scoutldr

On this issue, I happen to agreew with Merlyn, given the facts presented here. But I wish the ACLU would go after those who throw cigarrette butts out their car windows...an issue I DO care deeply about and could provoke me to violence one day.

I guess I don't see what the committee's objection is. If they don't want to meet on those nights, stay home. That doesn't mean the boys can't meet. Why dampen their enthusiasm.

Totally agree. As a former "associate chapter adviser", I once had to recommend that all the "adult" arrowmen move to a different room. All they wanted to do is sit in the back with coffee cups and run their mouths to each other and occasionally speak up to "add something" or "correct something". IMHO, the only reason adults (who are not youth advisors) should be attending OA meetings is to provide transportation. If they want to go to another room or stay in the parking lot to socialize, great! UNfortunately, we frequently have more adults than youth in attendance. Guess us old geezers just need another excuse to get out of the house!

"Mr. Obama said legalizing illegal immigrants is a way to take the sting out of the entire issue." Don't tell me anyone is surprised at this. I postulated the same thing here a couple of weeks ago. His tactic is to feed the public a little bit at a time without letting us see the whole agenda. Then one thing leads to another. Why do you think they keep rushing through the Bills, like stimulus...so no one has time to sit and think about it and analyze the loopholes. He decried Hillary's health plan because hers was "mandatory" and penalized people who didn't sign up. His was only going to be mandatory for children, remember??? Now here we are...sign up or pay a $3800 penalty to the IRS.

"Now what do I do about the guy in my unit that is 17 3/4 years old and has his eagle project done, but needs 8 more merit badges?" You tell yourself, "this isn't my problem." The SM should have a SM conference with him and lay it all out...could be it's not even possible at this point. This was his choice, not yours.

The DE says "all the DL needs to do is bring punch and cookies"??? What a piece of work. As I said before, get or borrow a Cub Scout Leader Book and start reading...the DE is obviously not a reliable source of information. You might also call council and ask for the contact information for your "Unit Commissioner". This is a volunteer scouter whose job it is to assist units like yours. If they say there's none listed, ask for the District Commissioner. I feel for you and appreciate you trying to learn and do a good job...but there's no reason they should leave you floundering like this.

I read a little about the CAP...they are the "official Auxiliary of the US Air Force" and "congressionally chartered, government supported, nonprofit organization". The aircraft that they use are not military, but privately registered. Youth and adults can join and participate. Adult ranks are the same as military ranks, but reflect tenure and training, rather than command authority. Similar to the USCG Auxiliary. I agree, sounds like not a good mix.

Nuts? It sounds exciting! There's nothing preventing you from ALSO attending the council summer camp. In fact, I know of several troops who send the younger guys (first and second year) to summer camp while the older guys do something more "high adventure". The younger guys can't wait to become "older guys".

Yes, this doesn't sound kosher. The CM and his wife arbitrarily deciding to take $1000 could be considered illegal. An expenditure of that size needs to be discussed by the Pack committee and approved by the COR. As stated, your CO owns the Pack...and the money. I have had many Webelos transfer into the troop and not one brought money with him. That is made up by the money left in the troop treasury when scouts leave...it all works out in the wash. No, it is NOT the way things are always done, and you are right to be suspicious. And, the CC is NOT the CM's "assistant"...shame on the DE for not being totally truthful. Your CC probably feels misled and I don't blame her.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Well, AW-#### doesn't mean what I thought, apparently...like some big terrible mistake with real consequences. Today's kids, for the most part, have been sheltered and have never had to experience consequences. But, as far as life-changing events, definitely the birth of my two sons, both of whom were, um, shall we say, "unplanned" (but I was married, thank God). Even more surprising was that it was supposedly a medical impossibility, but God had other plans for us, as is often the case. The other events (so far) were, in 1995 getting the phone call at work that my dad had passed...he had cancer and was undergoing chemo and radiation, but his death at that point was not expected. Then having to hold my mom in my arms 6 months later as she breathed her last breath from complications of diabetes and a heart attack. Then last year, my own first major illness and surgery at age 54, diverticulitis and a colon resection. The next event we're looking forward to is my younger son's marriage in October...I have a feeling grandkids won't be far behind (but at least 9 months behind, I hope)! (Son will make a great DL!!! I can't WAIT!)

SSScout brings up good points. My boys are now 31 and 27, and we were Cub Scouts, hmmm, seems like last week. It was the best thing I ever did and we still talk about the outings and the other kids. My eldest, now a restaurant partner and general manager, was recently interviewed on the radio about "how did you learn to lead and motivate a staff like this" and his immediate response was "Boy Scouts". Brought a tear to my eye. Remind the parents that Cub Scouting is designed to be a "family program"...unlike sports or karate. It's the PARENTS who lead the dens and pack...not the "Coach". Activities are familiy oriented...camping is FAMILY camping. That's the way it's designed, so if that's not going to meet their needs, perhaps they need to find another activity. I like the line about "tell me if you're going to have a Pack or not, then you can tell your boys why." I'm gonna use that in the future.

Wow...are you brave. Ok, now that you've jumped in...here's what you do: Talk to your CC. The CM and DL execute the annual program, the CC runs the business end (finance, planning, recordkeeping, etc). Both of you need to get the "Cub Scout Leaders Book" and read it cover to cover...it will answer many of your questions. Start recruiting DL and ADL. And you should not have to be "dual hatted"...being CM is a full time job unto itself. I was a CM for 6 years. Take all the available on-line training IMMEDIATELY. "This is Scouting", "Youth Protection" and anything else that's there. Find out when the next "Cubmaster Specific" training is offered in your District (it should be soon) and register for it. Find out when monthly CS Roundtable is for your district, and put it on your calendar. The RT each month will have suggestions and activities for the following month's theme...plus you will get to meet others in your situation and others with YEARS of experience and advise. This is where you also get news of District and Council activities, such as district campouts, popcorn sales, etc. Start fundraising! This year's popcorn drive is already underway...get the information and get started. Your pack will need a Treasury to finance activities and advancement badges. Nothing in scouting is free! During your annual planning meeting, a Unit Budget can be developed to finance the coming year, but you need something now for seed money. See the "Fundraising" threads here for other ideas. Run??? No, not yet. There's hope for you, IF you don't try to do it all yourself...that's a formula for burnout, failure and frustration. Good Luck and Good Cubbing!

"I am stating that the DAC chair intentionally and willfully delayed an eagle project for over 10 months without any reason other than the ones he invented." "Whether the DAC has issues with me or not, it does not change the fact that the DAC chair intentionally affected a scout in a negative way. This is abuse." You don't get it. Scouts are affected in negative ways all the time when adult volunteers fall short of expectations. That's another valuable life lesson, eh? Your ONLY recourse here is to have your COR write a polite letter to the Scout Executive, copy to the Council Advancement Chair, Council Commissioner, your District Chair, laying out the FACTS (not inuendo or accusations of "abuse") and ask what the way forward is. If the Scout's Eagle Project (and thus, application for Eagle Rank) has been rejected, he has a right to know why and what he needs to do to correct it and move forward. I would request that in writing, so there are no misunderstandings. If the reasons are legitimate, and backed up by some written policy, then fix it and move on. If not, then the SCOUT needs to ask for a formal appeal...up to National, if need be. Re-reading the thread, I'm still not clear what your "standing" is on this matter...are you the parent? If not, what is your registered position in the Unit?

David S. Davies VIRGINIA BEACH - David S. Davies, 66, died Sept. 14, 2009, in his home after a long and brave fight with cancer. He was born in Wetumpka, Ala., Dec. 14, 1949, to Stewart Hope and Kathleen O'Neill Davies and grew up in Tobaccoville, N.C. Joining Boy Scouts when he was 8 years old, he earned the Eagle Scout Award and the Youth God and Country Award. After graduating from Oglethorpe University in Georgia in 1965, he began his professional career with the Boy Scouts of America, from which he retired in 2007 with 40 years of service to America's youth. While working locally at the Tidewater Boy Scout office, he was selected to serve as the special needs scouting director, devoting much of his time to the development of the DisAbilities Awareness Challenge, an obstacle course that teaches young people about the many challenges faced by those with disabilities and demonstrates the devices that assist them. David was also the Disabilities Awareness Challenge director and treasurer, and served on the advisory board of the Way of the Champion Foundation, based in Chesapeake, which is a non-profit organization that helps at-risk youth. David served the community in a variety of ways. He was a member of Ocean View Lodge No. 335 and served as associate Bethel Guardian of Bethel No. 3, International Order of Job's Daughters. He also served as the president of Bayside Kiwanis Club from 1997-1998. In 2002, David received a Virginia Beach Human Rights Award. He also was awarded the adult God and Service Award from the United Methodist Church. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Donna; his three children and their spouses, David and Richelle Davies, Amber and Travis Estep and Tara and Clark Walters; and his five grandchildren, Zoe, Alec, Ella, Max and Reagan. Also surviving are his siblings, Kay Beck of Kansas, Susan Day of North Carolina, Lynn Roberts of Colorado, Nancy Gallagher of North Carolina, Pat Marbois of North Carolina and Doug Davies of South Carolina. A family visitation will be held Thursday, Sept. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel, 1485 Kempsville Road, Virginia Beach. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home Friday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any Towne Bank branch to the David S. Davies Memorial Fund to continue his work in the development of disability awareness programs. Dave was a retired pro in Tidewater Council, Virginia, and never let his own physical challenges get in the way of serving the Volunteers and Youth of his districts and at the council camp. We will miss him. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

I was with you until the last sentence...what does "show well" mean? With 120 boys, I would start thinking about splitting the Pack. That's how new units are grown. Your DE will love it...they just need to find a new CO. I was where you are...15 dens, 4 Webelos dens...what a fiasco. Pack meetings went nearly 3 hours, and it was a zoo. With half as many boys (and parents), the stress levels go way down.

Safety goggles are a must...and can be worn over prescription glasses. Those that meet ANSI standard Z87 are necessary...they will have "Z87" stamped either on the lens or the frame. Anything else is junk. A full face shield is also good and will provide impact protection to the face, head and neck. Some of that dog food can be pretty durn hard.

IMHO, anyone who uses public WiFi unencrypted deserves what they get. But could it be, just maybe, that after BHO got the classified briefings that we are not privy to, that he decided that certain actions under the Patriot Act were vital to the national security, and it was prudent to continue? While I disagree with most of his Socialist agenda, I do hope he is smart enough to listen to his advisors and act on the facts. Trust me, folks...there's a lot going on that the public doesn't know about...and may never know about. (I can't believe I'm defending the guy...I gotta go to the Dr and use my excellent private health insurance.)

I thought paid scouters had to be over 21?

"If the President does it, that means it's NOT illegal."

Well, as i was told by the older scouts before I was tapped-out (yes, TAPPED) in 1968...it stands for "we want women" PS: Welcome to the campfire!

"Be aware that use or storage of an individuals SSN# falls under the federal privacy act. You must take care to insure the information is kept confidential.(ie, no posting of SSN's on troop rosters or phone list ect...)" I realize this thread is ancient, but I have to raise the BS flag ... the above statement is simply not true. The federal Privacy Act only applies to "systems of records" maintained by the Government, not to records maintained by individuals, troops, packs, etc.

My wife's a school nurse...they do it all the time. It's just a paperwork exercise.

Since you already had a physical done, I would ask the office nurse if they could simply transcribe the results onto the new form, sign it and send it back to you. My doc has done that for me in the past...no charge.

I was going to go off on a tirade about "morally straight", until I reviewed the current version of the "Girl Scout Promise" and "Girl Scout Law". Nope...not in there. Never mind.

Thanks for the clarification, srisom. Although I don't agree with some of your assumptions, I understand the context. I don't think the comparison to summer camp is valid...scouts attend Summer camp with their unit, unless they are provisional, in which case they are assigned to another unit. In both cases, 2-deep leadership is required. OA functions are not necessarily attended as a unit...at least in my Lodge. What if the scout has just transferred in and doesn't know anyone, or is attending from out-of-council? The lawyers here can correct me, but I thought the term "guardian" had a legal meaning...like court-ordered custody for a non-parent.