scoutldr

If he has met all the requirements, including Scout Spirit, he can request a SM conference and BOR at ANY age. If he is denied without a satisfactory reason (I can't imagine what that would be), I would ask from it in writing from the Committee Chairman, politely, perhaps over a cuppa joe. From there, you can appeal to the District Advancement Chairman. The requirements are the requirements...a Troop cannot add to them, including age restrictions.

Well, it's not like it's totally spammy. It's only "somewhat spammy"... And before OGE does... SPAMMY, how I love ya, how I love ya, MY dear ole' spammy...

Morally, I don't think it's any worse than hawking $5 tins of popcorn for $30.

Old Codger????? Is THAT why I'm off to do an EBOR tonight??? Sheesh. Gotta run...

When I was a youth, my parents drove me, or I got a ride with a friend who had a license. When I became of age, I drove myself, and gave others a ride. Never was it considered a Troop (or Post)activity, and if my Leaders were OA members, we just met them there. Same with Ordeals, Fall Fellowship, Conclave, etc.

Shortridge, I should have prefaced my comment with "in my opinion" or "as far as I know"...in fact that caveat is implied for EVERY post here, since this is not an official BSA site and none of us speak for the BSA. AFAIK, the "no adding to the requirements" applies only to the Advancement program, which is mandated by National. I believe I've read elsewhere in this forum that the SE (aka SCOTF) can do pretty much whatever he wants, as long as the Executive Board agrees. Back to the question, I would go to the Lodge advisor and ask for a reference..."Sorry, where is that written so I can take it back to my troop committee." Bet he can't produce it.

It's not surprising that some still miss the point by a country mile. "2000 opinions?"...that's what a "Forum" is for. If I want official BSA party line rhetoric, I call my Unit Commissioner or DE. This is NOT an official BSA site...it's a site for Scouters to cuss and discuss issues, and it works quite nicely, thanks, as long as we play nice. If all we wanted was quotes from training manuals and rule books, all we would need is "www.askbobwhite.com", and the rest of us could spend our time elsewhere.

Think of it as a "Conclave" of chapters. If run right, it should be a "roll your own" weekend of fun, games, good food and fellowship. When I was a kid, we all attended as individuals, not units. (Didn't have "helicopter leaders" back then!) Just show up, check in and find a spot to roll out your tent, wherever you want. YOu can have as much fun as you decide to have. My favorite is the patch auction, much to my wife's chagrin. After a year of "service", this is the chance for Arrowmen to have fun and meet others in the Lodge.

You need to just look her in the eye and say, "If you think I'm not capable of figuring this out, perhaps you'd better do it yourself." The "helicopter" technique doesn't work well with grownups.

YOur Lodge cannot do it, but the Supreme Chief of the Fire can.

I have mixed emotions. Things did get kinda boring during the imposed suspension (which you kindly called "asking them to take a time-out"). I find it interesting that whenever there is a dispute, the same ones are in the middle of it. The same people always get criticised for their "tone and demeanor" and some NEVER get criticised. And the ones that do are quick to point out that "he did it first" or "he's not following the rules!!!". Sheesh...GROW UP, PEOPLE!!!! The sad thing is that new people show up and quickly decide they didn't come here to be denigrated and preached at and leave. As someone once said, this site is open to the public...how many potential scouts and parents have we "turned off" because of the behavior on this forum. As Beavah points out, this is a game for children, for cryin out loud. Those who get their shorts in a wad because someone has a patch a quarter inch out of place have no business calling themeselves a "leader" and I don't want to be around them. In fact, I think the organization as a whole has outlived its usefulness and I probably won't be renewing my 35 year tenure at the end of this year.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Well, my money's on the Phillies....if I have any left after the fat cats get "bailed out".

In our shop you can buy whatever knots you want off the shelf without proof, including Eagle. I do it all the time.

If water infiltrated into the space between the floor/ceiling, you may have to "open up" the drywall to get it dry...otherwise mold can grow and cause problems down the road. Most homeowners insurance now excludes mold damage, so it's important to prevent it now. Your insurance may cover water damage now...but not mold damage later.

Our council will NOT allow us to use their number, since they don't own the unit. The SE even got PO'd when a well meaning volunteer accepted a donation of building materials and took it up to camp without his permission. Something about triggering a "tax event". We have to use the CO's number, or not at all, since a unit is not a non=profit corporation. SOmeone asked, "why can't the unit receive the check directly"? That would be acceptable, however my assumption is that's not how the benefactor wants to do things.

In most states, scout units are not legal entities. They are youth programs "chartered" (licensed) to the CO. That is why most units do not have IRS employer ID numbers to use for tax-exempt purposes. Is your CO a non=profit? Should be a simple matter for the check to be issued to the CO, as long as they agree to funnel it into the Pack treasury. If they are not, I think you're out of luck.

The correct question should have been "What did the SPL say to him". You didn't mention the age of the scout in relation to the PL. That could have a bearing. It may come to the point where I would also have a chat with his parents and let them know that their son does not agree with Scouting's methods and perhaps he needs to find an organization more in line with how he thinks the world should be.

"SO, no record of training in ScoutNet --> no rechartering as Scoutmaster or Ass't Scoutmaster. " My response would be "go ahead...make my day." Then I would let the SE explain to my COR why my registration was being refused. Just like working with kids, if there are no consequences to bad behavior, it is likely to continue.

Start with training. Cub SCout Fast Start, Youth Protection, New Leader Essentials, and Tiger Den Leader Specific. Some of it is now available on-line. http://www.olc.scouting.org/

How active is your COR? The SM doesn't "work for" the committee or the CC. He reports to the COR, and is charged with training and mentoring the troop Junior Leaders who deliver the program. The BOR (consisting of at least 3 committee members, NOT SM or ASMs), has an obligation to uphold the advancement standards (no more, no less). If the boy did not perform, don't advance him, and let him know what he needs to do to meet the standards (which are set by BSA...not the SM). Let the chips fall where they may. Just a caveat, though. If he has signed blue cards by registered merit badge counsellors, those are a done deal. The only thing you can do is work to fix the problem and restore the standards of quality to the advancement program. "Scout Spirit" means living the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives...not attending meetings or activities. As a BOR member, I like to craft questions in the "Socratic" method...to lead the scout to his own logical irrefutable conclusions as to whether he met the standard or not.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

When I was a kid going on 50-milers...Korean War era C-rats.

"SM is the dad" This is unwinnable, unless they replace the SM. I assume from the title that you are a Member of the Committee (MC). The right thing to do is to bring it up at a committee meeting as a discipline issue, just like you would with any other scout. But be prepared to be looking for a new SM.

The Council is not a governmental agency and is not covered by the Privacy Act. They have no legal obligation to safeguard your private information, since you willingly turn it over to them. If you expect privacy then keep your information to yourself. (Same is true for e-mail...the words "private" and "Yahoo" do not belong in the same sentence!) I don't think you owe anyone an apology. The SE is captain of the ship and is responsible to the Executive Board for what happens on his watch...why didn't he/she take corrective action 8 years ago, or as soon as they recognized the problem? I'm tired of listening to excuses from people who didn't do their homework and it's "not their fault". This country is going down the toilet because of it.

I'm sure you meant to say "Cub Scouts". Boy Scout joining age has always been 11 (or 6th grade). Sorry for the rudeness of the others. It's my opinion that the BSA would have changed over time, however it could not survive the backlash from some of its largest benefactors, the conservative religious organizations. The Girl Scouts USA never had that conundrum, since they don't use the "Chartered Organization" concept. Each troop is independent and reports only to the Council. A member's sexual or religious orientation is simply not an issue for them, and it doesn't seem to have harmed the organization any. Interesting...as I write this, there is a Google ad (with racy picture) in the margin for "GayCupid.com", right above the picture of Green Bar Bill. There HAS to be a way to block those...

Yes, there is gross incompetence. By my observation it is a surging epidemic in this country, and it frightens the bejeebers out of me. From the kid in the DQ window who can't make change, to the NASA engineers who can't keep metric and English units straight. No one is being held accountable any more, and we all suffer for it. "A few days ago I received a form letter from my council's Program Director" If it were me, I would have muttered "Morons" under my breath, tossed it in the trash and keep on Scoutin'. As long as you have your cards in your pocket, who cares what the Council records say? Not my problemo.