scoutldr

I frequently sit on unit EBOR as the District rep. Most scouts will have ALL of their cards (rank, MB, Blue cards, Mile Swim, etc) in a 3 ring binder with plastic baseball card pages. While interesting to thumb through, we don't inspect them too closely. The Eagle Application certified by the Council registrar is what counts. Like stated above, if the Council records are not correct, he may need a blue card as documentation to correct ScoutNet. Your Council/District policies may differ.

If you are a new troop and your son is Historian, get him a cheap digital camera, and tell him to "document" everything! Then let him learn to download the pictures and create slide shows. (Even hook him up with a Photography MB counsellor). These can be VERY entertaining and valuable in 4-5 years when the guys start making Eagle. When our troop started, digital photography was still new and expensive and I wish we had more photos. Those who took photos are long gone...with the photos. Just think in 50 years what those photos will be worth to those inheriting your troop! (If the technology can still access the files!) Just a thought.

I'll wait for the clearance sale in 2011. Or eBay.

I thought I had it, but it turned out to be "Scout Vespers"...sheet music. Anyone interested, shoot me a PM and I'll .pdf it.

I understand it comes with "reproduction" memorabilia. I prefer to collect the real thing.

A good friend, former leader and Eagle Scout from WV in the 60's likes to tell me about his SM (who he still visits) who would just announce at the end of the meeting, "our next campout is the weekend of 15 Sept at XXX Camp". And not another word was mentioned (by him). Then sit back and see what happens. Never had the guts to try that in my troop...don't like camping alone.

As long as you understand that the PRIMARY role of the SM is to train the youth leaders to run the troop. He/she is the primary mentor to the SPL, who in turn mentors and trains the ASPL(s) and PLs. But, yes, the BOYS run the troop. They do the planning and the execution. And deal with the consequences of their decisions. Safety is always important, and should be a key consideration of the planning process. BTW, the term is "Scoutmaster". Troopmaster is a software program for managing troop records. ;-)

For the record, our camp does not provide ice either. It is nice to have, but is not necessary for hydration. It is available at the Trading Post for $1.25 for an 8# bag...and then when they run out by Tuesday, there is no more. Several things still bother me. Advancements should be part of the troop overhead. It's not proper, in my opinion, to withhold advancements if the scout doesn't have money in "his" account. My unit still charges $25 per year annual dues (which includes registration fees and Boys Life), plus $1 per week patrol dues. That covers the "overhead". Fundraisers cover the rest, including equipment purchase and planned replacement due to wear and tear. IF the fundraisers are real successful, the scout can have his entire year of scouting paid for (in his scout account), never having to ask his parents for anything. One of Baden-Powell's tenets was that a scout should earn his own way. A Scout is Thrifty. (A SM Minute for next week, perhaps?) Finally, I reread your posts to find out your position in the troop. You said, "I am not a Scoutmaster I am a mother who is the advancement chair, I hate financial stuff it creates such problems with everyone" I think that's the answer to your dilemma. To put it as gently as I can, focus on your job...and let the CC and Treasurer focus on theirs. Good luck and enjoy the journey! It's not supposed to be this stressful. Edited part: Wow! Just read your last post more carefully. My opinion is that using the troop account to avoid paying tax is probably illegal and could put your CO's tax-exempt status in jeopardy. The behavior of the CC is bizarre, as you describe it, but to be fair, we only hear one side of the story on this forum. SOunds like your unit is in trouble and could benefit from some "therapy" from a Unit Commissioner and Troop Committee Challenge training.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

What an odd thought. Alphabetical would mean you had to rip them all off and re-sew them every time you earned one. I don't know anyone willing to do that. Not criticising...just wondering, "huh?"

Hadulzo...that may be true in your council, but it is by no means true throughout the nation. How Eagle candidates are processed is up to each Council Advancement Committee. In my council, the process is handled by the Troop Committee with a District Rep attending the Troop's Eagle Board of Review. How they handle the letters is up to them...all the scout needs to do is furnish names of people who would be willing to provide a reference.

Never heard of "unit contact"...perhaps "direct contact". THat would be anyone who works directly with youth such as DL, ADL, WDL, SM, ASM, MBC, etc.

"Scouts today are basically incompetent -- don't know how to act, behave, prepare for the wilderness." It's not just Scouts. It's everyone. Just read an article about the failing local school system...and how teachers can't teach because they spend too much time just keeping kids from tearing the place (and each other) apart. Just got back from my weekly trip to Costco. One of my pet peeves is the gas pumps and people who can't wait an extra 30 seconds and pull ahead of the car in front of them. This clueless moron in a Jag with FL plates had pulled around to get to the front pump and had effectively blocked everyone else. He, apparently in a stupor, proceeded to pump his gas, then took his time inspecting his receipt, putting his gas cap back on, and then several more minutes behind the wheel before pulling off. I wanted to get out of my car and box his ears and say "what the hell is wrong with you!!!" People today are totally self absorbed and have no awareness, much less consideration, for others. What we are seeing is this attitude passed on to the kids. I want it all, I want it now and I don't care what anyone else wants. As we have discussed before, I don't think we need paid Scoutmasters. For one thing, I don't think we could afford the good ones if they are paid what they are worth. WHat we DO need is to quit proliferating "Webelos III" troops. Feed the good troops that already exist and support those with good programs. I'd rather see two good troops of 30 boys each solidly using the patrol method with experienced, trained leaders, than 6 troops of 5 boys each giving the rest a bad name.

Yes, I think you are a troll. But for the benefit of others who may read this: It doesn't matter whether I think you are "deserving" or not. You have stated "I am an atheist". Therefore, you do not meet the BSA membership criteria, much less the criteria for Eagle Scout (that pesky "Scout Spirit" requirement, doncha know). The fact that you have X number of merit badges and completed a project doesn't matter. If you submit an Application for Eagle Scout and purposely mislead the Eagle Board about your beliefs, you are a fraud and a liar and certainly not "Trustworthy" or "Reverent". As OGE said, I will have much more respect for you if you stand behind your beliefs, even if it means never receiving the Eagle. If you are willing to lie to the EBOR, then what else about your life is worthy of trust and respect? Let us know what you decide.

That makes 3 IH's so far! Small world! See my post at the beginning of this thread.

Nice try.

Lots of new faces around the campfire, so I thought I'd bump this up again.

I assume "SR906" means you are Wood Badge trained? Some things about your statements are puzzling to me. Walking outside alone with a scout is a violation of Youth Protection guidelines. NEVER be one:one with a scout. I'm hoping I misread that. As was stated earlier, your unit committee needs to get a handle on the budgeting process. Using the PLC and SM's planning input, the committee should develop a budget for carrying out the annual plan. Estimate expenses, including registration, insurance, activities, awards, software,...everything. Then develop a plan for raising the funds within BSA guidelines for fundraising. In our unit, the "scout accounts" are for the individual scout's use...never for general expenses such as awards and equipment. Those who do not participate simply do not have an account to draw from, but unit awards and equipment should be covered by the annual dues. Some units are so successful with fundraising that the scout NEVER has to pay for anything, including uniforms. My units have not been that lucky. The PLC needs to also understand that, if fundraising is not as successful as necessary, then the plan may have to be adjusted as the year goes on. One thing I would NEVER do is dip into the scout accounts to cover operating expenses, because the adults failed to plan properly. Also, the issue of ice and water at camp. That has happened in my unit as well...what usually happens is that the leader who makes the decision to buy also pays for it...and more often than not the other leaders in attendance will chip in. We never ask the scouts or parents. The issue of "no women on campouts" also bothers me. Boy Scouts is not like Cub Scouts in that camping is a unit activity rather than a family activity. The number of "leaders" who attend should be the minimum necessary, whether male or female. Minimum is two. Depending on the size of the unit, more may be necessary, but having everyone's mom and dad attend with Scout is not necessary nor encouraged. Nothing wrong with having a "family campout" once a year, but it should not be the norm. Forgive me if I have misinterpreted anything.

I understand this is a serious question, Lisa, and am not intending to fan the flames. I just reread the BSA policy written here: http://www.bsalegal.org/duty-to-god-cases-224.asp Any of us who says they've never questioned their faith is probably not being honest. I, myself have periods of agnosticism when I see things and wonder "what kind of loving God would allow this to happen". Then, other times, I look at the wonders of science and nature and wonder, "how could this have happened randomly and without divine guidance?" Raised in the ELCA (but that's another thread), I earned Eagle and the Pro Deo Et Patria (God and Country) award, and was baptized, confirmed, substitute organist, acolyte and finally President of the Congregation Council for two terms. But subsequent issues in my life have led me to question blind faith. When I see those who profess to be men of God committing child abuse. WHen I see those who swear that God (Allah) requires them to murder others. I have to question. Questioning is healthy, I think. Thomas questioned. As someone pointed out, even Jesus questioned on the cross. As I get older, those who make the most sense to me are the evangelicals on the radio on Sunday morning who point out that there are no "denominations" in the Bible...there is no need to filter or interpret the Word and create "manmade rules" to guide your faith. Being "unchurched" does not equal "unfaithful". One of my ASM's is unchurched, although his wife and son are Catholic. I once gave him a copy of "The Gospel of the Redman" and inscribed it "to one of my most religious friends". In my mind, how one lives and treats others (and Nature) is more important that dressing up and sitting in church every Sunday. Sorry for rambling. The BSA policy is only as strict as its enforcement at the unit level. Everyone knows my position and no one yet has stripped me of my membership card. I have good friends who are gay. I wish that they could also experience Scouting. But I put up with the BSA policy because the boys I do reach are better off, I hope. I expect that the BSA will change its policy over time, as it has toward blacks and women. Is it better for the boy to kick him out, or to continue to expose him to the wonders of Creation and hope he finds his way one day? It's up to the unit.

I must have missed the memo that said "Scouts who utter the "a"word(s) must be banished." If the Scout is a teenager, presumably he can read. Give him a copy of the DRP and offer to discuss its meaning with him. Then see if he re-registers.

Not to mention the "feat" of finding registered MBC for every badge.

As a youth and today, all adults were called "Mr. Lastname". (Or Ms, as appropriate). My adult sons (31 and 27) still call their former leaders "Mr. Lastname". Some parents, when talking to their kids, call me "Mr. Firstname"...as though putting "Mr" in front somehow adds respect, while calling my by my firstname. I do not agree.

1. Eagle patch/knot 2. 50 Miler award (if you knew me when I was a fat bookworm kid, you'd understand) 3. First mile swim, earned in the James river, swimming upstream behind a wooden rowboat (see 2. above) 4. BSA Lifeguard (ditto)-earned in the days of hand-to-hand combat against an active "victim" twice your size Just curious, GreenUniform, how can you spend 10 years in Varsity as a youth? (adults wear the blue background)

"Canadians better hope we don't get a government-run plan, or their back-up plan across the border will cease to exist. They'll have to get in line behind the rest of us." No...they won't be allowed in the line at all. That's what I was told when I recently traveled to Canada. "Do not go to the Doctor, you will NOT be seen. If you need to go to the ER, you will have to pay IN FULL, in cash, in advance."

"When I CHOOSE to make a contribution that's fine, when they take it from me, that's no longer a contribution and either illegal OR unethical OR both." Hmmm...sounds like "wealth redistribution" to me... Probably what happened is that they are covering their butts...there is probably a COuncil policy that they do NOT pay sales tax. But the person who sent you on the errand neglected to tell you that. So, rather than get in trouble with the SE, they are sticking it to you. I agree with the others...if and when you send in your FOS check, deduct that amount...and include a letter explaining why.

Concur with what BS said. If he really wants to work with the boys, encourage him to sign up (with the District) and make himself available to ALL troops. You and your committee have no say in that process. The converse of that is, if you have MBC who are NOT registered with the district, then they are "illegitimate". One of my pet peeves is our entire District MBC list is almost ALL "Troop XX only". So now if a troop wants their scouts to earn MB, they have to get their own counselors too.