scoutldr

To offer a different perspective, I recently completed a 6 year term on the Board of my national professional accreditation board. Almost my entire term was spent on transitioning the Board Governance to the "Carver Policy Governance Model" (you can google it). Basically, the model advocates a strong executive, empowered to do whatever he/she feels is necessary ("means") to achieve the policies and vision established by the Board ("ends"). It was stressed to us that Board time should be spent establishing overall goals, visions, and guidelines, rather than spend time "voting" to approve the minutes, or the budget, or approving expenditures, or, God forbid, getting wrapped up in Robert's Rules. The Executive is empowered to do anything that is not specifically prohibited by Board policy, such as hire and fire employees, raise dues, send out newsletters, form ad hoc committees (NOT board members, etc. The Board, meanwhile, is pontificating on lofty goals, such as building membership, increasing value to the public and stakeholders, etc., and communicating those goals to the Executive, whose compensation is tied to meeting those goals. (well, in our case, forget the compensation part!) Committee work is NEVER done at Board meetings...that is where results are reported. (a common flaw I see at District meetings). Anyway...don't know if this is relevant or not...but I would hate to see Unit committees waste time dictating "process" when they should be dictating "results", and let the process up to those whose job it is (CM, DL, etc).

They will, however, allow you to buy all the souvenirs you can carry at vastly inflated prices. I usually wait for the clearance sales on www.scoutstuff.org

At the rate we're going, we'll be like 3rd world countries where the electricity only flows for 3 hours a day. How's that for incentive? UNfortunately, Americans do not react to threats...they won't do anything until they find themselves cold and in the dark.

Visiting for the day does not sound appealing. Most of your time will be spent parking, walking to and from parking, and fighting crowds, which will be huge. Also, not sure if shuttle buses will be available for visitors, or just paid attendees...do your homework first. Not MY cup of tea. But then, I live 20 miles from Busch Gardens, and don't go there, either. (Kings Dominion is a lot closer to AP Hill).

"but dropped the idea of insurance that covered every visit to the doctors office, routine vaccination etc and handled that ourselves." I suggested that several days ago. That will never pass muster by the Liberals (like my MIL), who think that "someone else" should pay for everything and "we" should not have to pay anything. I think we are moving that direction anyway. The Democrats are right...the current trend is not sustainable...but the solution is to let the free market decide. We'd be amazed at how many MRI's are no longer "necessary" if the patient balks at paying $5000 for each one out of pocket. And if Docs are no longer able to pass the cost of the machine off to the Insurance companies and quit buying them, I'll bet the cost of the machines will drop. Simple supply and demand. Econ 101. Brings an analogy to mind...the Speedy Muffler place where I always got my car inspected (and always passed), got a new "laser headlight alignment" gizmo. Lo and behold, every time I took my car in after that, the headlights needed aligning, or they wouldn't pass it. Took my car to another inspection place and it passed, just fine. Haven't been back to Speedy since. Their loss, not mine.

Was there ever any doubt?

A guideline is, well...a guideline. Not a hard and fast rule or regulation.

That's what insurance actuaries do. If blue-eyed people have more accidents, they're gonna pay more too. It's just business. That's why the under-25 set pays more, and that's why boys pay more than girls and single guys pay more than married guys. Because, statistically, they are a poorer risk. Population-based risk analysis. If you don't like the price you're quoted, shop around. Back to health care, while some may argue that we all have a "right" to health care, it is wrong, IMHO to say that we have a "right" to health insurance and that the private sector must sell it to us at rates that we can afford, even if it means they will not be profitable.

"I won't hit them up for cash in addition" Good, because that would be a violation of BSA policy. Only Councils can solicit cash donations. I recently got the dreaded "phone call" from our DC because I did not submit an FOS pledge card (I think I was absent that night). For the first time in over 20 years, I said no. I recently learned that my health insurance is going up by $50 a month (to over $400), and I am steadily writing checks for my #2 son's upcoming wedding in 2 weeks. I fully expect that, even if I get a good evaluation next year, my takehome pay will decrease...again. I guess what bothers me is that I don't see any communication coming from council as to how they are economizing or downsizing to acccomodate the (I presume) downturn in FOS and UW donations. I am in a district that went through a 1 for 3 split a few years ago, requiring more professional staff. While our district was very large and Camporees were a challenge with almost 1000 attendees, we were very successful. Since then, the 3 resulting districts have been, I think, mediocre. Our council camp was renovated 20 years ago, and since then, not much. Last I looked at the Council's Form 990, there were two employees listed (only those making >50K need to be listed). One of them made barely more than 50K. The other made 3 times that. I have a real hard time asking people to donate toward the salary of someone who makes 3 times what the average parent in my Troop makes...when I know they are struggling with their own family issues like deaths of Dads, cancer, and job loss.

While I agree with the sentiment, I don't think sending threats (via the "sample letter")is very Scoutlike. Especially when the writers do not have the power to make good on those threats.

As long as he can show adequate leadership in a "Project Manager" role, I don't think it matters how the supplies got there...fundraising just won't be part of his project. Sounds like they already know what they want and where they want it, and are just looking for someone to provide grunt labor. The challenge will be to show enough leadership and planning.

Could it be that people with bad credit ratings statistically have more auto insurance claims? Just sayin....

Sounds like a lack of training. The DL's work for the CM to carry out the vision and program decided on by the committee. And I agree, there is no reason to be double/triple-hatted unless you want to have all the power.

There are no "rules" about such things. Committees need to set their ground rules up front...most are very informal and not strict about "rules of order". THe COR is the liaison between the Unit and the CO. So, I would say, yes they have the final say...but if they continued to usurp the responsibilities of the COmmittee and Unit Leader, I would have to have the proverbial "friendly cup of coffee" and ask them to either let me do my job, or find a replacement.

I think if I were being asked to work 50 hrs a week and being called part-time, I'd have a chat with the Labor Department...and the union. THere are laws about that.

"Our MB Pow Wow Organizer who is a District Committee member disagrees and says any scout can attend, so long he is official. (registered, in troop, ect ect.)" This is correct. In addition, they must have SM approval to work on the badge (e.g., signed blue card if your council uses those). Just ignore the DE. He doesn't "approve" anything when it comes to advancement work. It's between the SM, the MBC and the Scout. Now about those MB Pow Wows...

Just like WE are now paying for the "Great Society" that our parents voted for. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid...what's the diff? Nobody asked ME if I agreed with Medicare. And I DON'T agree with a lot of it...especially the waste and fraud part. And as Big Gov gets deeper and deeper into our lives, it will only get worse. The whole thing is a grand scale Ponzi scheme...the same thing they put Madoff in jail for. Let all the taxpayers keep their money and buy what they need. How's that for "choice and competition". Costs will come down if there is really a choice...but when the healthcare industry knows that Medicare will pay XXX for a procedure, guess what...that's what they will "accept", even if it could be done cheaper. You can bet your bottom dollar that I wouldn't have 4 walkers in my shed if the patient had to pay for them. But the Govt pays for them, so what the hey..."sure, I'll take another one." PS: WWJD? I would hope He'd just cure everyone.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Here in the Land of Pleasant Living, we drink "Aruh See Cocola". Usually served with Snickuhs or Moon Pahs. When we do get real Coke in a 6 oz bottle, you have to dump in some salted Planter's Peanuts. (not boiled peanuts)

This is really between the parents and the Troop. Just adhere to the rules...if the requirements aren't done, no AOL. Oh, well.

I think the fallacy in health insurance, and the reason it costs so much, is that we expect it to cover everything health related. I believe that, like auto or homeowners' insurance, it should only cover "accidents" or catastrophic illness. Does your auto insurance pay for oil changes or new tires? Does your homeowner's policy cover a new roof every 10 years? Of course not. You're expected to save for those things and pay out of pocket. My MIL is on Medicare which she gets for free, even though she never paid into the system (her last paying job was in the 1940's). She is refusing to go to the local Walgreens for a flu shot because it will cost her $25. (and she's not indigent, by any means). So, we have to get her an appointment with her doctor, my wife has to take leave from work and spend half a day getting her to and from...because Medicare will cover the office visit and the cost of the shot. But they don't cover the day of vacation time that my wife will lose. This takes up an appointment that the Dr could use to see a sick person, thus exacerbating the health care crisis. So, by her refusing to pay $25, it's costing the taxpayer about $150 and costing my wife a day's pay. That's economic insanity and it's unsustainable...

I also hear it's not looking good for the Heisman Trophy, even though he doesn't play football.

What is your position in the Troop?

Try www.411.com I was able to find Albert Fromberger in Argyle, NY. (not sure if it's the same guy, but it's not exactly a common name) 4 hours away.

Never heard of it. I would guess it's the result of a Council merger, but usually the Lodges merge, too.

Merlyn is correct...on this point.