scoutldr

HAYYYY! Who you callin' grizzled? Here's an alternate perspective. I have been both "trained and a trainer". In fact I did a stint as the District Training Guy (I don't use the term "Chairman", since I had no committee...I was it). I have been trained as a trainer and have taught adults at the college level, so it's not new to me. But the materials left a lot to be desired. "Stick to the syllabus" was the mantra of one who used to post here. Well, that brought you in within time limits, however, the students left just as bewildered as when they came. Only when we put the "schedule" aside and started having directed discussions (Socratic method) did we start having "learning", but then we went way overtime because they really got into it. They came to NLE wanting to know "what the heck do I do next Tuesday night for my first Den meeting"...not "this is how the Council is funded". The training, as designed, is not a course in human relations, management techniques, or in child psychology. That leads us to the BSA recommended leader selection process. We need to be looking for people who ALREADY possess the desirable qualities of a leader and mentor, since the BSA training will not magically transform them. Too often, leader selection consists of "OK, who wants to be the new Scoutmaster", and the first hand in the air gets it. Then we wonder why we have conflict.

Thanks for the good news. Your DE sounds like a wise and experienced professional. You are lucky as they are rare. Good luck to your son and keep us advised as to his progress.

Moray: (noun) Any of numerous chiefly tropical, brightly colored marine eels of the family Muraenidae that are ferocious fighters and commonly inhabit coral reefs. (As long as we're discussing proper use of the language)

NO, that's NOT what we said. The troop doesn't NEED to do anything upon demand. What would be UNreasonable, however would be to tell the scout "you just missed our quarterly BOR night, so you need to wait 3 more months." In my opinion, it would be reasonable to say "fine, we'll talk to the troop CC and let you know the next possible date" (which, in my troop, could be tonight, or could be next meeting night, depending on adult schedules). BTW, there's nothing that would prevent the scout from saying, "Mr. SM, I'm planning on being ready for my next SMC and BOR in 30 days. Would you mind scheduling those for me?" No sense in waiting till the last minute, then expecting everyone to scramble to meet YOUR deadlines.

Wonder if Sea Scouting is going to mimic the new uniform changes by the US Navy? For example: No more chambray "dungarees". Replaced by a new digital camo work uniform in shades of blue and gray. No more winter blue (aka "Johnny Cash") or summer whites (white shirt and white pants). Replaced by the "black and tan". Khaki shirt and black pants for E-1 through E-6. Chiefs and Officers continue to wear khaki pants. Return of "Service Dress Khaki" for Officers and Chiefs. Khaki coat with shoulder boards, (WWII retro look).

WOW...for once we're all saying the same thing!

Call your Council office and ask for the list of approved camping areas for Cub Scout camping.

"Specifically, it is hard to see what leadership is required." Why don't you just tell them that? And they not only need to convince you, they need to convince the District Advancement Committee.

"We have no COR (advancement chair rejected the last one)" You do have a COR...it's a requirement to be chartered. And the "advancement chair" (whom I assume is really a "committee member" who happens to be in charge of advancements) doesn't have that authority. Since your son is about to begin executing his Eagle project and doesn't want to leave the troop...I don't think there's any advice we can give you. If he were a Tenderfoot or Second Class, I'd say "move on, you can't win this one". Tell your son to proceed and don't worry about the politics. Tell him also to document every conversation with this person, and follow up with a polite e-mail, such as "just to follow up on our conversation, this is what I understood you to say"...

I agree with OGE. But it doesn't really matter what WE say. Your Council Registrar (and ScoutNet) is the one you need to please. Give her a call and let us know what she (or he) says.

Perhaps I wasn't clear. The clock starts on the date of the last BOR. If, for example, his Eagle BOR is March 5th, the 3 months ends on June 5th and ANY TIME AFTER THAT he can have a BOR for Bronze Palm, assuming all other requirements are met. If his BOR for Bronze is on March 10th, then 3 months later is June 10th and he can have another BOR for the next Palm. That's how we do it. Others will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe if the dates are fudged, ScoutNet (or your Council registrar) will catch it. (This message has been edited by scoutldr)

"I've had some of each. Haven't been harmed" That's what my Dad used to say...then he got lung cancer and was dead in 6 months at age 69. Never got to see his grandkids grow up and be successful young businessmen. "The scouts are not allowed to pick and choose which parts of the Oath and Law they want to live by so why is the BSA organization?" And if the BSA moved to strict enforcement, many of us would be gone. The reality is, BSA has no choice...their strings are being pulled by very large and very rich outside organizations.

Ditto what shortridge said. Sounds like the PARENTS need to be asking pointed questions as well...and I think a financial audit by an objective party may be in order. And Basement, if I'd heard a UC utter something like that, he/she would have been escorted off the property and invited to never return...followed by a phone call to the District key3.

So call your Commish. We're all curious!

A Scout must be "active" (defined by BSA as "registered") for at least 3 months since his last BOR date. That's when the "active service" requirement can be signed off. When all requirements are signed off, he can request a BOR. IMHO, units who make scouts wait until the next "scheduled" BOR are doing scouts a disservice.

Eamonn, good news! You can now buy a turntable with a USB cable that will covert all that vinyl into electrons on your hard drive! Last I checked, they cost about a hundred bucks.

I've been out of Cubs for awhile, but I don't think things have changed much. First start with a trained Pack Committee. There should be an annual planning meeting. Then develop a Unit Budget (your Council has info on Unit BUdget Plans). Then sell Popcorn (or other fundraisers) to fund the annual program. When I was CM many moons ago, our Pack charged $20 annual dues which covered registration, Boys Life and insurance. All other expenses such as awards, PWS and B&G were covered by fundraising as a Unit. It's not rocket science.

Welcome, Jon, and thanks for the "alternate" point of view. Stick around and join our virtual campfire!

We've never been allowed to sell anything in uniform...except for popcorn and Scout show tickets. And we don't do Scout shows any more.

This has happened with our last 3 Eagles. We let them know at the EBOR that the COH is up to them and their families and what the options are. Never heard from them. In fact they never bothered to come back to pick up their awards. I don't get it.

J Corbi is a perennial school band fundraiser here. We always buy and the quality is reasonable. I have no idea why your council would declare it off limits...other than the fact that they don't get a cut, like they do with popcorn. I'm not aware that our council has taken a position; my unit sells Xmas wreaths from Mickman Bros. I haven't bought BSA popcorn in years...but we buy pizza and wreaths every year. There's a message there.

Pass the Soma...

Robotics - ok, I'll buy that (must be a similar situation to Composites...sponsored by an industry group?) GPS/GIS - should be incorporated into Orienteering SCUBA - I'd be surprised. That would be REAL expensive to offer at summer camp. Unless a scout took a commercial course (NAUI/PADI) or went to Sea Base, I don't see it being real popular.

"I am the first CC they have had in 3 years and it shows" Your statement is a little confusing...a Pack can't charter without a CC. Were they just "in name only"? Usually it's the COR who is "in name only". If the COR is actually engaged and doing his job, perhaps the Committee resented it and didn't like the "interference". I know in my unit, that would probably be the case, if our COR came in and started telling us how things were to be. I don't have any solutions...it will take time...and perhaps some turnover of personnel before things start to get better. My advice...don't try to turn it around overnight, or you will just get more resistance. It didn't get that way overnight and it will take time to "morph" back to where it should be.

The OA ceremonies are filled with symbolism and tradition. Read the materials you were given carefully...several times. Then throughout the weekend, pay attention to the words of the ceremonies and "take them on board" ... it's a time for reflection, thought, and hopefully a redirection of your life. What you go through during the weekend is minor...and temporary. But the lessons and friendships will remain with you forever. I had my Ordeal in 1968. Today, as a 50-something adult, I still remind myself of the Obligation I took...and sometimes it helps get me through the day.