torribug

Gardyloo, We just kind of hashed something like this in the "Changing Hearts and Minds" thread. You might want to read all of that thread, because the guys (gals, too, maybe?) gave me a bunch of GREAT information. BUG

I got mine in elementary, although nobody in the Troop knows me as such. Growing up in the Arizona desert, there were a lot of nasty, crunchy little creatures, from scorpions to cockroaches (the kind that are the size of a Cessna) to black widows. Yup, I was afraid of them all - even those that weren't so nasty (no way to tell unless I got close enough, right?) I guess I borrowed the motto, "kill them all, let God sort them out!" I was frequenly seen/heard screaming "Bug!" and promptly stomping on them. - Bug

Became a leader when oldest son was a Bear, because nobody else would step up. Agreed to "share" leadership with two other adults, who then backed out over the course of the year. Went on to be Webelos leader, then on Troop Committee, then son lost interest. Was asked to be an Explorer Post Advisor (back in 95 - now I guess the program is called Venturing). Did that for a year. Youngest son wanted to join cubs, agreed to be Ass't den leader, but really was co-leader (other leader provided location and administrivia, I provided program). Thought for sure I would be "retiring" after son crossed

It seems to be my fellow committee members that are worried about advancement happening too quickly. I've never heard our very-well-trained SM say anything negative about any of the boys advancing quickly. I have heard a few ASMs mention that they don't think a boy should advance too quickly; some scouts have experienced hold-ups with getting certain requirements signed off, or even getting opportunities to learn/perform requirements. This was by ASMs in charge of New Scout patrols, not the SM. Eamonn, thanks for the suggestions on ways to work with this. That is exactly why I posted to

I agree that slowly is the way to go, and maybe I haven't been in the troop long enough to be accepted (not quite two years as a parent, and a year and a half on committee, present every meeting, doing BORs almost every meeting). And you're right, Buffalo, I haven't been able to get the background info on why some folks think they should hold boys back for the sake of holding them back. Guess that's my frustration - there doesn't seem to BE a reason for it. As I originally said, one of the best things about this troop is that I trust the leadership, and that means a lot to me, so I do pic

I am going to go to the SM fundamentals training. We also have a lot of dads of new scouts that will likely be attending as well. The deviance from BSA policy truly isn't a matter of untrained leadership - it's a matter of questioning the status quo. Now I have another question - if I am not able to attend the training that my district offers because I have other committments on the same weekend, will other districts allow me to attend their training (assuming it's on a different weekend)?

There were a few things I left out of last posting because it was already so long. 1. I don't have printed resources. I went to the scoutstuff website to see what I could find, and didn't see what I "think" I need, until OGE cited "Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures." I will order that through the supply division today. 2. Training has been a bit of a problem. The two times that I have known about it being offered in our district, I had to attend drill for the Guard. In case I ever want to run for president, I don't ever want it to be an issue that I missed a couple of drill se

I've been a lurker here for about six months, so I have learned a great deal from you all - big Thanks, by the way. Having been a scouter for 11 years, most recently as troop committe secretary for 1 1/2 years, I know that we shouldn't add to nor take away from the requirements. Unfortunately, the "seasoned" leadership in my son's troop don't subscribe to that belief. They have imposed additional requirements, in part I think, because they don't think that it's "right" for a 14 year-old to reach Eagle. As a matter of fact, my son has been in the troop for almost 2 years, and they say he