silver-shark

Bob My latest querries were directed at the original question that pertained to this type fundraiser being done at the unit level. With that being said, the BSA isn't condoning this type of activity at any level just because they do not have a specific policy denouncing it. We, at least at the unit level, are still trying to run a values based program. There are PLENTY of fundraising ideas out there that are still in line with these values for councils, districts, and units. The perception of the activity by the boys is the name of the game. What do they think goes on at this ty

"or at any activity involving participation of youth members". I am confused about something here. What would your boys be doing during this wine tasting fundraiser? Our boys run our fundraisers. It's their troop. They're the ones that need the money, not me. Aren't they supposed to be earning their own way? We make suggestions, but the PLC votes on which ones they will do, what they will serve, and who will work when. Are you really helping the boys by running ANY fundraiser without them, especially one that includes alcohol?

Bob I couldn't find the section in the Scoutmaster Handbook or the Troop Committee Guidebook that says that the BSA doesn't care how you get legally earned donations. Is this an opinion? What does "free from the stigma of gambling" mean to you? If the BSA doesn't want the stigma of gambling touching them at one finance level, it seems rather presumptuous to assume that it is OK at another, since there does not appear to be any policy printed in the Scoutmaster Handbook or the Troop Committee Guidebook what-so-ever that covers how to handle donations. According to them, money is eith

Thanks Ed. Bob, the point is that this unit wants to know if it's OK to circumvent the BSA's established system of values, by utilizing a third party. I believe that it would be naive to think that the boys won't know where this money came from if their chartering organization sells $10,000.00 worth of raffle tickets, then gives them a $10,000.00 donation. Nor do I think they won't hear what their CO wants to do to set up an entire system of raffles/gambling. I don't know what the United Way or most other large (or formerly large) contributors are up to. I doubt the boys do either

Selling booze as a fundraiser, whether as a fundraiser or not, is inconsistent with what the BSA is all about. I like a delicious-icey-cold-adult-beverage as much as the next guy, but not in the name of kids. If your council is doing this in the name of the BSA, shame on them.

Gentlemen BSA has stood up and said that, gambling, of any type is inconsistent with the Aims and Methods of Scouting, whether it is legal or not in the area that it is done, and is therefore unacceptable. Accepting money from an activity that is inconsistant with OUR ideals is inappropriate whether the deed is done by the unit or someone else. This is no different than accepting a donation from the Drug Lord of a country where drugs are legal. Right is right, wrong is wrong, and gambling is a vice that is justly illegal in most areas whether we like it or not. G

As long as you have the "Minimum 2 Deep Leadership", etc... per the Guide to Safe Scouting present, this sounds like a great way to go. Other than that, this sounds like the way scouting used to be commonly run aroud here (Central Indiana), when I was a boy.

To CubsRgr8 Junior Leader Training (JLT) is something that is run at the unit level in our council. Our troop runs this twice a year, prior to elections for PL, and SPL. We offer this program ro ANYONE, regardless or rank or ambition, who even remotely thinks they would eventually, or currently like to hold these offices in addition to APL's and ASPL's. To Korea Scouter. I'm not sure what the former PL boy should be following from a different new PL that doesn't understand what he is leading. Followership is something that I can teach, (or have taught by my Junior Lea

OGE, either name is just dandy. First off, I understand that new scouts need time during the troop meeting to work on the basic skills needed to get up to First Class. And that the skills they need are different than the ones that the Regular Patrol boys need. My problem with New Scout Patrols is that I don't have any older scouts that are willing to be a full time baby sitting service for 11 year old boys at every meeting, and every campout, and every PLC Meeting. If we had more older scouts there might be a better pool to choose from, but that might not even matter. When I w

I haven't seen any requirements listed in the standard literature. In fact the new SPL Handbook says it's up to the individual troops to decide. This is probably so that a brand new troop doesn't have unrealistic limitations. The old unofficial rule of thumb for a PL was being First Class. This goes back to "Green Bar Bill" days. They really need this level of maturity and drive to have a sense of what a leader is and what they are supposed to do. Unfortunately, with the creation of the "New Scout Patrol", which I don't personally care much for, they don't have anyone of that rank, so th

Several of the responses here list solicitation of monetary donations as a no no. Our troop has asked businesses for food donations in the past, specifically for a spaghetti dinner that we held. The parents and boys cooked the food and bussed the tables, etc... We ended up making 100% profit on the event due to these food donations. Did we break a rule here, or is this O K since we still performed all of the work?