spinnaker

Help. Mad mom here. First of all in our council eagle BORs are conducted at the district level. They do a good job. My son "x" just turned 18 - turned in his eagle project book and application that he found online to council one day before 18th birthday. He was told wrong application - that he needed a verified application - and the council registrar gave him one. The "wrong application" was already signed by SM and CC. He called both and asked for signatures on the good application. And asked younger brother to take to troop meeting to get signatures.(He stayed home to help clean). I got a call from the scout meeting saying they wanted "x" for a BOR ? (even though the didtrict will do the official BOR) Despite my questions and protests, X put on uniform and went to meeting. The BOR ( thats what they called it) was made up of CC, and 4 ASMs... one of them "Mr G" has always has a problem with X - allowing his son to do things then yelling if X did the same, etc. We are somewhat new to the troop - having transfered from another. Mr G did most of the talking, stating that X did not show scout spirit. (X has never missed a meeting, went on most camp outs, went with troop to summer camp, organized a troop service project etc. ) so... the BOR did not think he should be eagle so the CC did not sign the new application even though the SM did. I know X can still submit application challenge that decision (is that the word ?) but I am mad that one person can take it out on a boy. As a member of troop committee I don't want to see any scout get treated like X. Any Comments ? Thank you,

YIS,

Spinnaker

thanks... yes he's still on the charter. I think old cc will sign. One of those new committee members would make a good CC and is interested.

Hello All- I am a member of a small troop committee. Our CC resigned ( his son no longer in troop). That leaves us with two other members. Our treasurer, and another dad. The dad helps on cmpouts and BORs but will not accept a CC position. Treasurer is taking evening classes and seldom show up. I'm advancement chair and wife of the SM. I have 3 Adult Leader Applications filled out but we can't get signed off. Our COR is waiting for a CC signature ... We're at an impass. Any ideas?

opps brain not engaged yet. thats C-A-R-P-O-O-L-S.

s.

Yea ! Let's all take this down to BSA National. We can meet at FB's place at 0530 for coffee and then arrange carppoosl. All in favor ? (ps I'll make a TV add campaign)

I love you guys!

spinnker

Advancement_Lady

A story to reinforce the need for some lessons.

AT BSA summercamp last year a troop of canoeing newbees deceided to canoe to "the island" to have lunch. The island (on a lake) is in veiw of the waterfront. We had a good boy to adult ratio. All Adults had safety afloat and safe swim (me too). I was the only kayaker and I was surprised that a few boys had such a hard time pointing in the right direction,, a 5-10 min trip was 1/2 hour easy and that was with me tyrying to coach them. Yeah we all finnally got back to the waterfront...seems like they had no problem going in the right direction...they just went backwards.

spinnaker

Hi- I have been involved in meetings lately where such issues are dissussed.

I like the internet and applaud anyone trying to get a site up. That said...

1. Have you looked at the Council Website standards ? http://www.scouting.org/webmasters/standards. Though you have a unit site theses are good guidelines.

2. Because of lots of unknowns...people move, or just leave scouting with little notice. I don 't like to leave important things to just one person . maybe its better to go for less security and store less sensitive info. For example , for my troop I may e-mail advancement info, or a phone # or ??? However on the internet I will only give the scouts first name.

3. I'm not smart enough to set up a good security system so I abide by #1 and 2

Good luck

Wow- that's a tough one. I thunk, and thunk some more - How about ending the standard Happy BD to you with a BSA style cheer. Divide the room in half. the cheer -Leader after giving instuctions. points to one side then the other. one side says "seventy" the other" five". Do this at least a few times before ending with a BIG applause. You can do vatiations. like have each side whisper their word. oer have each side try to be louder that the other. or have start slow and go faster and faster.

mjengles- I'm in my office looking out the window at the 6 inches of white stuff that was dumped this past weekend. We'll put another log on the fire and move over some - there's always room for one more. BIG WELCOME !

Spinnaker

my son the almaost an eagle scout tells me it has to be duct tape- duct tape is cool,,,but I have made blue and gold roses from rolls of crepe paper. I pinched the bottom around a pipe cleaner and pinched-rolled untill it looked like a tose bud, Use your fingers to give it shape. Yoe can by in a craft store a roll of green florest tape. Tightly cover the pinched end of the rosebud and continue douw the pipe cleaner to make a green stem. all this should cost less than $5.

spinnaker

Thank you, Semper, thank you.

I would also like to welcome you. I started as a Weblos Leader. Now my husband is a SM and I'm involved in troop, distrtrict and Council committees. Looking back at my time as a weblos leader and later a cub master. The training is so important ,,, so are the other resourses, Go to the roundtables if you can, Stresses from personality diffences and differences of oppionion may come upon you for awhile. I Some of it can be ridden out with the advice and encouragement found from frllow scouters you meet in real life and on the net.

Most of us are here becuse we beleive in scouting, want to do the best we can for the scouts we serve and we also has fun whlle were doing it,

May God bless your efforts,

and may the wind be always at you back.

spinnaker

anarchist - that scouts mother doesd his HW for him. I found that out when 4 scouts were working on E. Sci MB at summer camp. mommies boy coulld't seem to write his reports. did't get signed off on that MB.

parents play pen - never thought of it. Now if only BSA woul change the rules on what they can have in their bottle, I know that we could keep them there. - wink ,

EagleinKY- she deserves much more than that MB (but what agood idea). What a lady !!!

Spinnaker

Being a female type - like to be up on the early side - I'm ussually "washed up" and lookig for a cup of coffee - before the guys are up. Last year at BSA summer camp out unit shared a lare site with an out of state troop. I was the only scouter staying all week , was considered the SM for the week. at my suggesstion the SPL managed to get our scouts in tent a fairly quit at a reasonablke hour. The other troop was noisy almost all night. A visit to thier sSM and SPL did little good that father and son pair were thge loudest. I got up my usuall time and worked to get the boys up by revelie - I had to laugh when I saw that out of town SPL sleeping outside. seems like when he finally fell asleep he rolled right out of the cot, of to the wooden platfor m and out of the tent. Couldn't budge him. That whole troop missed fllag ceremony but not breakfast and got a stern talking to by the camo director.

spinnaker

here is a story for you...a few camporees ago I dropped by the troop site as they were setting up camp. . This was an unusual situation - that the new SM and I were responsible for a council activity and were not going to be avalable for the troop. several dads camped with them instead of us. One of our scouts was in the unique position of camping the first time w/out dad (who could not get off of work) He is first class and aged about 14-15 This camporee took place w/in city limits. I was surprised to see his mother try to help put up his tent - picture this she was wearing a suit and high heels and unlike me is not the outdoor type. Sheesh...

Spinnaker

Bear -

my own sons when they repeat the laws to themselves on the way to scout camp add hungary and poor. I think they are anticipating their finacial situation in regards to visiting the trading post. (slushies and nachoes are a welsome treat on a hot day) I myself whisper the word handsom when I see a troop lined up with full class A's.

spinnaker

I like the 75th anniversary theme. You can incorprate that with "a family treew" or do something with a cake or cupcake and the number 75 . Or do something with the number 75 - let the boys decorrate. Here the exciting part... If you tie in with the 75th and take some good digital pictures (make sure that the boys sign release forms) then send a press release to your local newspaper... They will be more inclined to publish pictures and an article if it ties in with something bigger than if its just a B and G

Good Luck, I'm sure you'll do well

spinnaker

How about the First aid kit slide - take a 35mm plastic film canister w/lid. harder to come by now that there is so much didital photography. I don't remember what we used for attcahments. Perhaps an adult made 2 paralell slits with an exacto blade and we put a pipe cleaner though to make a ring. Fill the small canaster with a few band-aids, an alcolol wipe, a couple of safety pins and any other first aid supplies that fit. Hane them make a red cross on the canister with paint or red tape. Make them feel "prepaired" especially on that "big hike".

spinnaker

Hi eagle ,

A privite site is another matter. I'm not a webmaster so I can't talk about specifics but as long as its secure, you should be ok. Our troop uses e-mail for the same info I'll e-mail advancement info or phone # to an ASM for example. I've also e-mailed pictures of folks who did not sign releases. Ex we took some neat pictures of an ourdoor winter survival training weekend. I e-mailed some to other participants (just to view). But I would'nt t

post on the web or print out in a newsletter, I

Anarchist is right. I ran with my projects because I'm in the marketing field and so far no one else has stepped up to the plate. Our CO has no web site. But i have to stress... YOU MUST GET RELEASE FORMS SIGNED. You can open yourself up to legal problems if you don't. There are parents who do not want their childrens pictures used in print/video or on the web.

yis

spinnaker

Thanks to aall for the info.

I will set my sites higher and try for much more megs.

yis

spinnaker

Wow- I though our SM had a diffcult situaton last year. First is it really true that the SM appoints the ASM's ? That hasn't happened in our troop. I am only a commitee member and SM's wife. I wear a uniform to most meetings because of the commitment i have to scouting. I sometimes joke that I do some of the work of an ASM. But when asked to become one , I declined , I was needed for BOR's. . I camp with the troop when I'm needed for 2 deep and sometimes only cause I want to. i help out w/ fund raising, and service projects and sometimes come just to take pictures. If unofficiall SM dad really wants to wear a iuniform give his a MC patch and give his some special assignments - like the equipment or camping.

spinnaker

Hi - That is a good question. I would agree w/ Semper. I think of webpages as I do a newsletter except that webpages might be accecced by more people. If you feel you need permission for a newsletter, then certainly for web pages. However, I took it upon myself w/ help from some scouts to start both newsletter and webpages w/out asking our CO (The American Legion) we use it as to tool to tell them what great/ fun things the scouts are doing (mostly for the benifit of asking for $$$ support). We also use it as a communication toop within the troop and troughout the community. most important...respect copyright laws and make sure that each person whos picture you paost has sighned a release form.

spinnaker

I forgot to add that Cederlands also has High Adventue trecks.

Spinnaker

Ok, Time for my 2 cents on this topic. Right in Eric's back yard are two camps owned by revolutionary trails council - see http://www.rtcbsa.d2g.com/index2.html. Camp Russell, on White lake -in the adirondacks has as both in-camp and high adveture trek programs. cederlands Scout Reservation on ling lake is deeper in the heart of the mountains. I've spent I've had great time with my trrop at Russel and hope to be at Cederland this year. Wouls love to invite any nearby troop to contact me for more info on the above camps.

YIS

Spinnaker