scoutldr

"although we only get the knot if he is continuing as an adult leader" That's just wrong. The kid earned Eagle. Why in the world would you NOT present him with the medal? (Adults can wear the medal too, on formal occasions).

I want to pay a "Fair Tax". There is a cost for freedom...and everyone who lives here should pay their fair share.

"Not any more, by law gift cards for which the merchant has taken money cannot expire. Gift cards which are given by the merchant as part of a promotion may expire." I'd like to know the source of that info. Merchants around here, particularly restaurants (inlcuding my son's) are still putting expiration dates on their gift certificates (some as short as 6 months).

Aww, milwscout...you had to go and push that button, didn't you.

The ads on this page are driven by what we're discussing. Right now there's an ad at the top for "pictures and videos of 1000's of beautiful LDS Singles" and "Family Tree History". If we were talking about tents, there would be ads for tents and camping equipment. I can put up with that if it pays the bills for Terry, the owner of Scouter.com. And I don't think the guys on bikes are doing "volunteer" work. They are on their year-long mandatory "mission" which is to knock on doors and convert people. I don't like talking to them or Jehovah's Witnesses...so I don't answer the door.

We had RT at an LDS church for years. The only difference I noted was we were not allowed to serve coffee. :-(

My boys and wife got me a 32" HD tv for my birthday, in spite of me telling them I didn't want or need ANYTHING. When my son walked in with the box, I was actually ticked off. My reasons were that my MIL now lives with us and I have no storage space for anything what with oxygen tanks, wheel chairs, and her stuff all over the house. Now the perfectly good 27" Magnavox that I inherited from my Dad 13 years ago sits on the floor in the spare bedroom. I'm not impressed with HD...I watch the news and the Weather Channel...that's about it. Don't care about sports or movies and I don't pay for any premium channels. It's like giving a Ferrari to someone who takes the bus everywhere. I try to live very frugally, and I would never buy a new TV until the old one croaks. Yes it's a little larger, and the few HD channels available on cable look nice, but now all the non-HD channels look crappy and stretched out. I would rest much easier if I knew that their Roth IRA's were fully funded. At ages 30 and 26, they have managed to save ZERO towards retirement...nor do they seem to care. For Christmas, I will repeat my request for NOTHING...I need nothing...especially more things that I need to find space for. I don't want clothes...I am extremely hard to fit (short and fat) and always have to take it back or give it to the Salvation Army a year later with the tags still on. I don't want "gift cards"...because usually I forget I have them and they expire. My wife's family has a tradition of "exchanging names"...you write what you want on a piece of paper with your name and draw from a hat. THen whoever pulls your name goes and buys it and gives it to you. No thought involved...just taking orders. I don't get it. I always suggest...let's just keep our own money and lessen the stress on everyone. Then I'm called Scrooge. One year I pulled my own name and didn't tell anyone. I don't get it. Happy Holidays? Bah!

I fear Socialism more than Mormonism.

I'm not a lawyer, like some here, however...if you don't accuse her of anything, what's to sue about? Just state that her services will no longer be required. No one has a "right" to membership in a particular unit or the BSA. Employment laws don't apply. Seems to me that the Pack Committee are the ones who have grounds for a complaint...starting with slander and defamation. Got to be able to prove it, though.

Your council camping committee should maintain a list of Council-approved camp sites that meet all the criteria for Cub Scouts. (Webelos are still cub scouts). Give your council office a call.

A hearse with a Hurst...now that would be one sweet ride!

Anyone else getting pop-up ads from Sprint? I'm only getting them when I go to Scouter.com, and I get them at home and at work. Pretty annoying. Popup blocker is on, but it doesn't block them.

All leaders are "removed" at the end of the charter year. You have to make a conscious decision to renew their registrations for another year. When you submit your recharter package, her name will not be there. I would think it's simple...send her a letter thanking her for her service, but that her services will no longer be required as a registered leader. You can state the reasons, but in reality, none are required, as all leaders serve on a year-to-year basis. Give the UC and DE a heads-up, that's all. They don't need to be involved.

It's still not clear if the sales were actually moved to another unit. Not sure how that can happen...I believe it SHOULD not happen. IMHO, popcorn sales should be credited to the unit in which the scout is registered...period. Since the unit is owned by the CO, participating (or not) in popcorn sales should be the purview of the CO. If I were the COR of this unit, I would be incensed if someone at Council took funds from my unit and gave them to another unit without permission. In fact, it may cause me to not renew the charter. If the parent in question is unhappy with the way that Pack funds are being spent, she can either file formal, specific charges with the Council, or find another unit who will bow to her bullying.

GKlose said, "Our Scoutmaster found a counselor (a scientist at a nearby air force base) and we spent several weeks traveling to this guy's house. He spoon-fed it to us, bit by bit, teaching us the parts we didn't know. I had some interesting projects come out of that, including growing some irradiated bean seeds and building a geiger counter (with a G-M tube coming from this scientist). ... I feel like it was one merit badge we both earned the hard way, by putting in a considerable amount of time." That's the whole point of the MB program...to learn from a real expert scientist...not from someone's mom or dad who happened to volunteer for a MB fair for the day (unless of course, they happen to be experts). The goals are to 1)seek out an adult you may not know (adult association), 2) learn the topic from a real expert by vocation or avocation, and 3) have fun and come away with a lifelong skill or knowledge. The focus seems to have shifted to "earn 21 MB as soon as you can so you can make Eagle". Not the same thing.

And Councils wonder why people won't go to training...sheesh. I would copy your post into an email to the Council Training Committee Chair and Council and District Commissioners. And be prepared to serve on the Training Committee! (that's what happened to me!)

The only good thing I see about Obama's "wealth redistribution" plan, is the way things are going, I'm probably going to be on the receiving end.

D.W. Simons VIRGINIA BEACH - Donald W. "Si" Simons, 80, of Atlantic Shores in Virginia Beach, formerly of Hudson, Mich., a veteran Scouter and retired military officer, passed away Oct. 24, 2008. Capt. Simons was a decorated Korean and Vietnam war veteran receiving numerous commendations including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal. After retiring, Capt. Simons was employed by the Virginia Beach public school system. Capt. Simons, known to most as "Si," was a lifelong Scouter and left one of his biggest legacies in the form of local, state and national Boy Scout initiatives. Among them are: Tidewater Council commissioner, vice president of Programs, vice president of District Operations, Blue Heron Order of the Arrow Lodge advisor and program director for Pipsico Scout Reservation. He also served 50 years as Roundtable commissioner or staff. He was the Southern Region Order of the Arrow section advisor and served as a committee member on the National Program Committee and National Training Staff of the National Order of the Arrow. He was a life member of the National Eagle Scout association. He served on the Philmont Scout National Training Center instructor staff for six years. His Scout honors include: Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award and Southern Region Silver Antelope Award. Additionally, Si was active in the National Sojourners of the Masonic Lodge, served as past chapter president and commander of Hero's, most recently serving as regional representative for Southeast Virginia. He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Louise L., and is survived by three children, Jorie L. Simons, Karen L. Van Duzer and David Simons; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. There will be visitation with family Tuesday at Foundry United Methodist Church, Virginia Beach, from 6 to 8 p.m. The memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the church. Si requested that memorial gifts be in the form of camp scholarships to the Tidewater Boy Scout Council Tribute fund in his name. Send to: Tidewater Council Boy Scouts of America, 1032 Heatherwood Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455. Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Lynnhaven Chapel, is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.

Absolutely! Congrats to your nephew!

"A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor" Making earning MB as painless and easy as possible...is that what the MB program is for??

Ditto, gwd. If it makes you feel better, I had to put 2 kids through college with NO financial aid of any kind, so my retirement savings are not what they could have been. They were in that zone where they were too "average" for merit scholarships, and my middle manager govt salary was too "rich" for a need scholarship. I'm under the new federal retirement plan, so the bulk of my retirement income will be whatever I manage to sock away in a thrift plan (401K). I've lost 40% of it since January. After getting the two boys launched, I thought we would be on easy street, but then my MIL became "terminal" with COPD and with allegedly 6 months to live, I agreed to have her move in with us. That was 3 years ago, and she is still here, not contributing a cent to her own support although she has an income of about 30K per year. Don't get me started. Retirement for me now is a fantasy...I am resigned to the prospect of just dying at my desk. And I have told my 2 boys that no matter what happens, I will NEVER ask them to support me. I too am fed up with politics and lying politicians with their attack ads. The local congressional race is particularly nasty. I see in a few jurisdictions they are passing "none of the above" laws...where if "NOTA" wins, the candidates are thrown out and we start over. That would be real interesting. Let the people decide who the candidates will be...not the political parties which are controlled by special interest groups.

This is from the Sacramento light rail website. Sounds like they have their own security. I would give them a call. Police Services RTs Police Services includes full-time contracted Sacramento police officers and county sheriffs deputies, and RT Transit Officers. RT also contracts with a private security firm to monitor activities at light rail park-and-ride stations and on trains operating at night.

"With Commissioners now having new duties and responsibilities" Am I the only one who didn't get that memo? "The District Committee will become a District Board of Directors who have little or no knowledge of what is really happening in the Districts." Sounds like the Council Executive Board model.

I would try contacting the local PD or Sheriff's Office and explain your situation. Perhaps they could assign an officer (or auxiliary officer) to escort (or at least keep an eye on) the troop as they hike back. Also, off-duty cops are always looking to make a buck on the side.

Why is ANY adult "running the show"? That's the SPL's job. The SM's job is to train the youth leaders. The ASM's job is to assist the SM. Agree with Lisa, everyone needs to get trained for their positions. Sounds like the Unit Commissioner is long overdue for a visit.