scoutldr

Lived in Norfolk, VA as a young tyke. All the neighbors were building bomb shelters in their back yards. My Dad, a Navy Chief submariner, said it wasn't necessary...we were so close to the base, we would all be vaporized, shelter or not. Thank God the Russians blinked first.

Perhaps the national press releases should have been delayed until they have an idea of how it was to be implemented. I just read this thread and learned a whole lot more than what has been communicated to the Scouters by my Council. I have had extensive training in the field of "Risk Communication"...BSA National and local Council Executives need a crash course. In a nutshell...1) identify your stakeholders, 2) communicate early and often, 3) tell the truth, 4) if you don't know, say you don't know., 5) get out ahead of the rumors and quash them.

I'll just wait for it to run on free TV...when I have nothing better to do. And save about $10.50 on a bag of popcorn and a coke.

Boys' Clubs became "Boys' and Girls' Clubs" Campfire Girls became simply "Campfire" YMCA? YWCA?

Well, I disagree with the youngsters. Part of being Eagle is leading and mentoring younger Scouts along the way, serving as a good example (Scout Spirit and all that)...you can't do that without "serving time". If we eliminated time requirements, some over-achievers could "make" (not "earn") Eagle within months. Talk about "demeaning the rank"...how many times in this forum have we had to remind people that "it's about the journey, not the piece of cloth."

Unless things have changed since I was on the District Committee, all CORs are ex officio members of the District Committee and are the only Unit level Scouters who have a vote. They should be encouraged to attend and participate.

I second. Close this thread and take the moderator squabble off-line. We're not interested.

After all, 18 is the new 12, right?

Agree with Fred, BL is a shadow of its former self which I enjoyed as a Scout in the 60s. I wonder how much longer the title itself ("Boys' Life - For All Boys") will survive. Will it be "Boys' and Girls' Life"...or just "Life"? No, wait, that one's been done. Maybe "Scouts' Life"...or "Family Life"...or "Gender-neutral Life"?? ":

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.