T2Eagle

Actually the DE's do not make the  new exempt threshold of I believe $47,000-$48,000/ year.  According to this website $36,000 is the DE's average. http://blog.myscoutstuff.org/2014/03/how-much-is-a-district-executive-worth/

 

According to this website, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Boy-Scouts-of-America-Salaries-E7807.htm ,  DEs make anywhere from $37,665 (DE) to $45,488 as a Senior DE.

 

When I was a DE, the salary was much lower, and someone estimated that we made about $1.50/hour, and that doesn't include those pros working summer camp. 

That is lower than I thought.

It probably is related to the new FLSA rules.  It defines a position that is not intended to be an "exempt" position under FLSA.  Likely there are many DEs who are at or close to the new $47k rate, and any that are anywhere near it will just be bumped up (see the other thread on council level fee increases). Newly hired entry level professionals and maybe some who are still paid close to the old FLSA rate will be given this title.

A new title let's everyone in the organization, probably especially crusty old SEs who will be mad that the whippersnappers aren't properly "paying their dues like we did" be clear that these are in fact hourly positions and if you want them working that many hours you're going to have to pay them.  

Our fees are not going up.

But I am skeptical that the whole $26/scout is actually a direct result of the change in the law.

I'm not sure how big your council is, but the old exempt salary minimum was $23,660, the new salary is $47,476 so for every 900 or so scouts they would be able to increase a DE from the old minimum to the new.  How many DEs do they have at the actual rock bottom minimum, how many scouts in the council?  I'm just skeptical that they can attribute that whole increase into coming into compliance.  

A characteristic that I find really distasteful in any organization is when they attribute some unpleasant action they want to take on some outside agent so that they can disclaim responsibility for their own actions.

Ultra Runner Karl Meltzer Sets Appalachian Trail Record, Fueled by Beer and Candy

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/19/sports/fueled-by-beer-and-candy-bars-ultra-runner-karl-meltzer-sets-appalachian-trail-record.html?rref=collection%2Fspotlightcollection%2Fsports-limitless-athletes&_r=0

Beer and Candy --- turns out I've been training for through hiking since I was in college.

i disagree, urging people to do what is virtuous is a good idea, and I believe voting is a virtuous act.  The underpinning theory of democracy is that the people through their collective will produce the best governance.  The more people who vote the more accurately our will is expressed, and therefore the better our governance will be.

As for giving an opponent a ride, without hesitation, and if you have a friend voting the same way I'll drive him also.

I stumbled across that a month or so ago.  There are some great videos for games and challenges on it.  No idea why it's not more widely touted or easier to find.  

We're one ministry in a very large parish, so we're mostly left to our own devices so long as there's not a problem, just like CYO, Men's basketball league, and most of the other non-Liturgical ministries.  But the parish would step in if they had to, and if you're talking about getting a CC to resign you're probably at that point. In other units I've seen Chartering Orgs step in when the unit is struggling, when the COR happens to be a life long scouter who really understands the role, and like in the situation here when the adults fundamentally can't get along.

Pasta is really easy, Taco/Nacho buffet can work well too.  Get a local troop to come out and cook for you, any troop worth it's salt will jump at the chance to serve a Pack that way.

We have a joint Troop/Pack weekend every year; at a PLC this month, the Cub leaders said how about just hot dogs for lunch, my scouts were kind of appalled that they would settle for that, probably the only time they plan hot dogs is as a late night snack/cracker barrel when we have to leave town early on a Friday.

Varsity scouting will have no more impact on your troop than any other random extra curricular activity.  We don't have any Varsity scouts in our area, but if you look at the numbers nationwide they are a small, small, component of scouting.  

What area of the country do you live in?  Do you have any idea why someone there thinks this is a good idea, or viable program, or what unmet need it will serve?

In any organization it's important to know the rules, formal and informal, that govern it.  When folks are ignorant of the rules, but try to exercise power, it will almost always fail --- and frankly it's the ignorance that is the cause.

However well meaning they may be, and however accurate their judgment, it's not for the leaders to ask a CC to step down.  The CC was selected by and reports to the Chartering Org Rep (COR), if the collected leaders wanted to change CCs the way to go was to approach the COR and work with that person to affect change.  Any other method was almost certainly destined for failure.

BSA  units are not democracies, there is no "voting in."  The Committee Chair (CC), with the approval of the Chartered Organization Rep (COR) selects who is and is not a registered adult with the unit --- committee members, den leaders, etc.  So either the CC or COR needs to make the call about who is on the committee.  

That said, in pursuit of consensus and service to the boys, it should be noted that there is no limit to how many folks can be on a committee, maybe everybody serves for now, and frankly most of the other folks will probably lose interest when their boys are no longer there because the troop will have roles for them to fill.

United Way cut back funding for our council several years ago, not because of membership policies but because of a philosophy change to target and support "advancing the common good by mobilizing our community around education, income, and health with the ultimate goal of graduating kids. Together we are ensuring kids enter and graduate from school prepared for work and life, families are increasing financial stability and independence, and people are increasing access to health care, nutrition, and healthy environments. United Way believes the success and sustainability of our community are dependent on these areas."

This was not great news for the Council, but I think it actually was the right decision for the community.  Today the Council receives United Way funds primarily to support Scoutreach and they have strong accountability standards that really make the program demonstrate is efficacy in exchange for funding.

It sounds like a lot of fun.

I read the alcohol prohibition rules as being primarily about events that are centered on youth participation, like camporees, scout camps, etc., so I don't see any problem here.  Seems like a set up similar to what our Church and many churches do for festivals.

Here's the description:

Features something for all ages! Over 50 local and nationally recognized food and non-food vendors, adult beverage area, live entertainment, free kids zone, free local celebrity chef demonstrations, BBQ and Dutch Oven Cookoffs with local celebrity judges and much more!

Food Vendors are:

Famous Dave's, Dickey's BBQ, Melting Pot, California Pizza Kitchen, Po Boy BBQ, Wandering Donkey, Rock-a-Belly, Waffle Love, China Mist, Kick's Frozen Yogart, TWIST, Paletas Betty, Tom's BBQ, Burger Amore, Queso Good, Cheese, Love, Happiness, Pour Jo Coffee, Montana Bar-BQ, Fireside Pizza, Frosted Frenzy Cupcakes, K Star BBQ, Fat Guys Grilled Cheese, Mama's Cold Brew, Arizona Farm Cheese, Phoenix Phreeze, The American Poutine, Bobby Q BBQ, AZ BBQ, Boomer’s GormetCheese Steaks, Papa Jackson BBQ, DCS Smokin BBQ, Arizona Wing’s N More, Gordon Biersch (VIP ONLY) and Coyote KettleKorn.

Come Early and participate in a 5K/10K Competitive and Fun Run! www.grandcanyonbsa.org/10k

Ohio Troop

 

 

November: "Cold Weather Campout" Orienteering and Field Games

What??  If you live in Ohio November does not qualify as cold.

I was shocked the first time I came upon a trailside fire left to smolder (left by another camper,not a scout), and even more shocked when one of my fellow leaders said oh it will be fine, it will burn itself out.

Drown it, stir it, and drown it again.  If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave.

If our organization's success, or even part of that success, is dependent on a making small number of people working 50 hour weeks for wages that are near to the bottom third of wages paid in the U.S. than we need to do something differently.

Seriously?! As former Popcorn Kernel, Treasurer, and veteran, I think that's a terrible idea! For one, some people do not wish to support the military and that is their right. When they are giving your Pack cash they wish your Pack to benefit from it. Also, some of us who give cash don't want Packs to lose 2/3 of the money to overhead. I know exactly what I am doing when I give cash and when I give $10 it is because I want the Pack to have $10 NOT $3 with Trail's End and the Council each taking their cut. 

 

We NEVER solicited donations, but when we got them they went right into the bank because that is what the donor intended and that is allowed by BSA policy.

I'm going to both agree and disagree with you.  First, I doubt there's anyone who would be generous enough to donate to scouts but actually object to sending some popcorn  to someone deployed overseas.  Further, one of the uses of funds raised by scouts is to do the good turns that scouts are known for, and that can include any number of projects --- snacks at service project, Blue & Gold banquet entertainment, or even working on care packages for anyone, from deployed soldiers to folks in a nursing home, to refugees.  So I don't think that the use of these funds for buying other popcorn is inappropriate.  But I do agree it is inefficient, the reason I give cash instead of buying product is precisely because I want the donation to be efficient.  You should feel free, and it is probably closer in keeping with the donor's wishes, to just drop those donations into the Pack or Troop general fund.

 

What are thoughts about requesting donations?

I can't quote chapter and verse, but I believe soliciting cash donations without some good or service attached is a no go under the rules for unit fundraising.  

You can accept them when offered.  So if instead of buying popcorn I just give a $10 check to every kid who shows up at my house that's OK, likewise if someone tells you to keep the change, you can accept it as a donation.

I've never read " A scout pays his own way..." to mean a only a scout should be paying for his own way, I've always believed it was about the scout making his fair contribution to a program that he was benefiting from, and I think that can take a variety of different forms of time, treasure, and talent.

Part of what colors my thinking is that I view scouting as a necessary component of my sons' education and development.  I don't think of it as a luxury or wholly discretionary activity akin to a trip to the movies, a video game, Disney World, or even sports teams.  I see its value as greater than all of those, and believe I have a responsibility to make sure the opportunity is there for him, and other youth, in a way that is fundamentally different than entertainment or recreational activities.

I can think of a lot of ways to describe a Council Service Center, but school or Church are not among them.

I think that while keeping some reserve for equipment, like tires for trailer, and maybe being conservative about the ups and downs of fundraising, you should spend the vast marority of the money you bring in each year.

At one point in our troop I had to point out to folks that unlike with our home budgets saving for college or retirement wasn't an alternative to spending our current income.

If you're saving money for the future what is it you intend to spend it on then, and when do you intend to spend it.

Has anyone used either an Interactive digital MB pamphlet or the Augmented Reality (AR) Scouting 4D App.  I picked up an old fashioned Cooking MB paper pamphlet today and the inside cover is touting both these things.

I'd be interested in any feedback anyone has on either new digital product.

I read through a bunch of articles, and although it's not entirely clear, it appears that the other scout leader that the boys confided in helped them to eventually report to the police:

"...he had a sleepover with several of his friends and said he learned he wasn’t the only one that had allegedly been touched by Kelsey during that trip. The two boys made a plan and spoke to a Scout leader they both trusted which set the ball in motion to involve the police, the teen said." http://www.registerstar.com/news/article_0ba79faa-115a-11e6-8fa3-7f4507b3a3f7.html

But the SE did not report to the police: "Though the Boy Scouts of America took action against Kelsey, removing him from the organization, it did not alert police. According to state police Senior Investigator Timothy Peets: "The Boy Scout organization never reported anything until after they were confronted by the parents of the victims."  

The gap in the law that the original article points out does look like a flaw.  Lots of mandatory reporters, but only if the abuse is committed by a parent or similar figure.  

I don't think volunteers should become mandatory reporters, but professionals are a tougher call.  It's rare that they're going to have any direct knowledge of abuse or have any ability to judge the veracity of the allegations.  Do we want to make it a crime to not report once or twice removed hearsay?

Lower Great Lakes Region here.  We do at least one Wilderness Survival campout in either January or February.  The other month varies depending on the activity we're concentrating on, sometimes we do tents sometimes a cabin.   It's virtually always below freezing at night, in the past few years we've had two eight inch snow storms, smaller snow showers, one below zero F event and one near zero event.

It's all about proper equipment, especially sleeping bags, and proper training.