boleta

In January 2000, our Troop Committee voted that full uniforms would be required at all Troop meetings and when traveling to and from weekend events. My son and I joined this troop in May 2000. Our pack did not have an associated scout troop and my son knew the boy who was the SPL. We bought our uniforms and placed the insignia correctly. To my surprise, my son was one of only 3 or 4 out of 20 active scouts that followed the rule and always wore his uniform. I became an ASM. This troop had a reputation (unknown to me at the time) for boys that misbehaved. I asked why the uniform ru

I think I have discovered the source of my problem with this thread. Some feel it is PUNISHMENT to ask the scout to follow the rules and complete the requirements for a merit badge. Others feel it is a form of PUNISHMENT to give a badge that isn't earned. What exactly are we trying to teach? The discussion proposed by Hunt has another problem. When the scout says "I don't care if is poor scout spirit, give me the merit badge even though you and I know I did not do all of the requirements." Does the SM hold up the next rank advancement for poor scout spirit?

You are presumptuous in thinking that the founders of the Scouting movement were thinking about Christianity when the Oath and Law refer to God. Respect the beliefs of others. I have said nothing about taking God out of the Oath or Scouting. I ask only that YOU respect the 1.2 billion Hindus in this world, the 1.2 billion Bhuddists in this world, the Muslims, Jews, etc. ALL of these religions are represented by the religious award in the Boy Scouts of America. Religious institutions that are incompatible with the tenets of the BSA are not allowed to be Charter Organizations. If it

Well... Jason and Rooster are making my point exactly. Some are so insistent on following the guidelines of the program exactly as written. The HB says respect the conviction and beliefs of others in matters of custom and religion. Now we see that many will refuse to do so. Aren't they failing to follow the program? Why should this be any different than dismissing the atheist for not following the program? This is why such respect is the most important part of the 12th point.

Bob White, I acknowledge that you are absolutely correct in your explanation of the rule. This will not stop the adult leadership of troops insisting that the Scout complete the requirements when it is known that they were not done. I guess it depends on what your definition of "earned" is.

Bob White, I have the advancement committee p & p manual in front of me. It clearly states that "scouts must be tested individually and they must meet all the requirements". MUST. You continue to insist that a signed blue card is the evidence of this and that it is then too late to intervene. I submit it is not. You feel a scout is being punished if the blue card is withheld when it has been signed, even in the face of a failure of the counselor to do his job and a failure of the scout to do as required above. Even when the Troop leadership knows with absolute certainty tha

A great reference is the old Appendix to the Scoutmastership Fundamentals course. Part III, part A-11 has Suggestions for Religious Observance and part A-13 has Suggested Interfaith Worship Services. This may be covered in the current Scoutmaster Specific Leader Training.

The most important part of the Reverence point of the Scout Law is "he respects the beliefs of others". Unfortunately, some people have beliefs that are incompatible with this portion of the Scout Law which is a direct quote from the current BS Handbook. I have sat on Eagle Boards of Review where the Scout thought that reverent meant Christians only. I was shocked the first time this happened and almost voted to deny the scout based on his failure to respect the beliefs of others. I hope this generates a significant amount of discussion. In my opionion, if we can exclude some in

Dan, The point is that the scouts sat passively for 4 hours and did NONE of the requirements to get the signed blue card. They did not Demonstrate the proper technique for CPR (it wasn't even taught). They did not Explain how they would obtain emergency assistance from the home. They did not have to prepare a first aid kit for their home. They did not teach a first aid skill to another scout. They were simply given signed blue cards for this important Eagle required MB.

Sorry, I understand the principle but just can't agree with the reality. Many of the MB counselors at summer camp are 15 or 16 year olds where a large number of them are supervised by a single adult without any Quality Control. If the boy clearly has not completed the requirements because the MB was given at a "giveaway" program (I hear the National Jambo MB Midway can be like this)and the troop leaders discover this, the mere fact that a blue card was signed should not allow for automatic signature by "a" unit leader. One year, all scouts at Summer Camp got Blue Cards signed for Campi

The issue of the requirements is addressed on the usscouts web site. A letter from National is referenced. A link to the site is http://usscouts.org/mb/framesindex.html If the scout starts the merit badge, then those requirements can be used until he is 18. If a MB is discontinued, then he can still get that badge until he is 18 if he has started it before the year that it is discontinued. If he chooses to use the new requirements, he must use all of the new req. and not mix the old and new.

I agree with BW in principle, but let's examine the reality. In 2000, my 11 year old son went to a weekend campout MB giveaway. Our troop did not realize the nature of the program. My son "earned" First Aid Merit Badge by sitting in a class for 4 hours and left with a signed blue card. No examination was required. CPR was not covered. It would have been inappropriate for the SM to have signed this card. My son had the character to agree and retook the MB at summer camp the next year. I think it would have "punished" him to give him the MB without earning it.

The current- Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures manual 33088C states on page 24- "The steps to follow in the merit badge program are outlined in the current Boy Scout Requirements. This book lists the requirements a Scout meets to earn each of the more than 100 merit badges that are available. Scouts must be tested individually, and they must meet all the requirements. No additional requirements may be added. A merit badge cannot be taken away once it has been earned, provided the counselor is a registered counselor for the merit badge." We have had several instances wh

On the inside cover of the book- Boy Scout Requirements 2004, "the requirements for merit badges, ranks, and Eagle Palms are effective January 1, 2004. These requirements are effective through December 2004" and "The requirements in this book are the official requirements of the Boy Scouts of America". This book even overrides the Boy Scout Handbook for CURRENT advancement requirements. Pages 22-23 have the introduction to merit badges. On page 23- "The requirements on the following pages might not match those in the merit badge pamphlets because the pamphlets may not have been recently re

Telling the scout what is required for a POR to be successfully completed is certainly not adding to the requirements. It only tells the scout what is expected. A SM in our district recently relieved a scout of his position of patrol leader. In writing, the scout was told that he did not complete the task of obtaining speakers for the month's troop meetings that he was required to do. All patrol leaders are assigned this task in rotation. They are all told this is required prior to their tenure as PL. A SM conference was held with the parent present and the scout was given the opportunit

There is not an issue of permission for treatment of adults as they can give consent. Notary of the adult physical is therefore not necessary.

I just completed the Venture Leader Specific Training course. The new permission form for activities has a section for a notary!! Our activity chair is a pediatrician. She has told us that many Emergency Rooms and Insurance companies require notarization of the physicals to allow for treatment. I don't agree with this but accept it as a possibility. It is my understanding that this varies from state to state. We have therefore placed it in the bylaws for the protection of the youth even though it is not (yet) required by BSA.

cool.

I have just finished reading the entire thread and think it is sad that such sexist attitudes exist as have been discussed here. I think Shell is on the right track with most of her opinions. The troop I have been involved with has never restricted a lone woman leader or parent from participating on a camping event and we have had no major problems. Learning to respect the women present is important for the boys (and apparently for some of the male adult leaders as well). Our current Advancement Chair is a pediatrician who loves to camp. She has been invaluable on our camping events for f

It is quite clear that Bob White has a tremendous amount of experience and skill as an adult leader. We have units in danger of folding because they need an adult to come forward and take the position of Scoutmaster. These leaders usually are not trained yet and do not have the experience Bob has. I get the message of this thread but still feel that bylaws are very useful tools to help with the smooth running of the unit.

Now we are getting off of the original subject. But since you brought it up... Telling me that the Scout Law and the Guide to Safe Scouting will substitute for a clearly stated discipline policy in the troop bylaws really begs the question of how the SPL, SM and others deal with disorderly young men. We know that 13 year old boys never lose their temper or get into fights, but, heaven forbid, something should happen, how is this going to be handled? Just send everyone involved home? Tell all to behave and act like perfect scouts and forget it happened? Something in between? Safety A

Wow. Interesting ideas. Scrap the bylaws? They have a section on the discipline policy of the troop. I think this should be laid out to scout and parents at the time of joining so they know what to expect. I sure would like to see in writing where it says BSA does not condone bylaws.

I did not mean to imply that these documents are perfect. Our parents have MANY questions about the program. The bylaws and guidebook are meant to help answer these questions.

I agree with Bob White in principle. But the reality is that these problems arise all the time, even when there are well trained and knowledgeable volunteers. My son just went through this with an Eagle Palm. His attendance and leadership were questioned by the SM who would not sign off on the recognition. It took 3 months and a successful appeal to Council to get the Palm awarded. The Troop Bylaws will be changed on several levels because of this. Was it frustrating? Yes. But all benefitted from the exercise, including my son who now knows it is worthwhile to fight for change when the pr

It is wonderful when the SM is the ideal adult leader, but unfortunately, he is just an adult volunteer like all the rest of us. He makes mistakes, is unclear with the scout and occasionally gives mixed messages as to the demands of the scout. I go back to my previous post, the bylaws should spell out the requirement to be active. If the SM does not follow the bylaw, then there is a basis for a review to the BOR, the troop committee or beyond. If the bylaw is incorrect (by demanding more than is required) then district and council advancement advisors can intervene.