Sentinel947

I challenge you to expand on your comments. Why do you believe what you believe? What indicators can you show that supports your assertion?

I just received my first mentor pin. It was a surprise and a great honor, but I'm not entirely sure about wearing it or not. I try not to wear anything that that hurts the functionality of the uniform itself. Heavy pins on the collar don't help with functionality. Many of the adult leaders in my troop wear their mentor or parent pins, and there's a level of expectation to it. I understand that it's not proper uniforming to wear the pin on the Uniform. I'm trying to balance the uniforming regs with the fact that the mentor pin is a great honor and I feel like it's not a typical uniform violation. I figured this thread could use a good healthy necrobumping. Yours in Service, Sentinel947

Yea. Pack. I'm a Catholic and you aren't going to many people who are as staunchly against abortion as I am, but even I believe when the choice is coming down to the mother or the child in childbirth, you owe it to the mother to save her and perform that abortion. Neither the child nor the mother "deserves to" die, but the case comes down to making a choice of "who lives and who dies". To do nothing might cause both the mother and child to die, and I suppose the doctrine of "taking a life to save a life" comes into play in that scenario. I do believe a fetus is a living, unborn child. Before I get flamed too badly from some corner of this forum, I do not believe in the death penalty or abortion. I'd say my position on America's culture of death is consistent. In my own scenario, there is a variety of factors as to who I'd save, but if I could only save one and each was equally accessible and their survival chances where the same, I'd take the Child. Maybe because the women has more of a chance to survive on her own, or maybe because I reach a mental roadblock about leaving a child alone in a fire to die. I'd take the kid.

I didn't agree with Digital Scout, I don't think it will have any impact on the question of the BSA keeping or disposing of it's ban on gay Scouts and leaders.

The sport did not produce those players. Society and their crappy parents produced those players and coach. Certainly one could argue that the because of their skills at a meaningless game they were given free passes in life, but plenty of famous people with good talents get free passes on things the average citizen would not receive. Plenty of NFL stars like Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Donald Driver, and plenty more have wonderful life stories and are good people and role models. The game didn't make them good people. Their parenting and other role models like their childhood coaches did. To say other wise would make an argument read as such: "The Boy Scouts of America produced pedophile Scoutmasters, therefore all Scoutmasters are bad role models." Doesn't that argument sound a little bit idiotic, AZ? Let's us judge people based on their individual merits. Yours in Scouting, Sentinel947

That sounds all too much like my Scout troop.... It's hard thing to change. It gets ingrained as "that's how we've always done things."

He will be sorely missed. My prayers go out to his family and friends.

I am rather anxiously wondering if the Army will have money to spend on my ROTC scholarship.

Yea. I'm not a parent, but I think parents should definetly get their kids involved in activities. Sometimes kids are afraid to try new things. However, if the child puts some time into Sports, Band, Scouts whatever and doesn't like it, he shouldn't be forced to stay in it and miss out on an activity he/she would enjoy better. Sentinel947

Meryln, Peregrinator, and whomever it may concern: Please keep in mind that non members who view this server can read your posts. Some of the racist and bigoted remarks being thrown around to make a point, while rhetorically are very good, don't leave a good impression on the casual observer. If you want to argue yourselves in circles, please continue, but be aware that there could any number of people who can view this forum who can read your posts and won't pick up the rhetorical nature of your words. Respectfully yours, Sentinel947 (Super Moderator(Whatever that means)

Currently when I first hit the Domain of Scouter.com it says that "only registered members can view this site." I feel like this is a HORRIBLE idea. There are an unknowable number of lurkers who are gaining knowledge from this site that we should not turn away. Also, getting the PM system working would be wonderful. Sentinel947

Eagle is something to be earned by the Scout when they want to earn it. If they don't want to, that's fine. The programs goal is not to create Eagle Scouts, but good all around citizens and leaders. I encourage Scouts in my unit to stay involved with their other extra curricular activities. I think the sign of a good Scout is one who has a well rounded and balanced life. Too often parents have a goal, and that goal is their kid to earn Eagle for whatever reason, (maybe as a resume booster, or because dad got it). Those parents need to back off. Yours in Scouting, Sentinel947

That Scoutmaster needs to grow up. That is completely unacceptable behavior. Sentinel947

Run the Real Patrol Method. Don't give the Senior Patrol Leader too many tasks and too much work. He's supposed to be a facilitator, a moderator, and a coordinator. The average 11-17 year old boy doesn't have the skills to be the CEO of a 15+ Troop of other Boys. Don't make the position so big, with so many resposibilities, that the SPL's will almost always look "Weak" . That being said, mentorship is key. The Scoutmaster is key in this. Perhaps if your troop has some Eagle allumni floating around the edges, get them involved in mentoring your SPL. Mostly however, the relationship is between the Scoutmaster and SPL. Check up on the SPL. Find out what his plans are. Help him expand and clarify his meeting plans/trip plans. Give him gentle nudges during the PLC, but NEVER contradict him in front of the Troop. Nothing undermines his authority more or his standing in front of the other Scouts more than the adult stepping in and correcting him in front of everyone. (Obviously safety issues are an exception here.) The SPL should feel comfortable going to the Scoutmaster when he needs help or has a question, if he doesn't, thats a HUGE problem. Yours in Scouting, Sentinel947

Venividi, I find your argument very persuasive. "As adults, we need to be careful not to make a scout getting Eagle our goal. Our goal is character, citizenship, and fitness. A scout that is smoking MJ has demonstrated that Eagle is not important enough to him to stay away from partaking. Why should Eagle be more important to an adult leader than it is to the scout?" Sentinel947

Welcome to Scouter.com You've come to the right place. I look forward to seeing your contributions. Sentinel947

"Lost in all of this is the message being sent to the OTHER Scouts in that troop. If it is known this guy smoked pot (and perhaps did it more than once), got caught and nothing other than a stern talking to and a few meetings with some counselor was the result, exactly what message are we sending to THOSE boys?" Certainly valid. Certianly a valid thought. Very similar to an older thread I remember about a Scout pulling out a knife during an arguement. Obviously the BSA has rules. This is an older Scout, and he should know better. He is supposed to be a role model in his troop, and he broke not just the Troop or the BSA's rules, but the law. However, ultimately I'm an idealist. I'd love for this young man to have the consequences of his actions so he learns a lesson, (assuming he actually was smoking something) and still make his Eagle. But I don't know if those two outcomes are compatable with one another.

I've avoided weighing in for a few days. But I feel like I should speak up. This young man is at the gates of earning his Eagle. Did he break the law? Yes. But I personally feel some mercy is in order. We all make mistakes. I think he needs some support and counseling, and I don't feel like his one boneheaded mistake should erase the positive contributions.

That's a pretty good plan considering you don't have an SPL.

I would ask the Scouts and see if any of them want to volunteer to run it. They might want to, they might not. COH's don't have to be some elaborate affair. It's about recognition. Passing out the awards, a firm handshake, some congratulations. Encouragement to continue. Doesn't need to be a long, formal affair. So I guess my first move would be to see if any of the Scouts feel's like running it. If not, then we'd be back at square one.

Keep doing what you are doing. Your Troop is experiencing positive growth. As for the Flag Ceremonies and Vespers thing, how old are these Scouts?

Mom: Not trying to stereotype, but does this Scout have a diagnosed mental disorder/disability?

Perhaps my comments were too harsh. There will always be exceptions to the rule huh? Obviously if a Scout has a disorder/disability that would prevent him from meeting a physical requirement, then you make an exception. You can also try an assisted pull up, or a "Chin up" Where someone either helps them with a boost for the "assisted pull up" and for the chin up, someone helps them up to the chin above the bar position, and then the Scout tries to hold himself up there. I'd think either of those would be alternatives. All the requirement says is do your best. I'd think Baseballfan, your Troop's policy fits that bill.