scoutldr

I'm still unclear...WHOSE name is actually on the boat's registration/title? THAT's who owns the boat legally. If it's an individual, and he refuses to get rid of it, then HE needs to get HIS boat fixed. The troop's use of the boat (which sounds to be minimal) can be considered his donation to the boys...worthy of a thank you. And if the boat was "donated" by a donor who was under the impression that it was going to "scouting", and it was registered to an individual, then that's another issue. We have been "strongly admonished" by our SE that he is the ONLY one who can accept significant donations of cash or property in the name of Scouting, because it triggers a "tax event", if the donor expects a tax deduction for a charitable donation. I'm no lawyer, but IF the committee elects to funnel thousands of dollars into an asset owned by an individual, I believe you will have a problem with the law.

Speculations on what would cease to exist if "National" went away and left it up to the Councils, as some are hoping for: All program publications. Handbooks, MB pamphlets, forms, etc. All National Supply items. Uniforms, branded items, equipment. Centrally developed and managed training programs. National Jamboree High Adventure bases, including Sea Base and Bechtel Reserve Philmont anything else?

No. At the end of the EBOR, all materials are returned to the Scout. The Eagle Application and Advancement report go to Council.

Sounds like all involved need refresher training as to how a troop should operate. Since your troop is chartered to a now-defunct entity, perhaps you don't have a troop at all. Your DE needs to sort that out. To answer your original question, NO...non-registered parents do not get a vote. The registered members of the Troop Committee handle the "business end" of the unit, while the SM and ASMs execute the program side. All registered leaders serve at the pleasure of the Chartered Organization (which you don't have). Technically, all funds and equipment belong to the Chartered Organization (which you don't have). The Troop's annual plan is developed by the PLC with guidance from the SM and ASMs. They then present the plan to the Troop Committee for approval and funding. In the case of the boat, it must be titled either to the Chartered Organization (which you don't have), OR an individual. If it "technically belongs" to an individual who uses it for personal use 90% of the time, there is NO WAY that troop funds should be spent on it, except maybe to reimburse actual cost of fuel when the troop uses it. That is analogous to expecting the troop to pay for all maintenance on my truck, because I use it to haul gear to camp twice a year. Bottom line...your unit is broke. Your Commissioner staff and DE should be called in to try to fix it...but non-registered parents have no standing, other than to vote with your feet. And I guess it needs to be said once again...the establishment of "Scout Accounts" for the benefit of individuals is strictly against BSA policy and can run afoul of IRS regulations.

I think the Philmont Grace is appropriate for any occasion.

The official name of the Girl Scouts is "Girl Scouts USA"...I'm sure they wouldn't be happy.

If you had dens of 16 and 23 boys, you're not doing it right. There is a reason that your training tells you that the den should be no more than 6-8. I was CM of a Pack of 15 dens, including 4 Webelos dens. We split the pack because it was too unwieldy, taking over 2 hours for a no-frills pack meeting. We were Pack 99 and the new Pack became Pack 991. The DE was thrilled to have a new unit.

My dad rode submarines in the Pacific theater. He said it was just like "Das Boot"...I took him to see the movie when it first came out and he was sweating and gripping the seat the whole time. This was before anyone knew what "PTSD" was.

Our family came terrifyingly close to tragedy last night. We were on our way home from a birthday dinner for my nephew when my cell rang and it was my oldest son, who had been in a car accident. He was still trapped in the wreckage. He had stopped on the Interstate for another wreck, and a youngster plowed into the back of his car doing at least 65 mph. I immediately turned around and headed his way and got trapped in the traffic gridlock, as we watched police cars, ambulances and wreckers try to get to the scene. Then got another call saying he was in the ambulance headed to the ER. As traffic began to move, we could barely recognize the remains of his Honda Accord sitting on the side of the road, the rear half of the car flattened all the way up to the driver's seat. The hospital was only a mile away, but being trapped in that traffic was one of the most agonizing hours of our lives. When my wife saw what was left of his car, she fell apart. Bottom line, he is alive and well, save for a nasty bump on the head and a concussion. We all fell apart when we realized that, somewhere in that twisted mass of metal and broken glass, is my 3 year old grandson's car seat. He had stayed home safe with Mom last night. In all, four cars were involved and everyone walked away. The state trooper who found us in the ER said it was a "Miracle" that he was alive. As far as we know, alcohol and drugs were not involved...it was simply a case of not paying attention. I asked if he was on his cell phone and the trooper said, "aren't they all?" The other driver was charged with reckless driving. As I recount this, the tears are flowing at how close I came to losing a Son. The Hand of God was surely upon him last night. Thank you, Jesus for protecting him and everyone else. Thank you Honda. Thanks for listening and letting me vent. God bless us, everyone.

Per BSA policy, parents are allowed to observe any activity that their Scout participates in. I've never had any request to do so, but they can't be refused if they do. You are correct, they may not serve as members of the EBOR.

Forgive me for injecting some trivia. In my senior year of high school in 1971-72, I was blessed with Mrs. Comstock, an English Lit teacher who brought Shakespeare to life for us. That famous line in Romeo and Juliet was actually a not-so-veiled dig at Will's arch rival to the Globe Theater across the Avon River, the Rose Theater...notorious in its time for the foul and fetid condition of its public "facilities" which one could smell wafting across the river when the wind was right.

I would think that willful disregard of the Scout Oath and Law would be more than enough to deny advancement...to any rank. Avowed atheists disregard the Oath and the 12th point of the Law and we don't even allow them to be members. Same should be true of those scouts who commit felonies.

Where do you live? What unit are you a member of? Tell us about your recent Scouting trips. Welcome to the forums!

We were typing at the same time...since this is not his "first strike", that may change things. It begs the question, how did he advance to Life with a history of bad behavior?

I would have the conference and have a discussion with him. There is no "pass or fail" of a SM Conference...just sign off that there was one. But I would make it clear of what I was looking for before I signed his Eagle Application. It depends on his age, too...does he have time to show redemption before he turns 18?

The SM knew and approved. The Troop Committee did not and were blindsided by the information in the reference letter, which is how it came to light. Without that, I expect it would have been a routine EBOR.

So, any amount paid above Tier C is a charitable contribution? I'll just deduct that amount from my FOS donation. I've always heard it's better to offer an "Early Bird Discount" instead of a "Late Fee". One is a benefit, the other is a punishment.

I believe the above link tells you all you need to know. Crossroads of America Council Webelos camper program.

The committee members would have been none the wiser had it not been revealed in a Reference Letter submitted by his sister, praising him for being such a good Dad. Like I said, I think they were more upset at being "blindsided" by the SM who thought it wasn't worth mentioning.

Um, it was a church. This troop is sponsored by a United Methodist Church, so I think they are free to expect moral behavior from the youth in their program. They didn't condemn him to Hell...they just imposed their interpretation of "morally straight" expected of an Eagle Scout. Suffice it to say, that as the District Rep, I did not vote or offer an opinion. When it became clear that the Board would not approve, I called the District Advancement Chair for guidance.

In my Council, EBOR are convened by the Troop Committee, and a rep from the District Advancement committee serves as a member, and signs the Eagle App on behalf of the Council. We are there to ensure the EBOR is conducted properly and no inappropriate questions or "retesting" takes place. In the many I have served on, there have been no issues, except for the one time that it was disclosed that the candidate was a new father and "living in sin" with the baby mama. The Troop Committee was more upset that the SM had blindsided them ("I didn't think it was relevant"). The vote was not unanimous, so I had to recess the EBOR and the scout appealed to Council where it was rubber-stamped.

Good news, indeed! Sounds like the District Rep (a role I have served countless times) had a major discussion with the unit leaders and convinced them that an overturn on appeal was inevitable and they chose not to have the egg on their faces. How they make the paperwork fit is not important now. Congrats to the new Brother Eagle!

In my experience, an appeal is handled by convening an EBOR at the District level, chaired by the District Advancement Chairman. YES, I would appeal. I agree with the others above...if the project was not "up to snuff", then the time to correct it was when the proposal was approved, and when the completion was approved...at both the Unit and the District level. By the time the scout gets to the EBOR (at the unit level), there should be no question that the requirements were met, as evidenced by the appropriate signatures on the project workbook. The project gets discussed, certainly, but there is no "passing or failing" of the project at that point. The assumption SHOULD be that the other adults involved, who signed off on the project, knew what they were doing and looking at. That being said, perhaps the write-up could use some "beefing up" highlighting and emphasizing the PLANNING and LEADING involved, rather than the actual work. I don't agree that starting from scratch with a new project is necessary. And the age of the scout is irrelevant, unless he is bumping up against 18. Good luck.

In my Council, I am one of the few Scouters who is NOT a veteran. One of them is a former POW who served a tour of duty in the Hanoi Hilton with John McCain and received the Navy Cross. It was 10 years before I knew...seemed like a regular fella. Most vets I know are pretty low-key about it.

I'm with you on the "no drama"...especially the older I get. However...I would NOT sacrifice my integrity by approving an AOL for a mother who clearly did not follow the rules. "A Scout is Trustworthy" applies to adults too. I would print out an advancement sheet of her son's APPROVED accomplishments, hand it to her and wish them well. If she has issues with that, she can take it up with the District Advancement Committee.