scoutldr

"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!

"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.