SM406

ManyIrons,

I also ask this question a while back and while everyone agrees that it is for the best that committee members be registered members of the BSA, however, I have yet to see where in writing it states such.

For example, in the ideal world an eagle BOR should be made up of people who are from the community that understand the significance of the Eagle award (pastors, policemen, mayors, etc which would imply they are not necessarily registered), not just unit committee members and a district representative. But no where have I seen it specifically state that BOR members or committee members must be registered.

I like to play by the rules for my own as well as the units protection, so if somebody could site the reference, I would be greatly appreciate it.

SM406

Being a registered member of the BSA does not automatically fill one with all of the knowledge needed to participate in proper BORs, neither will training (hopefully training will help though). This forum has had numerous threads where apparently registered adults had no clue as to how to run a BOR. I personally know registered trained Scouters with years of experience that continue to test Scouts on their BORs and on the flip side I know a parent that asks the Scout some of the most thought provoking questions. This parent has not registered yet. All of the background checks issues aside, I would take this parent over this registered Scouter any day.

I do not believe when BOR where originally set up way back when the members had to be registered with the BSA. They were community leaders, dads, pastors, moms, etc. Only in recent times with the increased concerns of child abuse and other issues has it become necessary for the BSA to protect it self, and that is by asking all persons directly involved with Scouts to register (and there by submit to a background check).

I am Woodbadge trained, served for several years as Advancement chair, conducted numerous rank BORs as well as Eagle BORs, staffed what is now IBSLT, currently staffing the council JLTC and serving as a Scoutmaster. I posed my question because I have not seen it written that Troop Committee people have to be registered. Sometimes I do over look things, so I was hoping to be pointed in the right direction, not made light of.

SM406

Do you have to be registered with BSA to be a member of a troop committee? I think it is prefered, but not reguired.

SM406

Do you have to be registered with BSA to be a member of a troop committee? I think it is prefered, but not reguired.

SM406

Just a word of caution on inviting siblings. It is a great idea but one that backfired on my wife. While a den leader she organized one with our friendly State Farm agent (he was our agent). It was set up as a family pack event one Saturday afternoon. State Farm does a great job. Everything was going great until one of the cubs accidentally collided with someone elses sibling, causing (we found out later) a broken arm. The parents of the sibling had no medical insurance and since the boy was a sibling and not a registered Cub Scout BSA insurance would not cover him either. The parents sued State Farm and the parents of the Cub Scout. State Farm did pay the medical bill, but the family of the injured boy still went after the Cubs parents. There was a settlement but it was not made public so I do not know what happened. Fortunately, my wife was not involved in any of the litigation, but it did cause her a lot of stress. You can have all of the best intentions, but unfortunately we still have to be aware of the legal ramifications.

SM406

I have been selected to be a Scoutmaster for one of seven troops we are sending. My oldest son will be my third assistant Scoutmaster and my other two sons are part of the contingent. My wife said she was going to Maine. It would be kinda cool to meet everyone here, there.

SM406

I really appreciate and agree with what Zahnada wanted to do. To try to bring us together in this special time of year. But even this thread disintegrated into snipping. I was away from the forum for four days and returned with great hope of having a positive experience in Scouting over the net. Oh well I guess I was wrong.

I agree with LauraT7. There just does not seem to be a whole lot of Scout Spirit in the character make up of some posters here. I have learned a lot about Scouting here, as well as about human nature. However, more and more, this forum has become a waste of time. Unless things change with this forum, I will move on. I know this will be of little concern for some and I will not lose any sleep over it either.

SM406

I started to just let this pass. But I can't. I lived in WV for 6 years and I currently commute to WV to work. Sure I have heard all the jokes about WV. I am just a little disappointed by several posters here that I respected, and not surprised by some of the others.

SM406

For most of the merit badges I have been exposed to, the MB book usually discuses the responses to the requirements for that MB. Some MBs can be completed from the information in the MB book alone. I strongly encourage Scouts to get the MB book.

SM406

Rooster7,

Thanks!

SM406

OOooopppsss!, Sorry!!

SM406

So!?

SM406

I have watched (lurked) this thread and others like it. Never really sure where and when I should butt in. Anyway, here are a few of my loose ramblings. None are directed to anyone in particular and are not meant to be confrontational.

1.) I do not believe God put murders, rapist, etc on this earth. God made man/woman in his image and I do not believe God is any of that. God also gave us free will, the ability to choose. The ability to choose among other things, between right and wrong. Also the ability to chose to follow Him or not. Are not relationships between people more meaningful when they are freely chosen and not forced into existence? So, this I believe is what God wants. For us to freely and truly want a personal relationship with Him.

2.) I also believe that God wants us to choose to be as much like Him as we individually can. And He has given us His Word as the blueprint to reach that end. I believe His Word is the Old and New Testament. I also believe that any Scripture pulled out of context can be interpreted many different ways. And I must be discerning when faced with such situations.

3.) I believe that so labeled homosexuals are people. They are people created by God like all of us. To me, by choosing homosexual behavior they have chosen to not to abide by Gods Word, but they are no less or no greater sinners than those people who are gluttons, alcoholics, adulterers, fornicators, thieves and murders (these behaviors and choosing to do them are all wrong in Gods eyes). I also believe that the avowed homosexual is no more a proper moral role model for Scouts as the obese Scoutmaster, or the ASM that is cheating on his wife, or the CC that shows up to meetings with alcohol on her breath. None are proper role models.

4.) I also believe that because of Adam and Eves choice to disobey God, we are all sinners and only through the acceptance of Jesus Christ having died for my sins, does God forgive me of my sin.

5.) Just as I believe that God is the soul (pun intended) judge and we should not burden ourselves with trying to do Gods work, I believe we are charged with lovingly and compassionately helping each other to avoid falling from Gods grace. If we have just passed a rock slide on the highway, would we not flash our lights to warn approaching motorist of the dangers?

6.) I believe I am nowhere near perfect or without sin. It is a daily struggle for me for I enjoy the taste Jack Daniels and Coke. I enjoy the company of women. I can easily choose to indulge in both (since my dad was an alcoholic and I am an avowed heterosexual). But I have made a commitment to my wife blessed by God and a commitment to God by accepting Jesus. But just by accepting Jesus does not erase the temptations, I still have to resist and not give in, knowing it is wrong. However, it is knowing that if I fail, God will still love me and when I ask for, He will accept my prayer for forgiveness.

My heart aches for the atheist and those that avowedly chose not to follow God's word. Not that Gods wrath will befall them, but because I believe they are missing out on a very special relationship with a loving and forgiving God. This relationship with God cannot be compared to anything that man can try making to replace it. Neither Philosophy, alcohol, drugs nor sex, can replace the void created by the absence of a relationship with God.

Just a few of my ramblings.

Peace

SM406

Our troop was having a discussion a few meetings ago concerning the Oath and Law and one of the Scouts said he thought the Law was geeky. I suspect geeky means anything that is not mainstream to what is cool or hip. One observation I have of my own sons (ages 17, 15, 13 two eagles and a life) is that as they grow older and become more self confident the less they become concerned about who knows they are in Scouts and about wearing their uniform in public. I also believe Scouts have played a major role in building their self confidence. They are all still uncomfortable with wearing the uniform to school and probably would not wear the uniform to school if given a choice, however they are not squeamish at all about wearing their uniform in public. I believe the aversion to geekyness is really strong from 6th grade to a sophomore in high school, but wanes in the upper grades.

SM406

OldGrayEagle,

With the scout/father issue, I am still trying to decide. Other issues like constant disruptive behavior, fighting, etc, I can see asking them to leave the troop/scouts. I came down pretty strong on the side of not allowing the pregnant female leader to be a role model, am I being hypocritical now that it is a Scout who is a father/child who I know? Maybe if I did not know the boy I could more easily take the stance that he is not a good role model and ask him to leave. I am also curious to see others post on your thread, it is a good question.

SM406

That leader sounds a little like me. At the time, I had more training than the SM or most on the Committee. I felt like the adult leadership was giving lip service to the concept of the unit being boy lead and run. SM conferences were tests as were the BOR. I had several meetings with the COR and CC trying to express my concerns and there response was if you are so unhappy why don't you leave. It was not long after that an opportunity came up in another troop. We were gone in a heart beat.

I would listen carefully to what the leader/parent is saying. If this person is also trained you may want to hear them out. Just because the Scoutmaster has been there for a while doesn't mean he is doing it right.

I would like to suggest a similar gift given to me.

Get an empty box of Cheer detergent and fill it with slips of paper with as many Cub Scout cheers you can come up with. Now you have a Cheer Box. We have used mine at pack meetings where a leader or a cub will pick a slip from the box and then teach the cheer to the pack. This way the cubs learn new cheers and we do not end up doing the same cheer month after month. Also, this is a home made gift which most of the time mean more than store bought items.

SM406

I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts. They are very much appreciated.

The chartering organization is a United Methodist Church that does not insert itself in the life of the troop. However the COR is very involved with the unit. So I am not sure what the response will be if any.

I am extremely torn by this. The role model side says he has not lived up to the Oath and Law and thereby should be scorned by the troop. The compassionate side says he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Since the boys father is an ASM and the mother a Webelos leader, their common sense will prevail and I suspect their son will quietly withdrawal from the troop.

Thanks again!

SM406

How does the boy go forward with Scouting as part of his life? What role can Scouting play?

SM406

We have in an earlier post discussed the merits of having a pregnant unwed leader for a troop. We have some church friends that belong to a different troop than my family and their middle son a fifteen year old life scout has gotten a girl pregnant. As part of the church family, this family needs a lot of love and support from us. My question is how do we address the boy in the context of Scouting (Oath, etc.) or do we? He has not lived up to the Oath, obviously. Thanks for your input.

SM406

Our district has experienced a significant drop in new cub scouts, and I hear that our council as well has lower numbers. I work with a fellow Scouter from a different region and he says their numbers are low also. I wonder if this is problematic nationwide?

Is this drop due to people marrying later in life thus fewer cub aged boys? Or just a decline in population due to the Baby-boomers moving on? How will this effect the Boy Scout program in a few years?

If there is a drop in population of cub aged boys will National relax the requirements for QU, QD, and QC?

Just curious..

SM406

I was headed in your direction NJCubScouter and Eagledad, with my thoughts. A Lone Scout could still learn leadership skills and apply those skills by providing leadership to service projects for the Life through Eagle ranks; I was just having a brain cramp trying to see where he would have the opportunity to learn leadership by being a follower. Great thread on the nuances (or is it nuisances) of leadership.

SM406

I am not sure if the Lone Scout program is still around (I believe it is). If it is how would this cliche' hold up in this program?

SM406

Great thread. My horizons have been expanded, so I thank you all. I once was curious about BSAs by laws. But if they are not concerned about unit operations, it is no longer a high priority in my life.

My thoughts on the camo and knife situation is, if the program is being properly presented, particularly concerning the purpose of uniforming and the proper use of a knife, then the likely hood of Scouts feeling the need to attend a troop function so attired would be very small.

Our troop has by-laws; they were here when I arrived. However, I think I will try to phase them out by providing the opportunity for the Scouts to take full ownership of the unit.

SM406

Has anyone seen and tried the Reese's Cups and Kit Kats made with white chocolate. Wow are they good! I have only seen them in Wal-Mart. Give them a try!

SM406