scoutldr

See eBay item 3947448174 now being auctioned.

Not to hijack the thread...I think the best solution is Velcro, but you also have to switch unit numbers, not just the position patch. However....sounds to me like some DE is desperate to make Quality District by chartering new "units" on paper before the end of the year. Let's just put names in the slots then worry about recruiting real leaders next year. How common is this and is it ethical? You need a minimum number of scouts and leaders to charter a unit...seems to me that borrowing leaders from other units just so the computer will accept the paperwork is not really in the spirit of Scouting. Or maybe I'm inferring too much here.

A small, struggling UMC church. I rate them a 1 as far as doing what a CO is supposed to do, however that's fine with us since we get zero interference. They gave us a key to the portable classroom in the back, and if we're lucky, they don't schedule other groups to use it on Monday nights. We're not always lucky. We see the COR only when we need a signature. At our monthly district meetings, only one COR attends out of a district of almost 100 units.

On this side of the pond, we pound sand, not salt. Salt goes on our Freedom Fries...(i mean, "Chips"). Come to think of it, we put it on chips, too. But not on our crisps, which are made with apples.

I'm not a CPA,but... I think the term "donation" carries with it the connotation of "tax deductible charitable donation". Giving money to an individual so he can earn Eagle does not qualify because the individual is not a bona fide charity, regardless of how he spends the money. An individual Scout may, however, acccept a "grant" which is not tax deductible, and may even be considered taxable income to the individual.

While the points may have been factual, I for one, do not miss the bickering. I can't count the times that certain posters needed to be reminded of how many points of the Scout Law they were violating in their fervor of defending "the program". What an oxymoron! A Scout is Friendly, Courteous and Kind. I was sorta disappointed when FOG was suspended, although I understand that it was done for the right reasons. He had a lot to offer the forum, but it was wrong to misrepresent his identity by posting under multiple Usernames. A Scout is Trustworthy. I was once PM'd by someone who thought my response was disrespectful, and in hindsight, it was. Since then, when I post, I try to be helpful, without being sarcastic or critical (as in, "if you would bother to go to training, you wouldn't have to ask this question"). I try to address the issue, not the person. My feeling is that, as in Scouting, no one person's departure is going to be a show-stopper. There are plenty of smart people here who can pick up the slack, and perhaps even do it better. So what say we get back to Scouting!

What a Scouter wears on his uniform is a personal decision, as long as it is authorized. I too wear what I have earned. Last year I was awarded the District Award of Merit. I feel that, if someone took the time and trouble to fill out the form and nominate me, then secretly had my wife and two sons show up at the District Dinner for the ceremony, I have an obligation to wear it with pride and gratitude. As for the other knots, as a trainer, I feel that wearing my service stars and training knots tends to lend credibility to the training. I am someone who has, "been there, done that" and am passing on the benefit of my experience, not merely reading a prepared script, as some have suggested should be done. I wear four service stars, yellow, green, red and blue, signifying that I progressed through all phases of the program (pre-Venturing era), although it would be allowable to combine all the years into one blue star. Bottom line...do what makes you proud and happy and don't worry about what others may choose to do.

SWMBO was recently going through old pictures searching for photos for my son's scrapbook. She found an old polaroid of a pudgy 8 year old in a brand new cub scout uniform with beany cap and Bobcat pin, standing in front of the family's aluminum Christmas tree with color-wheel spotlight. That was the same year I got my new Sears Spaceliner bike which is still hanging in the garage. Circa December 1963. My sons are now 26 and 22 and made Star and Life, respectively. 41 years later, still a Scout (and still pudgy!).

It is BSA policy not to reveal the full names of youth members on unit web sites. I would think that rationale would extend to the sides of trailers, unless you limit it to those over 18. I like the idea of an Eagle symbol...that's more classy.

I would "shop" by contacting my District Commissioner (or District Executive if you don't have an active Commissioner Corps) and explain the situation and ask for suggested Packs that more fit the model you are seeking (the BSA model). This will do two things...it will get you a new Pack and will alert the District staff that there is a unit in trouble with unhappy members. What they choose to do with that info is up to them, but at least you did the right thing. Good Luck!

Your first clue would have been that you didn't get a membership card and Scouting magazine like everyone else did. Being new, you probably didn't realize you were being cheated. Every year at recharter time, the unit gets a new charter, and a stack of computer printed membership cards for every registered youth and adult. If you are registered in multiple positions, you should get more than one card. You should get a new one every year.

All leaders serve at the pleasure of the Chartering Organization. If you are serving a local troop while at college, the CO needs to know about it and officially approve your involvement...this is done via an Adult Leader Application, which the CC and COR must sign. As was said, since you are already registered with BSA, there will be no additional fee, but I believe that registering with the new troop is not optional, if you are to be a "regular".

Found this on another board, so I can't testify to it's accuracy, but thought it was interesting: INFORMATION PAPER: Army Relations with Boy Scout Organizations DAJA-SC 13 September 2004 SUBJECT: Army Relations with Boy Scout Organizations 1. PURPOSE. To provide information on official Army relations with, and support to the Boy Scouts. 2. FACTS. a. Prohibited Activities. (1) Fundraising and Membership Drives. No official endorsement or participation in Boy Scout fundraising or membership drives is allowed. (Joint Ethics Regulation (JER), DOD 5500.7-R, para. 3-210) (2) Endorsement or Sanction. Official endorsement or sanction may be neither stated nor implied, and Army officials may not give preferential treatment to the Boy Scouts. (JER, para. 3-209). However, as noted below, there are statutes authorizing specific support to overseas scouting, and to Jamborees. Commanders may support Boy Scout events (as opposed to fundraising) where there are legitimate community relations, morale and welfare, or other DOD interests. (3) Official Participation in Management. Army personnel may not participate in management of the Boy Scouts in their official capacities. However, they may be appointed as official liaisons when there is a continuing Army interest in discussion of matters of mutual interest. (JER, para. 3-201; 3-202) (4) Conflicts of Interest. Army personnel may not take official actions that affect the financial interests of the Boy Scouts if they are an officer, director, or employee of the organization. (18 U.S.C. 208) Even if Army personnel are not officers in the Boy Scouts, if they are "active participants" in scouting, they should refrain from taking official actions which affect the Boy Scouts interests in order to avoid the appearance of favoritism. (5 C.F.R. 2635.502) An "active participant" is someone, such as a Scoutmaster, who does not necessarily have input to organization policy, but has a visible and significant role with the Scouts. (5) Gratuitous Membership. Army personnel may not accept an office, directorship or similar leadership position in the Boy Scouts offered because of their official duty position. (JER, para. 3-201) DAJA-SC SUBJECT: Army Relations with Boy Scout Organizations b. National and International Jamborees. The Army may provide the following services to national and world Jamborees. Prior to these types of support being provided, the Boy Scouts must provide a bond to cover the items and the risk of loss or damage costs associated with transportation. (10 U.S.C. 2554) (1) Loan of cots, blankets, commissary equipment, flags, refrigerators, and other equipment; (2) Services and expendable medical supplies, as available, without reimbursement; (3) Transportation, as available, without expense to the U.S. Government, and which does not interfere with military operations. (4) In the case of a Jamboree held on a military installation, DoD may provide personnel and logistic support at the military installation, in addition to the areas of support listed in the three paragraphs above. (10 U.S.C. 2554(g)). c. Overseas Scouting. Subject to various levels of delegation and authorization, the Army may provide overseas scouting organizations transportation, office space, recreational space, warehousing, utilities, and communications without seeking reimbursement. (10 U.S.C. 2606). DOD Instruction 1015.9 should be consulted before deciding what support to provide for overseas scouting activities. Note that when overseas scouting activities are organized as a Non-Appropriate Fund Instrumentality, it is a government entity. d. Use of DOD Property. (1) On a limited basis, commanders may authorize the use of DOD equipment (and manpower to operate the equipment) in support of Boy Scout activities which are legitimate community relations events or provide genuine benefit to the morale and welfare of the military community. (JER, paragraph 3-211; see also, 10 U.S.C. 2012) Commanders must determine that: (a) there is no interference with unit readiness and mission accomplishment; (b) support serves a legitimate Army interest, such as community relations; (AR 360-1, The Army Public Affairs Program) DAJA-SC SUBJECT: Army Relations with Boy Scout Organizations © the event is of interest and benefit to the local civilian or military community as a whole; (d) the command is willing and able to provide support to other similar events and organizations (such as Girl Scouts); (e) no admission fee beyond reasonable cost is charged either for the whole event or for that part supported by DOD, or that the DOD support is incidental to the event. (2) Installation commanders may authorize use of space for Boy Scout meetings and storage of equipment. (3) Government equipment may be loaned or rented if there is no interference with mission accomplishment. However, the Boy Scouts may not use installation auditing, data processing, financial management, legal, or purchasing services. (Special Authorization and Procedures for Issues, Sales, and Loans, AR 725-1, Chap. 6) (4) Army personnel who volunteer to participate may be given uncharged leave (a "permissive TDY") to support Boy Scout events that otherwise meet the requirements of a community relations event. Leaves and Passes, AR 600-8-10, para. 5-32k.

My buddy, an SM and OA Chapter advisor recently did this, then someone told him his unit numerals had to come off when he wore the OA patch. Now he just doesn't wear a position patch. Sometimes we make things too hard.

These were known as "community strips" and were usually accompanied by a shorter state strip directly underneath. As the name implies, they usually represented the community, city, or neighborhood. I have never seen on representing the CO, but I guess it's possible.

Does that mean you are old? When I earned it ALL MB had green borders. You are correct Bob. My comment was unfounded as I have not taken the course.

US cub uniforms have been the same shade of blue since the beginning. It could be from one of the church-based youth groups, or from some other country.

We charge the going rate for BSA registration and Boys Life (we don't mention that BL is optional), then round up. Patrol dues of $1 a week. The rest is financed through popcorn and wreath sales, and per-trip fees (e.g., camporee fees).

See http://www.yaac-bsa.org/activities/gettysburg/gettysburg.htm I recommend ordering the historic trail guide from the York-Adams Area Council...everything is explained in there. I ordered it on-line with a credit card and had it in a few days, along with a sample medal and some patches.

And (from what I've read on this forum) WB21 is a rehash of the TQM fad that we had to suffer through 10 years ago (and has since been abandoned by the corporate world).

What's going on is clear...the DE's performance metrics and those for Quality District include new units, new youth and new money. The DE and the district get "credit" for new Venture crews. They don't get credit for starting new Explorer Posts, since LFL is a "subsidiary" of the BSA, but is operated separately. The DE is simply taking advantage of the fact that the LFL Executive can't cover the whole council. It's all about the numbers. But if it results in more youth being served, who cares?

Around these parts, we have one Roman Catholic parish whose priest will NOT allow scouts (or Scouters) to meet on their property, nor will they consider chartering a unit. Even a change in priests did not alter the policy, while a parish two miles away charters a pack, troop and crew and we have our District meetings there. PTA's in this region also will not charter units. Not sure at what level in the organization that comes from. One of the longest tenured troops in our District (I was a charter member in 1968 with my Dad) is chartered to a Southern Baptist church. I do remember some competition from their own RA youth group, but it was never an issue, as far as I knew.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

The counselor may not add to the requirements. If he says "do this one" and the requirement says "do one of the following", that's adding to what the book says. Likewise, if it says, "discuss", or "tell about", that doesn't mean write a report. If it says "write" that doesn't mean "oral report". To put is succinctly, the Scout chooses.

I think John D has answered his own questions. The duty of Troop Guide is to guide and mentor the new scouts as they begin their scouting careers...how can he do that if he's not there? Seems to me that being with them at meetings and on campouts is the first step to successful performance in the position.

One of the things I enjoy most about this forum are the philosophical offerings of our friend, Eammon. I think that the experience called "Scouting" can be rendered down to a single thought, which was passed on to us by B-P in his final message to Scouts and Scouters. That is, to strive to leave the world a little better than you found it. The Scout slogan, "Do a Good Turn Daily" is the way we pass this on. Each day when you go to bed, we should ask ourselves, "have I done my daily task". We can't cure World Hunger, nor prevent all crime and delinquency, nor solve all of the political and moral issues that make this country the great melting pot that the forefathers envisioned. But everyone can do something to make their corner of the world a little better. As Scouters, our duty is to pass that ethic on to our children, Scouts, neighbors and co-workers...just a little bit every day.