scoutldr

I read about this on these forums at least two years ago. How is this a "new" program? I, too am a proud holder of the Lion rank, circa 1965.

How in the world did any of us make it to Eagle without an "Eagle Advisor"? I am on the District EBOR team. The Unit CC sets the date with as much lead time as possible, then asks for a District Rep. I would say 90% of the time, one of us can be there. There have been a few times when I had four hours notice because someone else had to cancel, but if my schedule is clear, I will bend over backwards to make it work. Everyone needs to be considerate of each others' time commitments and give as much lead time as possible.

I have always done my own taxes and use the "reasonable man" approach to deductions. I don't cheat (a Scout is Trustworthy), but if I think it's a legitimate expense (e.g. official uniform pants that I don't wear anywhere else) I will take the deduction and keep receipts (from the Scout shop). IF I get audited and the deduction is disallowed, I will pay the additional couple of bucks in taxes. So far, so good. Naturally, if I am buying patches to add to my collection, or buying camping equipment for my own personal use, I don't try to deduct that. It's not "necessary" to my being a Scouter.

For Cub camping, KISS. Big pot of spaghetti, sauce made up ahead of time. Loaves of crusty bread. Bulk bags of salad from Costco. Paper bowls and plates that can be burned in the fire. Bug juice. Minimize prep time.

It's my understanding you can also deduct the cost of uniforms and parts that are unique to BSA and generally cannot be worn for other purposes. For example, if your troop is "full uniform", you can deduct the cost of the full uniform.

"shambolic"...what a good word!

An ASM has the authority to cancel troop meetings to watch football? I think you have bigger problems.

Not window displays, but we used to have displays/demonstrations in the mall. We would attend church as a unit, sitting in the front pew wearing uniforms. We would wear our uniforms to school on meeting days. Scout Sabbath is the Jewish version of Scout Sunday, as I recall. Does anyone still do an annual Scout O Rama, where you would sell tickets to the public for a buck to come see you demonstrate scout skills? It was an annual Council event.

Toward the end of my unit scouting career, we would have potlucks with our COH (usually quarterly). The parents seemed to enjoy socializing. There was not a whole lot of planning involved...hence the term "potluck". We usually had a good selection...sometimes KFC, Pizza Hut and sides. Make sure you assign a patrol for cleanup.

Know your job description and stay in your swim lane. An SM has a job. The CC and Committee have jobs. Don't confuse them. Don't try to be a one man show.

Before taking over and putting your name on the accounts, I would insist on an audit of the books...preferably by a committee of people who have no vested interest in the outcome. Maybe a parent and some members of the Chartered Organization. Then take over with a clean slate. I would recommend this any time the office of Treasurer changes hands. Call me OCD...but I've seen some pretty shady things in the past.

Rumor has it that there will be a merger of councils soon. I don't see what else they could do at this point.

http://www.dailypress.com/news/gloucester-county/dp-nws-mid-boy-scouts-camp-closing-20160117-story.html

All subject to the whim of the SE. I've always been told that soliciting monetary donations from businesses is Council's job, not the unit's. It's part of the FOS campaign. The theory being that if they donate to units, then they won't donate as much to Council.

I am 61 years old and have been bullied about my weight since I started first grade in 1960. For some reason, obesity still seems to be "fair game" when it comes to insulting and bullying comments. I sympathize with gay people who say, "do you think I would choose this if I had a choice"?

As I recall there is no registration fee for MBC. Our council does require them to be registered and have YPT, however. I assume background checks are also performed. I cringe when I see kids getting all or most merit badges from the same 2-3 parents in their own troop. That's not the intent of the program.

BSA used to offer a hardbound "library edition" of their key publications. Not sure if they are still available. They were pricey, though, as I recall.

I don't know about plans, but you might check some of the BSA pubs from the 60's. I seem to recall there was one on Troop Ceremonies that every SM had in his briefcase.

I thought this had been discussed ad nauseam before. Didn't National define it as "active=registered"? Has that changed?

I don't know how you can have that much fun with girls and incomplete uniforms . Great job, Cambridgeskip. Scout on!

Krampus, your latrines look like our camp. I complained when they installed A/C in the dining hall, but it was amazing to me how many troops avoidedour camp because of the lack of creature comforts. On the other hand, our neighboring council sold their camp due to encroaching residential development (I could literally take a leak out the back flaps of the tent and hit someone's back yard), and built a beautiful facility on the river with an air-conditioned leader's lounge with WiFi, modern dining hall, and flush toilets and hot showers in every site. Earlier this year, they handed the deed back to the bank and walked away from it. Now the scouts have nothing.

As others have said, submit the form, stating the facts. They are frequently "downgraded" at the local level and result in a Certificate signed by the SE, if it is deemed to not be "meritorious" enough for the National award.

Sounds like a DE is getting desperate to meet his goal to "Fund Our Salaries". I've seen it before. We would give them a date to come give their pitch at a Blue and Gold or COH. We would not actively promote it or follow up on pledge cards that they failed to get signed that night.

I should also mention that your CO (COR) also gets a vote. They have to sign off on all membership applications. He would have to file a new application to transfer.

Found this via Facebook: December 1, 2015 Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, Scouts will fulfill the “duty to God†requirement to advance to any rank, from Tenderfoot to Eagle Scout. When a Scout is ready to move to the next rank he will be asked to reflect on his personal beliefs and tell his Scout leader how he is fulfilling his own duty to God. Bryan on Scouting recently shared an article clarifying just what the requirement entails and what sharing your duty to God does and does not mean. Bryan explains, “This is a monologue by the Scout. Not a dialogue between a Scout and his leader.†Scouts will not be measured by a specific belief standard. The Scout leader’s role is to listen to the Scout, independently of any personal beliefs or convictions. A Scout’s “duty to God†has been addressed by the BSA since the first Handbook for Boys was published in 1911 and continues to be an important aspect of Scouting today. Be sure to read Bryan’s article to get all the details for this update, as well as a helpful list of FAQs!