scoutldr

Have the Pack treasurer sit down with the Troop treasurer over a cup of coffee and say, "so explain this to me. What do we owe, to whom do we owe it and what is it for?" One fly in the ointment that I haven't seen mentioned is that the Chartered Organization (CO) owns both units, including their equipment and funds and they can pretty much do what they want with it. You may not agree, and it may not be "fair", but it is what it is.

Cub camping is supposed to be "family camping", so I would take "families" in order of them having signed and PAID. First come, first served. But that's just me.

The ignorance being exhibited in this thread is incredible.

Ok, I'll be the killjoy with all this talk about "parents". Baden-Powell's original concept was that "each scout should earn his own way." Also, any unit fundraisers, per BSA policy, need to approved by the Council Scout Executive...there are rules that govern what you can and can't do as a fundraiser. Also, I am a fan of the "Unit Budget Plan" which is planned by the Troop Committee (with PLC input) each year...you will need to account for projected expenses such as awards (not cheap anymore), Court of Honor expenses, outings, camp, equipment, etc. Then figure out what income sources will support the budget. Since the unit is owned by the CO, you should get their approval on the plan, also. They need to see what it costs to operate a scout unit. Finally, the BSA officially discourages Scout Accounts. This has been discussed ad nauseam on this forum.

Being in Scouting for nigh on to 50 years now, it has helped me tremendously in public speaking settings. In my job I was once responsible for a major military medical conference of nearly 3000 attendees. During one of the presentations, the projector bulb blew and we had to call for the A/V contractor to come replace it, which took a few minutes. The audience began chit-chatting among themselves and when we were ready to begin again, my right hand immediately went up in the Scout sign, which we all know means to quiet down and listen. I just stood there...sure enough signs started going up throughout the room as the room went quiet! There were enough fellow Scouts/Scouters in the room and they were elbowing their neighbors to shut up and listen! It Works! Just remember, in the Scouting environment, we are all friendly...no one is judging (or shouldn't be)...we are all just volunteers there to further the movement. It is a safe place to practice social skills and public speaking skills.

My first suggestion would be to contact the local Council (Southeast Louisiana Council) and ask for recommendations.

I love it when @qwazse waxes eloquent.

When I was a youth (60s-70s) I remember selling light bulbs...4-pack for a buck. Our Explorer Post set up a Christmas tree lot every December...we had a blast every evening with a fire barrel and hot chocolate. I imagine it was a lot of work for the leaders, though. More recently, my troop sold Christmas wreaths (mail order) with good success. Lots of repeat customers and my relatives in PA loved them.

Ok, I'll state the obvious: Seems to me his email should have been directed to his Assistant Den Leader(s). YOu have your own den to run. As stated above, 19 scouts is THREE dens. Each one should have a DL and ADL. It always amazes me when Packs/Troops try to operate at odds with BSA guidelines then wonder why it's not working. It's not like we are inventing the wheel for the first time.

In the case of the 16 year old scout I mentioned earlier, seeing that grin on his face and the celebrations of his fellow scouts when he passed that requirement was priceless. I'm glad we didn't rob him of that accomplishment by allowing him to skate by the requirement. His subsequent earning of the Eagle badge paled in comparison.

Welcome, Eric. That's a lot of training you've accomplished already!

Short answer, no. The point of the requirement is to train them to be safe if they should fall in. I had a boy with the same issue...he eventually made it, and proceeded to Eagle using the alternate merit badges.

Let your COR know what is going on and request an independent audit of funds before you take responsibility for anything. If the CO/COR signs off on the audit, you are good to move forward.

Brian, this is nothing new. My own son will be 40 next year...growing up, I could name any pro baseball player and he could recite the complete player's stats and playing history and the current value of his rookie card. But he couldn't tell you what month followed July, or his multilplication tables. He aged out of Scouting as a Star, and when he went to college, he thanked me for all the skills he had picked up along the way. The other kids in his dorm had never cooked a meal or washed their own clothes and he had to teach them. He is now a District Manager for a major food and restaurant supply distribution company making over 6 figures, with a wife and son of his own and we are very proud.

"Fund Our Salaries"

It happens to all of us...sooner or later. They will keep taking advantage of you until you say "no more". And as long as you keep showing up and doing the job, they will not look for a replacement.

Welcome!

We never know when one of those young lads we take into the woods will turn out to be a hero one day. Thanks for sharing.

Good to hear from you again, Mate, and congratulations on your grandson. My own tribe has increased by three...two beautiful girls, and a VERY busy, active boy whom I can't wait to buy his first Cub Scout uniform. Who knows, the way things are leaning, the girls may be in Cub blue as well! We've been holding your spot at the campfilre and the coffee (tea?) is still hot...

I thought that in the current PC environment, we were not allowed to assume who is male and who is female, and indeed gender can change at the whim of the owner of the X/Y chromosomes or their parent(s)?

There is a procedure for adapting requirement to Scouts with special needs and it needs to be followed. It requires District/Council approval. Not a matter of Mom calling the shots. Similar to an IEP in school. Now, as a former Aquatics instructor, safety needs to be first and foremost. I would NEVER accept a Scout in a SCUBA or any other aquatic course of instruction who cannot float/swim at least at the "Swimmer" level. This is a serious safety and liability issue and must not be allowed. I am sympathetic to special needs and spent many summer teaching such scouts how to swim. But my primary responsibility was to send them home alive.

In my admittedly limited experience with GSUSA, the quantity and quality of "outdoor" program they provide is limited by what the local mom/troop leader is willing to provide. If the local troop leader doesn't "do" heat, cold, bugs, dirt etc, there won't be an outdoor program, regardless of what the National party line is.

Any time the signatories on the bank account change, there should be an audit by the CO and Troop Committee. This is for your protection.

Is the SM military by chance? This sounds vaguely like military etiquette. You never call a superior and leave a message for them to call back. It's up to you to make contact, not to put the monkey on their back. I was a civilian in a military organization and a young enlisted person [taught me this.

Technically, all equipment and funds belong to the CO. Really can't sell it without their permission. According to the "Rules and Regulations", the DE should meet with the CO and determine their intent to recharter now or sometime in the future. This really does not affect current members. If you have an established troop to go to, contact them and submit a transfer application for each youth/adult. Transfer fee is $1. Then walk away and let Council and the old CO handle the details of the old troop. You have already done the "Courteous" thing and advised them of your intent.