t158sm

I would say at least until a Scout turns 21. That way if they leave to join a post or crew their records will still be available.

The sinplist way is to scan everything from a year and burn onto a cd. The records will still be available, easily organized and won't take up much space.

Welcome in.

Hope the weather holds out for our campfire this weekend.

I'm sure they'll be lots to talk about.

If there is a definite gap between times of participation, ( more so than a simple break) or if participation involves a separation of days, then we consider this to be a separate activity.

We just look at it the way a business would - each day you work is a separate workday.

The Scouts in my troop would argue to allow girls to participate any day!

On a more serious note - if it makes a child happy, why try to deny them that happiness?

I think that most units are hit with the casualities from sports at some time or another. Basketball has hit us for 5 Scouts right now. Band hurt us last fall, football was the culprit a few years earlier. People place too much emphasis on winning today and not enough on playing the game. A 10 year old practicing four or so times a week in addition to the games is too many times.

Here's what Ask Andy has to say from the Netcommish:

http://www.netcommish.com/AskAndy44.asp

"If, conversely, the current Scoutmaster isnt performing his responsibilities in accordance with the aims and goals of the BSA and/or the sponsor, then it's the sponsor's responsibility to replace him as quickly as possible. This is done by first identifying and recruiting a replacement, and then making the transition happen. The transition happens by either "moving" the present Scoutmaster to another position, where he can be effective, and installing a new Scoutmaster, OR by dismissing the present Scoutmaster and installing his replacement. The most efficient time to do this, if it must be done this way, is when the Troop's charter comes up for renewal. That's because a person who "refuses" to abandon his position can simply not be re-registered with the Troop, thereby effectively ending his "legal" association with it (a non-registered person cannot continue in his or her prior registered role, because they're simply not members of the BSA any longer!). It's important to remember that it's the sponsor and the appointed committee that ultimately governs the Troopnot the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster reports to the committee/committee chair, and not the other way around."

A COR would serve as the discretion of the CO.

The issue of revoking the charter is more complicated.

"A charter is granted to a chartered organization by the Boy Scouts of America to operate a Pack, Troop, Team or Crew using the BSA's programs.

A Chartered Organization has three principal responsibilities:

* provide a safe meeting place

* select. adult leaders who meet BSA's and the chartered organization's standards, and

* follow the policies and guidelines of the Boy Scouts of America."

Technically a CO cannot "revoke" a charter since it is issued by the BSA.

But the CO does own the unit (troop, pack, crew) and equipment such unit has. If the CO decided to it could easily abandon the unit, take the equipment it owns and leave the members without a place to meet. In essence without a paddle. While this is unlikely, it could happen.

Lesson - always have personal equipment marked as such.

The scoutmaster serves at the discretion of the troop committee. With the CO's support a scoutmaster could very easily be removed. That said lets tackle everything else.

What kind of training has the scoutmaster had (if any)? Training will usually make for a better leader.

Has the committee addressed their concerns to the scoutmaster about his behavior?

Is everything being done above the board? i.e. is the emergency committee meeting being kept secret from the scoutmaster?

Everything needs to be above board andout front.

Also has any thought been given to who would take over as scoutmaster? At least on an interim basis.

Don't rush into a decision, make sure the scoutmaster knows what areas are creating problems and let him have an opportunity to respond.

If the committee has addressed these issues and still feeels the need to remove the scoutmaster, then allow him a chance to resign first.

He may even resign on his own upon hearing the committee wishes to remove him.

A few ideas that come to mind of where the people are:

At home playing video games

At their local Wal-Mart

On the computer (just like us) LOL

Scoutldr had an idea on this in 2002.

http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=21763

From his post -

"It's not an official position, as far as I know, but I like the idea! Perhaps a "rocker" patch which says "EMERITUS" to fit under the "Scoutmaster" (or other position) patch. I have seen patches on eBay made like the "TRAINED" strip which read "RETIRED", "OVERTRAINED", "UNTRAINABLE", etc., but these are unofficial and unauthorized for uniform wear."

Eamonn:

Your post is the first time I've heard of such a thing. Can't have any basis in truth though - GAC camps and council office all have drink machines-O-plenty.

Only thing I can think of is someone mistaking it with LDS policy.

Welcome in Trying Hard,

Glad to have you join us.

Simply go to Google or Yahoo and search for such things as Scout, patrol (method), boy led, boy run, (William (GreenBarBill) Hillcourt), anything along these lines that comes to mind. Many of your hits will show as past threads on Scouter.com.

If you click on the first set of topics on this forum (Open discussion, patrol method, etc) you will get a listing of threads from current to several months back. Pay close attention to Barry (Eagledad), Methinks he's one of the best people to be listening to about the patrol method.

That's good about their plan, but you were right, it should have been written down. If the plan and duty roster are printed and distributed to each member of the PLC and each of the adults that takes away much of the chance for unwanted divergence.

Eagledad is right - spend the time guiding the other adults as well. Let them in on the vision you see too. I'm quite fortunate in that the three ASMs I have pretty well understand what we are all trying to work toward. That is really a blessing for the troop.

Cubleader6 asked -

"t158sm, What do you mean by "Set up a pack open house at the local mall" Would that just be setting up a booth or do you have other ideas for an "open house"?

No this would be more than just a booth. If a local mall will permit set up several stations showing different Cub Scout activities. Have an area with pictures of past activities, as well as Cubs who can are there to say - "Oh, that's when we when to *****, We had a great time." Don't coach them on this, just let them say it in their own words.

Have information on future activities and someone to talk about that as well.

Do or show whatever cames to mind. Be creative.

Becoming boy led isn't easy. The general estimate is this is a process that takes 5-6 years to implement. When our troop first started toward boy led as a serious effort, we all had a long discussion. The things that I mentioned were:

The troop leaders that you have voted in will make the decisions. By voting in them you are placing your trust in them and they have a responsibility to you to uphold that trust.

There are times when mistakes will be made and the troop will fall flat on its face. Neither I nor any other adult leaders will stop this from happening unless health, safety or other serious matter occur.

There are times when we will be mad as all heck at each other but we are all Scouts and friends and we will not stay mad at each other for long. (Yes, sometimes I can be a bit of an idealist.)

The PLC will meet afterward of any activity and discuss what went well and not so well about the activity.

I keep telling myself "baby steps." It's not going to happen overnight.

One question I gather from your post, Was there a plan made out by the PLC for the trip? If so, was this plan followed?

As much as it is tempting to slide back to the troop method "just this little bit." or "just this once." It usually brings more harm than good to the growth of the patrol method. (From my experience.)

As for your ASM, I would tell him that I was sorry there was a misunderstanding, shake his hand and offer to talk it over. Don't let hurt feelings get in the way of the good that all of you are accomplishing.

Keep up the good work.

Amy:

Here are just a few suggestions that come to mind.

Ask your current Scouts to bring a friend. Don't make this a recruitment invitation per say, just something like an invite for pizza, ice cream and games. If they have fun they may want more, then recruit them.

Put your pack out in the public. Have a booth at a community event, festival or fair. Get yourself exposure in the local papers - - Pack *** of ******* recently did so and so or went on an exciting adventure to wherever. Anyone interested in more information or joining may visit a meeting at day, place and time or contact us at ********.

Set up a pack open house at the local mall.

Try to do opening flag ceremonies at baseball, football or other sports games.

Have a meeting outdoors - try the park or elsewhere.

Ask to be involved in reciting the pledge at different churches - have a few lines about Scouts in the church bulletins.

Do service projects for the community - be seen in public. A parent or someone else may see you and say "I bet Joey would like that."

Be creative - find ways to get where the kids are, don't make them hunt you, show them where you are.

O.K. just a few ideas, hope they help.

Me too

Welcome Hubert:

It's always great to have a Scouts perspective on the forum. Bunch of adults but only a few Scouts in here.

Best of luck on getting the Eagle, let us know about your project. Might be something we can help out with?

Bet the Jamboree was great. I would have loved to have gone, but alas, work, work, work.

Eric:

One thing we do on a trip is to make sure each Scout has a patch.

If the troop treasury can afford it then it pays.

If the troop cannot, then I pay.

Principles aside, the cost is irrelevant to taking care of the Scouts in the troop.

But were only talking about 15 - 20 Scouts at the most on any given trip.(This message has been edited by t158sm)

O.K. jkhny

You failed the assignment.

I'm beginning to think I agree with BrentAllen.

Here is what I asked you to respond to in what I posted Thursday.

(("Even when paid professionals are caught dead to rights in lying - like Greater Alabama - there are no consequences. "

You post generalities but no specifics.

Specifically how was MY Scout Executive caught lying?

I'm sure everyone who reads this would like for you to be specific in your accusations.

You give specifics about the SE in MY council lying and being caught, and I'll respond with what I know. (Or I'll find the answer.)

Simple enough, back up what you say. ))

jkhny are you unable to do this?

"First if your buying patches made in China, shame on you. There are good patch manufacturers in the US that are just as inexpensive. "

Before you criticize about something you don't know the facts about -

However it works in your council, I don't know.

But the unit hosting the camporee in my council HAS NO SAY WHATSOEVER as to where the patches are ordered.

I have a friend who is connected with an American patch company who offered a really low cost for the patches. I was told that we cannot use them. We have contracts for all our patches.

THAT IS WHY THIS IS A SORE SUBJECT WITH ME . . .

Think, what if just for a moment the family had not been able to pay the $1500. What then?

How would you have felt about their large purchase then?

Welcome in ericjude:

Im Glad to have a fellow Southerner join us.

Yes the patch markup is high and not for the reasons

scoutldr gave.

The last camporee we hosted in 2004 had patches that were marked up 300% and yes they were made in China.

It seems patches are just another way to bleed volunteers for more money and fill the BSA coffers.

About 10 years a nearby troop was restarted after a few nonactive years. A seemingly nice fellow stepprd up to be Scoutmaster. I tried to help him out, let him borrow several books and videos to get started. Then he quit going to meetings. I never saw him again. I made out better them the new troops CO. He left with canoes, camping equipment and other Scout stuff they'd had for years before he showed up. Terrible loss. No way he could have claimed any of it had been his.

Hi Cindy:

Welcome on in.

We just had a joint meeting with the Girl Scouts last night.

Wasn't intentional, just a miscommunication in scheduling. Everything went fine, though. The building we meet in is big enough for everyone. Kind of funny having My Scouts trying to "show off" for the girls. Had to make a deal with them - act like Scouts should and I'd take them skating next week. They were angels from then on.