scoutldr

A pack cannot re-register without those leaders in place. Talk to your District Commissioner and District Executive and let them know they need to step in and help save the Pack. They should be working closely with your Chartered Organization.

Keep in mind...Scouting is about the journey, not the Eagle. Advancement is a byproduct of the program.

I have many Jewish friends. Never heard them say "OH MY G-D"

And the adjective "frickin" seems to have become acceptable in polite conversation. We all know what it's a substitute for. I guess "gosh darn" was the analogous phrase in our parents' day.

I find the copious use of "Oh MY GOD" (OMG) to be just as offensive. I had to remind one scout (who was devout Catholic) of the Third Commandment and he was like, "what are you talking about?"

http://www.businessinsider.com/history-of-the-40-hour-workweek-2015-10

In my council, EBOR are scheduled and performed by the Unit Committee (like all BOR), with a District Rep present. The District Rep's job is to ensure an appropriate BOR is conducted, i.e., reasonable time limit, no retesting, no inappropriate questions, SM,ASM and parents not participating, etc. Council does not get involved except to "pre-approve" the Eagle app, the Registrar certifying that the advancement records are all correct. The District Advancement Chairman approves the Eagle Project plan before the Scout starts work. When the EBOR is complete, everything is given back to the Scout, except the Application and Letters of Reference. The letters are destroyed and the App goes to Council for forwarding to National. Parents will be told it can take up to 8 weeks to get back, then they can have the COH (or not).

And that's precisely why the Govt pays 2-3x more than it should cost for a given result.

What I see happening is that the job of the DE will become more tightly defined. The jobs that should be done by volunteer youth, Scouters and Commissioner staff will simply not get done. I have seen DEs staffing summer camp, chopping wood at camp, conducting training, attending Blue and Golds and Pinewood Derbies, unloading the popcorn truck and other "duties as assigned". Their core duties are "more units, more scouts and more money".

The difference is "independent contractors" i.e., free lancers. Your "statement of work" is with the Contractor with whom you have a contract. The people who "come and go" are employees of the Contractor. You don't get to tell the contractor HOW to achieve the statement of work, how many people to hire, what to pay them, etc. Independent contractors are usually "sole proprietors", if I'm not mistaken. The example I always use is the plumber who buys tools and a truck and a yellow pages ad. You hire him to fix your pipes and he comes out usually onHIS schedule, not yours. You don't get to tell him how to dress, what tools to use, or how long to spend. You pay him for results. But this gets complicated, and like I said, I'm not an expert.

Sounds like they have a case of negligence on the part of the guide and the Outfitters. If it was a "scheduled release" the outfitters should have known about it and canceled the trip. Prayers for the family of the Brother Scouter. He's with the Great Scoutmaster now.

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.