scoutldr

"On the uniforms, I have a feeling that Subaru didn't want to pay any licensing fees (especially to BSA), so they tried to make the boy's uniforms deliberately not look like they were from any particular organization." Well that didn't work so well...they definitely "looked like" Brownie vests.

Once, a long time ago, I looked at reinventing myself and becoming a Pro. Being a reasonably astute human with excellent critical thinking skills, I realized it was a no-win job. Lots of responsibility, but no authority. Job success depends on the good will and cooperation of the volunteers, the economy, and the good heartedness of donors. None of which the Pro has any control over. I have always been friendly and helpful when working with my DE(s)...but I know lots of scouters who won't give them the time of day. We have had a couple of "model scouts", (Eagle, Vigil, Lodge Chief, Camp Program Director, etc) graduate from college and come back as a DE. They didn't last more than a year. Being a pro is not "scouting"...it's an outside sales job, and you live or die by your numbers. Add to that all the program jobs you have to do if the vols won't do it. No, thanks.

Right..."fee for service". SO what we're really talking about is "cost redistribution".

Side by side photos of the (former) Field Uniform and Activity Uniform can be found on Mike Walton's site...which is now as obsolete as the uniforms! Class A/B is not BSA terminology...as pointed out, it refers to Army uniforms. http://www.mninter.net/~blkeagle/boyscout.htm

And if the public is really, REALLY lucky, the fact that the health department guy is an Eagle Scout will have no bearing on him enforcing the laws. ;0>

Eamonn is of course correct. I overlooked the fact that you were making the food. Of course that opens up a whole can of worms with local ordinances regarding vendor permits and health department regulations.

The others are correct. Go to the Council registrar and ask for a printout of your unit roster. On it, in addition to you and your wife, you will find the names of a Chartered Org Representative, Committee Chair, and Committee members (These are required to charter a unit). Then call a meeting of those people. They are the ones who should be handling this dilemma and making decisions. Not you and the DE. If they are indeed in "name only", tell the DE that's not acceptable and ask your COR for a full slate of interested unit leaders to help you. The CO/COR is the one who should be appointing and approving unit leaders, with your help with recruiting. This kind of thing drives me up the wall, and I think it drives away otherwise good, solid volunteers...all in a quest for "numbers". But by the time the unit implodes, the DE has gotten his raise and moved on.

I'm not a lawyer, nor a tax accountant. But the Red Cross example is one that came to mind also. They routinely charge "fee for service"...such as first aid and swimming classes, and the blood program. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't they charge hospitals for blood? So I don't think that charging to cover expenses would jeopardize the "charity" designation. Another question...if the BSA went "for profit"...would anyone buy the stock?

Your council is following National policy. Reason is that BSA does not want to lend its image/brand to commercial products...except Popcorn. Rules for fundraising are on the Unit Fundraising approval form that have to be filed with your Council.

I don't know what the answer is. A while back in a different thread, I proposed charging "fee for service"...Tour permit-5 bucks. Advancement report-10 bucks. Eagle App-50 bucks. That type of thing. Of course, that would just lead to units not getting Tour Permits or filing advancement reports. That's a problem now when they're free! Having the books opened for all to see would be interesting. The IRS Form 990 for a council is public record, but only lists salaries >50K, which in my council is only two people. The other numbers are hard to decipher as to income and outgo. An annual report would be great, but I haven't seen one of those in 10 years. Even the local theater company lists its benefactors in the playbill. Is there waste in a council...sure...just like any other organization. The Executive Board is entrusted to keep a watch on that. But I have to wonder...are they doing their job, or are they just there for a feather in their resume?

Ahhh, the old ODL "hot pants". Made one talk a few octaves higher, too! I'm glad the did away with the cuff zipper. I have a 28" inseam and can't wear ANYTHING off the shelf. I like a cuff that can be hemmed.

That episode was tame compared to the one that aired (in this market) immediately before it featuring Oprah.

As long as they are on the table on the night of the EBOR, what's the diff? I find the letters to be silly anyway, and a waste of time...ESPECIALLY the one from the parent. The one from the SM is redundant, since he/she has already had the SM conference and signed the Eagle app indicating approval.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

The "approval signatures" required on the Eagle Project "plan" are: - Committee Member - Religious Institution, school or community representative - District Advancement representative - Scoutmaster/Coach/Advisor The last one is for Troop SM, Varsity Team Coach or Venuting Advisor...all equivalent Unit leader positions. It does NOT mean "Eagle Advisor", which is usally the "committee member". So, in order for the project to proceed, the SM does indeed need to "approve" the Eagle project plan. I agree with the others...if there was no intent to grant an SM conference or EBOR, then why did they approve the project? That's just a game of "gotcha" and has no place in Scouting.

Pet peeve/rant. At the risk of sounding petty, I resent it when my donation is handled with carelessness/disregard. One year, I donated in monthly installments, and the council's recordkeeping was slipshod at best. I never did get a receipt for the full amount I paid (for tax purposes). Like other councils, if one donates at least the "cost of scouting" (~$126), the donor is supposed to get an FOS CSP and a coffee mug. More often than not, my patch/mug never shows up. It's a small thing, but I am a serious collector. I don't wear the CSP, but it goes in my patch box to be sold for a buck by my widow at my Estate sale. Point is, if you say you're going to do something, then DO it. I feel taken for granted.

Just say "no".

Yeah, what Annie said. "He is serious about no women camping." Sorry, but he doesn't get a vote on that issue, unless as Beavah said, it's your CO's policy. If he chooses to harm the troop over that by leaving and taking other leaders with him, then he's probably not a good role model anyway. That being said, I personally would discourage ANY parent from shadowing their new Scout...at least for the first year. He needs a chance to "be one of the guys" and assimilate into the troop. I, and everyone here, acted differently when our parent was with us. Didn't have near as much fun. But in the end, if she insists, you can't stop her from attending and "observing". And no daughter. That's why they have Girl Scouts.

First thing I would do is appoint one of the OA members to be the "OA Troop Representative" which is a POR in the troop. It is his job to "talk up" the OA among the troop members and get them motivated to participate, leading by example. As to Brotherhood, one of the metrics for making "Quality Lodge" is the Brotherhood Conversion Rate. So, if memory serves, SM approval is not required, and only requires you to have 10 months since your Ordeal, and present yourself at an Ordeal (or Fellowship) as a Brotherhood candidate. There are some other requirements to pass, which I won't reveal here, but don't seem to hold anyone back.

I won't jinx it by congratulating you too soon, Ms. Summer, however it seems we are on the path now. Another thing to start considering, should the EBOR be successful...who will conduct the ECOH and present the award? I think it's a sure bet that Mr. SM and Mr. CC will not be present, even if cordially invited. But first things first...

Yes, FOS funds salaries. So does Popcorn. Where else would the money come from?

"The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons." Hmmmm...if it weren't for terrorists in 1776, we'd all be writing with a funny accent like Eamonn. Oh...gotta go...time for afternoon tea.

I think it's in your Scoutnet record, if I'm not mistaken.

Nursing homes are using Wii for physical therapy. Perhaps we geezers can get a physical therapy square knot!

If that had happened to me, they would never see another dime of my money, and I would let the Council Executive Board know why.

I have been struck recently by the way this forum has taken on an air of respect, kindness, and, well, Scoutlike behavior. There was one recent notable speedbump, but we got past that. I appreciate the way we can respectfully discuss and disagree, without becoming disagreeable. As someone said once, regardless of our opinions, beliefs and passions, there is one passion that we all share, which is a desire to instill in young men and women the values of Scouting so that we will leave the world a little better than we found it. I respect you all, and admire the dedication to our organization. I will be away for a few days visiting my 87 year old uncle up in OGE's neck of the woods. If you see a short, fat old guy with a grey beard lurking in the Minsi Trails Scout shop, that will be me. My laptop's hard drive is dying, so I probably won't be back on the forum until Monday. I can't wait to hear how mdsummer45's saga turns out with her soon to be Eagle son. Good Luck.