scoutldr

Have your Pinewood Derby District or Council Championship at the local mall. A neighboring Council has an annual Merit Badge Midway at the mall...booths set up where the scouts can spend the day and come away with 5-6 completed merit badges. All in full view of the public. Until the mid-late 80s, we used to do an annual Scout-O-Rama/Scout Show and sell tickets to the public for $1. Not sure why they were discontinued.

OK, so the simple answer to this is for the CC and DE to sit down with our COR and explain up front what our criteria are for accepting "gifts". No targeted fundraising using immoral, illegal, or "against policy" methods. However, if the CO wants to budget a certain amount out of their annual budget and designate it for Scouts, we won't ask where the money came from. As long as they are not "avowed" BSA fundraisers, it's ok. (Sorry, couldn't resist that.)

Completely agree, KS. Our District list has become almost exclusively counsellors who have a notation, "Troop XXX only". In my opinion, this should not be allowed. MBCs are registered with the District, not in a particular unit. These are the same troops who have a reputation of being Eagle Mills. To paraphrase Martin Luther King, Jr., Scouts will be judged not by the number of badges on their sash, but on the content of their character. There IS a difference.

The training is council-specific only because at the end, you print out the local contacts and phone numbers in your area for reporting purposes. It seems to be up to the Council as to how accomodating they will be to out-of-council participants...some will send you your training completion card in the mail, and others will send you an e-mail saying, "this is for our people only, please contact your local council." Another nice feature is that it will then update your training records in Scoutnet, but only if you are registered in that council and the name you entered exactly matches your registered name in Scoutnet (e.g., "Bill" vs "William"). Our experience so far has been that we get more "no match" names on the printout than we do matches, meaning the DE then has to figure out manually what went wrong. Bottom line is, local Councils have had the information needed to stand up the on-line training since at least Jan 1. If it's not available in your area, you need to shake the tree and get it moved to the front burner. That's what I had to do.

Our course this spring will be $145. We are using the Council camp facilities. Registration this year is down, for some reason and the course may be cancelled for the lack of 2 more people. This was discussed at the last Council Training Committee mtg. It was also speculated that Cub Scouters are staying away from the new WB21 because of the camping-out requirement.

Nobody has mentioned Universal Precautions for Blood Borne Pathogens. I know it's hard to believe, but there are HIV positive children (including scouts) walking among us, who may have contracted the disease by blood transfusion, or through birth by an infected mother, and may appear perfectly healthy. In fact, they themselves may not be aware of their HIV status. Such was the case with a Kindergartener in the school where my wife is the school nurse. Her motto is, "if it's wet and it's not yours, DON'T TOUCH IT!!!" One should always assume that the body fluids they are touching are infective. There is currently no law that requires disclosure of the HIV status and they are free to attend school and scout camp just like any other child. According to the G2SS: Because of the possibility of exposure to communicable diseases, first-aid kits should include latex or vinyl gloves, plastic goggles or other eye protection, and antiseptic to be used when giving first aid to bleeding victims, as protection against possible exposure. Mouth barrier devices should be available for use with CPR. Protection Considerations for Bloodborne Pathogens Many people are concerned about the rapid spread of HIV (the AIDS virus) and try to avoid exposing themselves to this hazard. Health professionals and amateur first-aiders like those of us in Scouting may find ourselves faced with special concerns in this regard. Therefore, we must know how to act and how to instruct the youth we lead. Try to maintain the BSA's tradition of rendering first aid to those in need. Recognize that often the victims we treat with first aid are friends and family members whose health we are familiar with. Therefore, in such cases, except when we know they have infectious diseases, we should not hesitate to treat them. The Boy Scouts of America Recommends Treat all blood as if it were contaminated with bloodborne viruses. Do not use bare hands to stop bleeding; always use a protective barrier. Always wash exposed skin area with hot water and soap immediately after treating the victim. The following equipment is to be included in all first-aid kits and used when rendering first aid to those in need: Latex or vinyl gloves, to be used when stopping bleeding or dressing wounds A mouth-barrier device for rendering rescue breathing or CPR Plastic goggles or other eye protection to prevent a victim's blood from getting into the rescuer's eyes in the event of serious arterial bleeding Antiseptic, for sterilizing or cleaning exposed skin area, particularly if there is no soap or water available. Individuals (medicine, fire rescue, and law enforcement Venturing crew members; volunteer first-aiders at camporees, Scouting shows, and similar events) who might have been exposed to another's blood and body fluids should know the following: The chartered organization and its leaders should always explain and make clear the possible degree of exposure to blood or body fluids as a result of Scouting activities. As a precaution, adult volunteers or youth members should consider a hepatitis B vaccination. The cost of the shots will not be borne by BSA, nor is the chartered organization required to underwrite the cost. The chartered organization may arrange to have shots given at a reduced rate or free of charge. If vaccination is recommended, any adult volunteers and youth members who decline the shots, either at full cost to them or at a reduced rate, or free, should sign a refusal waiver that should be retained by the council for five years.

My Dad gave me a moral compass when I was about 12. He said, "when you want to do something, think about how you would feel about having your Mom read about it on the front page of the paper." That thought has kept me from doing a lot of stupid things over the years. When I use written material, I always like to credit the source...I found this about your poem: "Author Unknown to us until August 2002, when we were directed to the official story which includes copyright information from The American Magazine where this was first published in 1934. We formerly referred to this poem as "Man in the Glass". "The Guy in the Glass" Written in 1934 By Peter "Dale" Wimbrow Sr., 1895-1954

Perhaps our Professional brothers can answer the question....what's the point of having advancement policies if Councils are free to do what they want? I agree, Eammonn, this is an abuse of the system, and that Troop should be ashamed. Merit Badge mills drive me nuts. On the other hand, if the ASM is, indeed an expert (and the District Advancement Committee should screen this before approving him/her), and the requirements were met, who are we to judge and assume that there was something amiss?

"Camp merit badge counselors must be qualified (see "Qualifications of Counselors" above). Camp staff members who are qualified in the subject and are younger than age 18 may assist the merit badge counselor with instruction. The merit badge counselor or instructor in a particular subject should be available to both individuals and groups. Because of the need for continued practice in some subjects, it will be necessary to meet candidates at a certain time each day. For other subjects, it may be necessary to meet as a group once or twice during the week." "Each counselor must maintain the exact standards as outlined in the merit badge requirements -- nothing deleted, nothing added -- and make himself or herself available at the time most convenient to the Scouts. Partial completion of merit badges should be credited to a Scout on the Application for Merit Badge and given to the Scoutmaster at the end of the week. There is no time limit for completion of merit badges other than age 18." I'm pretty sure it doesn't happen like this at our camp, either. But, I will pay more attention this year. I seem to remember the Program Directors complaining that they were up until the wee hours Friday night signing all of the blue cards. The way I read the policy, a qualified MB couselor needs to be at each program area, with under 18 youth staff assisting, but not running the show. Maybe someone else is familiar with camp accreditation standards...I don't have access to them.

Well, I just reread the link that I posted and answered my own question about summer camp. Every time I go look something up, I learn something new!

It is from the District Ops Manual and "Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures", Cat no 33088B...both are National publications, as far as I know. I was having this same arguement with a friend from another Council. So, I looked it up and found out I was guilty of perpetrating a myth (learned from a District trainer!). http://www.meritbadge.com/bsa/info/policy1.htm

KS's post about the PWD gave me an idea. Why not have a separate competition for the adults?

Right on, Matua. If you force them to choose, you frequently will be disappointed! Some Scouting is better than no Scouting. I see today's youth struggling to juggle all of their parents' expectations, including sports, school, scouts, church, etc. Sometimes, something falls off their plates. I don't criticise or embarrass them. I encourage them to do their best at whatever they choose to do, and they are welcome at any Troop activity at any time...if they have competing priorities for their time, I wish them well and make sure they know they are missed. They usually come back. The only thing I get on their case for is if they tell their patrol they will do something or be somewhere and then don't show up without letting someone know. That's just rude and is not excusable.

PS: I hope this also answers the age-old myth that Scoutmasters can sign off certain MBs, e.g., Camping, Cooking, etc. It just ain't so, unless they are registered as approved counsellors for those MBs. PPS: I wonder of all those youth staff at summer camp are legally signing off MB requirements? HMMMMM.

Qualifications of Counselors Persons serving as merit badge counselors must be registered as a merit badge counselor with the Boy Scouts of America. They must be men and women of good character, age 18 or older, and recognized as having the skills and education in the subjects for which they are to serve as merit badge counselors, as well as having the ability to work with Scoutage boys. Register merit badge counselors by using the basic adult registration form. All merit badge counselors must be approved by the council advancement committee. Merit badge counselors are not required to pay a fee if they are only registered as merit badge counselors. There is no restriction or limit on the number of merit badges an individual may be approved to counsel for, but they must be approved by the committee for each specific merit badge. There is no limit on the number of merit badges a youth may earn from one counselor. An approved merit badge counselor may counsel any youth member, including his or her own son, ward, or relative. Older Venturers, age 18 or older, make excellent counselors. Source: District Operations Manual, Advancement Committee So, as has been said ad nauseam in this forum, the rules is the rules and we may not add to them...presumably even at the Council level.

I know for a fact that some organizations (the local public school, for one) conduct raffles, the proceeds from which are then donated to the United Way campaign. I also know for a fact that more than a few UW dollars are extorted from unwilling employees who are threatened, coerced, and otherwise made to feel uncomfortable and "not a team player" if they refuse to donate. I once had a fellow employee who refused to donate based on religious grounds. THe boss then put money in himself under the employee's name, just so he could show "100% participation", and thus meet one of his performance goals as a manager. That being said, I find the "methods" of the UW to be socially unacceptable and morally repugnant, and I consider them to be "ill-gotten gains". I will, accordingly, send a letter to National recommending that BSA Councils refuse all future UW contributions. Everyone OK with that?

How does one get hurt with a jackhammer? 1. Permanent, irreversible hearing loss. 2. Raynaud's Syndrome (vibration "white finger" disease) 3. Injuries from handling high pressure air hoses 4. Foot injuries (are you going to buy everyone a pair of $100 steel-toe boots for use on the "project") 5. Eye injuries from flying debris 6. Back injuries because young scouts are not "conditioned" for heavy labor I can just see the lawyers drooling...

I have a 100% cotton shirt I found on Ebay....didn't know it was cotton until it arrived. I like the look and feel, and have been reintroduced to the fine art of ironing, since my wife refuses to touch it!

Welcome, Shirley. And thank you, on behalf of your Troop for taking on such an important position. Whatever you do, don't ask to see the Rules and Regulations of the BSA! Even us good ole' boys don't get to see those!

If BSA considers wearing of the flag "optional", it seems odd that they come already sewn in place on the shirts...they don't do that with any other common insignia, including the world crest, which is not optional, as far as I know. Just curious. Not complaining...the few patches I have to sew on, the better.

If BSA considers wearing of the flag "optional", it seems odd that they come already sewn in place on the shirts...they don't do that with any other common insignia, including the world crest, which is not optional, as far as I know. Just curious. Not complaining...the few patches I have to sew on, the better.

OK, I think I see a basic flaw in the system. In order to meet his/her "critical achievements", the DE MUST delegate the work. It's impossible for one person to do it all (although I've seen some try). Unfortunately, the only people available to delegate work to are the volunteers. As a volunteer, the work is VOLUNTARY, and I can't be held accountable for it in any meaningful way, other than to be persuaded, coerced, or replaced. Therefore, while he can and must delegate responsibility, he cannot delegate accountability...a fatal flaw. So I understand that the DE has to be, first and foremost, a salesman, convincing people who are volunteers (and perhaps somewhat reluctant at that) to use their leisure time do the grunt work that he doesn't have time to do, IN ADDITION to their REAL "day job" work that puts the bread on their families' table. This thread explains a lot to me, and I am glad we are having this discussion, although the name-calling was regrettable. But also regrettable was the recent District Committee meeting where our DE literally (no kidding) stood up, took over the meeting and YELLED at those in attendance, because we were not going to "meet our numbers" for QD and he was having his annual evaluation the next day. I, for one, was appalled, disgusted, humiliated, and demoralized. As a volunteer (remember the "voluntary" concept?), who is sitting in 3 registered positions, I was ready to walk out. I don't even take that kind of abuse from my employer. But then I remember the "irksome tasks" thing and hang in there. I work in a profession where a mistake or not meeting a goal means someone will die or become disabled. That, I take seriously. Forgive me if I don't get real worked up because a Cub Pack with 5 registered boys folded. As B-P said, Scouting is a "game with a purpose". That's all it is...a game. Growth of Scouting is nice and a worthy goal...but kept in perspective, it's not the end of the world...unless you're a DE, I guess. Now I understand the high turnover rate after one or two years in the job. DUHHH. So, while I will "do my best" to help meet "critical achievements" for the good of the program that I love, their are some pros out there who need to keep in mind that their career success is not my responsibility...nor do I expect them to lose sleep over mine. I will do what I can, where I can, and as much as I can for the team...but I (and my wife!)will decide how much that is.

I stand corrected, Barry. The drivers' qualifications are listed on the back of the new Local Tour Permit form. The tour leader must be 21. Drivers must be 18 or 16 if they have 6 months driving experience as a licensed driver, no accidents or moving violations, and permission of the riders'and drivers parents. I learned something tonight. Don't necessarily agree with it, but that's the policy.

At our last Fall Fellowship, we had an "Aluminum Chef" competition among the chapters, modeled after the "Iron Chef" on the Food Channel. The featured ingredient was "Spam" (which they didn't know about ahead of time. What a hoot! They all got identical cooking gear and a propane stove, and got to select other ingredients from a large table (scavenged from the dining hall). Amazingly, there were some real creative "presentations".

Sorry, should have been "their own cars." My English teacher did learn me better.