scoutldr

We have an open invitation to "bring your SPL with you"...but very few do. Why? I think it's a matter of the youth trying to fit one more thing into their already overscheduled lives for little value-added. I remember well-run RT in CS and BS, but they are a thing of the past. Now it's just an "announcement session" or where you have to go to pick up your recharter packet.

I too am burning out. Three of us started the troop together in 1990, and we're still at it. My sons are now 30 and 27 and the other parents don't seem to want to "take over". Of course they have reasons too...travel with work, starting new careers after retiring from military, still in military and deployed, etc. The group of scouts we have left are all Life, and we've told them that at the end of this year, they can either have an ECOH or transfer to another troop. The CO won't care one way or the other...they are not involved except to tell us not to turn the heat on in the winter due to the cost. Recruiting in this area is dismal...even the mega-Troops are complaining about no cross-overs. For my personal situation, my MIL moved in with us, and now my eldest son is moving back home for financial reasons. I will be 55 this year and was looking at retirement next year...but it's not to be due to the economy. I feel like everyone is "hunkering down" and sweating it out. Membership is down, volunteerism is down and donations are down. I did the District thing for awhile as Training and then Camping chair, but got tired of the internal politics. The DE ran the show...the other "Key2" were in name only. My job is secure, but has evolved into something I loathe doing. I'm a manager, but it's like dealing with kindergarteners, not 50-something adults. As to health, I had major surgery last year (section of colon removed), and I seem to be not as "ambitious" as I used to be. I get up at 0500, get to work at 0700 and home at 1800-1900. By then I'm whipped and just eat some supper and fall asleep in front of the TV or laptop. I need to lose weight, but just don't have the energy nor the desire. Old age? Depression?...sure, maybe. Who wouldn't be? Did I mention I'm tired, too?

"responsible for interrupting"...interesting, but true in too many cases. ;-)

The Voyageur was my first tent as a youth...sans floor and mosquito net. I wouldn't buy a 40 year old canvas tent without taking it out of the bag and setting it up first. Age is not kind to canvas.

At the close of the charter year, the District needs to have more units on the books than it had last year. So if a unit folds, that means you have to replace that one, PLUS get a new one (or more). Like when I worked in retail as a kid...the store manager was always worried about "making the day". At close of business, he needed to have more net sales (sales minus returns) than he had on the same date last year. Those who kept coming up short were replaced.

When I was a young Scout, the "Royal Order of Siam" was a standard summer camp campfire skit. "Owa Tagu Siam" Thanks for the memory jogger. Those were the good times.

I don't know of any "rule", however, as you have read, it's not recommended due to the potential for conflict of interest. For sure, both of you should not have signature authority on the troop funds. What conflict of interest? The SM is charged with executing the program which is approved and monitored by the troop committee. The Committee conducts Board of Reviews, the purpose of which is not only to talk to the scout, but to evaluate the effectiveness of the program being delivered by the SM and his corps of youth leaders. Would a spouse be able to objectively evaluate the performance of her husband as SM? ("Objectively" is the operative term here). Also, for Youth Protection purposes, this may not count as "Two deep" leadership, since spouses cannot be compelled to testify against one another (Lawyers, correct me if I'm wrong here). Bottom line is, if you both can "objectively" carry out your duties, and the chartering organization approves, there is nothing to prohibit it, to my knowledge.

I am reminded of "Coach Roz"...one of my son's first baseball coaches (about 8-9 years old boys). At our very first practice, we all sat on the bleachers as she delivered this speech, "My name is Coach Roz and I don't know the first thing about baseball, but I'm here because no one else would step up. If you have anything to say or don't like what I'm doing, you can put on a cap and get out here and help me. Otherwise, I don't want to hear it." My 30 year old son still says she was one of his best coaches.

Welcome, gina. To answer your question, I don't think so. NRA patches can be worn on non-uniform jackets, or MAYBE as a temporary patch on the right pocket (temporary patches can be permanent if you want). Our guidance document is the "Uniform and Insignia Guide" found at http://www.scouting.org/media/insigniaguide.aspx

Whew. Ok. Back to business.

Because, after 18 years, no other parents will step up and take over. Our sons aged out over 10 years ago, and we are just plain tired. The body ain't what it used to be. The only way to "retire" is to just quit showing up.

Don't feed the troll. I have filed a formal complaint about the obscene (not to mention unscoutlike!) PM he/she sent me after he posted the same in another thread. Too bad a moderator stripped it before you all could see what the whacko wrote before swearing never to return (he lies, too). I'm amazed he still has an account here. Apparently the rules of decorum for this forum no longer apply. Isn't threatening assault and battery across state lines a federal felony?

Would you show up with your Troop at the Pinewood Derby and expect to be allowed to participate? Same thing. Camping in cub scouts is "family camping" only.

What good is having "rules and regs" if the program materials contradict them and they're not enforced. Here we go again. Just say what you mean, and crosswalk all materials so they say the same thing. How hard is that? Maybe we should all just agree not to sign anything saying we "agree", unless we're provided (or offered) a copy (or a hyperlink) of what we're agreein' to. Isn't that basic legal common sense?

Tie a string to his big toe and tie the other end to the big toe of his tentmate. Or tie a string of tin cans across the entrance to his tent. Just kidding. The safety of the scout is paramount. If you're not comfortable that you can ensure safety, then the parent needs to accompany and be responsible. Short of setting up a watch schedule of adults all night long, I don't have any suggestions.

I just looked at the underside of my Dell keyboard...yep...made in china.

I was dismayed the first time (about 10 years ago) when I bought a patch (camporee patch, or maybe an OA flap) and it had a little gold sticker on the back "Made in China". Kinda like rubbing salt in the wound. At least if I were selling them, I would have specified "no stickers" or removed them before I put them out for sale. I was almost ready to stimulate the economy by replacing my wife's car...a 2001 Lincoln LS that is starting to nickel and dime me ($300 to replace sparkplugs!). I really like the new 2010 Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan. Until I found out they are made 100% in Mexico! I was ready to support FoMoCo because they are doing the honorable thing and not taking taxpayer dollars to rebuild their business (so far, at least). So, my dilemma is...do I "buy American" even though made in Mexico, or do I "buy Japanese" because they are made in Ohio? I can't win. I'm ready to just follow Ayn Rand's philosophy of objectivism and just do what's best for me and the heck with it. I don't think we can afford a scout shirt made by an American Union member making $25 an hour plus benefits. Another dilemma. We Americans have increased our standard of liivng to the point where society can't afford us any more. The "American Dream" has bankrupted the country.

So much for the "cool head". I think I see now what the problem is.

Well, scorpionace, I may be full of bull. But it seems like every time you post, we get just another piece of the puzzle revealed. If you had given us the whole story in your first post, my advice would have been: You ain't gonna win this one and you're never gonna be happy with this troop, and they're not gonna change any time soon. Just take your boy and move on.

1941: I have a few Japanese friends and classmates. I have a hard time visualilzing them as evil. 1962: I have a few black friends and classmates. I have a hard time visualizing them as evil. 1970: I have a few hippie friends and classmates. I have a hard time visualizing them as evil. 2009: I have a few gay and atheist friends and colleagues. I have a hard time visualizing them as evil. I am a Scouter. Do they think I'm evil?

Your DE will say "it's up to you". There is no grey area or interpretation (of what?). The Pack decides who can go on its outings. Period.

Just got a newsletter from the council...they are going to hold the line on prices until the 15th. In stock items only. At least they're trying to soften the blow.

As one who sits on EBOR as the District Rep, I can tell you that we pay little attention to the scout's book. The book is important, up to the point that the Eagle App is filled out and certified by the Council Registrar, who has checked the records in ScoutNet. If there is a discrepancy as to requirements (e.g., Life BOR date, or Merit badges recd), the book (or signed MB card) is the defining record. So, as others have pointed out, if all the requirements are certified on the Eagle App by the registrar, and all the other signatures are there (including SM "approval") then the book doesn't matter. It IS important that you get the ScoutNet record and reconcile it with your son's book and Eagle App. If it doesn't match up, you need to get it straight. (Normally the SM or troop AC would do this).

Go for it! If he's a registered scout, and your unit leadership is willing, I don't see any problem. It's not really a council or district issue...

Mr. Bourlon, I notice you are a CSP. I am a Certified Industrial Hygienist and a past-Director of the American Board of Industrial Hygiene. In the past 30+ years, I have gained a fair amount of experience in reading, interpreting, editing and writing H&S policy documents, Fact Sheets and Government regulations, as well as program management, training, and compliance reviews. I can be an excellent critic and sounding board, in a constructive sorta way, prior to going "live" with stuff. I also have experience and training in the field of Risk Communication. Also a Scout and Scouter for 30+ years. As an H&S colleague, rather than snipe anonymously, I am offering to assist in any way as a volunteer. Heck, I can even serve on committees! PM me if you're interested, and I can shoot you a resume. As my unit service winds down, I was wondering how I would continue to serve Scouting. Perhaps this is it! scoutldr, MPH, CIH