scoutldr

One of the purposes of the MB program is to teach the Scout initiative. He has to find the counselor, call him/her and make an appointment and then work with him. It is also to encourage the scout confidence in reaching out and meeting new people. If Billy's mom, a member of the troop committee, is the counselor for 8 MB, that's seven new people the scout won't get to meet. A MB is supposed to be something the scout earns on his own...not something that is spoon-fed to him at a troop meeting.

Perhaps to accomodate the older crowd and camp staff before they split for college? Ours is always the third weekend in October. Fall camporee is the second weekend. Then those of us with wives catch it for being gone two weekends in a row. Ya can't win. >>>|--WWW--|>

There are usually "vintage" issues available on eBay. Naturally, the older, the more expensive, and those with Rockwell covers go for as high as $10 each. Out of almost 200 purchases, I have never had a bad experience.

>>I've seen councils not advertise, except by word of mouth to those "in the know" for coveted positions.

A properly uniformed Scout at a Scout function is always appropriate.

One of my favorites from Scouting magazine... An American Scouter was in England on business when he found himself with some extra time. He decided to try to visit Gilwell Park and Brownsea Island, the birthplace of Scouting. Finding the local car rental dealer, he was disappointed to learn that they had no more cars to rent. Listening to the Scouter's plight, the rental agent reached in his pocket and handed over a set of keys. "What is this?" the Scouter asked. "Take my personal auto," said the agent. "I am a Scouter too. I know you are trustworthy and will return it in good shape. Enjoy your visit, mate."

I have heard the same thing done with a Cub Pack. A charter was issued, now it's our problem to make sure they have leaders, training, etc. My response is that a charter should not be issued until everything is in place to make sure the unit has a fighting chance of survival. FOG, I look at it this way. The "Scout Meeting" begins at 7 pm and ends at 8:30 pm. What they do before and after those times is their parent's problem, not mine. Same is true for a camping trip...when they "check in" at the meeting place, they become my responsibility, not before.

Find out when your District Roundtable is for Cub Scout leaders and go to it. The January Roundtable should be all about B&G, which usually happens in February. Dens have been making their own table decorations for decades. That's how it's done. As a CM for 6 yrs, we even had a contest with prizes...every den won something.

As a young Cub in the early 60's we had to take an oath to "be square". We thought it was a good thing.

You can wear a temporary patch until you die. Unless you are immortal, it's still "temporary".

Red Cross Needs Assistance for Wounded Soldiers The American Red Cross at Walter Reed Army Medical Center is looking for incidentals/comfort items for sick and wounded Armed Forces Personnel now recuperating at the hospital. When someone is stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere and is wounded or falls ill, they are immediately evacuated, and it can take weeks for their personal effects to catch up with them. The Red Cross is asking for donations of any of the following: - telephone cards of at least 30 minutes - rolling luggage (small), totes, carry-ons - individually wrapped snacks - magazines - notepads, pens - playing cards and games - sweat pants and shirts (all sizes) All items should be addressed to: ATTN: Barbara Green, American Red Cross Walter Reed Army Medical Center 6900 Georgia Ave, N.W., Washington, DC 20307-5001. Checks should be made out to the American Red Cross. For more information, call (202) 782-2080 or e-mail Barbara.Green.1@AMEDD.army.mil. For more on the Red Cross, see http://www.military.com/Resources/ResourceFileView?file=Active_Family_Red_Cross.htm

I received my Eagle as an Explorer in 1970. I know the slogan predates that by several years, as I was still in a Scout troop. I will stand by 67-68 as being pretty accurate. Your father may have obtained it later than that.

Being a little, shall we say, "round"...that was a tough year for me. Lots of jokes. Your tie clip dates from around 1966-68.

How about Rainbow loops... No wait...wrong thread. Sorry.

"We celebrate when the pilgrims & indians made peace in 1621." I don't think that's quite how the Native Americans remember it.

One thing I like about this forum is that it makes me reach WAYYYY down deep and examine my own values and reasons for doing "this Scouting stuff." To paraphrase my Pastor..."we are not a country club for saints...we are a hospital for sinners." If one of our Scout brothers (or sisters) proves not to be so perfect, it is not for us to judge and levy a penalty. But we should redouble our efforts and look at where we are failing. We cannot cure world hunger, nor make up for the lack of proper parenting, but we should "do our best" to "help other people at all times", regardless of their sins or weaknesses. To examine another aspect of the Scout Oath, I was a fat, nerdy 11 year old...certainly not what one would call "physically fit". But I joined scouting and had the time of my life...and at age 49, and countless camping trips, summer camps, and 50 milers later am still active. I'm sure glad that no self-righteous adult took one look at my fat self and turned me away because he was trying to "protect" his vision of the Scout Oath and Law.

OK, I'll start: First problem: SM does not have the right to establish rules excluding women, especially those who are parents of scouts. As committee chair, YOU sign the adult applications, not the SM. So, if the ladies want to become registered leaders and attend campouts, bring it on!

Richard M. Nixon's signature is on my Eagle Certificate.

The answer to all questions is yes. All adult leader applications must be approved by the committee chairman, the chartered organization and the council. Anyone who is "just on the committee" should be a trained, registered leader.

This is one of my hot buttons. Seems when the council converted to ScoutNet, training records were not converted. Only those who have completed the NEW version of training (each training course has a code), are entered. I attended BS Leader Basic Training in 1990, therefore I was listed as "untrained". As Dist Training Chair, I am given a report every month of untrained leaders so I can talk to them and encourage them to attend. Some of the names on the list are 35 year veterans with 7 rows of square knots and WB Beads around their necks and were experienced leaders when I was a Tenderfoot. It's ridiculous.

A Scout is not arrogant.

One reason I see units making rules (or "by-laws") is that they don't know that BSA rules (policies) exist, nor where to find them, so their answer is to figure out what they need to know and publish them in one place for the parents and leaders. If they don't know of a BSA rule that applies, they feel compelled to make one up, which may or may not agree with BSA policy. Like my recent question on complete uniforms. I don't have the time nor the money to collect ALL of the references so I can research the question properly and quote the specific reference that it may be buried in. One thing the BSA could do is put ALL publications and forms on a CD (or on line) and index them and cross reference them in a searchable .pdf format. Sure would save a lot of trees. Or are these pubs viewed as a profit center for the Scout Shops? I would gladly pay 10 bucks for an annual CD. DS referred to a BSA Intranet for professionals? Why not allow access for district and council volunteers? Reminds me of the time I asked our Comptroller a question about travel regs. The insulting answer was "you wouldn't understand the rules, so you can't see them. Ask me the question and I will tell you the answer." That's one thing I like about this forum. All the answers are a few mouse clicks away. Too bad it's not "official".

Thanks for participating on this forum, DS. That is truly the "extra mile". I'll add my 2 cents: Agree with doing what it takes to get the job done, but don't forget your job description. If you have a volunteer in a position, get out of the way and let them do the job. It may not be the way you would have done it; we all have different styles of management. It may not be according you your timeline...we have careers that feed our families and which must take our first priority. I get up at 0500 every morning and often get home just in time to change into my scout uniform and get to my 7 pm meeting that night. Supper often comes at 10 pm when I get home. This is at least 3 nights a week. If the job requires a DE to work 80 hrs a week for 30K per year, I think that is unreasonable. But your beef is with your employer...don't take it out on the volunteers who have their own, different job descriptions. I am reminded of those who buy homes next to the airport and then complain about the noise. When the BSA finds it impossible to attract and retain competent professionals (which, by my observation is soon to be the case), perhaps they will take a look at and improve the working conditions. Beating harder the ones who are left is not smart. A DE once told me, "BSA is all about family values, but this is no job for a family man." He is actively looking for another career...at his wife's insistence. If I take my valuable "free time" to go to a meeting, it had better be worthwhile. Have an agenda and stick to it. Send out the committee reports by e-mail ahead of time so we don't waste time reading them for the first time at the meeting. If you are the DE, don't dominate the meeting. Your time is the "Professional's Minute" at the end. If the chair of the meeting isn't doing his/her job, or the committee chairs are not submitting reports, replace them...don't do the job for them. Chewing out the ones who are there is not the right answer. I understand you don't spend much time in the office (nor should you), but do return phone calls and e-mail from your volunteers within 24 hrs. Don't call ANYONE after 9pm, unless they've asked you to. NEVER schedule my time for me. If you advertise an event without consulting me, I will assume you have it covered. I could go on and on...I once considered becoming a BSA professional...but now that I know what I know, I could never be one, nor would I recommend it to any one.

Lion/Arrow of Light Eagle Eligible for Bronze Palm, but never officially applied for it Pro Deo et Patria (Lutheran) OA Brotherhood Honor Chapter Vice Chief PL, SPL, Scribe ASM, SM, DL, CM Currently TroopCC, Dist Training Chair, OA Chapter Assoc. Advisor

OK, got a question. I should know this, but I don't. Taught a SM Specific course last week, and, armed with all of the collective knowledge of this forum, announced to the class, that "BSA Policy is to wear the uniform completely and correctly, or not at all"..."but a uniform is not required to be a Scout." So, the gentleman in the front row (there's always one in every crowd)asks, "WHere is that written?", so I showed him the Uniform Inspection Sheet. To which he replies, "I understand that defines what a complete uniform consists of, but where does it say that ONLY a complete uniform can be worn?" From his own uniform, it was obvious that he was from one of those Troops which has declared that blue jeans are close enough.