scoutldr

I'm not a labor lawyer, however, in my short career running a consulting firm, I learned that you are either an "employee" or an "independent contractor". The difference is in who specifies the "means and methods" of getting a job done. And if you are a contractor, you have to pay your own AND the employer's share of SS and Workman's comp insurance. In my layman's opinion, camp staff would be employees, since they have a boss telling them where to go, when to be there, and how to do the job. If they are not free to do whatever they want, they are "on the clock".

Any thoughts on how the new overtime edict from the White House will affect Scout councils, specifically camp staff and the Professional Corps? For those who don't follow the news, as of December 1, 2016, anyone not classified as a "Manager" and making less than $47,476 per year ($913 per week) MUST be paid time and a half for any hours in excess of 40 in any given work week. That's up from the current $23,660 ($455 per week). Personally, I have mixed feelings. On one hand, it's going to increase the cost of doing business (inflation). On the other hand, lots of employees get screwed by being arbitrarily titled "Manager" when they are truly not.

@Stosh- not sure how they get Not sure how they get away with that. In our neck of the woods, the References are requested by the troop committee, sent directly back to the troop committee, and then destroyed after the EBOR. No one sees them (or should) except the EBOR members. The only thing submitted to Council is the Eagle Application (duly signed) and an Advancement Report.

If a "Letter of Reference" is an essential part of the Eagle Application, then BSA needs to state that in the requirement. That's all I'm saying. When I represent the District on EBOR, once in awhile all of the letters are not received by the EBOR date. What am I supposed to do? Reschedule? No. We proceed...since it's not a "requirement" anyway.

I think we beat this dead horse here once before. The requirement on the Eagle application is to "List the names of individuals who know you well and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf". So if the Scout lists names, the requirement is met. Actually receiving recommendations (nothing says a "letter" is required) is not the requirementand is beyond the Scout's control. I have seen units make up their own forms with a simple questionnaire and the respondent has to just check a box or fill in the bubble with no further comments required. And I have always thought the parent recommendation was a waste of everyone's time. What parent would say, "this kid is a loser and doesn't deserve it." The only time I saw a letter work against a Scout (just turned 18) was one from his sister which said "I admire my brother for accepting responsibility for his new son", which blindsided the Unit Committee and infuriated them. Seems the SM didn't think it was worthy of mention that he had fathered a child out of wedlock and was "living in sin" under her parent's roof. This was a church CO and they denied the Eagle by secret ballot. He appealed to Council and it was approved. Seems like the definition of "morally straight" has changed over the years.

Actually, the official red wool Jac-shirt is not for that purpose, either. Or polyester or whatever it is now.

I earned Eagle as an Explorer in 1970, hence my avatar. Back then, BSA issued knots in official Explorer green to match the uniform. Since that is the one I was awarded, following the logic above, should I not be wearing the dark green Eagle knot on my current BSA uniform? Of course, back then, there were WAY fewer knots and the backgrounds were irrelevant (ie, not part of the knot identification).

Does your Council have a Catholic Committee on Scouting which is the liaison between the Council and diocese? I would contact that person for help in liaising with the parish. You are correct, this is way more complicated than it needs to be. I would also inquire as to what other parish-sponsored units in your council are doing and follow their lead. Use the same bank they are using if possible. It's not (or shouldn't be) rocket surgery.

Sounds like a candidate for a Venturing Crew.

I would say he met the letter of the requirement. List what birds used it? None. Done. On the other hand, a simple feeding station might give more positive results. When we put out feeders, the birds seem to find it in a matter of hours. The purpose of a MB is to learn, not just to get a badge.

I keep requesting Crocs for birthdays, Fathers day, etc. My sons refuse to buy them. The are overpriced for what must be 20 cents' worth of materials.

I had the privilege of spending my weeks at summer camp working with a special needs troop that happened to come to camp the same week we were there, year after year. I would volunteer my time as a swimming/lifesaving/BSA Lifeguard instructor. Some of these "scouts" were 40 years old, and were mostly Down's Syndrome. Some of the best times I had a summer camp. That being said, Council had them all in one troop, so there weren't any YPT complications. Not sure how it would work in a mixed troop.

Like military members, I think most heathcare professionals consider themselves "on duty" 24/7. If they had NOT responded, they would be violating their oath and possibly facing legal liability. That being said, I would submit the paperwork for all, and see how far it goes. At the very least, the Council can issue a Certificate of Merit.

Yes, that was incorrect. Any scout can wear a MB sash any time he wants, as long as he has earned at least one MB. Adults (18 and above) do NOT wear rank badges or MB sashes. As stated above, the sash should be worn properly, or not at all. Hanging from the belt is not permitted.

Neckers don't need to match, unless you are participating in a parade or flag ceremony, then it would be nice. "Back in the day", it was common for a patch/necker/mug/Tshirt combination would be produced for every district/council event including summer camp and OA. It was nice to be able to purchase the set with the same design on it. I almost never wore my "official" BSA troop colors necker. It was a matter of pride to be able to show where you've been and what you'd accomplished.

I think that's the definitive answer. The SM decides. If it were me, I would count it, as long as it wasn't the scout who put it there.

I view things like that to be "been there, done that" patches. I have a 1960 vintage uniform shirt with the 50th Anniversary strip on it. I would never think of wearing that on my current uniform, because I wasn't a member in 1960 and didn't "earn" it. I do, however wear my 1966 summer camp patch...because I was there.

Since someone complained and the CM asked you to cease and desist, I don't think it matters what the BSA "rules" are. It wasn't that long ago when Cubs at day camp could dress up like pirates and swing wooden swords around. Times have changed.

171,178. Is that truly active members, or does that include the "sash and dash" crowd who just want to wear the flap?

What is important in life, in my opinion, is to be a self-sufficient, contributing member of society. As long as you're not a burden on the system, I consider that "successful". Everyone rows their own boat...where you go in that boat is up to you.

In the words of my 4 year old Granddaughter, "Outside is FUN!".

You don't say what position you hold in the Pack. Unless you are the Committee Chair, Cubmaster or Chartered Organization Representative, this may not be your problem to deal with. Just do the best you can in your registered position and keep setting a good example for the others.

During my years in Scouting and in my "real job", I've found that the best way to become proficient in a subject is to prepare a lesson plan and teach it. Why not conduct your own "Brownsea" (or whatever your Council calls the T-2-1 training camp) at the unit level? Of course, this should be conducted by the senior scouts, coached by the adult leaders. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a Scout at an upper level BOR who hasn't retained the basic First Class skills (not that it's a retest!).

David Scott has been a regular contributor here for many years. We've missed him recently.

I was a Scout in the 60's and adults wearing rank patches was not the custom, as I recall. It could simply be another case of an adult "doing his own thing" and no one was rude enough to call him out on it. We did have the Eagle knot, but the AOL knot came much later. The only knots I remember seeing were the green Scouter's training award, SM Key, and Silver Beaver. Cub scouting did not have knots until much later. Trained patches were also much later, although the position patch did come with a mylar border for a brief time in the 70s to indicate "Trained" status.