scoutldr

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.

Just to clarify, KS...scouts with drivers' licenses can drive, but not with other scouts in the car,unless they are over 21 and are listed on the tour permit. Many of my scouts are reaching the "magic age" of 16 and are "meeting us there" in there own cars. We usually load them up with troop gear, too! My question is, when does a scout event end, thus making it legal for a 16 yo to drive another scout? WHat if Johnny says, "my mom says I should just ride home with Steven, who lives next door"?

One suggestion: ask for a parent volunteer to visit the local thrift stores (DAV, Salvation Army, etc) once a week and look for "experienced" uniforms. Get to know the folks there and tell them what you are looking for...when one comes in they can give you a call. Also, tell everyone to watch for uniforms and camping equipment at yard sales. Also, eBay is good, but I'm finding their prices getting a little too high.

Had an ASM once who told us about his youth experience...his SM would just tell the SPL the date and location of the next camping trip and would not say another word about it. It was up to the SPL/PLC to carry the ball from there...make notifications, arrange transportation, menus, collect money, get the troop gear in order, etc. Talk about boy-run. In my troop, no one would show up. The youth nowadays don't seem to think about life more than 30 minutes in advance. (By the way, a student in one of my recent SM courses took offense at the term "boy-run". Suggested that "youth-run" was more PC.)

I'm a YP instructor and have not seen this in any of the materials. I agree this is probably an urban legend. If it becomes policy, many of us will decide it's just "too hard" and will declare that the parents have to provide their own transportation. Maybe one of the pros can call Irving and get us an answer?

NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense No. 139-03 (703)697-5131(media) IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2003 (703)428-0711(public/industry) TROOP SUPPORT MAIL POLICY STRESSED To bolster force protection, the general public is urged not to send unsolicited mail, care packages or donations to service members forward deployed unless you are a family member, loved one or personal friend. On Oct. 30, 2002, the Department of Defense (DoD) suspended the "Operation Dear Abby" and "Any Servicemember" mail programs due to force protection concerns. Although these programs provide an excellent means of support to friends and loved ones stationed overseas, they also provide an avenue to introduce hazardous substances or materials into the mail system from unknown sources. Unsolicited mail, packages and donations from organizations and individuals also compete for limited airlift space used to transport supplies, war-fighting materiel and mail from family and loved ones. Recently, DoD has become aware of organizations and individuals who continue to support some form of the "Any Servicemember" program by using the names and addresses of individual servicemembers and unit addresses. These programs are usually supported by well-intentioned, thoughtful and patriotic groups who are simply unaware of the new risks facing deployed military forces. Some individuals and groups publicize the names and addresses of service members, ships or units on Web sites, with good intentions. The result, however, is a potential danger to the troops they wish to support. DoD cannot support creative and well-intentioned efforts that defeat force protection measures, but can instead recommend alternatives to mail and donation programs. To show support to troops overseas, the following are recommended: * Log on to the following Web sites to show support, to include greeting cards, virtual Thank You cards and calling card donations to help troops stay in contact with loved ones: http://www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html http://www.usocares.org/home.htm http://www.army.mil/operations/iraq/faq.html * Visit Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and nursing homes. Volunteer your services to honor veterans who served in past conflicts. Mail from family members and loved ones has always been encouraged and the military mail system will continue to work hard to get that mail to servicemembers overseas. Web version: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2003/b03222003_bt139-03.html

http://n2zgu.50megs.com/IRAQ.htm

Is there a separate prayer wheel for the American Military Woman?

My understanding of the literature is "do what works best in your troop." Only about 50% of all troops use the "Venture" patrol method.

May God have mercy on our souls and keep safe those who are about to go in harm's way. God Bless America! Amen.

2003 is the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' flight at Kitty Hawk, NC...how 'bout an Aviation theme?

What's a "Congressional Award" and does it have anything to do with Scouting?

A poster I saw recently: "Perhaps the purpose of your life is to serve as a bad example for others". At the risk of dating myself, does anyone remember the GREEN wool jac-shirt? Green was for youth, red for adults and Explorers.