SSScout

** Retain a pro that might need to be kept for another future shift in people. ** Train a new DE. ** Get ready for a split/realignment. ** Give an old pro a new position on his way to ANOTHER new position. ** See if a senior E and an assistant can do stuff the Council SE thinks needs to be done (goals?) (experiment?) that a single DE doesn't seem able to do so as to make the SE look good. ** Has any neighboring Districts seen any "adjustments"? Is there a "trend"? ** "Just because I can". Not saying who, but still.... Advice? Just keep on camping and hiking. Let the pros figure things out in their part of the galaxy.

All this sounds like Chef Ramsay and his restaurant rescue show. He is invited in to help turn around a failing restaurant and then, often, is resented when he points out why the restaurant is failing: Number one reason usually being the customers don't like the food and the resident chef thinks his food is delish. You can't have it both ways. If the Troop leadership is convinced they have a "Scout" program but the Scouts depart for Troops elsewhere, what might that indicate?

When we are born, we all speak the same language. I heard a comedian once, who claimed to be multi-lingual. He said he could hold a meaningful conversation with almost anyone in the world, so long as they were LESS than 6 months old. We must be TAUGHT to speak different languages. We must be taught to hate. We must be taught to not care for the other person. Along with knots, and first aid, and tree identification, we must teach and demonstrate ,, to our Scouts and to each other, co-operation and care for one another.....

There it is!

I have an morally questionable twin?

http://www.henryrifles.com/rifles/boy-scouts-of-america-centennial-edition/

Mighty big magazine. Looks like at least a semi automatic. What would someone "hunt" with that?

"It depends". If you hear nothing, all to the good. If you were found wanting in any respect, you would hear ASAP. Now that doesn't mean your Council will do it right the first time. Your app may still be sitting on the shelf at the Council office. Some years ago, we discovered the secretary in charge of such things put the apps on "her" shelf as she received them, the last one on the top of the pile, so to speak. And then took the first one off the top of the pile to process. Guess what? She never thought about the order they had been received. The bottom of the stack languished until someone (like you) asked the SE about it and they investigated.

Eagle90 and Jtauschmann: That stuff about better promotion and utilization is what is always missing when a Council decides to sell a camp. And that is what you must INSIST on. There are always more, unthought of uses for the camp. Nature study. University bio classes. Forestry preserve. Public School field trips (any "outdoor ed" in your state?). Our church camp found that we had a rare species of orchid growing on our mountain side: Presto! the state gave the camp a VERY respectable cash buy out to protect the site "in perpetuity". Movie location? I know there is a State film promotion office. Where does your OA hold it's Ordeal? Cooperation with state park activities. Any archeological possibilities? History? Mills? Mines? Lumbering? Railroading? Where is IOLS held? Archery Camp Range Safety Officer training? Use the camp grounds! Be creative! Maybe you could sell a cellphone tower site for some continuing income. Civil Air Patrol often looks for training sites. Girl Scouts need a camp site? Got an extra week? Might be a church is looking for a "Retreat Center". Yoga training?

When I injured my back, all of a sudden EVERYBODY I met had a back trouble/slipdisc/vertebrae story. Seems to be the same with Council/District mergers. Look to Seattle's nominating suggestion. Gather your good Scouters and work together to make the Districts you have viable. They were created for a reason. Is that reason so obsolete now? As has been said, "follow the money". What is the real reason for the merger idea? Do the Scout units involved simply need a reason to cooperate better for their boys adventure? Who has the phone/email lists? Can a few Nominating Committee folks work those lists to find a few more (new) event organizers? E94A1, you sound like a Scouter who doesn't like the "smell" of what is being offered. Continue to speak your mind. Good Scouting to you!

I have seen some of what you describe happen and be used as rationale for reorganizations, both in Scouting and in professional situations. ~~Some observations and history, as they occur to me: **Sometimes, the reorg is driven by the leaders , "just because they can". They want to "leave a legacy". They want to "make things better" (their better, not necessarily anyone elses). "I was hired as the manager, and bygod, I'm gonna manage." The Scout pros, mostly, talk to the vols, ALOT. ** Sometimes the reorg is considered as a way to "correct" problems that in another venue or situation would be better addressed by a sitdown and coffee drinking. In government, this is sometimes called a "focus group". ** Sometimes the reorg is a"coverup" for the real problem. If we merge, we won't have to reeeaaalllyy make some corrections that we have ignored, and we can "start from scratch". Sometimes this is good, sometimes not necessary. Maybe it is as simple as going out and ASKING for help. **Often, this reorg is meant well, but really doesn't address the REAL problems (not utilizing the willing volunteers. Not getting folks trained . Not defining the leadership that is needed and where it is needed.). *** Here is what I have experienced :-) WAAAAY back when, when I was a Scout, working on my Stegosaur Husbandry Merit Badge, I was not concerned with BSA politics. I only wanted to camp and hike with my buds. Turned out the County , the whole county, was my District. Many years later, family came along and Scouting called me back. . When Scoutson wanted to be a Cub Scout, his parents jumped in with all four feet. We were in "First District". Now, I have not moved in the last 20 years, but my Scoutson, wife and I have lived in 6 (six) BSA districts: All these shifts in jurisdiction were demonstrably driven by the "professionals" wanting to make things "more efficient". I do not believe any of them were requested or designed by us volunteers. But ya gotta be in a district, right? My new Scouting activity gave me "First District", which was one of three the County had. I met many good folks, dedicated to Scouting. We had three CSDC, three Camporees, traded training sessions and got along. New pro's came in, decided we could be better served if the DE's were "closer" to the units, so about two years after I re-upped, I was now in "Two District", the County now had 6 (six) defined Districts, each looking for a DE, with a SeniorDE overseeing all. Gotta recreate all the volunteer levels, do we have 6 separate CSDC? etc. Not to worry, the SDE will work it out. We never saw 6 DE's, some DEs were in charge of three Districts.... Some resigned, were shuffled, "Two District" had three DEs in a year. About 18 months later, we were told the County would be our "new" District ("Three") with three "service areas" (I am now in "Three East SubDistrict"), We were told this was an "experiment", that National was interested in our success. Our Packs and Troops kept on hiking, and somehow we had the same Camporees and CSDCs as before.... About a year later, the PTB announced that we would have a NEW arrangement with a Regional Director and three ADEs. "Four District" was created, boundaries shifted. (and two or three other districts, depending on who was talking, in the rest of the County). Being an urban area to the south and a more rural, suburban area to the north, it certainly made sense to divide the County into three areas, east to west (!). Really. So now, we have three districts ("Five District"), basically dividing the County into an eastern district ("Five") , a northern central district and a western district. Ummmmm..... this seems familiar.....Guess what, it is essentially the old "First District". Why do I say I have lived in SIX districts? Because the offishul boundaries have recently been "adjusted" and "set down", so "Five " can be said to be "Six" without a name change. Result? We have the same three CSDC, the same basic three Camporees, etc. Mostly we have gained a better sense of how important we volunteers are to each other. And we have a bunch of pretty patches. And we have a new DE, fresh out of college, rarrin' to go.

Golly gee, work during work hours. What a concept. Before I retired, it was a judgement call. Come in early and do stuff before I went out on the road, or do it late, or at home.

Smith Island Cake... I knew that. With Global warming raising sea levels, we may need to remember the recipe...http://www.washingtonpost.com/pb/recipes/smith-island-ten-layer-cake/9983/ Hard to find the cake to buy around here.

Hey, .IIAtB: Still with us? How are things going? ""Currently their are only 3 positions filled & one is by his wife, so there is no voting him out"" "The work is done by whoever shows up".... The Pack Committee is formed by ANY interested parents. If no one else shows an interest, of course things are going to be run by "whoever shows up". Have everyone been "Trained"? The Committee Member training online is easy: http://www.scouting.org/Training/adult.aspx (about halfway down the page). Gives anyone a step up to "Help the Cub Pack Go". I always thought the folks that wrote the Cub Scout Law of the Pack left that line off, somehow. The typesetter sneezed or something... "The Cub Scout follows Akela, the Cub Scout helps the Pack Go, the Pack helps the Cub Scout Grow, the Parents help the Pack Go Too, the Cub Scout gives Good Will". But they never told me what to give to Good ol' Will?

"Official State...... Dinosaur: Astrodon Johnsoni Crustacean: Callinectes sapidus Rathbun State Soil: Maryland sassafras Sport: Jousting Oh, I could go on... Please, NAME an official state pie/dessert/snack food.....

I've been meaning to ask: How come my picture/avatar sometimes shows up a full square and sometimes only in the upper left corner of a black square? I can't remember seeing anyone else like that. Pogo would like equal billing....

Just read thru the whole thread. I are a UC, ADC, RTC. We presently do not have a Venture RT, but two of the ( rare) Scoutships in our Council. I must agree with much that has been said. The new rules promulgated are sure to make things "interesting" (in the Chinese blessing way, as my mom used to say). WHY NOT just say the Scout is an adult at age 18 and be done with it? Venture Scouting can be just that, an adult (or almost adult) thing? The VCAdvisor needs to be over 21, but there you are.... As Scoutson approaches 21, (next month!) it has not been easy for him to admit to being in an adult role, going to CCollege, making a respectable paycheck (he drives a snow plow of late ), realizing that the GF of the last almost two years is NOT "the one", paying for his truck's repairs and insurance, doing his own laundry (yep, now he buys grey underwear so the bleeding tshirts don't show). He is long gone from his Venturing/Scouting days, but will still show up at an Eagle project. Doesn't seem that long ago he was needing a pillow behind his back to drive the riding mower... I say divide it at 18 for all Scout relationships.

But I started this thread not just about uniforms, but about all of Scouting's invisibleness. Service projects, signs outside the CO, recruiting PWDs at the local library, Boy's Life in the Library for that matter. All that stuff means Scouting is still around and alive and kicking. Is the "program" worth promoting to today's yoooth, STEM not withstanding? John Muir said that "of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt". I say that STEM needs to be included, but that the big draw to Scouting always has been the "dirt paths", and we need to hang the Scout brand over those the most.

Wow, I guess I really wanna be starting something. (Michael Jackson) Uniforms exist everywhere. In my subteacher role, I sometimes talk about that to my temporary charges. I tell them, to their amazement, that they are , even now, wearing a uniform. They look like and belong to the "peer group" of their school. Look at any photo or picture from the past. The folks in it ARE in uniform. They demonstrate that they belong to THAT group, by dint of what they are wearing. Coat and tie? Shorts and flip flops? That demonstrates the belonging to a group. What group is that? You tell me..... The statement made by one's clothing , in whatever environment/venue, says a lot to the rest of the world about one's attitude, desires, loyalties, faith, skill, experience.... all by what one wears to cover one's nakedness. Hassidic Jew? Amish carpenter? Navy? Wall street banker? All wear uniforms. I used to like the "image" of the red plaid "lumberjack" shirt and jeans. For a boy (?girl?) to wear a Scout uniform in any place other than a Scout meeting says volumes about that youngster. If the "Program" is what Scouting is about, then what is that program as reflected in the uni's wearing? I liked the comment above about trying to find a Norman Rockwell painting of Scouts without a uniform, or in "informal" uniform (?class B?). And also the comment about looking for BSA Scout images that do not involve "saluting", or standing at attention, but smiling and doing outdoor stuff, like other Scout orgs demonstrate. Does that say something about the BSA?

If the Troop is a "Boy Led Troop", the transition should be fairly smooth. In my Scout days, I remember having 6 Scoutmasters in 6 years. I have no bad memories of any of them. We went hiking and camping and swimming and to the movies and bowling (duck pins) as a Patrol and Troop. The SMs were there to support us along with all the other dads and moms. Maybe it was the time we were in, but I see no problem inherent in a qualified, experienced ex-SM taking on the role for a while until a more permanent fellow can be recruited.

Can you find the "Oldsmobile" bus?

~~""As a result of "being seen" the pack is now reaping the benefits of having the support of their local community. It was not easy. I know most of the leaders from this pack and they are very dedicated people. And I personally witnessed how hard they worked to get where they are today. But I am sure they would tell you that it has all been worth it to see the great things that can happen when local communities come together to help and support the people, "" Well, there you go. If Scouting is worthwhile, if we (WE...) think it is of benefit to our boys, then that is what you have to do. It is not for you and me, we've been there, done that. If Scouting is in our background, if it "helped" us to see straight and do well, then we need to see that it is available to the next bunch. To get Biblical about it, "who are my boys?" It isn't just the kid in the back bedroom of your house, it is any boy that has never worked as part of a team or watched the sun come up thru pine woods. Like I said, all we are offering is an opportunity. Getting that opportunity in front of the boy seems to have become the hard part. Unsafe vans, background checks, insurance fees, sexual proclivities, computer screens, media bias, lack of camps (sold out from under us?), overly protective parents, folks that don't seem to have time for the kids they produced , lots of obstacles out there, huh? Is it worth the effort?

"Aye, the code is more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules." I'd advise using thread and needle rather than goo, savvy? Make it balanced and good to look at. It be yer history yer displayin, a'ter all. Not too many , nor too few. It be an adult display, not so much yer childhood memories, aye? Leave room fer the future collectin' too. It be not fer yer rank and position, but fer yer fun and experience, yer might say. http://www.talklikeapirate.com/

For Baden's sake, get off the Schmart phone and go to sleep!!

We're talking "opportunity" here. Nothing ventured , nothing gained. If we think the Scouting idea/program is worth while, then we need to offer the "opportunity" to those youth and parents that might benefit from it. Otherwise, the kids who are looking for an "opportunity" will find another. It might be 4H, it might be Little League, it might be Debate Club, it might be throwing rocks thru a synagogue window. If the opportunity is not known and offered, it won't be availed of. A Scout belt buckle, a Tshirt, a service project, an article in the newspaper/facebook, It starts the conversation. How that conversation is continued or finished, is then up to us. Politics? Religion? Follow your spirit where it might lead, but if you don't yet have an answer to the question for your own satisfaction , perhaps you need to find that first. What is YOUR Scouting all about? "I don't know about that, but I do know..." is always a promising start. How many out there have tried to recruit a Merit Badge Counselor lately? Know a local museum, workshop, airport, anywhere that might lend itself to a Merit Badge Day?