UCEagle72

Hmmm ... I was Asst Cubmaster for too short of a period of time before I became Cubmaster for three years, and earned my Cubmaster Key (yes, before 1987). But I left the pack in quite capable hands. I helped out as a "Den Leader Coach" after.

Many years later, I was the "Scouting Coordinator" (as a CoR was called in those days) for the Cub Pack at my daughter's elementary school - they were sponsored by our PTO, and I was an officer in the PTO who had "scouting experience."

Been a UC for many, many Packs since 1976.

BP --

While the "one council per state" idea exists ... it also has four "field service councils" (FSC) doing the work of the previous 11 or so councils.

And the "Community Scouting District" (CSD) does have a lot of important functions. But not "program" - "program" is vested at the FSC.

Interesting, eh?

@SP - don't forget to check the "drop leaders" list from your last recharter cycle (which should be pretty new for most of us) - I have managed to "recover" several good UCs from that list too -- and it is one that is frequently overlooked.

I don't recruit unit leaders (CM, SM, VC, VA) to be Commissioners, of any stripe, including RT.

But their assistants, committee members, den leaders, parents, etc., are ALL fair game.

The BSA has said that Unit Leaders should not be UCs for many, many years. (And that is from reading even the earliest versions of the "Fieldbook" from back in the '50s.)

Now, when I was CM & SM, I continued to serve as a UC, but that was my choice - and I served units that were far removed from my own. Today, I would encourage others NOT to follow my example. (I honestly realize I was not the best UC I could have been during those years. Yes, I did my job, but I really did not deliver great customer service.)

(Oh, and I was teaching MCS 402 - Recruiting - at the CFC CoCS yesterday, and these are all points that I made.)

I feel honored to know two recipients of the Silver Fawn. In both cases, they were offered a "trade" to a Silver Beaver, but both cases, they turned it down.

If that same offer was made to the other 998 recipients, I would say that could really cut down on the number of medals "out in circulation."

Just because I like throwing gas on a die-ing fire ...

My 16 year-old Venturing daughter recently received a questionnaire from Harris about allowing females to earn Eagle, should they be separate programs, etc.

She showed it to me (anything Scouting, she shows to me) and asked how she should answer -- I told her, answer with *your* opinions ... they asked you, not me, so they want to know!

The latest version of "The Buzz" lays out what is happening:

If you *need* a cell signal in camp, then one of the best spots are the cement benches outside of the dining hall. But generally speaking -- cell service is very limited there.

When I was visiting SMs there last summer, I spoke with a lot of Scouters from outside CFC and most of them were there for the Indian Lore program - and I must admit, it is an excellent program.

Personally I like the climbing programs (Swiss Tower, Climbing Wall, COPE), and the fact they have programs for older Scouts (like ATV & PWC, suba, etc.) Their T2F program is pretty good too. Plus, being right on the Ocala National Forest, there is wildlife everywhere! (Deer, hogs, turkeys, you name it.)

In the 35+ years I have been a Commissioner, I have done maybe 5 uniform inspections, and none in the last 25 years. The last one I did was for a Troop that was going to be an honor guard at a revolutionary war fort, and they wanted to ensure they were ready.

If I am asked to do one, I would - as long as the Unit Leader was good with it happening.

(BTW - if you look at Commissioner Training, they say you should be doing a uniform inspection as part of the "process" of the recharter [which is not just the actual online process], so that explains the answer to your on-line question.)(This message has been edited by UCEagle72)

Microfiber also has embroidered (not press-letters) "Boy Scouts of America" and a real American flag patch.

Plus there are buttons on the reverse side of both pockets.

Yes, the Alumni Association is legit - it was actually started by NESA.

http://www.scouting.org/alumni.aspx

From the web site:

"The Scouting Alumni Association welcomes everyone positively and personally impacted by the Boy Scouts of Americaformer Scouts, family members of Scouts past and present, volunteers past and present, and the millions of Americans who benefit from Scouting in their communities every dayto join today. Enjoy the member benefits and support the good work that the BSA continues in its second century."

If you ever went to a university, or belong to a fraternity or sorority, you know why they have done this. It is a way for them to keep in contact with those who have been part of the movement, and maybe at some point in time, tap their wallet.

45 years for me this year too ... but that is when I started Cub Scouts as a Lion ... ;-)

(This message has been edited by UCEagle72)

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Marketing/Brand/SpeakersBank.aspx

Honestly, as a "speaker" and having earned my knot, I am quite surprised at all of this.

I found out when I went in to log a recent speech.

@Sax - just going back to the "way it was". I consider myself fortunate to have earned a Cubmaster "Key" to go with my SM and Commissioner "Keys". Of course, in those days it took three years ... and I see the CM Award is only two.(This message has been edited by UCEagle72)

As a BSA Speaker, I have heard no such thing, and I have been here in Dallas all weekend.

The web site is still active:

http://scouting.org/scoutsource/Speakers.aspx

Can you say where you saw the announcement?

Well, the last change was 13-1/2 and completed 8th grade. I wonder if there is some confusion.

There is a "pilot" going on Middle School Exploring that I have heard about.

But I see nothing on Scoutwire to support his claim.

Or, confused Venturing with Varsity ...

300 years back, when we did "Scoutmaster Fundamentals," I was a UC for 6 Wards in NCAC.

Since I was also a member of the training staff, I decided that it would not be too difficult to conduct all the content we did on Sunday on Friday evening. Then the LDS Scouters could stay for Saturday (basically leaving after or just before cracker barrel) and I would stay and repeat the standard Sunday training on Sunday with the remaining crew.

Not sure why that idea still would not work (although I do find it interesting that an option exists with no overnight camping).

Our camp down here was a pilot for the PWC and also the ATV. While there was a capital cost with the PWC program, the ATVs were provided by the manufacturers for the program.

14-years old for the ATV program, 15 for the PWC program, and they must complete appropriate safety courses, merit badges, and agree to certain regulations.

The "additional cost" for this program was $25 for ATVs and $45 for PWCs (which may fluctuate based on the cost of gas).

Maybe the best thing about the adult working uniform (aka Khakis) is the fact that it is simple and clean. No CSP, No unit numbers. No knots. US Flag, Sea Scouts BSA over the pocket and insignia on the collar for the position you hold. (Name tag over the Sea Scout patch is optional, only other allowed insignia are the Seabadge trident above the name tag, and SEAL insignia above the left pocket.)

Had mine on when I stopped by the District EBOR on Thursday and really surprised some folks in my District (I am the CC for Ship 26 in Orange City FL, which is one district north of us). We had a ship in our District, but it changed Charter Partners and ended up in a District to our south.

Down here in Floor-a-dee, Dress Whites are the alternate uniform. Navy dress blues are just a touch "warm" for most of the year.

Discussion on this topic here:

http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=331566

I wonder if they will make the Cubmaster "key" take three years, like it did back when I earned it in 1987?

And yes, Skeptic, some of us do remember ...

And Moxie, you can buy those soft rubber backings for about $0.02 at most sewing stores.

(This message has been edited by UCEagle72)

Crossroads Recommendation Approved

November 1, 2011 will be remembered as a significant date in the history of the BSA. That was the day that nine councils in the lower peninsula of Michigan voted to take a courageous leap into the second hundred years of Scouting.

Volunteer Scouters have been watching our units and our membership decline over the past twenty years. The last five years have been even more severe as we have witnessed the outmigration of Michigan workers. Recognizing this negative membership trend, a group of over 100 volunteer Scout leaders and select professionals from Area 2 of the Central Region set out to find a better method of delivering the Scouting program to the youth of Michigan and Ohio. The result of their efforts was the Crossroads Recommendation. Last night, the voting members in nine of the eleven councils in Area 2 passed this forward looking recommendation by a significant margin. This will result in the formation of a new "Coordinating Council" that will lead the Scouting program in Michigans lower peninsula. We acknowledge the efforts of everyone who worked toward this recommendation. Your commitment to Scouting is the force that has driven this program for the past century.

The first executive board meeting of the new council will be held on Friday, November 4, 2011. This will become the stepping off point of an exciting new opportunity to design and deliver the program that will insure that more of our young people are Prepared. For Life.

Jack Chandler

silverfox297@live.com

They must use Internet Explorer when they register.

I've seen this all too often, in fact, I know one member of our District's EBOR team that basically will not sit on a board for anyone under 15. It's a sad state ... then I told him that I got mine when I was 14, I thought he was about to faint (and that will be 40 years ago next May).

I think the Chair of this committee needs to do a bit more sorting and culling of his EBOR members -- just like we do.

Guess I would start here: http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Licensing.aspx

I think this is more about Licensing than 'certification'.

Our Council had a similar calendar, but they moved UoS to the end of January - so that gives a little more "room".

But most districts will not schedule too many things on weekends in February & March due to the multiple Blue & Gold banquets that are happening. (I think the only "scheduled" item we have is a Training Day in early February.)