scoutldr

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!

"A foul-mouthed bully, with a habit of stealing...Dismissed from NYLT.." No sign of changing. No. Just no. You don't need any more justification than that.

Your quote from the GTA seems to indicate two options. Unit run, or District/Council run. Am I missing something?

I imagine a similar discussion was held back in the 50s when they first proposed allowing women to become leaders other than Den Mothers. Back then, the arguments were obvious, too. Now, we don't give it a second thought when we see female Cubmasters, Scoutmasters and Vigil Arrow"men". Just like in the rest of the civilized world, no one gives it a second thought to see co-ed "Scouts" at all age groups. Do they still have a viable Girl Guides program? Wonder what the differences are?

The SM or his designee may "observe" the EBOR, but may not participate (speak) other than to introduce the candidate. There are two methods of conducting EBORs. Some councils delegate it to the units, to be conducted by the unit Committee Chair and committee members, with a rep from the District Advancement Committee (who must sign the Eagle Applcation). Some councils conduct all EBOR at the District or Council level. The post from John in KC is news to me ... is that a change? I think in the past, the Eagle candidate could request a member of the community (teacher, Pastor, etc) to participate.

There are a minimum of 5 other opportunities (10 if you count SM conferences) for the boy's commitment to the Scout Oath and Law to be discussed. Presumably the boy successfully accomplished Boards of Review for Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life, did he not? When he joined, he and his parents agreed to the Declaration of Religious Principles by signing the application. By the time he gets to the EBOR, there should be no surprises regarding advancements, merit badges, and character. So yes, in effect it is a "rubber stamp". The many EBORS I have chaired and/or sat on as the District Rep have just been a friendly discussion of the young man's goals and aspirations and to plant the seed that the opportunities provided to him must now be "repaid" in kind when his circumstances allow. By that time, his commitment to the Scout Oath and Law have been firmly established. Yes, they can deny the rank, but they have to tell the scout (in writing, I think) exactly why. And in my experience, he will appeal to the District or Council and win. Every time.

There is also another option open to girls now...American Heritage Girls. Are Campfire Girls still around? I think it is a common theme running rampant through society now...the entitlement attitude of "I want what you have and you need to accommodate me." There is no prohibition on forming your own organization like Baden Powell, Lady B-P, Ernest Thompson-Seton and Juliette Low did back in the day. It's hard. It's a lot of work. Just like it always has been.

If a Scout has no belief in a "higher power" or whatever the politically correct terminology du jour is that satisfies "A Scout is Reverent", the Eagle board is not the place to be questioning it for the first time. Likewise, if he had blue cards that had not been properly approved, the troop committee did not do its job when awarding the merit badge. Once the badge is awarded, it cannot be nullified. As the current SM, your job is to work with your Committee to fix the process.

I have sat on EBOR as the District rep. At the conclusion of each one, the Committee Chair, almost without exception, calls the young man back in the room and says "Congratulations, you are now an Eagle Scout." In one case, he was going to Philmont within a week or two, and wanted to wear the Eagle patch on his uniform. I see nothing wrong with that. It's not like he will be hauled up before the "Stolen valor" inquisition.

Thank you Terry, for your efforts!

What is your age and location (city, state)?

I've read in this forum before, from those who know much more about it than I, that all Councils are independent corporations. Seems like that water is sure muddy. I'm guessing it's so they can sheild National from liability when it's convenient to do so.

A troop that's organized into patrols of about 8 boys, who elect their own PL. The PLs comprise the PLC, led by the SPL. The SM's main function is to train and mentor the SPL. The SPL trains and mentors the PLs. The PLC develops the annual plan and the SPL presents it to the Troop Committee for approval. Upon approval, the PLC executes the plan.

Welcome!

When our Pack was meeting at the local elementary school, as Cubmaster, I made sure the school library had a current BL subscription and copies of all the BSA handbooks in the library. Most of the time, I paid for it myself. My dentist's office also has BL in the waiting room.

I'm just guessing here, but the Unit Accident insurance covers individual registered MEMBERS and is always secondary to their own health insurance. The insurance charged for events (even training sessions I put on) is liability insurance for the council. For instance, if the custodian trips over the pinewood derby track on Saturday morning and breaks a leg and they sue the Council. When you use a venue that is not Council property, you usually have to show proof of insurance for the event.

When in doubt, I always would ask the Scout. "It says 'do X, Y, Z. Did you do that'" "Could you do it with a little more effort"? Usually, they could...and did.