scoutldr

Macy, I apologize if you were offended by my comment. It was your invocation of the "separation of Church and State" thing that got to me. Do you think that the BSA is an arm of the State? I don't know anyone who even comes close to thinking that. We do get trolls here from time to time who enjoy stirring the pot and pushing buttons. Some even claim to wear the uniform!

I find it hard to believe this was a serious question.

"(we now have changed the name to "Service Weekends" so as not to scare anybody off)" ARRRGGHHHHHHH! The day my lodge does this is the day I put my OA sash away forever.

Unless your unit is self-chartered...

The only way to get action is to refuse to buy. When you go into the Scout Shop and see "Made in China", put it back on the shelf. Tell your SE, "when you get some made in the USA, give me a call." And then put your old uniform back on or go without. So how many are willing to do that, hmmmmm?

What is "Blackfoot"? Must be a local coucil thing.

YOu state that the offenders were "arrested" for embezzlement. I would think that, if CONVICTED, their membership in the BSA would be revoked by the council. I would expect no less. As Americans, we are all innocent until convicted. As others have tried to explain, the Unit belongs to the Chartering Organization (CO), not the Council. If the adult applications are approved by the CO, and the background checks come back clear, there is no reason for the SE to act.

I just remember them to be very expensive...and the council would not sell them individually, you had to buy them in packages of 6. A COH would break the treasury, especially after summer camp.

That is the policy here, as well. NO advancement report, no rank badges. It was necessary because troops were stockpiling badges, and the paperwork never got submitted...not a problem until the Eagle application got stopped cold. They do make allowances to buy a badge for a spare shirt, but we still have to submit an advancement report, sign it and certify that it is for a new shirt.

Our first Eagle was a no-show for his EBOR. He claimed it was a communication error. We scheduled a second one, which he passed. Never heard from him again, despite numerous e-mails and phone calls. We still have his medal and will just hold on to it until he decides he wants it. He never was real motivated...I think he just finished it to shut his parents up. We explained the COH procedure and offered to do whatever he and his parents wanted...a troop COH, or they could do their own thing. No response.

One more thing...see your insurance agent and take out an umbrella liability policy...about $5 million should do it. No youth leader should be without it.

Do I think other Scouters do their "best"...that's not for me to judge. I don't know what their "best" is. I think most Volunteers come to the table and say "this is what I'm willing to give"...and we have to take it or leave it. If it doesn't get the job done, or doesn't meet someone else's higher standards, then we can find someone else. In my scouting career, as well as in my professional career, I try to identify a person's strengths and then capitalize on them. I recognize their weaknesses (or what they are "not willing" to do), and avoid those areas. As an end result, I usually find that "everyone can do something" to contribute to the mission.

Just one word of real-world advice, though. IN some councils, the Executive Board members are hand picked by the SE and it's hard to discern who works for whom. After all, the EB members are volunteers and most are not looking for a lot of strife and stress. You may not find a sympathetic ear, and you could find yourself being black-balled. If you could give a clue as to what your issue is, perhaps we could be more helpful.

Should YOU question the DL? No. Your son may ask about it, but his job is to assist in whatever the DL wants him to do.

In our state, the custom plates have become a cash cow for the state. You must apply to the legislature and have 350 PAID applications in hand before the state will start producing them. The Boy Scout plates have never been successful here, so we don't have them. The Sons of Confederate Veterans have one, however. What I don't understand is that the state allows religious messages ... yet they tell us the plates remain the property of the state. GD LVS U Perhaps a new crusade for Merlyn???

A psychiatrist once told me,"people who are truly nuts don't wonder if they are. They think everyone else is."

What does "technically now an ASM" mean? He either is registered as an ASM, or not. If he is, then he is "technically not a visitor". That being said, active duty military members are on duty 24/7, and wearing their uniform is always appropriate. At least that's what they tell me when we compare pay and benefits! But I think the multiple roles need to be clarified. If he's an ASM, and is there to function as one, then the Scout uniform is appropriate. If he's not going to function as one, and acts like an occasional "visitor", then why is he registered as an ASM? Seems to me the root of the dilemma is being caused by registering people who think they are just visitors. We had a registered committee member (a young Navy corpsman/Eagle Scout that I met at work and invited him to work with my troop), who attended Summer Camp with us on TAD orders. For the civilians out there, that means his work assignment was to attend summer camp, and he wasn't required to use his Annual Leave, like I am required to do. As such, he wore BDUs the whole week, since, "technically", he was on duty. As an aside, he no longer works with my troop, because he said the comments and strange looks he got from parents and fellow scouters were just too uncomfortable. Why in the world would a young, single guy be interested in working with boys...hmmmmm? What a shame.

I think we see your dilemma, but there are certain things that must happen in order to have a successful outing. One of those is to set a firm deadline for RSVP and money submission. Our troop says "we need to know by the Monday meeting prior to the weekend outing." THis gives the food person four days to buy the food based on a firm number. Those who back out after the deadline do not get a refund. Yes, try to keep the lad involved, but it has to be a two way street and the parents need to do their part, or it won't work. If they won't make themselves available to receive communications, then there's not much you can do. If you want to play, the first step is to show up.

I don't see your point. How is introducing legislation for a Scouting license plate (a lot of states have them) resulting in "political gain"?

Let me clarify...I am a federal government employee. I am "required" to value diversity. I am required to take annual training on diversity. My job performance is graded on it. I am required to take part in Black History Month, Pacific Islander History Month, Women's History Month, etc. I am required to justify not hiring minorities, even though I am in a highly-specialized scientific field and no minorities ever make the "qualified" list from which I must choose. I'm still wondering why the minority groups are not required to celebrate "German-American History Month".

We are expected (nay, required) to "value diversity". The rest of the world doesn't.

Safety first. If you have to ask the question, you probably already know the correct answer.

This is the latest for requirement #9: Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe trip afloat. Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test. With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and rescuer. (The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from shore in deep water.) It does not indicate that these requirements are optional and may not be modified unless there is a documented handicap and it is approved by the Council. What, exactly does the father object to?? (Good point...these are BSA requirements)(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Another LDS fatality. A pattern, or just another unfortunate coincidence?

Not to be flip...but...until it's done. Depends on the size of your pot.