scoutldr

I'm new to this site and these forums but am finding them infinitely more stimulating than the Yahoo group I subscribe to!!! I perhaps have a unique perspective. I joined Cub Scouts in 1963 and have been in the program ever since, except for a brief hiatus to go to college, get married and produce two Scouts of my own. I was a Cub for 2 years, a Scout for 3 and then joined an Explorer Post at age 14. Due to my parents' and Explorer Advisor's encouragement, I was the Post's first Eagle in 1970. These were also the first years that Exploring became co-ed...the fore-runner of Venturing. Looking back, our Advisors were either Saints or insane! Things went on during camping trips that would make national news headlines today! There was no "youth protection" or official policies about separate facilities. Our Post was sponsored by a Rescue Squad, so we all got the same training as the Squad members, and when our members reached age 18, they were invited to become official Squad members. The Squad gave us our own ambulance (which our Advisor was licensed to operate), and we were the "first aid" staff at all council functions. It was a great program, and I'm sorry it's not as viable as it once was. Were girls a disadvantage? Well, it depends on what you want to teach the kids. On the one hand, we guys were a little restrained when it came to doing "guy stuff" (you guys know what I mean). On the other hand, we learned to see girls, not as "the opposite sex", but as co-workers on the first aid team. And, I might add, most of the girls were also registered Girl Scouts, but preferred our program (or maybe the boys!). Fast forward to today. Guess what, the GOB network is alive and well, even for us guys. I tried to volunteer to go to the last Jambo...I said, "I have lots of vacation time and I'll drive the trash truck if I need to, I just want to go." I was told, "Sorry, we have everyone we need. You're welcome to come for the day as a visitor if you want". Seems like the same old names show up all the time whether it's Silver Beaver, Jamboree Staff, Philmont, OA, you name it. Even the Youth have their own Good Ol' Youth network when it comes to OA, Philmont, and Jambo. What really causes heartburn is to see a female sign up as a leader, get in the OA a year later, and wearing a Vigil Sash a year after that. The guys don't seem to be so fortunate. So the moral is, it's more important to volunteer for a few highly visible "staff" jobs than it is to work your butt off at the Unit level where the rubber meets the road. So I agree with your statement that the males and females are not treated equally. It works both ways. And I hope that your research shows that the BSA dynamics are no different from any other organization...it is merely a microcosm of society with the same biases, flaws and imperfections. It's up to us to make a difference.

YES we need a new uniform!!!! The current uniform is very poor quality in both fabric and construction, not to mention it costs twice as much as it should for what you get. I refuse to pay $43 for a shirt!!! First of all, design a shirt that doesn't shrink around the middle and put buttons at the belly that will stay buttoned! ;-) I was a Scout in the 60s and the uniforms then were ideal, in my opinion. The winter shirt was long sleeved and of a heavier gabardine fabric. It had a placket front and pleated shirt pockets. The summer shirt was a lighter poly/cotton blend that didn't "pill". There was no collar, so it really looked ridiculous and incomplete without a neckerchief. No epaulets, so those with multiple positions weren't constantly conflicted over which color to wear. Overall, the uniform design was sharper, with a more "tailored" look. Adults wore a tie for all but the most casual occasions. And the "overseas" cap was comfortable and easy to store tucked in your belt. I recently purchased a used shirt on eBay and when it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to find it was 100% cotton, so it must have been a special order. It really looks good and feels good when it's pressed and starched. But it is a pain! One other thing I would like to see...eliminate those patches that have to be replaced periodically, like the Quality Unit patch. How about a special shoulder loop with gold trim and/or the current year to denote a QU??? Easy and cheap!

Our District has recently been "forced" to split into three. Apparently that was a CE decision, and our perception as volunteers it is a thinly disguised attempt at "Empire Building". The decision was made and dumped in the laps of the volunteers, who are struggling mightily to keep things running. Suddenly we need 75 new District volunteer positions...only 30 of which are filled after 6 months. Many of us are registered in 3-4 positions because there is no one else to do it. The OA chapter, once the pride of the Lodge, is also struggling...now we don't even have enough youth to fill all of the offices and committee positions. Several of the "old timers" have thrown up their hands and walked away. Our DE is great, but is clearly struggling to "meet the numbers" as well. This is clearly unfair. I want to put in a good word for DEs, because this one is able to roll his sleeves up and work along side us. I have seen him doing all kinds of things, from giving FOS presentations, to teaching a new Tiger Cub how to hold a bow and arrow. I have even seen him splitting wood at the Council Camp for the firewood sale on a Sunday afternoon. He just announced to us that he will be the Summer Camp Director for 03. Too bad he may soon be history because he has to tell his boss we didn't meet our "numbers", even though they were unrealistic. Notice I said "we". While the DE's job is to support the volunteers in providing the program, the reality is that when it comes time for annual appraisal time, the boss says "show me the numbers." Perhaps the system needs to be changed...what do the DE's "customers" think of the job he is doing? That's what the boss should care about.