blw2

another thread made me think of it.... It was suggested recently, that next year we might consider not selling popcorn, and do our own thing instead. we do well with popcorn, but this year sales were down.... I think partially because it's just too expensive and thanks to the economy folks can't justify it. Seems to me that popcorn is a high return per unit sold activity.... as opposed to something like selling candy bars at $1.00 a pop. You have to sell quite a few candy bars to make the return of one bag of golden corn. ..... but a question comes to mind.... if we don't sell popcorn, council isn't getting any $$$ from us except dues. I'm guessing that would be frowned on, but really doesn't seem like anything they could control. Is there some rule about doing non-sanctioned fund raisers?

the way our pack operates, we could easily just give the receipt to the treasurer for reimbursement...... but for the small cost, I wouldn't bother personally. My son's DL is just starting to do the denner thing. I think it's a good idea.... but it's a modified program. Basically just letting any boy that wants to (or parent that says he does) take a meeting to lead with his parent. We're really doing it like the Tiger shared leadership and Tioger Parent partner thing is supposed to work...... except we're Bear year. I thought about picking up the denner cords, or just using the asst denner cords that my mom saved from when I was a boy..... but most of our boys don't wear the uniforms to the den meetings anyway so I figure why bother.

just spit ballin', but it may very well be that Mr. Costco might just have been illustrating for the boys or re-enforcing the same point that jblake's made about the ASPL's lack of planning.... maybe he could have done it, but didn't want to at the drop of a hat.

~~ ~~jpstodwftexas nailed it.... a lot of info here without answering anything. just skimmed through the info linked to in this thread. I had already heard about much of this, but reading through this stuff, I agree that, at least on the surface, it is as ~~alligatorscout wrote, it does seem to have similarities to the Girl Scout program (as I know it anyway) Looks like my son will be entering his 2nd WEBELOS year when this kicks in, so I guess my exposure to it will be limited and brief.

meh They make handy filler activities to work on in the odd den meeting AND They serve as something to give out as bling during the pack meeting.... My son was energetic about earning them Tiger year, not so much Wolf year, and so far bear year no interest at all..... His belt is nearly full. But.... I have NEVER seen boys compare the loops with friends, see who has more, be jealous or energized to earn more because their friends have something that they don't. I just feel like it's a distraction. What I have seen is den leaders get fired up because another den had more awards than there den..... so the next month was spent working on loops. Don't think the boys care about any of it..... uniform, awards, patches. pins, loops..... They just want to do something fun, like build stomp rockets! If BSA doesn't replace the program with something similar, maybe we can lower our pack dues a couple bucks a year!

well there you go... Thanks Scouter99 add some photos in there an that would make a great Wikipedia entry!

I'm a little surprised that somebody out there hasn't published a comprehensive history of the BSA uniforms on a web site someplace.... I'm not really a collector, but I would find such a thing an interesting read for sure....

Agreed, there must be a history behind the "rule" that a mega troop = scouter ego. To answer basement's question - YES, there most certainly is/could be advantages to a larger troop.

Your first few paragraphs basement, made me think you were firm at 38. Absolutely closed. No more. I was thinking that this might be a bit too rigid. Seems to me that you'll always have ebbs and flows...... boys may leave. Boys may slow down for a bit. If attendance requirements are too strict, it seems you may drive off a few after a while. Meanwhile, other boys, maybe good ones, will be closed out and either not get into scouting at all and join a gang instead, or go elsewhere. .... then you would have nobody to fill in the gaps of the boys that leave or take a break. Then your last paragraph indicates that you might be open on a select basis. But to your question - My opinion is that bigger will perhaps open possibilities to do more. Might bring more talent in youth and adults to make the overall program better. But I can see that bigger means more logistical headaches. Still, I like the idea of more ASM's that could lead more and varied trips, projects, and adventures than one SM could ever manage on his own. This would give the lads more choice in picking the direction they want to go. Also gives more opportunities for a boy to find a fit. If he's not getting along with the patrol he's in, maybe that 5th or 6th patrol might work better.

good idea.

Interesting comment Basement, about finding someone to talk with NOT a UC. Sort of off topic, but not really... I have been struggling lately, with exactly your recommendation. I'd like to know a little more about how other units operate, since all of my experiences as an adult scouter are with only this one unit. I know that in some ways we have 'evolved' into doing certain things in a certain way. I don't want to fix what works, but at the same time it could be good to step back and breathe in some fresh ideas now and then. I see a little here and there at round table, on this forum, etc.... but I still really don't have a feel for what other units do. Not what the books say, but what they really do. Nothing specific either, that can be asked.... just general stuff. This is where I figured a good UC could be handy. They are supposed to get around and see other units.... But I do recognize that this is very hit or miss. I've seen our a few times, but not much and when he does visit, it's in and out. So really, I can't say with good confidence that he knows how our unit works. I have a tentative mtg set with our UC soon. Can't hurt (I hope) Looping back to the original post and your response.... finding a SM in and area with a program you like could be difficult for sure. How are you supposed to know if you like their program, unless you visit them multiple times in different settings OR spend a whole lot of time with the SM and the folks from the unit? Anyway, I'm not being critical.... just troubled I guess on how to apply the advice.

I sure wouldn't think the plaque was to be from him exactly... more like from the boys.... from the pack.

Just had an odd reaction.... trying to post a comment in the thread about the CM's wife. It locked up at posting and didn't act like the post was made, so I copied my comment to a word processor for later posting. Backed out of the thread and went back in, and my post was in fact uploaded.

qwazse, I understand your comment about hating plaques, but IMO, if they are small and tasteful.... and if it were presented to me for something that I did a whole lot of work for or that I was proud of, I can imagine that it would make me feel appreciated..... I might find a place for it in my home office. Now some big honkin' tacky thing.... I might appreciate the sentiment, but I would agree with your opinion. I'd rank it right up there with a hallmark card. Not so good for a lady I suppose..... but I've often thought that a miniature Pack Flag, something no bigger than say 5in x 7in, in a nice frame, maybe with all the boy's names.... might be something I would like to hang on my wall when I'm through with all of this drama. I'm speaking from a man's perspective, but I would agree that if presented in a well organized fashion with a hug from each boy, that would form a strong memory for most ladies for sure!

Interesting post Skeptic. thanks So who decides who should be honored? From your post, it seems the troop or unit would vote on it. Must be a Boy Scout level thing..... in my 2.5 years+ of being a scouter for a pack, I've not seen anything for it.

this comment was made, tongue in cheek Re-reading now, I can see that it could be taken as serious. Truth is, I know nothing of the OA, except I have seen some scouters and scouts wearing the garb.

Thanks Fred I'll take a closer look at Soarol for sure..... what about it is a "life saver" for you? Anything you don't like about it?

I always figured it was one of those super secret by invitation only societies that like to show off their emblems and garb, but nothing else..... Nobody "really knows" what they do (like the Freemasons, Shriners, Knights, etc...) I figure they all meet on Friday the 13th, and other unspecified evenings, in a rooms with no windows, and do "stuff"..... very mysterious you know.....

There sure are a lot of choices, but many of these are never mentioned when this topic comes up. I find that telling. also a bit disturbing. If there are that many options, that screams that there are a lot of people out there that see a need. Several of these I rarely if ever see mentioned here in discussions with active scouters..... so, how many of these services are about to fold? Also, there really doesn't seem to be one clear solution that really shines and answers most folks needs or wants. Personally, I think most of this "conflict" comes from too much focus and getting hung up on award and rank tracking when that just simply doesn't need to be a big deal. Maybe I have that wrong...... Still, I spent a few minutes just now, making a list I was thinking of making a matrix to eliminate the ones that don't have what I need..... things like file sharing for the committee (things like notes, inventories, meeting minutes), email, photo share, etc... Anyway, here's what I found in the last few minutes. Am I missing any good ones? [TABLE] [TR] [TD=bgcolor: white]cubscouttracker.com[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=bgcolor: white]Cubtrails.com[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] denmanager.com [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]myscoutlink.com[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]ourgrouponline.com[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Packmaster[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Scoutbook.com[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]scoutjourney.com[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]scoutlander.com[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]scoutmanage.com[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]scoutmanager.com[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]scouttrack.com[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]shutterfly.com[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]soarol.com[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]trooptrack.com[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

our eagle leaders are very willing to help when asked, but are very "low energy" for sure.

I would agree, but add.... or maybe expand on the "events" to include facilitate leader training programs. I think there could be more classes offered if it were a regularly scheduled thing that didn't rely 100% on volunteers. Sure, get the experienced volunteers to teach the nuts and bolts, but don't ask them to coordinate and facilitate. The DE could even be responsible for the more mundane parts of training such as the paperwork stuff.

We looked into pack management and tracking software 1-1/2 or 2 years ago, but decided to go with our own pack web site, a seperate email group list service, and google calendar.I'm not completely satisfied, so I'm taking another look. It seems that there are several new options out there....... Scoutbook, Scout Link, and maybe a few more and I really didn't take good notes for my last search, and they have likely be updated anyway...... So please help me cut to the chase. Anybody out there using these new ones....... What are you using? I really don't care all that much about tracking. We've found that it's hard to get data from the boys and parents..... and figure in the end tracking really doesn't matter for cubs anyway. We really just need a site for posting upcoming events, and showing what we've done (for recruiting, etc...) ​file sharing photo sharing is good calendar sharing email distribution

Off track, but what is the intended purpose of the position Unit Scouter Reserve U91? just trying to figure how I might use that position in the future.....

I didn't think of the AOL record..... I haven't worked with SCOUTNET yet....is that something that I can record now, as I go through the re-charter process? I'll have to double check with the leader, but I believe that all the W2 boys have already earned the AOL, they are just waiting to present at the B&G.

I can totally see a small frame or plaque with the BSA logo, a nice mounted letter, and a small engraved plate with that quote. Just my thought, but I would stay away from The eagle logo. IMO, it's not about him not earning eagle rank, it's about his accomplishments and good that he's done. Stay on the positive, not on the negative. Don't point out what he didn't do, point out what he did do. Again, just my opinion.