skeptic

Scans of the an article in Century Magazine from February, 1920. Very positive and descriptive piece, and reflects, in my view, much of what scouting is and was, but for some reason our society does not notice, or understand. One of the photos in the article, showing service, I feel reflects the willingness of Scouts to interact with the Black community.

This email just received from our Methodist leadership. View this email in your browser BISHOP HAGIYA Briefing on BSA (1/12/2022) Pending court approval of a settlement agreement in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) bankruptcy case, United Methodists have agreed to contribute $30 million to a $3 billion Survivor Trust Fund that will receive contributions from the Boy Scouts of America

It is becoming more and more clear to me that in reality, probably always has been, this case has less to do with the survivors than it has to do with money to the legal scavengers. Meanwhile, it is difficult to imagine the resurgence of emotional turmoil for those that are the fodder for the lawyers. And, we who still harbor hope that somehow we can simply refocus the program on those that so need it today, find ourselves frustrated and in a seeming endless limbo. It is simply sad that the very tenets of Scouting, the ones that have turned out millions of good citizens and str

Back to one of my favorite thoughts. Balanced and well written. It seems to reflect somewhat accurately the realities of the time it occurred, and the responses of various individuals. And, while BSA is noted, as is the Catholic Church, they did not turn the article into a verbal lynching of them. It accurately notes that at the time, too many societal responses and ideas were not in accord with what is better known. At the same time, it also does not blame the camp, but rather the perpetrator and cutltural attitudes. I have to wonder if the camp was not a small, mostly well respec

We are back to the wishful speculations and refusal to see the larger realities. Most councils have struggled for years to keep above water, and some had those "old resources", but they passed and are in the past, as most families chose to NOT continue any real largess. On this forum, the loss of camps has been an ongoing complaint. Part of it may be lack of use/attendance; some may be poor maintenance over time; and some is simply time itself and encrouchment of the once distant communities around them. Natural disasters are not something for which it is possible to plan, only try to make

This jogged a thought. Our youth, the peers of scout that is living in such a situation, often become the protectors in some form. But they also have been known to point out an issue. Over more than 40 years, I have seen it. The group becomes a safe place for the youth, even extending to them a temporary escape, quietly taking them in to their homes when one is needed. These are the things too often we do not see, and I admit that much of my experience is past tense, discovered in visiting with past youth over decades. A few of those mistreated youth, now adults, have directly told me th

Thanks RS; that is what I should have done I guess. Of course we also have to have approvals on the council level, as well as YP and in some states other certifications.

Enough to allow you to give correct info if needed and to evaluate fairly the completion of the written requirements. Ideally, of course, you might specialize in a subject, which SHOULD make the prior comment mute. On the other hand, and this is just my opinion, we should not have counselors that really have no background at all in a subject unless they pursue that level of knowledge prior to taking it on. Obviously, some things are pretty straight forward, but many are open to interpretations of some things, and some ask the Scout to actually discuss it. So, the mentor should be able to b

The best solution is for people to follow the rules and actually report concerns as needed. Then, as soon as possible, deal with the issue and any actual violators, no matter how connected. And, BSA, at all levels must be sure to validate any refusals beyond their power to deal with the issues. That means authorities than poo-poo things, people that make threats of legal action with no foundation other than trying to intimidate, and also document any family choices that are made to NOT do something. Lots of grey area, and unless there is validation of actual attempts to do the right thing,

Only if he has taken YP training and been vetted in whichever states that have special volunteer requirements.🙄

Yep, every year we see sticker shock discussed and screamed about relating to the cost of summer camp. Compare it to most other group type camps and it is a bargain. If you took the family to an amusement park for one day you would pay close to half that amount. Still, these things are planning issues and should be on the calendar a year out for approximate costs. And scouts are better off actually earning part, or all of their camp cost. It is part of a good program, learning to pay your way. My experience is that scouts that have contributed to their camp cost directly generally enjoy

It occurs to me that we might want to consider either shutting this down, or finding a way to avoid emotional overloads for some victims or others. Obvioously, the thread has a detrimental effect on a few, and they seem wont to take it out on other posters, often making unfair attacks on those that are fortunate to not have suffered the specific taumas that trigger some. As I have suggested before, we all have things in our lives that are bad memories and possibly serious pychological and maybe even physical traumas. How they affect us differs, and some of us prefer to not talk much o

From the BSA official material. "The official scout uniform consists of shirt, pants, belt, and socks. A neckerchief and hat are optional. In reality, each unit may have different uniform expectations, with some expecting socks to hat while others expect just the shirt. Having all scouts consistently uniformed for meetings and outings makes for a much better adventure. It is also important to remember that the scout uniform is not a mandatory part of scouting and a scout should not be prohibited from participating just because they do not have a uniform, or a complete uniform."

Have no idea how long they may last, but we have had two district level executives added this month. They had all been riffed last year, and it was only the exec and assistant doing it all, with two office part timers and part time store. They did keep the camp ranger. One of the newbies has no Scouting experience other than a brother who was one; he was not. The other is an Eagle. Have not met them as yet, and waiting for bio's. It was not too long back we had as many as six field exec's, and two years ago still 3.

Thanks; it is now much clearer to me what is going on with it. I guess I should have understood that part of the actual background check includes the fingerprints, which then allows the process as noted with the procedure above. That then will not only validate the prints for their file, but also verify that no criminal issue is connected to my prints already on file.

For me it is simply why more sets when they already are on file with the state anyway. Just seems another time and money annoyance, mainly the time. But I am old and hate driving places that I can avoid.

What?

Still, could that not be done with the one already on file? What am I missing? Or is it to see if you match the one already on file perhaps? Our council has indicated they will attempt to offset some of the cost that might be incurred, though not sure how that might work, as it has not been set up yet.

And that is your right. But his post is simply poor taste at least, and certainly not reflective of what I would hope a lawyer would consider ethical. I do not have an issue with his preferring rejection, or even concluding it has happened. It is the post itself that I find nasty and in, as I said poor taste. Oh well, I cannot do anything about it anyway.

Sorry, but this man has no character. First of all, he does not know the results, or should not know. More importantly, even if he is right, his crowing and making negative comments is surely poor attitude, and would, I it seems to me, to reflect very poorly on his ethics. JMO of course. I know some here seem to feel he is an honorable and worthy lawyer. Don't see it, and he is in my list to have predator birds named in the large bald flock.

Next likely step may be saying we all have to have DNA tests?

I guess I do not understand finger printing. It has always been my belief that once they have your prints, unless something occurs to affect the fingers, they will be the same. Not sure if that follows with age, though, other than size, I believe the basic pattern is the same. So, what is the point of requiring new printing if they already exist?

Yep; and they are on file already with the state teaching department. So, since that is the case, simply addend them from the teaching file to the BSA/Volunteer file? No additional prints then need to be done. Of course, I may also have prints from my short time in the Peace Corp, and not sure if they printed us in the military.

https://mandatedreporterca.com/training/volunteers I thought I had posted something, but cannot find it. We were notified in the last day or two by council of the new law, and I have already taken the online certification and received the official coverage from the state. Working out the connected fingerprinting is still in limbo. The law does not appear to allow for them picking up already printed individuals from other mandated areas, such as teachers. I had to be printed as a credentialed teacher, in order to work. So you would think that file could be appenede, but curren

We too often jump to conclusions in judgment with these types of things, forgetting that Scouts, and Scouters are actually real people. They are not somehow less prone to mistakes in judgment or foolish decisions to "see what happens", or "what it is like". I still remember why I chose years ago NOT to smoke, even though was surrounded by smokers. My mom made the first strike by giving me a cigarette to light when I was maybe 13, as I kept bugging her to let me try. Once my eyes stopped running and I had enough water, the negative experience stayed with me until I though one more try, when