust us, it's secure." Baloney.

My main issue is with quality, not the look. When I am forced to pay premium prices, I expect goods that fit well and are made of quality fabrics and construction methods. The suggestion that BSA adopt zip-off trousers and Thor-lo socks makes me shudder at what the BSA catalog price would be for such goods. The red wool jac-shirt is now pushing $200 and is out of reach of the average volunteer or youth. I just want pants that fit (44x29) without the crotch ending up down around my knees somewhere because they are all cut unhemmed and I guess the mfr figures that the average 44 waist will have a 34 inch inseam, so the rise is cut accordingly. The shirt fabric is like a limp rag after a few washings and pills around the neckline. I also expect a shirt that doesn't come unbuttoned at the stomach every time I sit down. My dress shirts don't do that, and they cost me half as much.

I think I read he was a CS leader in the early 80's. Back then, the only background check was whatever the COR did to check your references and make sure you didn't check "yes" to the question "Do you use illegal drugs?"...98% of the time, nothing was done. Not that it would have mattered.

FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!!!

Test bump.

test test test

"Semper Gumby" (always flexible)

Legally, the donation would be to the CO, which could then use the item for the Scouting program. If the CO is a qualifying charitable organization, you then get a tax deduction. Scout units are not legal entities and have no Tax ID number.

BSA collects my personal information and turns it over to a third party (ChoicePoint), which has been demonstrated is not secure. That's a liability exposure for BSA. As they say down at the Bar..."sue 'em all, let the Judge sort 'em out."

I hope BSA has a good liability insurance policy!

Wouldn't it be nice if BSA put all their pubs on CD with hyperlinked cross-references?

Well, it goes back at least to 1926, and is described in the "Handbook for Scoutmasters", Chapter III: The Institution Technically, a permanent institution (a church, a settlement house, a school, a YMCA, or a business men's association) initiates the organization of a troop of Boy Scouts. The duties of the institution are: 1. To provide a meeting place and to supply needed equipment and funds. 2. To select a Troop Committee of three adult male citizens. This committee will be responsible to the institution and to the Boy Scout organization for the work, progress, and permanence of the troop. The Troop Committee will secure a suitable man as Scoutmaster and will help secure Assistant Scoutmasters, experts, and other assistance for the Troop.

Venturers can continue to earn rank (and Palms) as long as they were First Class when they joined Venturing. Seems to me if the scout's "active service" is mostly with the crew, then the crew should conduct the BOR and award the Palm, thus relieving the troop committe of the decision. Or, the troop committee can just decide "that's good enough for us" and award the Palm. No need to make it more difficult than it needs to be.

If I were asked to be the new treasurer, I would insist on an independent audit, preferably conducted by members of the CO who are not involved in the Pack as parents or registered leaders. Inventorying the "pack equipment" should be part of the audit. The new treasurer deserves to be able to start with a clean slate, and not be asked to straighten out the mess. You probably won't find that written in the BSA rule book, but it's the right way to do business. The previous advice to get the DE talking to the COR is right on...don't try to fix this yourself. It's not the CM's job alone to recruit and train the CC and committee.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Welcome, Gonzo. A well written, post, I might add. The difference for adults may rest (I think) in the fact that a Chapter or Lodge advisor is technically a member of the District or Council Committee, therefore when they are are serving in their advisor capacity, they should wear silver shoulder loops, their OA position patch, sans unit numbers. As was stated, a youth arrowman's first responsibility is to his troop. That being said, I agree that a Lodge or Chapter Chief should be able to wear a position patch. There are unofficial ones available on Ebay, but of course we can't wear them on the uniform. Semper, there can't be much of a market for "Council President", "Chief Scout Executive" or "Lodge Advisor", either, but those are available.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)(This message has been edited by scoutldr)