SSScout

Liz: Remember that your recruitment commission (what? The SMS didn't tell you about the commission for every Scout you enlist? Well. let me get my tongue outta my cheek) does not depend on ONLY AOL/Webelos crossovers. Make sure you have some notoriety in the middle schools . The School Counselors should know of your existence. Take home flyers? Ask about the backpack requirements and see your DE about getting some flyers printed up. Post cards for your Scouts to hand to their friends with an event invitation. Campfire hotdog roast, flag retirement, nature hike , something like that, easy and friendly. "All Scouting Is Local".

I think I've got the answer to the "One Hour A Week" axiom. Where did it come from? The answer is one must use the right clock. In 2Peter 3:8 we are told.... "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."" So you see, it depends on whose clock you use.

Well, welcome back Merl. I am glad that was sorted out. Around here, a "Public School" could never charter anything, because each school is not a separate corporate entity. Such a thing would mean the County School Board (which owns the school) would be the Charter Org, and that could never happen. PTAs and PTOs are always doing such things, and people end up thinking it is the School that is doing it. Maybe a Principal might sign such "contracts" as a charter org agreement, but the BoE would pull him in quick when they found out. Our Council does have several Scout Units chartered to private or religiously based schools, but the numbers are few. I even know of a Cub Pack chartered by a family owned Hardware store.

I have no idea. This was back in 1960 to 1965. I guess a 1960 Ford Country Squire might hold two hundred dozen donuts, maybe three station wagons full ...… Mr. Richardson, Mr. Allen, Mr. DiNunno, Mr. MacDaniels…… You do the math.....

From the Ernest Thompson Seton Institute: http://etsetoninstitute.org/on-playing-indian-and-cultural-appropriation/

Whatever happened to "Clamp Pies", made in "Pie Irons"? Dessert: buttered bread, canned (or home made) apple, cherry or peach filling. Lunch: Ham and cheese , rye bread. Breakfast: French Toast, eggy bread and maple syrup and bacon bits. Dinner? https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g4609/pie-iron-recipes/

"By their fruits shall ye know them". Beads are appropriate in ceremonial occasions, not necessarily out in the woods, so to speak, if ye get me drift, or ken.

I have been an adult Scouter about 20 years now, since Scoutson joined Cubs and along the way wife became CSDC Director. We have not physically moved in almost 30 years, but we have lived in 6 (six) different, named Scout Districts. The Council Executives do their thing as any new manager will: Re arrange things in their own image, in a belief that they can make things more "efficient", more "customer friendly". We went from one whole county to two Districts to three Districts to six Districts to one Big District with three "service areas" to three sort of Districts under one Area Director to ( ! ) three Districts. Our DE's have been by turn wonderful, short (one resigned after one RT and six days), temporarily assigned over three Districts, sort of learning as they go along, meant well and (presently) very dedicated and needs to be congratulated. The local Commishers and such have tried mightily to keep Scouts connected and to have opportunities available (Camporees, Klondike Derbies, District PWD, Training sessions, newsletters, etc. ). In my short tenure, it is all about three things: **Communication: The connection between like minded people. Telephone, email, facebooks, newsletters (both print and electric), whatever. **Availability of experience: If you know something, it needs to be demonstrated and passed on to someone else, SLS, IOLS, WB, NYLT, RT, the example of adults showing the new generations who can show THEIR new generation HOW to work together, HOW to survive in less than perfect conditions, HOW to serve your God by serving your neighbor, HOW the "Me First" idea is fine now but doesn't work when you consider the next 50 or 100 years. And ultimately,,,,,, ** All Scouting Is Local: The folks at Irving , at the Council office, constantly need to be reminded that their desire to assure the consistency of policy and rank requirements is dependent on the LOCAL Packs, Troops, Crews, Ships, Posts acceptance of any changes. Notice how the tendency is for folks to WANT the traditional Scouting (outdoors, pioneering, PWD, fire, hikes, canoe, etc. ) . That is not to say that STEM and such can't be added, they should, but not at the loss of what made Scouting successful, remembered and desired. Why the sudden discussion about girls not liking the entrepreneurial cookie sales but would rather be hiking and camping ? Yeah some GSUSA Troops are outdoorsy, but that is not their trend, so here we are. The Troops that do not actively participate in District/Council events seem to have their own success stories. Why? For example::: The National Jamborees are wonderful opportunities for Scouts to see that they are not alone, but that their "LOCAL" group is indeed, part of a much larger group of like minded individuals (communication?). The ideals, skills, goals of the BSA are indeed common thruout the WOSM, if one but looks for it. So how should Scouter dot com denizens address the future? Doom and gloom, Scouting is about to dry up and blow away? Why do we do what we do, after all? The three words no Scoutmaster wants to hear, but might even rejoice in hearing them: "Hey , Watch This !"

He's a "hometown boy", somewhere: http://www.annanews.com/news/former-union-county-resident-lead-boy-scouts-america

"" Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. "" = Margaret Mead =

I retired from the County's Transit service. Bus lines. We had a wonderful manager type person, named Dave . He was "in charge" of planning, service establishment, and service maintenance. I forget his "title", but that was ultimately not important to the service he, we , provided to the public. He knew EVERYTHING, because he had been there at the inception. Need permission? Ask Dave. Need a question answered? Ask Dave. Suggest a new service? Adjust a route? Tell Dave. If he needed some info or some on the spot inspection, he was not averse to calling directly or even driving out and telling you (me !)what he wanted done. You wanted to help him make the system successful, because he valued every employee and made sure you knew it. Once he asked me to go to a shopping center office (I'd only been in my position maybe 6 months) and speak to the owner/manager about re-routing and re-positioning a bus stand. Me, a mere underling in the county hierarchy. I combed my hair and went to speak to a lady I later, privately, came to call the "Dragon Lady" because of her demeanor, but that's another story. When Dave retired, his replacement was the establishment of THREE new departments and three new Department Heads and attendant staff. Was this a better arrangement, more efficient? None of my colleagues thought so, but , hey, we don't make those decisions. Am I making a comment on the present BSA situation? Am I trying to point out the problems that our new CEO/CSE/Whatever his title is has instore? I hope so. As to Councils, the franchise idea can work IF the COR idea is made to work. The Pro's work FOR us, their job(s) is /are to make Scouting easy for us "one hour a week" fellows. BSA must be made to understand that their success depends on OUR success, on the SCOUTS success. No outdoor program, no camps, no Scouts(why do they join?), no BSA. Sexual Abuse lawsuits not withstanding, BSA will stand or fall on the program's ability to please the Scout. Not so much why a kid joins Scouting but why should they STAY? Dorky uniforms? Too high fees? Too many Bling? Scoutshop too far away? Can't buy Scout necessities at the local hardware store? Scout Camp just got sold for a high end development? Rules and Regs seem unnecessary or too strict? All very possible "cons", but if Irving/BSA/Councils do not come back to realizing what MADE Scouting so successful in the Past (urban, YSL, Varsity, Skill Badges, HaHa !) then we are indeed doomed. Bill Hillcourt, please call your office

Yeah, I feel your angst. It took me a while to figure this out. Councils assign Unit numbers, and usually allow the unit to pick a number if it is not already chosen/assigned. New York Council , Nat Cap Area Council, Long Horn, can all have the same number Troop 123 . When my home Troop Charter Org said "yes" to sponsoring a new female Troop, the DE told me "choose a number similar to your boy Troop". That's what he said. I so counseled the organizers. So Boy Troop 759 was soon joined by Girl Troop 7592 (!) which was dully registered and opened. Now, with the new Irving declaration, it is (on the charter papers, etc.) 7592G.

#1 The work is done by whoever shows up. The "pros" show up because (a) they love Scouting (I hope) and (b) they get paid in cash. and (c) their ideas are good ones. the "volunteers" show up because (a) they love Scouting and (b) they see it as a key to our nation's future good citizens. Not to mention the Dutch Oven Brownies. We show up because we see the reward THEN as worthy of our efforts NOW. Rent is paid in advance, mortgages are paid in arrears, paychecks come after the hours are counted. #2 The work of Scouting needs the outdoors. This is the very definition of "Scouting". When Scout Camps are underused, underpromoted, made less than available or even KNOWN by Scout folks, they will eventually be seen as burdens rather than assets. The cash price of the land will become more attractive than the Scout use of the land. Can we say ""Owasippee"" and Chicago Council? A SE's retirement may be seen in the sale of the camp, rather than the future of the Scouts. The BSA cannot depend on the National Parks for facilities. #3 The work of Scouting is it's PROGRAM. When B-P wrote his first book, he did not expect it to be popular among CHILDREN, but that is where it hit home. He then came to realize that was what was needed, and sought to produce the sample Scout Camp, Brownsea Island. And that is how we come to be having this conversation. When us poor old codgerly people set up and encourage opportunities for the yooooth, we are following in those not totally matchable footsteps. But we do try, none the less. #4 National's possible bankruptcy proclamation is meant (among other things, I feel) as a sacrifice to protect the local Scout Councils and local PROGRAM. Were mistakes made 40, 50 years ago in oversight and responsibility? Yes. Can we learn from those mistakes and move on? Well, humanity has a bad habit of NOT learning from history and being doomed to repeat it, so we (us) must keep on pointing our fingers and speaking up. YP has been tightened up. Scout Leaders have been reminded of the terrible possibilities. What I call ""The What If Game"" must be played aloud and publically if we are to move on. #5 Blessed are the Scout Units who have CORs that take their defined roles seriously, they are few and far between. BSA defines the CORs as the voting members of the Council legal corporation. Remind yours and shake their hands along the way. #6 "But I don't know how to...." Well, what do you know how to..... ? Let that be your contribution , and learn something else new along the way.

"Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." So , by this reasoning (and it is reasoned, and ultimately a "suggestion"), one's words should be judged against the rest of the world, at large. Yes?

I see where you might think this, and you would be right. When the Scout Pros put money and numbers ahead of Scouty activity and "program", the money and numbers must suffer. Wagon before the horse, so to speak. The good pros see the promotion and encouragement and support of the Scouters , the volunteers that PAY for the privilege of volunteering (!!), as the secret to gaining those numbers they seek.

Aha, another Chaplaincy and Faith thread entry.... Well, one might consider the idea that IF (if) God is responsible for the fact of our existence, no matter how it actually occurred, the idea leads to EITHER we should admit to God(s)'s imminent pre-eminence, OR admit to the granting of humanity's "free will". Or both. We (us) can choose a lot of our possibilities, but not all. As our children grow up, they MUST either keep on admitting to the parent's authority (reward, punishment, gratification, older experience) or get on with making their own decisions and living with the results. About the same here, maybe, could be, yes? An avowed atheist, it seems to me, accepts the "free will" part, but rejects the other, the idea that something else has a possible effect on our choices, our possibilities. It is the ultimate origin that is at risk here. Reverent ? Looking for understanding. One gains personal understanding by answering respectful questions. By your students one is taught. A good pair of books: How to be a Perfect Stranger by Matlins and Magida is recommended. I am a proponent of not "re-inventing the wheel", hence I offer the following from William Penn for your consideration:::: . """The Humble, Meek, Merciful, Just, Pious and Devout Souls, are everywhere of one Religion; and when Death has taken off the Mask, they will know one another, tho' the divers Liveries they wear here make them Strangers. """ """ It is a sad Reflection, that many Men hardly have any Religion at all; and most Men have none of their own: For that which is the Religion of their Education, and not of their Judgment, is the Religion of Another, and not Theirs. """ See thou on the trail . . .

Ach du lieber….

Home Troop did a 60thanniversary (took until 62nd year to get it off the ground). I think it is very neat that your Troop can work this up. *News/Media coverage. Print paper, local TV" Human Interest",,,, Scouting is alive and well, despite reports to the contrary. * Dignitaries invited. Governor, State Senator, Rep, that sort of person. The will at the least send you certificates, letters etc. Perhaps a "Resolution" adopted by the County/City council, the State Legislature? * Be sure to dig out as much records from the BSA Council. Microfilm, etc. can be found and printed out. * Any local museum? Work out a cooperative display? Local Library Lobby? Special Neckerchiefs for the old Scoutmasters. Good luck with your next hundred !

What? And not have a second (third?) source of fire starter? One should try that stuff.. If it's what I think you speak of, rubbed into a cotton ball, it'll burn like a candle. I know my "Butch Wax" for my crew cut did. 😋

Interesting. Was it ever asked of them, what or who "Mother Nature " Is/was?

Otto Lillilenthal and Orville Wright would be excluded I guess. Ultralight, check. Not FAA certified, check. Experimental, check. No FAA Pilot License, check. Glider, no motor, check but not a concern in this discussion. So, no Scout activity with these friends. Move along please, nothing to see here....

Short answer is NO. If the Scout sold Popcorn for his unit, all the proceeds go to the Unit. The unit, in it's wisdom, can allocate an appropriate portion to the Scout in the form of a "Scout Account" that may ONLY be used for Scout things. If the Scout raised the money for "Scout " support, he/she cannot send the money off to another entity no matter how worthy. It's got to be used for Scouty things, not personal things, not charitable things. The BSA has been all over this, the IRS has been all over this. The local Council should (if they have not been apprised of it already) should take this up and see what's what. As happens sometime, the news may not have the correct facts, only the slightly garbled ones. It also raises the "Not as a Scout" flag. BSA policy is clear on this too. The Scout uniform may not be used directly to raise money for any other organization. Not your church, not the Salvation Army (no bell ringing in BSA livery), not a worthy elder care facility. Sorry, ,,, Anyone have the Idaho Council Phone number?

*sigh* The ultimate question is: Was the person who signed the Blue Card, Approved The Merit Badge, a bona fide registered in the Council Merit Badge Counselor when the card was signed? Make the phone call(s). If the answer to the question is "Yes", shake the Scout's hand and wish him well. If "No", then smile, hand him some more Blue Cards and give him a list of approved/registered Merit Badge Counselors for his desired subjects. See you on the trail....

The BSA is very clear. The individual Unit may NOT "ask" for money. "A Scout pays his/her way". Something of value (a product, a service, some useful exertion) must be exchanged for any money "earned". Yes, there are organizations that will give (grant?) money to other worthy people/organizations if they deem your efforts in agreement with their aims and goals. College scholarships come to mind. Meet the agency's requirements, fulfill their expectations (keep a "C" or better average grade) and receive their largesse. Charity? "Send this Scout to camp". "Sponsor our speaker series". "We'd like to buy your Scout Troop a Camping Trailer" (it will be titled in the XYZ Church's name, give it to them and they will let us use it). But simply to ask for and accept a "Grant" to aid Scouting, sorry, I can't agree to that. Does the agency have any windows to wash? Busses to clean? Perhaps something might be worked out? Make it a definite, one time event or purpose, maybe. But not a general donation...…