Trevorum

Oy gevalt!

I never been a big fan of the Star Spangled Banner as an anthem. The lyrics are great but the tune is barely singable for most folks. The only part that most people seem to get right is the epilogue: "Play Ball!" Nonetheless, I abhor the way it is often mangled by pop "singers" who inflict their own style onto the music. An operatic style is best, I think. Did anyone ever hear Jim Nabors sing it? That being said, I really would like to hear it sung in Spanish. Or French for that matter. I'll bet it sounds beautiful in any language.

Scoutldr, excellent point. The problem may be summed up thusly: "Is our children learning?" In other words, "You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test."

I'm thinking about it now. Maybe I'll get one too and give it to the PLC. Assuming the Troopmaster computer database maintains the "real" records and the wall chart is just for display and visual motivation, what would be wrong with the scouts updating their OWN record on the wall chart. As Johnny gets requirement 3b signed off in his book, HE gets to update HIS line on the wall chart? It would be sort of like "closing the loop" with his decision to complete the requirement.

I agree with Neil's interpretation. However, I suspect that BSA would have a difficult time in pursuing any case against someone who did in fact make identical copies of BSA badges. My understanding is that a trademark owner has to demonstrate vigilance in pursuing action against violations. Illegal duplication of BSA badges (including the fleur de lis as well as "BSA") is currently happening in Hong Kong and has been brought to the attention of both BSA and eBay (one venue where the knock-offs are being peddled). Both organizations have declined to take action (for different reasons, I presume). I, for one, wish that BSA would pursue legal action against these foriegn outfits.

So did "Corporate" "condone" or "disregard" it's own policy when it allowed Mr. Terry Groves (past president of the International Scouting Collectors Association) to display his personal collection of Eagle medals at the National Exhibits during the Jamboree last summer? Surely there must have been some member of National's U.P. at the Jamboree who realized the seriousness of this violation of policy! Golly! Do you think they knew about this egregious rule-breaking but just didn't see the problem with a Scouter collecting badges? And even worse - the staff members at the Collections MB booth were actually encouraging this type of behavior. What is Baden Powell's movement coming to when we allow such blatant scoffing of important rules and regulations?

"What one does in ones personal life is personal. But when we are working with other peoples children under the umbrella of Scouting, we need to abide by the rules of Scouting." Funny, that's precisely what Mr. Dale thought. He kept his personal life totally private and separate from Scouting... (oops. my bad. I wasn't going to say anything more except in the issues forum. But the set-up was just too good. OK, I really mean it this time ...)

yep. The Uniform Police have run amok. You can have that patch collection when you pry it from his cold, dead fingers.

Agree with John on the privacy issue. There are some things for which adults are responsible in the troop. While Scouts may be fully capable of doing these things, we can not delegate the responsibility. This includes driving to campouts, writing checks, and maintaining the privacy of personnel records. The wall chart is an interesting idea. I've seen them for sale but our troop has never done this. Anybody use this technique? Pros? Cons?

"It is an unethical choice for a Scout leader to choose actions that conflict with the beliefs and practices of the Scouting organization." I so totally disagree. BSA is a great organization and I love it, but it is NOT on the side of justice or right on several key social issues and I will NOT back down from my strongly held moral principles just because I am also a Scouter. And that's all I have to say 'bout that. Unless you want to take it to the Issues and Politics forum.

FScouter says, "Badge swapping of certain items including badges of rank, let alone selling on the eBay is not permitted.". Hmmm... let me get this straight. You frown on the collecting of rank badges and merit badges? So as a counselor for Collections MB, if a Scout comes to me with a collection of old-style rank badges from the 1940s (which he clearly has not personally earned), I should tell him his hobby is in violation of BSA Rules and Regulations??? Does that extend to confiscation of the contraband?? If so, truly the Uniform Police have run amok.

Good idea. Also remember that slang can be a slippery. What is an unacceptable word or idiom to one person may be perfectly fine to another person. Most of us would agree that some famous words are alway inappropriate for their sexual content (f*), scatalogical content (s*), or as racial or ethnic slurs (n*), but then there are words like 'dang', 'geez', 'gol-darn', and even 'egad', which are cursing to some but merely mild interjections to others. Thank goodness (a curse to some!) we don't have a French Academy to rank words as acceptable.

I can see how it might not go over well with teenagers. However, most adults probably are past the point where we feel silly in uniform in a non-Scouting venue. Last summer, I wore my uniform en route to the Jambo. When I first arrived at the terminal, I felt a little conspicuous but then I started seeing others and it was OK. In the Atlanta airport, there were so many of us in uniform, it looked like an invasion!

I remember reading about a council's "Wear Your Uniform to Work Day", an annual event which encouraged all Scouters to, yes, wear their Scout uniform to work. If possible - I suppose it wouldn't work for police, firefighters and such. I'm not sure of the council - maybe it was Greater New York? - and I think it was some time ago. One of the purposes was to show the community how widespread Scouting really is and Scouters themselves were surprised ("Joe! I didn't know you were in Scouting!") Does any council currently have this kind of program?

Wow, that is in my own council and I've never heard of it! Looks to be limited to that one district, but I think I'll ask my own Comissioner about it. Thanks for the heads up!

In another thread we are discussing what to do when a Scout looses his Scout book that contains all the signoffs of requirements towards his next rank. Way back when I was a Scout, we had nifty wallet sized cards that tracked our progress towards each rank. In fact, I think that's what they were called - "Progress Towards Rank". We did not get our signoffs in the book. At the BoR, we presented our cards as documentation that we had completed all the requirements. What ever happened to these handy little cards? Why don't we use them any more? Is there any reason not to use this technique? Does any troop still do this?

I like OR Pioneers's approach a lot. Although I think this is the job of the SM and not the committee. By the time the fellow gets to the BoR, the SM should have no doubt that he's ready.

I don't agree that adults should "scramble to cover his fanny". In contrast, I think Gern's advice is solid.

I think we're going to do just that, but the problem is that ASM Bill signed some requirements, ASM Bob signed some, PL Mike signed others, and Troop Guide Matt signed some too... All over the space of the last 14 months !

co-COs? Darn. I thought this thread was going to be about chocolate flavored breakfast cereal...

Yes, we use TM, but update the database upon rank advancement, MB award, or new PoR, not for each requirement. The question is about the individual requirements that had been signed off in his book while working towards 1st Class.

My question was why would BSA have a fencing exhibit at all if it is not sanctioned in the G2SS? That is exactly like having an exhibition of laser tag. That would be silly, tantalizing the guys with a fun activity in which BSA won't let them participate.

We all know that teenagers loose stuff all the time. Including, now and then, their Scout books. What do you recommend we do for a fellow who is all set for his 1st Class SM conference but can't find his book? He's been active for 14 months and has been to summer camp and most of the campouts; we know (or very strongly suspect) that he has done all the requirements, but he has no surviving documentation ...

There was fencing exhibit at the Jambo last summer ... ??

Kraut, what a coincidence! I also designed a historical-commemorative CSP for my old council and pitched it to the current SE as a fund raiser. I had the numbers all worked out and it would have made thousands, but the idea went nowhere. Guess I don't know the right people in that council anymore...