Secret DE

No waiting list at Beans. The unit that does that is Troop 45 from Freeport. Their Scoutmaster is the engineer who does all the traffic studies and floor layout designs for Beans. I believe they have a lock on that. SDE

One has to wonder if we are using the Scout "Oath and Law" for their intended purposes or just to pass judgement? For many years the National Council has really not focused on adult health and that is changing. Applicants to the 2010 Jamboree will have to meet Philmont weight requirements and rumor has it that the BSA is about to get very serious about these requirements going forward. As a former smoker I understand who we as a group tend to protect the rights of those who smoke. It is an addiction I would not wish on any person. That said it is legal and some people need to do it. That

Aquatic, I am not a camp school guy, so I could not tell you what class would qualify you. I think Aquatics, COPE, Admin. Anything that is a week long course, but don't take my word, I have never been to Camp School. Also you would have to do those classes while a professional. They will not count stuff outside of your professional tenure. There is also a Master's Degree program offerred through Murray State University. That program will give you Master's Degree Credit for PDL1,2 and 3. SDE

Basically today all new hires for Executive (professional slots) attend PDL1 within three months of hire. This is two weeks in Texas. When I went through in 2007 it was different than it is now. The decided to revamp the program to make the process more responsive to what actually happens in the field. The team leader for the Center for Professional Development is a great guy and he was really a driving force in this redesign. PDL2 is attended 12 or more months after PDL1 and its major focus is on volunteer recruiting, team building and finance. There is a project required for this class

This award is far from a give me. The people I have seen nominiated for this award all all major scouters who are Vigial Honors OA members, Silver Beavers and District Award of Merit recipients. I have signed off on three since I have been a designee and all were big hitters in both the lodge and Scouts. SDE

As a Master Mason and the professional designee in my council who handles these awards this is a fairly easy process. First and formost the individual must be nominated by another master mason. Step one is that the nominating Mason fills out the form indicating who he is nominating and gives his information. Step two is that the Council Designee verifies that the nominee has met the Scouting Criteria for the award. If they do, then the sign off on behalf of the Council stating that they agree with the nomination and verify the nominee's service record. Step three is that the nom

I have a line to the national council marketing office. I am going to try to help him next week when I return from vacation. SDE

""District nominations are between either the District Chairman or the District Executive to make the nomination. The Chapter Adviser approves the nomination, by signing the nomination form."" That is not true. The District Chairman and District Executive have the abilitiy to nominate District Level Scouters for the OA, each in their own right. There is no either or. All Council professionals are allowed to nominate adults to OA membership in thier own right. The District Chairman and the Council President are also afforded the ability to nominate adults for OA membership because of thier

"You guys have that special in." That is a load of puckey. The Scout Executive can do that for anyone, not just a professional. In fact the Guide for Officers and Advisors lays out in plain english that all members of the professional service are ad hoc members of the OA Lodge in their council just because they are professionals. So what about the adult leader who volunteers with Scouts and builds a career before in Scouting and the OA before he or she 1) had kids or 2) their kids were old enough to be cubs? That is just one more scenario where a cub leader is an OA member as an adul

'"As cub scouters, the ONLY way to join the local lodge is to have been elected to the OA as a youth" It is possible that a Cub Scouter could be nominated by the district, not likely but possible."" What about the guy like me works for the BSA? I was nominated for membership by the Supreme Chief of the Fire. WHat if I leave my job. I still want my son to be a Cub Scout? That would mean I would be involved in the PAck. There are lots of adults in the cub program that were not youth OA members. THere are also lots of scenarios for that possibility. SDE

I would have a hard time with this. Especially because many crossovers in my district happen on school grounds. I am not sure the ceremonies team guidelines allow for a firearm, nor am I sure that carring a firearm, fake or otherwise, is a good idea for OA youth. Not because I am anti-gun, but rather because I worry that society is so ignorant that the situation will cause more trouble than it is worth. And think of all the nightmarish PR possibilities. SDE

I am not really going to site any of the threads where I have picked up on this particular item, but I do want to express me dissappointment when it comes to Scouters and their feelings about the Silver Beaver. Just because a Scouter does not work directly with youth does not mean that they don't perform service to youth. Would anyone argue the Waite Phillips who has been dead for years no longer does anything for youth? I mean afterall he ain't working with the Kids, but we put plenty of them through Philmont Scout Ranch every year. Those guys and gals that work behind the scenes in your

There is a tin of Trail Mix that Trails End makes that all Scouts can sell during the popcorn sale. I believe that there are two or three flavors. A group of Venturers also reached out to Trails End and asked them why they did not custom a product for them to sell? So Trails End did some research with Venturers across the Country and came up with a 9 oz bag of trail mix product that is for Venture Crew Fund Raising. I will be trying and sharing the Venture Trail mix at a major Venture Event this weekend in my District. Secret DE

GW, I understand you question. Have you ever served as a Chapter Advisor, Lodge Advisor or member of an election team (youth or adult)? From what I can tell the biggest barrier for our Chapter Election Teams getting into a unit is how the Scoutmaster feels about the Order of the Arrow. In many cases if the Scoutmaster is not a fan of the Order, an election is not likely to happen. I know, you can always argue that the Committee can force the issue, but you and I both know that many will not. Often times getting a unit's Scoutmaster involved can and does make a big difference in wheth

SWScouter is correct. Somehow in my explaination I got used standard for District Award of Merit for OA unit adults. My bad, I jumble a lot of numbers and ratios for work. The Lodge Advisor and the Scout Executive as a team may waive camping requirements for non-unit Scouters. Once the Adult Selection Committee meets to approve Adult selectsions, they are forwarded to the Scout Executive for sign off. In many Lodges the Scout Executive will defer, sometimes greatly, to the Lodge Advisor. This is an important item to understand as the Lodge Advisor and Scout Executive have a very inte

Lisabob, I am sure you are going to get a whole lot of opinions on this question, but to me it is a no brainer that the Scoutmaster should be first on the list. After that I would look at who has the ability to help the not only the Order, but also your elected youth understand their role in the unit has members of the Order of the Arrow. When in doubt listen to the election team and select your Committee choice based upon those criteria. Secret DE

First off, Adults are selected to become members of the Order of the Arrow, not as an honor, but rather for what they can do to help the Order and its members. Each Troop Committee that holds an election is authorized to select one person from the unit that can be selected each year. At the unit level there are a few considerations. The ratio is actually one adult per fifty youth, so a unit with 51 youth can nominate 2 adults, 76 you can nominate 3 and so on and so on. These nominees must meet the camping requirements just like our youth. At the District and Council Level the District Cha

This is a fairly standard policy and for quite a logical reason. The paperwork trail that each boy maintains on his trail to Eagle must be verified by the Council when it comes time for his Eagle Board of Review. The mandatory advancement report requirement makes sure that the each youth's record accurately reflect a Scouts records. It also allows the council to measure the success of our youth's advancing through the program to make sure that the program is being delivered properly. This policy in no way, has an impact on instant recognition. Might I suggest some alternate ways to recogn

If you look at the OA Guide for Officers and Advisers it clearly states that unit adults must meet the camping requirements. District adults can have the camping requirement waived. This year I am having my Chapter Advisor nominate one District Level adult for membership and he has all of his camping time. I have only been a DE for about 19 months, but from what I can see it is rare to have the camping time waived. In my case as a DE I was nominated by the Supreme Chief of the Fire because he felt that OA membership was an important part of Professional Service. SDE

As a professional, let me explain a little about the BSA Uniform or professionals. All professionals my own a BSA Class A uniform and a Dress Uniform. The BSA has always required this. My best man's grandfather was a national staffer and even in the 50s and 60s there was a Dress uniform with pocket emblem that professional scouters had to have. I personally have the following in my Scouting uniform inventory. 2 pair of switchbacks 1 pair of regular BSA Uniforn Slacks 1 pair of regular BSA Shorts 2 BSA Unform shirts with all the proper patches 1 BSA Action Shirt four pair of ca

YES. Secret DE

The high cost of a uniform is actually just a little bit of a cop out. When my 3 year old son signed up for Soccer this year we paid $50.00 for his membership and a t-shirt. How many parents complain about the cost of a Scout uniform, but spend big $$$ on hockey equiptment or football gear? Did I complain about the fact that I was buying a $40 t-shirt? No. Besides, and most leaders should know, if a child is truely in need of a uniform, your DE has the resources to help. Most Goodwills turn over Scout clothing to local councils for just that reason. If that is not an option, I know many S

It is all in the approach. I know that I make it a point to be out in public in uniform on days when I have roundtables or other events or meetings that require one. If I need to go to the store, the mall, or just out in the community I am proud to represent a great organization. Keep in mind that I took a fe beatings in elementary school for wearing my uniform. Now do I get some strange looks? Sure. Do I get some great questions and positive support? Yes. The bottom line is youth or adult their reactions to my being in uniform are about them, not me. This is a difficult thing for most ki

Might I suggest a little team building. Scouting is a game with a purpose and all things don't come naturally to all people. Contact your District Executive and see if he can connect you with someone who is COPE trained and have them come into a meeting and do some initiative games. That can be a big help getting the Scouts to work together and understanding how everyone on the team is dependant on one another. Then get them signed up to take the Council COPE Course (High and Low)and watch them grow. This is a case where you just need to give them a chance to work it out themselves. I wou

The G2SS is a great set of guidelines to help adult leaders run a program that we hope will be safe and fun for all. Absent specifics, it might be wise to gather those specifics and have this discussion with your Council Scout Executive and the Regional Staff. S DE(This message has been edited by Secret DE)