skeptic

Doing troop and council history search. Our first troop Eagle, Harry Dudley is noted in this clipping. He became Eagle the next year. But, the detail in the article fits this discussion, or so it seems to me. Note especially the comment that this program was run entirely by youth.

It is in response to the link on Purdue, though that likely should have been seen. But, I can not ever make some individuals look beyond their own bias and darkness. Still, IF you believe in something, I still offer you too a Merry Christmas where we in theory celebrate the birth of a Love most of us struggle to emmulate. 🎅

Well, that just churns up the silt some more for me. I can see connections in the discussion, but it really is not the same thing at all, other than a massive attempt to solve a wrong without really solving anything. And BSA is a NFP entity, so the damage really mostly affects those that BSA serves, the youth. No such thing as a "fair" outcome in reality. Some will never be satisfied, few if any victims will be made even close to whole, and unless we learn something, as a society, little will change. Back to "lady justice" with her scales. Merry Christmas.

From my perspective, that realization should bee part of the mentoring. Far too many units have put Eagle as the ultimate success, and often pushed other out that were more in it for the adventure or fellowship. So, when they did not advance fast enough, or at all, they became ignored for the most part. Yet, I have been priileged to have a number of youth stay to and past graduation, never going beyond First Class. But they were great scouts and leaders, and they encourage younger scouts to work on advancement, even as they chose not to. A couple had physical issues that they chose to either overcome or not do some things, and at least one just could not deal with swimming, but refused to use it as an excuse. He, ironically, became a carreer army officer, but he is also the one that di the mile swim using the elementary backstroke, since that was the only one he could do well. Character development and learning to roll with difficulty. Thats the ticket. If Eagle is included, great.

Should we be surprised? From the outset, there have been predators, from the legal system, preying on victims, including causing some, perhaps many, who have learned over time to deal with their personal demons to relive the pain and suffering at some level. And mostly, this was more for money than real concern for victims. JMO of course. But, to me, it is part and parcel of the messed up legal system that preys on victims with hype and promises, not caring if it may cause renewed emotional trauma, or affect others that in reality have little or nothing to do with the original trauma. Far too many "lawyers" that play the system, not for real justice, but simply with avarice, caring little if anything for the actualities of their action.

That really lies in how well existing youth leadership groups alread established do their missions. The OA is, nor ever was, supposed to be a broad youth leadership group within BSA. Originally it was honorary specificlly to promoting the outdoor program within units and setting public examples of outdoor respect. It was an adjunct, not supposed to be a Scout/Scouter honor group, but only an honor "camping" group with a connection to Native American outdoor respect The fact that it somehow turned into something broader may, in itself, be why many lodges do not function ideally. In my view, the ideal youth group for council, or National level input would be as this idea appears. It asks for those chosen to participate a unique input from a peer interaction, bringing their concerns and ideas to the fore. And if done as intended, it would do much to prod the program to more viability. That means adults not simply brushing things aside as coming from inexperience or lack of maturity. Youth as young as five or six often have some interesting ideas, even ones that can be molded to reality with proper attention and regular reexamination. Too often, we adults tend to be wearing blinders, or have put up mental barriers against new, and exciting ideas just because they may be non traditional, or require serious effort to develop. Even expense is no absolute excuse to not do something. And, we go on a great deal about challenging our youth, then too often poo-poo their attempts or NEW angles. Afterall; the best and most imaginative Eagle projects would never have happened if we had not allowed the youths the opportunity to try, even if it initially went awry.

Almost all the separate congregations that are, and have been involved for decades likelfile as requested. I know locally that every church with a unit or more was specifically asked to file the needed documents early on.

Well, if he is/was, they did the right thing. Yes?

While this item was shared with me from a former scout who has a daughter in the Virginia GS council, I found it interesting. It seems that we might well look at this type of arrangement, with some alterations of course, for our councils. It certainly puts the opportunity with the girls, IF the adults pay attention. We all likely have seen the youth come up with great program options and then get shot down of course. The best troops already do this of course with well run leadership and program work. Anyway: GIRL ADVISORY BOARD (GAB) CHARGE MISSION: The Girl Advisory Board (GAB) allows Girl Scouts who are 14 or older, the opportunity to serve as an advisory team providing programmatic input to the Chief Executive Officer. By lending a voice to our movement that wants, needs and values girl-led contributions, these young leaders will play a significant role in shaping the ongoing work of Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital. PURPOSE: The GAB will work as a team to determine priorities of Girl Scouting in the areas of programs, girl activities, girl engagement, trainings, and social trends and such other areas as determined by the CEO. GAB members will also be exposed to governance opportunities and be able to represent the Council at various activities and events throughout the year. By facilitating the girl-adult partnerships, these leadership opportunities will allow GAB members to influence and have their voices heard in programmatic activities in the Council. GAB members will also have the opportunity to make recommendations, and share their ideas. In order to gain understanding of the governance process, GAB members will be invited to observe a board meeting. GAB ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND TIME COMMITMENT: The GAB will be comprised of up to 15 girl members. Girls will be selected to participate in the GAB as provided under the Selection Process described below. Girls selected for the GAB will be asked to make a minimum one-year commitment to participate on the GAB. The one-year term runs October 1 – September 30. Girls can serve up to two consecutive one-year terms on the GAB with the term of a high school senior ending on September 30th of the year such girl graduates from high school. GIRL ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS: The GAB will meet with the CEO at least three times a year in person or through webinars. The meeting dates and times will be established based on the availability of a majority of girl members. REPORTING TO THE BOARD: The GAB will prepare a report for the Board of its activities annually and make recommendations to the Board. The GAB will select from its members several girls to present the report, share the team’s ideas, and respond to questions from the Board. SELECTION PROCESS: Girls age 14 or older in grades 8th through 11th who are registered members of the Council may express their interest in serving on the GAB in the following year by completing the self-nomination form on the Council’s website every year https://www.gscnc.org/en/council/our-structure/Governance.html The form (which is the same form for applying for a Board position) should be completed and submitted no later than December 15. In January, the Nominating Committee will interview all the teen applicants, usually on a Sunday afternoon at our main Girl Scouts office in Washington, DC. The committee will select up to 15 girls to participate in the GAB for a term of one year and make every effort to select Girl Scouts that represent the rich diversity of the Council and the geographic region.

Not that I am aware of. But, I am simply me, and I do not have the power of omniscience.

An absolutely accurate comment, even for those of us that feel the process has to have some type of "balance", for lack of what seems to be a better word. There is no absolute cure; again, beat to death. There is a way to recognize past errors in judgement and societal responses, and to make efforts to stop those as often as possible, given the propensity of some to not pay attention or trust, even when the indicators are there. I do not feel that the survivors should not be helped and given recompense. But that cannot be limitless, and it should not be built on the backs of other innocents. Hopefully most will find a way forward. And, as noted more than once, final recompense to the true predators is not in any of our hands, but I believe a higher power will make that judgement. Merry Christmas, etc. to all.

And you would be wrong. But I also have no idea how to come up with a number for the damages, especially since so much is emotional and has no accurated way to measure. As I said to TN; good luck and I truly hope you find some way to deal with your personal issues beyond casting blame and insinuation on others. As I noted, the help is far beyond me, or anyone pressing this. Judgement is not mine, it is greater than any of us. Merry Christmas to you as well; please find some comfort in the real message of the season.

Well, miley is of no interest, and we will view the mess differently. I pray that somehow some lessening of the burden happens, but just not at the expense of the, as we have said again and again, the total destruction of the largely great program. Ill feelings also are beyond most our pervues, but the level is not mine to judge. You and others have that right, and if I had the way to do it, I would somehow take it away. Again, I do not have that power, and so again, I wish you well and hope you might find some kind of position closer to peace. Good luck, and Merry Christmas or whatever perspective of the season you may favor. And thank you for any positive things you have done, or continue to do, for Scouting. No reconciling that picture for me though, as the larger goal does not seem aimed at its best interests.

It cannot fully compensate, or cure, or fix. We reach the point of punishing the innocent at the expense of an impossible goal. They could give you all a billion dollars, and you still would still not be made whole; and the hate and enmity would still be there. That lies in the realm of powers that supercede this whole mess.

Well, I would say that at least makes a picture that makes some sense, though is really still apples and oranges to some extent. Also, far too many questions arise as to how many valid claims there may be, and also the categories in which they fall in the continum devised by the "experts".

That is something that I cannot explain. Just compensation that completely ruins an overly very positive community asset is, in my perspective not just at all. I have no issue with fair compensation, just with finding the most dollars, even if it means destroying BSA and its mostly positive outreach. I have noted that paying for real pain and whatever counseling may be needed should be part of it; but simply ignoring the effects on others, especially that had nothing to do with it, is just as unfair, or out ow balance. It comes from a different perspective or something. A psychologist might offer some clarity, but that is beyond the average person that sees the larger world. And that does not even address the likely other decision makers that "may" have made poor decisions based on the time and family or societal approaches.

Yes, it really is one big question as to what is real and what is simply modern societal confusion. There are many old saws that could apply, but it basiclly comes back down to the lack of "balance", like on the Lady's scale. Locally meanwhile, some units are rebuilding trails with the FS, others are doing outreach to the homeless, and food pantries are getting somehow restocked. Scouts help with civic ceremonies and still go camping and have fun, even with the many restraints. The idea that the huge value of the larger, and still working program should be tossed to the rubbish heap due to that lack of balance and grand wishes and really in many cases greed, is simply sad. That is my view; and I understand that some feel otherwise, thoug I would suggest that they are not seeing through the glass clearly. Merry Christmas.

And the violin continues as Rome is burning. I had a short interaction with an elderly woman at our church, a Methodist, about her thoughts on the legal issues. It is interesting how so many of what most would consider the average citizen seem to still have a positive feeling about Scouts and are just as disappointed and frustrated as many of us here. We keep coming back to my term, balance, and how that really is NOT a word that the loudest proposents care to hear. Again, the main considerations, in various stances are money, vengence, general malice, exageration, and messed legal system. Meanwhile local units continue to give community service and other outreach with not strings. Simply very sad.

Once again, the malice and greed shows through; or so it appears with this scenario. That is what is wrong with the whole mess. Too many inidividuals that are simply looking for money and or vengence. The xxx with any peripheral damage and those harmed.

Yes, it seems to be as clear as the proverbial mud.

We have some of that "excess" property. But the church is woking within the large community to turn it into outreach options for the homeless and others. They do not want to simply sell it for the dollars, especially to turn over to the the larger national level for sins of others. Our unit has never had any claims, nor have most in our area. Again, it is the view of community versus individuals in most of these cases, and too many do not care, as some have accused me in regard to the victims, about the broader picture or group(s). Balance.

It annoys me that some feel that today's churches should abandon their property assets, from where they continue to do outreach to the larger communities, just to fund the mistakes and judgment errors from decades ago. Our over a century and a half old church has a half dozen major charitable entities that use their site for almost nothing, tending to drug and alcohol remediation, and running a preschool with low costs to parents, supporting food banks, supporting world wide mission outreach, and so on. Just because the buildings may be worth money today, and even more so the properties on which many sit, does not mean they can give it all to funding those past mistakes. Not fair to today's "victims". The old adage, to stiff Peter to pay Paul may apply here. But we are really looking at the broader issue of self centeredness versus community cohesiveness. Who was it that said, "It takes a village"? Well, too many want to destroy the village for their own benefits only. Again, just my old fogie perspective.

There is no amount of maney that will "fix" the real pain, and certainly, as stated before, fixing societal issues from decades ago at the expense of current youth is just as wrong. But, as I have noted more than once, I am looking for balance, and not destroying the program for today's youth to pay lawyers and somehow actually help survivors with real conseling and so on as possible, not just throw money and say it is good. Because, it will not be good for those that were actually affected, and to expect more money to do that is foolish. Just me view, and perhaps my view of fair, and fair is far different than you or some others. Agree, ignore, or state your own views. We all look at things differently, and we all deal with traumas in our own personal manners. I just want this to be over and be able to move forward with our current youth without the spectre hanging over us constantly. Adhere to YP, and do not let our guards down, as there will always be predators that will try to sneak in. Have a good day.

Some seem not to understand that the turnip is done, and the other vegies have little to offer that is real. We all know the Catholic Church has its own mess, that is interrelated with this one. As for the Methodists, the idea they somehow have deep pockets is ludicrous. Anyone that is a member of the local churchs understands the edge on which most of them teeter.

Much of it may have to do with the stress on the two largest remaining CO's and their concerns about the future. That is the Methodists and the Catholics. Our unit is experiencing a lot of frustration, and even some anger in response to the recharter issues. And most of the pressure is from outside, caused by and broght to them by the whacked out legal system and , IMO impossible expectations of a few claimants, most that appear to care little for the broader issues involved. And I am not dismissing legitimae survivors, only looking at what seems to me reality, versus pie in the sky wishes and expectations. The old saw that "two wrongs do not make a right" seems, to me, to be applicable with this whole mess. But, I keep hoping that our tired lady with the scale will find some relief somehow.