scoutldr

First thing I see is the CM should not also be a DL. That's too much for one person to do both well, in my opinion. If people are having to double up on jobs, then you have some more recruiting to do.

The first one is obviously a rodeo fan.

Congratulations! Glad I had 2 boys though...

Good point, emb. But there's only one listed in the Insignia guide and that's the official one.

Either troop would be OK, provided that...these expenditures were part of the annual budget plan up front and parents and scouts knew in advance what the purpose of the fundraising was for. The way it SHOULD have happened is, e.g., 50% of the funds raised go into the scout accounts and 50% goes into the troop overhead fund. If there's not enough funds raised to send Fred to PTC, then he pays the rest himself, or doesnt' go. But Fred deciding mid-way through the year that he wants to go to PTC and the troop should pay for it is a non-starter. Propose it in the budget and vote on it, then start fundraising to fund the Troop program. I think where we cross the line is when we fundraise in the name of the BSA/Troop, then give the money to individuals when they leave the unit or to buy personal items. But paying the Troop's summer camp bill is OK in my book. But I'm not a CPA nor a lawyer.

"tiny small OA sash on button" Those "tiny small OA sashes" are not official, but could be worn in place of a temporary patch, I guess. Official would be the red/white ribbon dangle with the metal arrow on the end (aka, "pocket rocket").

There are eight more American families who had their lives shattered this morning.

Your district and Council are determined by the geographic location of your CO, AFAIK. I think if you want to change Councils, you need to find a CO in that council

AF1 costs about $67,000 per flight hour (Google search). That does not include the accompanying C17 cargo plane which carries support crew and spare parts, motorcade vehicles and USSS protection. I'm assuming that since the Olympics is a non-governmental function, the USOC will be reimbursing the taxpayers for this cost.

"Sure, the lad is still a Scout, but you're transfering Pack assets to a Scout Troop." And I don't see that as a problem if the units both belong to the same CO. It's all the CO's money anyway...not the "unit's" and not the scout's. I don't see a problem with scout "accounts"...in most cases, these are not actual accounts, but just a paper accounting of who earned what. I see nothing wrong with teaching that rewards are directly proportional to effort and that if you don't work, you don't benefit. But them I'm one of those angry, astroturf Conservatives.

Hey...OGE said "no more Pie talk"

You got several answers in the other thread you posted. CC is "in charge" of the Pack Committee, which handles the business end of things. CM is "in charge" of delivering the program, including recruiting and mentoring the Den Leaders. One of the CM responsibilities is to plan and lead the Pack Meetings. 1. Everyone needs to get trained ASAP. 2. Everyone needs a copy of the "Cub Scout Leader Guide" 3. CC, CM and DL should all attend monthly Cub Roundtable meetings. these 3 things should answer most of your questions.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Polanski was CONVICTED. He skipped town before sentencing. That makes him an escaped convicted criminal. He should not only be extradited in handcuffs, but should now be tried and convicted of escape in addition.

"what a Unit does with the money distributed by the Council" Wow...never heard of a Council distributing money to Units. The money flow is usually one way...in the OTHER direction.

"I just got voted in"...that means you are NOW the CC, unless the term was specified as not starting until Feb. Do you take over now? That's up to your CO, who approves all leadership positions. In the case of a non-involved CO (common), it sounds like you and the current CC can just agree on how to arrange it. Get a copy of the "Cub Scout Leader Book" and read it cover to cover. Most of your questions about Pack operation should be answered there. And yes, get "Trained" ASAP and start going to your District Roundtable meetings. Secoond thoughts: Most unit charters expire at the end of the year. There can only be one CC on the charter, so that would be an ideal time to "take over". Have you filled out a new application yet, specifying your position as CC?(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

My TAPOUT was in 1968...that's how I remember it...vividly. Thus began my best years in Scouting.

Pi are square. I only like round ones.

Who wants cake?

Well...who wants cake? Ah baked it fresh this moahnin' an it's STILL wahm!

I too am embarrassed by the un-Scoutlike treatment this newcomer received on this forum. I too have gotten, shall we say, overzealous in my comments (albeit on the I/P forum) and was quickly taken to the woodshed by my mates here. They were right, I was wrong. The answer is, we can't do anything about it and cannot offer meaningful advice. The man was convicted of a felony. That is a fact in evidence. Several successful Scout leaders I know also fit that description. The only ones who know the whole truth are OMH, his SIL, and God. Whether or not he is accepted for membership is NOT up to us...it's up to the CO, Committee Chair and SE of the council. Those are the only ones who will be approving his application...not ANY of us. Will this stand in the way of his membership? Who knows? ... I know of stranger things that the BSA has done. OMH...good luck and God bless.

And THAT's a good reason not to live in Ireland or Pakistan. At least here, we USED to have First Amendment rights and we could criticize and blaspheme to our heart's content.

Your son's SM should have a list of registered MB counselors for your District. Your son (not you) needs to ask the SM for the names. Then your son should call the MBC and ask for an appointment. BTW, I just spent a week in SF to attend a friend's wedding. Went to Alcatraz, Muir Woods and Sonoma. Stayed at a historic hotel on Nob Hill. Would love to live there...can't afford it. Beautiful city. Friendliest cab drivers in the country!

Not to hijack the thread...I think the question has been answered. But here's an idea ... if you have a "merit badge" factory in your council, such as those John mentioned, I think it would behoove the Council in which the factory resides to audit their program and post a list of "Council approved" merit badge sources on their website, which would assure leaders that the program delivers what it should and that the MBC are properly trained (YP, etc) and registered. Disclaimer: I have not been to any of those mentioned here, so I don't mean to impugn them. They may be good...maybe not.

We had a year-round school pilot program here, and it's being discontinued because of the cost and parental disapproval. It was known as the 45-15 program, which I think meant 45 days (9 weeks) in school and 15 days (3 weeks) off. And not all schools were on the same schedule, so your kids could be "off" at different times. Being in a coastal resort area, we have a state law that says schools can't begin until the day after Labor Day...because of the resort lobby that claimed they needed cheap high-schooler labor during the tourist season. That's a law that I think should be changed. Here schools started Sept 8th and don't get out until the middle of June...not counting any snow days or swine flu disruptions. The current school schedule was based on our past agrarian society when the kids were needed to work on the farms in the summer. Do kids need the summer off just to "be kids"...I don't think so. Especially seeing the academic skills that they are graduating without. Perhaps treat them like employees...get your work done and meet academic goals, and you can have time off. Otherwise, keep at it.

I've found that the best way to keep a skill fresh is to have to teach it...over and over. Once a Scout reaches First Class, they should be regularly passing on their knowledge and skills to the younger scouts. Also, skill-centered games, demonstration campouts/camporees, etc.