scoutldr

Being a former Church Council President and Finance Committee chair, I don't think it's as ominous as it sounds. Church Treasurers are usually bonded and insured against fraud, embezzlement and other errors and ommissions. In order to maintain this protection, all funds must be maintained under the control of the bonded individual(s) and are auditable along with all other church accounts. As BW and others have pointed out, the Troop is owned by the CO and they can specify how they want things run. The only downside is that the Troop may need to now get all checks issued by the Church Treasurer and the Troop Treasurer keeps the books, but not the money.

I can decipher most typos, but what's an "un friendly dissution"?????

Water shoes (or extra pair of sneakers that can stay wet). Sunscreen. Long sleeved shirt and long pants with belt for Swimming merit badge. Sheets, blanket, pillow. (may be too hot for sleeping bag). Medical form.

In my experience with ADHD 11 year olds, even if he packs and takes it, he won't remember he has it and won't use it! (lol) That goes for the items you already mentioned, like underwear, and toothbrush! For some reason, that never applies to GameBoys, YuGiOh cards and what we call "personal stash" (candy, softdrinks, etc). If we knew the location and climate of the camp, we could help narrow down the list for you! For instance the list will be different in So California than it will be for Maine.

"BSA is the only branch of world scouting to take this stance." I don't know if this is true or not, (especially in Islamic countries), but I will take it at face value. Analyzing this "fact", is it because BSA uses the "Chartered Partner" concept, which I understand is unique to the USA? Is the exclusionary policy really because we believe in "morally straight" and "bad role models", or is it because of the potential massive loss of support from major Chartered Partners such as the LDS church? Most of my youth Scouting was in the Exploring program in the 70s when it became Co-ed. Our chartering organization was a Fire Department/Rescue Squad. Now, the Exploring program has been moved to Learning for Life, so that the governmental agencies can continue to sponsor units and also be non-discriminatory. I have to ask...why is a gay fireman an OK role model for a 14 year old in the LfL program, but he is NOT an acceptable role model as an ASM? Why is it OK to expose our innocent, impressionable children to gay youth in the Explorer Posts, but not in our Venture Crews? If the BSA stands for "timeless values", then why not Corporate-wide? Don't we believe in the same values for ALL youth???? If we are about being "morally straight", and other points of the Oath and Law, then why does the BSA only focus on orientation and religion and ignore situations such as those described in other threads (e.g., the ASM who will "knock the block off" anyone who disagrees with him, the adulterers and fornicators (we all know at least one), the wife beaters, the obese, the alcoholics, the racists and bigots, etc). We had a City Councilman who resigned after being convicted of spousal assault. As far as I know, his Eagle badge is still intact (we Scouted together as youth, and being an Eagle was prominent in his campaign materials). Aren't these bad role models, too???? If the Scout Oath and Law were enforced to the max, how many of us would be able to remain? I submit that it's not because we are standing on the moral high ground...it's because the BSA could not survive the loss in units, membership, and financial support if it did not kowtow to the demands of those with the biggest voices and wallets on the Executive Board. So it responds by forming "wholly owned subsidiaries" and then saying "they may be gay or atheist, but they are not really members of the BSA, and we'll keep them away from OUR children." Bullfeathers.

Here is one version, from "A Prairie Home Companion Folk Song Book" My hand on myself, What is dis here? Das ist my mohawker, Ya mamma dear. Mohawker, winky dinky doo Dat's what I learned in da school, yahoo! Mohawker, sweatboxer, eyeblinker, hornblower, boy(girl)kisser, jawbreaker, chinchopper, voiceboxer, ticktocker, breadbasket, kneeknocker, boy(girl)kicker

Most of the time, I don't get past the "Think" part. Have I missed some opportunities? For sure. But I've never been to jail, either. And I can't count the number of posts in the past few weeks that, after thinking about it, I just hit "Clear Fields" and go to bed.

Just got back from Camp and the Camp Commissioner recommended a "Bounce" dryer sheet in the pocket at all times to ward off ticks and chiggers. He said he periodically takes it out and wipes exposed skin surfaces with it, and had not had a tick problem in 4 weeks. We had a good crop of deer ticks this year, and DEET was pretty much ineffective. Has anyone else heard of this?

http://www.financialaid.com

Happy Birthday USA! Happy Birthday Dad! We miss you. (1925-1995)

What are the BSA membership requirements for Venturers? Can the CO add to those requirements? If a female (or male) Venturer became a parent while registered, would they be kicked out? Tough questions.

A wood badger wearing an unauthorized insignia???? GASP! Out of curiosity, I found the square knot at the following site http://www.inclusivescouting.net I also found the following at the same website: "To be a person of strong character, guide your life with honesty, purity, and justice. Respect and defend the rights of all people. Your relationships with others should be honest and open." -- The Boy Scout Handbook "Practice what you preach. . . . The most destructive influence on boys is adult inconsistency and hypocrisy." -- The Scoutmaster Handbook Those are the "traditional values" that I was taught, both by my parents and my Scout leaders, and which I try to follow every day.

It relates so far as to illustrate the point that "the only constant is change." The BSA will change, as it has been changing constantly over the years. When the Cub program was introduced, Den Chiefs were in charge of Dens. Den Mothers came later. Then they became "Den Leaders". When I was a Cub, women ran the dens, but men ran the Packs. In the Troops, the women's role was to make sure there were good refreshments at Courts of Honor and to receive their "Mother's Pin". I was an Explorer when our Post went coed in 1970. The trend continued, now we have female Scoutmasters, female "Arrowmen" (Arrowpersons?), and female Scout Executives. Whether you feel this is good or bad is irrelevant...it is change and the evolution will continue as it must. Perhaps it's another example of Natural Selection. Those organizations which adapt and learn to coexist with the changing environment rather than rail against it will be the ones to survive.

I guess the biggest thing I have a problem with is the cavalier, "in your face" attitude, which I hope is not the intended perception. The original post stated, "She is over 18 years old and has decided to start her family." Morality issues aside, if this is the case, the young lady is incredibly stupid. Another reason not to be viewed as a role model. Taken at face value, my perception is that this is not viewed as an "unfortunate circumstance". It sounds like it was a conscious decision to become pregnant out of wedlock. I had a similar thing happen in my troop, only it was one of my scout's older (but not much older) sister. Pregnant sister came regularly to pick up her brother. Then baby and grandmother came to the meetings where all the other moms oohed and ahhed and this child of a child was passed around for all to admire, while the 17 year old unwed mom basked in the limelight. I noticed all of the scouts taking it all in. Who knows what value systems got altered in the experience. All they saw was "look at my wonderful cute baby and now I'm really important and admired." They don't get to see the down side, like standing in line at the welfare office for ADC and food stamps. My final vote is yes, if she wants to work behind the scenes as a committee member. No, for a "direct contact" position. PS: Thanks, littlebillie for sending me scrambling for my Websters'!!! You are 100% correct and I learned something new. It's been a good day!

I can think of no scout function where tipping someone within the organization would be appropriate. Tipping MAY be appropriate at something like an FOS dinner where the wait staff were not registered members providing "cheerful service".

And how do you propose that the BSA make up that funding if someone can't prove their moral "pureness"? Double the cost of uniforms? Close camps? $200 annual registration fees? Merge councils and lay off professionals? Get out your checkbook, because your FOS donation will need to have a coupla zeroes added. Oh, and by the way...you need to find a new site for the National Jamboree...FT AP Hill is Federal property.

The Tidewater Council, which covers NE North Carolina, has resurrected the Outer Banks Historic Trail medal to commemorate the 100th anniversary of flight. The year's activities culminate in a Camporall on 10-12 October 2003 at the Dare County Airport, Manteo, NC. For details see http://www.tidewaterbsa.com or call the Council office at (757)49-SCOUT

Are you guys talking about "Textiles" MB?

James Taylor, Chicago, Glenn Miller, Everley Bros, BB King, Carole King, any 50's Doo-Wop, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Neville Bros, Willie Nelson, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Arlo Guthrie and his daddy Woody, Brian Setzer

To answer a question in an earlier post, this is cut and pasted from an asthma web site...not all triggers affect all asthmatics the same. In a camping environment, triggers can take the form of campfire smoke, exertion, cold air, bug spray, dust, mold spores, etc. Each asthmatic has to know their level of sensitivity and which triggers to avoid. Needless to say, tobacco use in the presence of youth members is a no-no. "Common triggers of bronchoconstriction include everyday stimuli such as: Cold air Dust Strong fumes Exercise (For more information, please refer to Exercise and Asthma). Inhaled irritants Emotional upsets Smoke Smoke acts as a very strong trigger. Second-hand smoke has been shown to aggravate asthma symptoms, especially in children. The effects of one cigarette linger in the home for 7 days, and therefore it is very important to provide a SMOKE-FREE HOME for all children. In fact, some health care workers feel that smoking in a home where there is a child with asthma is a form of child abuse. Children should not be exposed to a polluted environment over which they have no control."

Velcro.

I can see having a new DE spend time at camp to see that part of Council operations. I can't see having them all spend every day at camp, especially if there is a camp staff to run things...who's minding the store back home? This is happening at my COuncil this year, too...although it's the first year they have been ordered to. All of the DEs have been assigned to be on camp staff. Maybe it's a trend?

It is unconscionable that the SE will not return your calls on a Youth Protection matter. If you have the resources, I would contact an attorney to write him a certified letter, copy to Mr. Roy Williams, Chief Scout Executive in Irving. You MUST not let this slide. The best answer is not to give up and find another troop...this leader needs to be removed and possibly charged.

Bob, you just don't get it. It has nothing to do with being pregnant. It has everything to do with being an "avowed" adulteress. "Look at me, I'm pregnant...ain't that great?" Now it seems we need a list...which immoral and sinful behaviors are OK and which will bar your membership from BSA. I'm all for standards...but not if they are not applied fairly and consistently. As I have stated elsewhere in this forum, if we ban gays then where do we stop? Some bad role models are OK? Can't have it both ways...kids see right through that kind of doublespeak. If we are to be effective leaders and parents, we need to be firm, fair and consistent. Maybe she will turn out to be a pregnant lesbian...that would sure make things "cleaner", huh guys?

Isn't it amazing how the definition of "morally straight" keeps changing? If the BSA is to be consistent in it's active discrimination against the morally flawed, there is no choice but to deny her membership. Otherwise, someone in Irving needs to explain to me why being gay is prima facie evidence of immorality and a bad role model, but being an unwed mother is not. Our kids are confused enough without having to sort out the mixed messages.