SemperParatus

A watched pot...will easily boil over. When it comes to tents, what goes up will come down...eventually. Beans, beans are good for your heart... Late to bed and early to rise makes the Scoutmaster not too happy.

Some thoughts... Our CO promotes a separate scouting scholarship program that is partially funded by can collections. I think just putting flyers out for a one-time collection will likely produce little results. What we have found works well is to provide for ongoing collections with a large group of people that get into the habit of collecting their cans for us. We have a separate open-top trailer set up at the CO (church). Parishoners bring their bags of cans for the week (religiously) and simply toss them into the trailer before or after services. There is a large sign on the side of the trailer to identify and market the program and a little advertisement appears in the church bulletin throughout the year. The trailer gets filled up every three months or so (worth about $200), when the scouts get the opportunity to participate in a can crushing (stomping) event. I think you may do well to hook up with the local university, rather than hanging flyers on doors. By having a central collection spot, close to the can donators (e.g., church or university), you will increase your take and make it much easier to collect.

We've been getting trophies and plaques from Riherds for ten years now. They have incredibly fast service, good quality and the most reasonable prices. www.riherds.com

With USSSP down until they get a new server, I don't think there is one. www.meritbadge.com has been hit or miss on reflecting changes in a timely manner. Maybe that has improved recently, but I couldn't really say with certainty.

Your statement that the Council doesn't care 'if the troop disbands' leads me to believe that your position is a volunteer one within a troop (e.g., SM or CC). Is that correct? It would be highly unusual for a Council to get involved in unit personnel decisions such as dismissing a leader or finding his/her replacement. I guess it could occur in especially unique and egregious situations. Is that would we are dealing with here? Has the Council communicated anything in writing to you that you are being dismissed? Until that happens, I don't think you are finished unless, of course, you want to be. There is life beyond scouting, sometimes it is better to just step away when you are not wanted, rather than put yourself through the emotional turmoil of fighting those in authority.

FB, You still can wear up to 6 merit badges on the sleeve, as an option. In the Boy Scout handbook.

scoutldr, Only difference is that those are people with some clout...and adults. The BSA will keep them happy no matter the cost.

With the issues surrounding charter organizations (e.g., attacks by the ACLU, COs with only name involvement), I was wondering... 1. What is the history of the CO concept in the BSA? Has it been a requirement since the founding in 1910? Did it come in later? If so, how and why? 2. Is the CO concept a common one in scouting movements in other countries? Are there many countries/movements that charter units individually? 3. Is anyone aware of any taskforce or committee at the national level that has ever explored the possible discontinuance of the CO arrangement? Thanks in advance.

Gonzo, Welcome to the forum. I think you are on to something there. Maybe get in touch with all of your fellow Lodge Chiefs and circulate a petition to submit to national. As to the reason? Maybe it is money - a run of only a couple hundred a year (of which they might only sell 100 or so a year) just does not capture their attention.

You're the new Cubmaster - that has been announced to all and I assume the paperwork is reflecting that. Now you need to go about creating a pack committee. I am saying you need to do this, because so far I have heard nothing about a Committee Chair or a committee. If there is a CC, meet with him/her and have a nice long chat about the transition issues - get him/her on your side. If there is not, then recruit one (since your CO is not involved) and get him/her on your side. The CC will need to recruit at a minimum a Treasurer and Advancement Chair. The CC should then call a committee meeting asap that would include the CC, you, DLs, other volunteers, etc. The old CM should be invited too and told to bring the keys and the checkbook and past bank statements with him. At that meeting, the CC should ask him to turn the keys over to you and the checkbook and statements over to the Treasurer. If he doesn't bring this stuff and refuses, then the CC should indicate to him that the CO will be contacting him about the keys and the District Executive will be contacting him about the banking information (really it is the CO's money but it sounds like they don't want to get too involved) as well any equipment that had been purchased with pack funds that are currently unaccounted for. Further, in the case of his not cooperating, the CC should indicate that while his services over the past few years have been appreciated, he is dismissed from this meeting. After he leaves, the CC would look to you to share your plans for the upcoming pack events. After the meeting, the CC can then call the COR and District Exec to explain the problems and seek their assistance - in other words follow-through on getting the stuff. Now, if the CM is cooperative and brings all of this to the meeting and happily turns it over, then it is a non-event. The CC will thank the CM for his services and everyone is looking forward to a smooth transition to cajuncody and thank him for his support of your efforts. Then the CC basically turns it over to you to lead the discussion about the upcoming pack events. You choose to involve him as you see fit. If he offers suggestions, listen (he might actually have some experience to share) and consider them. Note. All of this is done in the open, with plenty of witnesses and with a concerted group of people that are after the same thing - a smooth transition that will benefit the health of the pack. Doing this without help and in private will not work. My best advice is to get a CC that is 'tough as nails', on your side and dedicated to working on creating a strong pack program. Best of luck.

Where is your CC in this? Is there a treasurer that can produce the cancelled check for equipment reimbursement and the submitted receipt by the CM? Is the CO willing to demand that he return their keys to them? Are you willing to tell him 'thanks but no thanks' on his future plans?

Thank you for that important reminder...Scouting is GREAT!!!! Glad to hear about your B&G.

Not knowing the specifics of your numbers, I would first look around to see who else you could recruit for BORs. Certainly the CC. Do you have an Advancement Chair that is not ASM? What about moms or dads that are not ASMs? COR? Possible CO folks (e.g., if church - an elder, if Lions Club - some members who are former scouts)? Other community people that may be willing to help a true '1 hour a month' (a local judge, elected official preferably with some scouting background)? Registering new MCs is a fairly nominal cost. While I expect you could find other folks to help, having a few ASMs switch is always a possibility. Also look at your scheduling - if you do your BORs on nights other than troop meeting nights, maybe a change will increase your pool of BOR members.

Well now that explains those 'problems in Pittsburgh". It was basically the same pack and den. Hopefully, the two of you will be very happy together at the new pack. There was a third mom from Pittsburgh who recently joined the forum with similar problems (I can't remember her name...but you might want to ask around...maybe she too is in your pack). Sounds like bizarro world...same pack...same den...same problems...same forum...almost the same screen name...same time...Naw...just scouting I guess.

Is that as in Moto Guzzi? Then Came Bronson was my favorite show when I was growing up.

Hey Josh from California Josh...just joshin'.

I have never seen a minimum number published by the BSA. I think you are correct, cheffy. I believe, there is a maximum number allowed (6?) that can worn on the (long) sleeve of the uniform shirt.

Sending Boys Life to non-scouts...hmmmm, now that's an interesting idea for a marketing campaign. Welcome and good luck with your troop.

Welcome...I am sorry to hear that your pack events are so miserable...it does not need to be this way. Typically, such problems are not the blame of one person (your CM). Sounds like you have an absent CC too, and maybe a lot of other folks that are not willing to do anything to help. It may be that he is awful and needs to be replaced, or it may be that he is as frustrated as you are that no one is helping him. Without a committee chair and committee meetings with den leaders supporting him, he really does not stand much of a chance. If you expect him to be 'superman' and make the pack an exciting place all by himself, then that may be asking too much. Some folks can do this, but they are rare and really hinder the ability of the pack to sustain itself after their departure. "How do we tactfully ask him to step down?" I wouldn't...yet I would first seek out the CC (your pack has one - at least in name) and with the other den leaders call for a committee meeting to discuss concerns and the future direction of the pack and its activities. Figure out the issues and see if there is a way to help the CM improve his performance (assistance, training, etc.) before calling for his head. Perhaps, your go-getter guy should seek a position as CMA to get his feet wet and start making changes that are necessary. But this issue goes way deeper than your CM...fix that and the CM issue will be much easier.

That time would be better spent talking about fleece jackets. I'll make sure I don't watch it. But, thanks for sharing.

I really did not get the philosophical intent of your original post. IMO, the best crossovers are collaborative efforts on the part of the pack and troop. It is a saying goodbye and a welcoming anew - both should be involved in the planning and execution to do it justice. I have seen many crossovers that were fully pack planned and executed, and only a handful that were fully troop events. I don't ever recall the BSA saying it should be one way or another.

Show up with a smile...and in full uniform (great opportunity for your son to wear his sash). Try and call the Cubmaster of the pack to see what is expected of you as part of crossover beforehand. In all likelihood, props or whatever else is used at crossover will be provided by the pack or affiliated troop. If you can't get hold of him beforehand, go prepared to make a little speech about how much the troop is looking forward to the new scout joining and how much fun he will have (there is a good chance you will not be called on to say anything, but if you are you will at least be prepared). Go prepared with whatever acoutrements your troop gives to scouts at crossover (troop neckerchief, slide, red loops, handbook, troop numbers etc.). Prepare your son in advance for his help in welcoming the scout publicly. If you weren't able to reach the CM by phone, get a minute or two of his time (and the other SMs time) just before the event starts to understand how it will proceed. Have fun!(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

Here you go... http://www.eaglescout.org/finale/coh/invite.html

Welcome...nice to hear your story about dropping out and then dropping back in (big time).

Not that there is any reason to think that the parent you spoke with was not being anything but honest, but you are getting this information second hand. Personally, I would ignore it. Continue to run a solid scouting program and boys will join. If it is true, then the other troop's Scoutmaster is only making himself look bad. Talking down another troop to a bunch of folks makes him look like a gossip-mongering jerk. Those scouts and parents with two-brain cells (the kind you want) will do their own investigation and will discount slanderous remarks as a cheap recruiting gimmick. I sat through a similar spiel one time with a scoutmaster extolling the great virtues of his troop and slamming a number of other ones. It did not go over well with the crowd...he just came across as pompous and slanderous. Make your program as great as it can be, speak positively about scouting to all, don't slam the efforts of other units and everything will work out for the best.