scoutldr

1910 Society (a device for the West knot?) A special national recognition program known as the 1910 Society was created in 1995 to encourage significant gifts to the council endowment fund. This support is vital to the financial stability of the Council, and will ensure our Scouting legacy for future generations of young Americans. To qualify as a member of the 1910 Society, an individual donor, company, or organization must contribute $25,000 or more to the local council endowment fund. Recognition will be given for gifts of cash, stock, bonds, lead trusts, or other assets that could be readily converted to cash. The gift to endowment may be in the form of a pledge, but the pledge must be paid within five years of the pledge date. The 1910 Society was named for the year in which the early, visionary leaders of Scouting founded the Boy Scouts of America. There are four levels of recognition in the 1910 Society: Ernest Thompson Seton, nationally known artist and naturalist, author of the first official American Scout handbook and many other books important to Scouting; Seton level membership: $25,000 minimum gift. Daniel Carter Beard, first chairman of the National Court of Honor, National Scout Commissioner, and author of many well- known books and stories for youth; Beard level membership: $100,000 minimum gift. Theodore Roosevelt, first Chief Scout Citizen, first vice president of the BSA, and President of the United States; Roosevelt level membership: $500,000 minimum gift. Waite Phillips, one of the BSA's first benefactors, and donor to the BSA of almost 130,000 acres of land in New Mexico and what is now Philmont Scout Ranch; Phillips level membership: $1,000,000 and up. Members receive a leather-bound edition of the Boy Scout Handbook with their name embossed in gold on the cover, an attractive personalized parchment certificate and a distinctive lapel pin or charm. They also receive invitations to special members-only events and receptions at National Meetings, Jamborees, and other major Scouting events.

The WSJ and NJ are just like any other event. The price of admission has to cover not only your expenses, but your share of the "overhead". Someone has to pay for the VIP tents, the free trinkets handed out to visiting dignitaries, the video productions, the expenses of the guest speakers and entertainment, the portapotties, ad infinitum. At $5000 a pop, I won't be going, although I, too am "comfortable" (the Democrats call us "rich"). I am trying to prepare for retirement, pay down my mortgages, pay off my cars, and buy gas and groceries. When I add it all up, the WSJ doesn't make the list, as I'm sure it won't for most of us. I won't be going on a cruise or to the Olympics, either. This year will be a "staycation" in the scoutldr household. (Not even going to summer camp, although not because of money).

I have been an advisor to an election team as well as hosted them in my unit. Once the SM signs the election form, he "certifies" the election and it's a done deal. I, too, have had SMs shake their heads in amazement...but it's not their call. For the record, I have never seen anything other than a written ballot. In recent years, we ask the SM to have them pre-printed with all eligible candidates' names on them. We go to great lengths to explain that it is not a competition...ALL can be elected if deemed worthy. Or NONE can be elected.

I doubt that this is a "National Policy", as it has not been disseminated in my Council. If it is, I continue to be amazed at the ways BSA thinks up to alienate it's customers.

According to what Fred posted, the term "Field Uniform" is no longer used, either. I work in a Navy command. On any given day, you can see all kinds of variations on the "uniform", but regardless of which "uniform" is chosen, it must be worn correctly and completely, down to the shoes, socks and underwear. The most popular now is the "summer khaki", khaki shirt and trousers with collar devices and ribbons. In the winter, they can add a black sweater and/or jacket. The "service dress whites/blues" are reserved for more formal occasions, such as inspections or ceremonies.

I just went through the Mpls airport, and was very careful not to take a wide stance or tap my foot. Ed smooching packsaddle? Oh, the visual...

Like the Eagle, I would say that all requirements must be completed prior to the 18th birthday. The Board of Review can occur after that, but within a reasonable time (like 90 days). If that's wrong, someone will let us know.

I would send them to the Mid-America Council SE. My understanding is that the scouts were from Nebraska and Iowa.

Sorry that my comment caused so much consternation. WHat I meant was, when severe weather threatens during camp (usually severe T-storms), our only response is to pull everyone out of the pool and off the waterfront, and if it doesn't pass in 30 minutes or so, send them back to their campsites...tents in the woods. We do not have ANY structure that would be considered "shelter" from heavy weather other than a heavy rain. But the fact is, these thunderstorms happen usually twice a week on average during July-August. We did send everyone home a day early one year when a hurricane was approaching.

I just watched the live briefing on CNN.com. The SE was asked, "did you give any thought to evacuating the camp, since we knew the storms were approaching out of Nebraska"? I understand he is going through a very difficult time, but his reply was "we camp every month and there are always severe storm warnings. They knew what to do." That's going to be hard for the public to swallow when you have four dead scouts. The reality is we have severe thunderstorms every summer too, and the response is to get everyone out of the water and back to their campsites.

The chapter Advisor/Chief relationship is analogous to the SM/SPL relationship. Has the Advisor tried to actively mentor and develop interest in the Chief? Do they even talk? If it is clear that the Chief is not interested, then talk to the Lodge advisor and remove him from office...just like an SPL who is AWOL. Then as shortridge said, appoint an "Interim Chief" until such time as valid elections can be held. And I agree, if the OA Troop Reps are not even showing up for Chapter meetings, they need to be removed from their POR as well. Good Luck to your son!

And Adrienne Barbeau turned 63 today. Sigh...

You might have better success (and quicker), if you approach a non-BSA organization, e.g., the American Legion. Then the BSA could approve the wearing of the awards on the uniform...not unlike the religious awards model. The added benefit is that the awards would be open to ALL youth.

Seems to me that the GSUSA would not award its highest award to someone who was not a registered member of their organization. So yes, my guess is that the girls need to be dual-registered and meet all the other requirements of the GSUSA.

The keys to preventing heat stress are 1)hydration, 2)work/rest regimen and 3)acclimatization. In the workplace, workers can become acclimatized to 100 degree heat after a couple of weeks. Problem with today's youth (and adults!) is that they spend 24/7 in air conditioning, then go to summer camp (or Jambo). Then they get heat exhaustion, or worse...DUH. It's easy to say that in the old days we didn't have those problems...because when I was a Scout, we didn't have AC in school (or at home or cars in most cases). In the summer, we were outside from 8 am until dark, because there was nothing to do indoors. Only TV, and then only 3 channels. Nothing but soap operas and game shows during the day. It was just as hot then in my area (90's during the day with 70+ dew points), but we were out in it every day, all day. Yes, it's a different world today, and kids can't handle it, because that's the way we raised them. The Girl Scout council here is addressing the issue by providing air conditioned cabins and computers at summer camp. Is that the direction we need to go to survive? Or do we insist on taking today's round kids (pun intended) and trying to force them into square tents?(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

A chapter is not an entity of itself, but is a subset of the Lodge. What is the Lodge leadership doing to help? The Chapter Chief needs to be addressing his issues to the LEC and asking for their help. Your son, the advisor, should be attending Roundtable and District Committee meetings to represent the OA as well. At least in my District, the Chapter advisor is an ex officio member of the District Committee. Every troop should have an OA Troop Representative as a POR...there's your core membership and work it from there. As with everything else, "Program, Program, Program."

One sure way to join the District Committee is to become a COR. They are ex officio voting members of the District Committee. One reason for the age 21 restriction may be legal. I'll defer to Beavah on this, but I think that Boards are legal entities who do legal things like buy and sell real estate, enter into contraots and hire and fire people. In our council the Lodge Chief was a non-voting member. I also have to say this...on this side of the computer, sven, you sound like a nice, upstanding young man with only the best of intentions. But I have to remind you that we only are hearing your side of the story. It does seem mighty odd to me that your DE is going out of his way to keep you from attending District meetings (and you should be talking to the District Chair, not the DE). In my experience, no DE would stand in the way of a hard working volunteer, unless they were a real PITA to deal with (and I've seen more than my share of those). Sometimes what a volunteer brings to the table just isn't worth all the other baggage that comes with it. My best friend is the hardest working guy I know, but, by his own admission "does not play well with others", and does not have a very good reputation in the Council. But at the unit level, the boys love him, and he does a great job. Is there more to your story?(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Yes, you're getting old, Ea. So are we all. It's costing me about $10 a day just to drive to work and back, with a 2005 6 cyl Explorer. On the highway I get about 22 mpg, according to the trip computer, and about 17 mpg overall. But it's paid for. I thought about buying a little Econobox that gets 30 mpg, but then I think about the $300 car payment and higher personal property tax, so unless I want to make a political statement, it doesn't make sense. On the news tonight they announced that Dow Chemical was increasing the price of its products by 20% across the board. To me that was alarming...just about everything we touch has a Dow Chemical product somewhere in its pedigree. Personally I think gas prices will continue to increase until we are paying what the Europeans are paying ... roughly twice what we are currently paying. A year from now, we will wish for $4 gas to come back. Way back in college (1974), I took Economics 201 as an elective. One of the best courses I ever took. WHat I remember is that 4.5% unemployment is considered "full employment" because there is always a certain number of people "between jobs" for one reason or another. I also learned about inflation ("too much money chasing too few goods") and supply and demand. When I get on the Interstate, and the Suburbans, Tahoes, and jacked up Ford F250 Crew Cab 4x4 passes me doing 75 mph, that's economics in action...demand remains high while supply remains static...therefore cost goes up. It's all in the textbooks and it's not rocket science. The days of cheap gas, 20% stock market returns (historical average is 10-12%), defined pension plans, and secure employment are over. Be Prepared. It will get a lot worse, and may not get better in our lifetimes. Not to mention Global Warming....sheesh. I think I'll go shoot myself.

The answers to most of your questions are in the Cub Scout Leaders' Guide. The recommended ideal den size is 6-8. The Pack Committee (and CC) runs the business side of the Pack, while the CM and Den Leaders execute the program, supported by the committee. I once was CM of a Pack of 150 boys...12 dens plus 4 Webelos dens. At that point, we split the Pack and formed a new one. The idea being to form new dens and Packs, rather than keep feeding the dens to the point of Leader burnout. As a teacher, you may be trained and able to handle 30 boys, but most DLs are not. Sounds like the CC is just trying to follow the program, but maybe his communication could be improved.

Scouter1960, I think you're done. Find (or start) another Pack and move on. Your son is only a cub scout for a few years...is this how you want to spend them? Please be sure to give your District Commissioner a call and let them know why you're leaving. This guy is a control freak and you're not going to change him...only the COR can fix this.

I would never have allowed a Professional visit our PLC to do a sales pitch. That's not the DE's job. That being said, did the PLC invite the DE back to provide feedback (it's a gift!)? The Council Camping committee needs to know what it is that scouts value in a summer camp experience (if they're not asking, they're not doing THEIR jobs).

Could it be that's how novice Scouters feel, too? The perennials that we don't like very much thrive and keep coming back? If you want success, you have to follow the program, which is spelled out in the gardening manuals. (Gardening for Dummies?)

It's also alleging disparate treatment. If you're going to discriminate, at least do it to all who are similarly situated.

Foil dinners, dutch oven cobbler and s'mores at the reception?

I've never seen a "well-fitted" beret on a Scout.