scoutldr

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.

@Sentinel: The tie in is that in today's world, the rule of law seems to be interpreted as "suggestions" and not enforced unless it meets someone's political agenda. Don't like a law? Just form sanctuary cities and look the other way. Don't want to hire men as nurses? Just ignore it and dare anyone to challenge it. The parents will support you.

It's also illegal to be "illegal" and to hire "illegals". So what's your point?

GSUSA aren't the only ones who think men are after only one thing and cannot control our urges. My wife is an elementary school nurse. I once observed that all school nurses in this very large school district are ALL females. She laughed and said, "no male would ever get hired for that job".

Just read an article that the Rev. Franklin Graham (Billy's boy) has just disavowed the GSUSA, saying, "no more cookies for me." Alleging that their policies regarding transgenders and homosexuals are not "biblical". So, it's not just the Roman Catholics.

I have no problem with ads, if it lowers the cost for the boys. Let them know there are interesting things out there besides video games.

Sounds like the problem may take care of itself soon. How does he relate to the boys? Do they enjoy having him around? Surrogate grandfather? Seems to me the other adults can prop him up enough to ensure the troop doesn't take a downward slide while still preserving his dignity. That weekly scout meeting surrounded by kids may be the only thing keeping him going. Tell the scouts to go ahead and plan what they want to do, including high adventure. Other adults can provide support for that. If the old gentleman still has his faculties, he is more than aware of what his capabilities are and will not want to hold the boys back.

On one of the nostalgia pages on Facebook, someone recently posted a picture of the 6th edition (Rockwell Cover), BSH, published in 1959. It was coincidentally the first handbook I started under. The accompanying ad stated the retail price was $1.00.The Thirteenth edition was recently released at the price of $15.00. According to the online inflation calculator I just checked, the new handbook should have cost $8.14. Is there a reason that BSA pubs are selling at twice the rate of inflation?

Over the years, I have realized that the people on this forum care a lot more about proper uniforming than either Councils or National does. Just page through a few issues of Scouting or Boys' Life magazines.

Is it not in the DE's job description to meet annually with the CO (IH) and renew the charter agreement? Everything should be explained then.

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.