UCEagle72

I think a new Scout Leader needs to spend some time being the Scout Leader before taking Woodbadge.

Much like what Tom Peters said to the Deans of Graduate Business School back in the late 80s early 90s ... "No one should attend an MBA program who has not worked for at least 10 years, and has supervised 10 people. That way, they can stand-up and say "BS" to the instructor when required." (This came from a video address he did, which I saw when I took an Executive Development program back in the late-80s.)

You need to have some "real world" experience before you take Woodbadge so you can get the full understanding of what is being taught.

'92 --

Actually a waistcoat is more than a vest. Usually it is longer, and usually has a collar. It is actually proper to wear a morning suit or tuxedo and take off your jacket if you have a "true" waistcoat.

When I worked in London for 6 months back in 2001, I lived near Savile Row, and had one made, it still looks marvelous, and I wear it at least once a month (and usually more ... I'm also an active Mason, so I frequently wear a tuxedo to Masonic functions ... even in Florida). I also love the fact it has a full back.

This is what a waistcoat looks like: http://www.tweed-jacket.com/img/HOME%20PAGE%20PHOTOS/Mid-Grey-Lapelled-Waistcoat.jpg

Get a copy of "Handbook for Patrol Leaders" off eBay - http://goo.gl/KuL4G - he'll get more information from any of William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt's versions, and it's available today!

Noles -

Congrats!

I used to be a Beaver ...

Always good if you can take "Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills" and "Scoutmaster & Assistant Position Specific Training" prior to assuming your new position. These are "live" training classes and not found "online"

If you have not taken the online course "This is Scouting" you should take that as well -- plus the "safety" courses that are on the "Boy Scout" tab in eLearning.

In our area, the Stake President specifically told the local Bishops to use the 5th Sunday for this (as their church program for weeks 1-4 come directly from SLC).

They did them in January, and we saw a substantial increase in our FOS from the LDS units.

Well, Central Florida Council is one of the 10 largest councils in the BSA. It covers some 18,000 square miles (180 miles long by 100 miles wide) which is 7 counties total.

Our District is 312 square miles and contains 68 traditional units, 4 Explorer posts, and serves some 12,000+ scouts and scouters. (We cover 3/4 of Seminole County)

We try to hold training, roundtables, district committee, and commissioner meetings in the most central spot in the district. And because of this (and the fact that we regularly train most every course) we get a lot of folks from the other districts at our training sessions.

Welcome from a former Scouter in the Chief Okemos Council and the old Detroit Area Council.

You'll find the weather here is always pleasant, the skeeters don't bite too bad (unlike in the UP), so kick back, put your feet up, and enjoy the virtual campfire.

(Remember to keep you sense of humor about you at all times.)

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Well "everything for free" is a bit of a stretch.

The boys "earn" their Scout Handbook, and uniform parts by their attendance at meetings, and working on rank advancement. As an example down here, a Scout must attend 5 meetings before he gets his handbook. (And I know the number varies by Council.) They also do service projects in their community to earn credit toward uniform parts.

Initially, they receive a necker & slide. But I can tell you from being with these young men, they want to "earn" that uniform. They know this is what sets them apart.

In our District we have a Pack & Troop sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club which is part of the program. And we are working on a Pack, Troop, and Crew at a another location not too far away.

Our "traditional" units are very helpful with these programs. They have provided "Troop Guides" to help the young men learn scoutcraft skills, and have invited the Troop to attend campouts with them.

JM --

It's just like emb021 said ... these "nicer" shirts have always been around for the pros and "national" level volunteers.

Welcome to the virtual campfire Jim!

No skeeters like we tend to get (especially this time of year) -- and the temperature is always perfect.

Enjoy the conversations, but always keep a sense of humor!

One of our District Commissioners (who just happens to work in our Scout Shop) was wearing one of these shirts to our Commissioners' College yesterday. He said this uniform was brought out after many pros requested it. No bloused pockets, pockets button closed, and have a button on the back side for temporary patches or Powderhorn device. The media pocket is also gone. Back to a sewn on BSA strip, and sewn on American Flag. Pretty certain he was wearing a short-sleeve version (not too many long sleeves down here) - but I don't see it listed on ScoutStuff.

Here is the long-sleeve version: http://goo.gl/Hcw8V

He did say that while it is not "required" he recommended that the shirt be dry cleaned for it to look the best.

$50 ... not cheap!

E2000 --

Yes, it is earned after you have given and recorded 20 speeches in the Speaker's Bank database. At 10 you receive a special "Speaker" position patch. These both come from National.

Here is a picture: http://goo.gl/eV3L5

I think I know 4-5 folks who have this knot.

(This message has been edited by UCEagle72)

While I am not a professional, but a volunteer, and I set up all my own speeches.

I have been called by some local groups who heard I did a speech elsewhere. Never been asked by Council to do one -- and I have my speaker's bank knot.

perdidochas --

Down here in O-town it is a "parish" decision. Some parishes pay the cost (which is only $50 down here) for active parish members, others request that the individual pay.

And to some of the other comments -- I know that the UMC I attended "up north" has a requirement that anyone working with youth -- from the nursery through high school -- was required to have a background check, and fingerprinting done -- and that was started back in 2000.

A quick Google query netted several versions that were available.

Moose ...

That last one really stumps me!

Of course we became a pilot council for 100% direct contact leaders "trained" (and that does include IOLS for the SM, SA, Team Coach & Assistant, and Venturing leaders whose units have an outdoor focus)

T2 --

Uniforms on Saturday -- Thursday & Friday they have some nice polo shirts for us to wear while we man the BSA booth.

Drop an email to alumni@scouting.org and let them know.

You frequently see this in LDS units, where the Committee is "shared" between the Troop, Team, and Crew.

But those are three separate units in the eyes of the BSA, so it is not an issue.

(Just makes it more fun to get them "trained" since they need to fulfill the different training requirements for all three (including YPT).)

I will check with our Training ADC. She is a member of the Diocesan Scout Committee here in O-town, I'll see what is happening here.

Think we had this discussion in the "what do you want national supply to stock" thread ...

Bought 2 pair the week they came out -- been warm enough down here for the last month that I have been wearing my pants with the legs zipped off, and my new socks.

Had one person comment -- if they went up a little higher you could make them into knickers and look like a 20s Scout!

On this page:

http://scouting.org/Alumni/Resources/PlanningMaterials.aspx

Under "Direct Alumni Outreach" there is an "Alumni Business Card" and several other related files you may want to look at. These have links to the alumni web site and if you use the Avery template, you can customize a message on the back.

I thought that these cards were the ones you were talking about: http://goo.gl/IyGPx