scoutldr

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

I earned the Lion badge and then Arrow of Light. The book was called "Lion/Webelos" but there was no Webelos badge. Webelos was the Den we were in, not a rank. Before Webelos, everyone stayed in the same Den...no Wolf Den or Bear Den. Most of the rank and arrow point work was done at home with parents signing off. Den meetings were for crafts or for preparing for events such as B/G, Scout-O-Rama, Mothers/Fathers day, Christmas, etc. We never went camping either (not even Day Camp). I don't think it was part of the Cub program until much later.

What is your position in the unit? As a parent, about all you can do is register your displeasure with the Chartering Organization (COR)...they own the unit...and the money. There are no BSA rules AFAIK governing how Unit committees spend their money, and your Council will probably stay "hands off" unless there's something illegal going on. Also, I don't think there is anything that says they have to show you the books. If the CO is happy with the way the UNit is managing its program, you have no recourse other than to vote with your feet.

I started as a Cub Scout in the early 60's. We wore our "complete" uniforms to school on Den Meeting day, and rode our bikes to the Den Mother's house (about half a mile) for the meeting right after school. OR, we could just change buses and ride the one to her house (without prior approval from the School Board!) Back home by dinner time, then homework. It never occurred to us NOT to wear official uniform pants. Why would we want to do that??? Yes, they got grass stains and torn knees, but so what? Pack meeting once a month at the Catholic Church. Even as a Boy Scout in 6th grade, I have a class picture of 3 of us wearing our green uniforms. No one thought it was odd then. For Scout uniforms and supplies, we had to go to the local JC Penney. We had to show our "Official Membership Card" in order to buy anything. The "Council Office" was this unknown place in a downtown office bldg that we youth never went to.

I am proud to be the son of a WWII submariner who served under CDR Fluckey (VADM ret) in USS BARB.

"Yah, I think now the ban is on any "simulated weapon." Not sure if flashlights count, but squirtguns, toy phasers, and pointin' a banana and goin' "bang" are definitely out." There goes the SuperSoakers at the pool that the kids love so much. And the pistol-grip nozzle on the hose we use to rinse off the deck has definitely got to go! Maybe we'll just stay home from camp this year.

I KNEW IT!!!! Irving does lurk here! (they'd be fools not to!)

They can have my flashlight when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers!

Ok, enough with the jokes already.

Got me...got me good. So is the uniform price hike a joke, too?

Ron Paul 2012

The best suggestion I heard was to take the auto bailout money and give each taxpayer a voucher good toward the purchase of a new car. ANY new car. Let the customer decide which companies are worth saving. (Might just be Toyota...hmmm?) That way, everyone profits, not just the corporate bigshots. Line workers, suppliers, dealers, salesmen, banks who give loans. Also helps to retire the clunkers and get fuel efficient cars on the road. Good ole' American free market competition. What a concept.

I guess there's no recession in Irving. The reality is...I can pay for increased uniform prices and training fees...OR...donate to FOS. But not both.

I have nothing against training...if it's worthwhile information and doesn't waste my time (learning how to use a flannel board and make stupid little race cars in TDC comes to mind). I AM against charging volunteers ridiculous fees. I'm fat, so maybe it's a moot point anyway. I keep getting little subliminal messages that Scouting doesn't need nor want my services any more.

I turned in my Uniform Police badge a while ago, so I really don't care ;-). I was in cubs early 60's, Eagle 1970. My sons, now 27 and 30 were cubs in the early 80's, but neither one was a Tiger. As to the metal slides, I never bought more than one. We preferred the handmade variety and had several to choose from at any given time. The metal ones never stayed on.

This is not simply a matter of signing off on the SM conference. The Application for Eagle Scout Award http://www.nesa.org/trail/58-728.pdf requires the "approval signatures" of both the Unit leader (SM) and Unit Committee Chair, before a EBOR can happen. That being said, if the SM had no intention of signing, why did he approve the lad's Eagle Project? And, if he feels the lad has serious character flaws, why wasn't this mentioned at Life or Star? I'm afraid I don't have any answers, except talk to the District Advancement Chair, or transfer REAL quickly to another troop/Crew. PS: I just read some of the other posts...apparently this has been festering since at least Nov 08? And your son hasn't done anything about it yet? Sounds like the SM is a piece of work, writing the lad a letter saying "don't have your parents contact me about this". Sheesh.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

"Part of that is I think they want da council professional staff involved in instruction, so course fees have to take into account their salary." Pardon me, Beav, but that doesn't make sense to me. Pros are on salary and don't get overtime. They get paid the same whether they're teaching this course, or attending a B/G dinner. Salaries should come from FOS and popcorn, not by charging absurd training fees. Anyone up for a "Scouters' Tea Party"?