tgrimstead

Bearded,

Yes, Many times we are our own worst enemy. It's not about US and our ego trips. We are privileged to be in these positions as servant leaders. Sometimes we need to stop and do a self-assessment of ourselves. I hope he does have the "stones" to post on this again. Some of us would like to know how the conflict was resolved.

Yours In Cheerful Service.

Tim

BD,

Don't worry, my Fire Chief and my IAFF brothers "Trust" me to call in when I have an important reason. With a 24hr on 24hr off schedule, the only way to get off for a weekend for anything is taking a sick day. To me Wood Badge is important, my counterpart on the other shift knows and is gonna work the spot.

Now if the Federal Government would lift the hiring freeze on DOD firefighters (create jobs remember.) We could hire for the 10 positions vacant.

THEN I WOULDN'T HAVE WORKED 144hrs THIS WEEK! 6 out of 7 days...come on!

...woosah.....wooosah....happy thoughts....

Yours In Cheerful Service,

Tim

Start practicing that Turks Head Knot.

My course starts in Sept. Such a challenge! So Pumped!!! Saved those work sick days for a reason

Yours In Cheerful Service,

Tim

Oh my...

My dad always said:

"If everyone is trying to do everything, then no one is doing anything." Know your role and trust your people to do theirs.

God Bless You Though,

Yours In Cheerful Service,

Tim

We did Scottish Highland games along with our Ice Cream social this year. Throwing big Thor hammers ( yes i know he was Norse), Braemer stone tosses, battling ramming hay bale wall. Haggis catch. Good fun.

Yours in cheerful service,

Tim

BD.

As a Home-school Cub leader with an autistic child. Your views are slightly disturbing.

Change the word Home-schooled and autistic with "Asian", "Black", or "Gay". How about we narrow that brush tip you're painting with.

Yours in cheerful service

Tim.

I made a vest for every boy in my Dens. We had a huge box of white (Navy issue) flat sheets at the Fire Station. I traced my daughters Junior vest on some poster board. Cut them out, sewed them together in about 10 hours total. Dyed them all together with some RIT scarlet and wine. Boys are Bears now and got them as Tigers. They are very proud of the vests, as we are the only dens in the Pack that have them, and wear them all the time, even with class B's. I'd make them for the whole Pack if I had more sheets! I would encourage it. The boys are worth the effort it takes to sew one up.

( The comedian Sinbad was at our ScoutFest and told my son what a cool vest he had. Grins ear to ear!)

I recently went for Brotherhood after getting back into my lodge after 2 years away. I made a commitment to be more active and give back to the program I enjoyed so much as a youth. I studied my handbook and went back through jump-start. I made flash cards about the Ordeal ceremony's meanings and the OA's history. I thought i was prepared about a month out of our 2nd Ordeal and sent my $15 in for the Brotherhood fee.

I arrived for Brotherhood at appropriate time and was asked where my walking stick was? Didn't know it was needed, so i just grabbed a stick from the woods as did everyone else who showed up. 28 of us were there. We were told to carve our initials in the stick. ( Good thing most of us had knives.) We then then lined up and was asked individually for the Admonition. Me first, No problem! I've been reciting this stuff like Bible versus. Next guy " I don't know." Next guy " I do hereby promise..", I'm thinking, are you serious?

Now it's time for Brotherhood walk. We went to staged areas along hiking trail. Completed a connect the dots worksheet on the Ordeal principals. Then to a share your favorite Scout memory. Then everyone circle up and sing the song. Recite the Oath. Here is the symbol. I was feeling kind of disappointed honestly. But not as cheated as being given a "pre-filled out" letter to the Chief that i signed my name to and checked some boxes. I genuinely had thought about my letter for a month now. I had wrote rough drafts and up until an hour before sat in my tent writing down my thoughts of the Scouting program and how I could help the organization.

We all completed the Brotherhood walk and finished it of with the presentation ceremony. I was happy..but I felt cheated.

Most disturbing was after. A member stated to another " all we need is 15 more and we will be at 30% ". Was this done to meet some quota?

Am I wrong to think this should not be a "you pay, you pass" thing?

Bring on the heat!

- Tim

Oops, need to correct myself. " Scout or Scouter earns the recruiter strip from our council."

Actually it depends on Council. Our council gives them to any scout or scouter who brings a new scout in.

To new Eagle. Good job kid! Way to be exceptional.

twocub.

Lets make the sky slate grey and put a happy little tree over there.

I love that guy.

*Fantasy World*

Bob walks in to his interview for district manager of Copy Paper Inc.

Boss begins: " Welcome Bob, Upon review you have exceeded the requirements of all applicants for this position, many much older than you. You're a go getter who your peers hold in high esteem because of your determination and self motivation. You started with us a few years ago and have consistently stood out and taken on responsibility, moving your way up the chain until you now sit here today for consideration for this manager position. With out a doubt we expect good thing from you as a leader"

Bob exclaims: " Thank you sir I won't let you down!"

Boss replies: " Oooohhh no, your too young, we're giving it to John. He's been around longer and has kinda been coasting but now FINALLY meets the requirements for this position. We just think he has a better feel for what copy paper is because of his extra years in. But if you wait around a few more years, maybe visit the paper plant, bath in some pulp, and really show you believe in our product, In a few years you will be ready."

Bob retorts: " I've busted my but to do all that Human Resources said was REQUIRED of me for this position. I worked hard to challenge myself and show my peers great things can be accomplished through perseverance and determination regardless of age or time in. This is age discrimination! I quit!"

Boss: " Geeesh..another one quit. I don't know why we can't keep this young guys around."

( Fact: all set requirements meet.Personal opinion: out ways facts. = discrimination)

Agreed on GSUSA Troops are run on the whims of the leaders. We tried to get our girls into Troops only to get a run around from local council. Years later we started our own along with Cub Dens attached to the Pack at the church we meet. ( We're unsocialized Home Schoolers.) Our GS Troop has multiple age groups however.

Weirdest thing I've noticed about GSUSA is the no tag-a-longs / siblings policy for GSUSA events. Seems kinda not family friendly.

No sash on belt. Sash is a sash not a belt loop. However you choose to wear it is up to you, but you'd be wrong in doing so. But...guides are guides and not the bible.

Whittl'n chip and Tot'n chip patches were shaped for bottom of old pocket as temp, not flap. Only Outdoor Activity award shaped for flap for Cubbies.

My 2 cents,

Tim

Thanks for your all's considerations. Don't worry about my skin thickness, I was raised in a firehouse and now have 10 years on the floor myself. 2 things you can count on in the Firehouse is good food and colorful debate (usually about the most trivial things.)

-Tim

I've been lurking on the forum for a few months. I have to say I am disappointed with some of the behavior some Scouters have been displaying here. I understand people's politics are different, but I'm pretty sure the Scout Law and Oath are supposed to mean the same regardless of unit, council, or national level. Humanity is quickly lost when having a conversation from behind a screen. What happened to "Courteous" and "Kind". Just because someone's idea or view is different then yours does not make it wrong. Here is a challenge to this forum. Have the "Courage" to "Respect" others opinion.

Yours in Cheerful Service.

Tim.

First time poster,

My 3 daughters started Girl Scouts in a Home-School troop. They met during the day and I entertained the brothers. Our GSA leader asked if I would be interested in starting a Home-school Den that would be part of the Pack at the church. We spoke with the BSA leaders and they were receptive. Our CS Den and the GSA Troop meet at the same time at the church, then we do Pack events with the rest of the dens. Both the Troop and Den has grown in size. We now have 2 Dens and a Juniors and Cadette group. We offer "one stop shopping" for the family. We do a lot of activities together and it works for us.

My older daughters are now looking at Venturing because they feel GSA is girly and they want more high adventure. I personally am tired of buying all the journey and badge books.

I see the inclusion of AHG in the scouting program as an answer for younger girl activities before they are Venture age. I think BSA going Co-Ed like their "over seas" counter parts would be a positive and offer much more family friendly events.

-Tim