boleta

We recently had a scout come to a BOR for 1st Class. His 1 mile orienteering requirement was signed off by the ASM for his patrol. I had encouraged the guys to do the activity at summer camp when it was offered and I knew that this scout had decided to play that afternoon. The SM had signed for the conference and here he was at the BOR. I was a member of the Board. When he was questioned, it was clear that he had not done the activity. The BOR was halted and he was instructed to complete the requirement. (I was the one who set up the course and instructed him and 2 others on orienteerin

I agree with FOG that the guys do a lot of activities that could end up with a MB. Some of them are just not "into it" where they want the badge. The spring lull would be a good time to offer a programmed badge such as Family Life or Personal Management. Speakers can come to the troop and discussions can be had with all of those interested. The scouts still need to show all individual work but this can be done with the Meritbadge.com workbooks.

I am in agreement with the discussion so far. He already sat for the SM conference when he talked to him about the BOR. If the requirements are complete, then it is up to the BOR to determine if the rank should be given. The questions are- 1. How do we get the SM to agree with this discussion? and 2. How do we do this without losing the scout while the problem is being solved? I would like to hear a contrarian view if there is one here. (I have tried to get scouters involved with issues to read this forum when I have had conflicts. Unfortunately, they are rarely convinced by rational d

You can make the argument that if the 50% rule is spelled out, and all know the rule, and this is the definition of active that this unit chooses to use, then that is the rule. It would be difficult to argue with it. However, It must be applied uniformly and to all or accusations of favoritism and other irregularities will occur. But why do units want these punitive rules that are inflexible and discouraging to scouts? We are having a hard enough time keeping kids in scouting as it is.

In our troop, 100% attendance is asked. If a Scout cannot make a meeting, he is to call his Patrol leader and inform him of this. If he misses 4 meetings without a call, he becomes inactive and is not eligible for advancement. If he is on a sports team or will be otherwise unable to make meetings, he can ask to be on a leave of absence. This is spelled out clearly in the bylaws and all know the rules in advance of recognition. If you follow the rules, you are active. There is no absolute percentage required.

In our district, all Blue Cards are to be presented at Eagle BORs.

In our council, the Eagle application is filed electronically. The Merit Badges are listed alphabetically regardless of whether they were used for Star or Life!! The MB used for Star 3 years ago becomes irrelevant on the electronic Eagle app. Also, this may create problems when there are more than 26 merit badges and the Scout would like to get a Palm. Merit Badges that are used for Star and Life, but do not appear on the alphabetical Eagle app. may appear again on the Palm application because the Palm MBs must be different than those on the Eagle app. Kind of confusing isn't it?

It is hard to think like a scout- friendly, courteous, kind... when faced with the obstinant and resistant attitudes that my son encountered to get this recognition. I have been quite irritated that these adults discouraged a good kid from continuing in the troop (over a PALM!!), when they should be looking for ways to encourage it. I have had to erase several e-mails to the troop leadership when my scout sense took over and made me realize that I was not being constructive. However, because he was willing to fight for this recognition through Council, the Troop bylaws will be changed to a

The Council Advancement Committee voted unanimously (today, May 24, 2004), to overrule the Troop Board of Review and granted the Gold Eagle Palm to my son, dating it February 24, one day after the Scoutmaster Conference. He is now eligible for the Silver Palm on May 24, 2004! He will not participate further in this Troop except to receive the Gold Palm at the next Court of Honor on June 6 (his choice). He will get the Silver Palm in the Venture Crew. He has learned to fight for the recognition he deserved. I hope the Troop learns something from this about how to retain Eagle Scouts, alth

Bob White states that the CR can also be CC. Can he also be a Committee Member (MC) and not the CC? He would then be able to sit on Boards of Review if registered so.

I am relatively new to these discussions, but.... I cannot believe the absolutely un-AMERICAN attitude of many of the writers to this thread. I have disagreed with many of FOG's statements but defend his right to say them. I have much more respect for Bob White's comments because I tend to agree with him more. I find myself shaking my head at FOG but that's what makes the world an interesting place. Gee, I wish you all were just like me. Everything would be just perfect then.

The Palm BOR denied the Gold Palm for my son on Apr. 28. It was appealed to the Troop Committee on Apr. 29. The committee decided in a 6 to 5 vote to consider the demonstration of leadership ability ONLY IN THE TROOP. There was great discussion whether or not this was the troop policy indicating that it had not been worked out before the Palm began in Oct. The appeal is now in the hands of the Council Advancement Committee. I think he has demonstrated great leadership IN THE TROOP to stand up to the SM and the Committee when he thinks (as I do) that they are wrong and that he deserves the

In an earlier posting, FOG says "Is it not reasonable to expect that a requirement for a Scout program be be met by Scouting activities?" Then why does the Eagle Leadership Project specifically say scout groups cannot benefit? A valid leadership position is Den Chief that does not even benefit the Unit the Scout is in. A scout can be OA Rep and never be seen by the younger scouts in his unit. The SM is demanding that my son show leadership ability by working with the younger scouts in the troop. It does not say that this demonstration of leadership ability by assigned by th

You've got it backwards. If they wanted to exclude outside activities, they would have specified so- just like in the Star, Life and Eagle requirements. These cases have been appealed to National where the Palm is granted.

1. I agree completely with Bob White that the leadership comes after the election. He attends every class meeting and participates in fundraising. The class would not have been in the Homecoming Parade without his leadership and motivating all to apply. That's leadership. 2. The requirement is not more specific because of the problem of Eagles getting the rank and disappearing. The Palm program is the recognition and incentive to stay active in Scouts. One way to do this is to recognize these High School students (Who need activities for college) for their outside leadership as well.

The requirement for the Palm is completely different than that for Star and Life for a reason. Those requirements specifically state position of responsibility in your unit OR scoutmaster assigned leadership project to help the troop. For Eagle, the SM assigned project is NOT an option. For Palms, it is simply- make a satisfactory effort to develop and demonstrate leadership ability. It does not say "in the troop" because it is NOT REQUIRED! My son just won an election for Class Treasurer for next year. That should do it.

My son was denied his Gold palm because the SM would not sign off on Leadership Ability. 2 months later, I have convinced the Troop Committe to allow him to have a BOR. The BOR gave him a "continuance" because he did not have proof of his outside leadership activities. He is Class Treasurer, Captain of a Polar Plunge team that raised $600 for Special Olympics and got 10 classmates to jump into the Atlantic Ocean if Feb., Staff at the Outer Banks Camporall in Oct., Acting ASPL on the NESA Jambo at Annapolis in Jan. They are still not convinced that activities outside of the troop can be u

The COR is also a member of the Committee. Can he sit on a board of review? He is not a Committee Member but he is a member of the Committee!!

The BOR is made up of Registered Committee Members. Any parent can attend a Committee meeting. In some Troops the ASMs can do Scoutmaster Conferences, but in others, only the SM can do the conference. It should be in the Troop Bylaws. Recent discussions have confused me, though. Several ranks require that a Scout "participate" in a SM Conference. It does not say "pass" a SM Conference. But the SM must sign off before a BOR can be held. The recent discussions suggest that a BOR should be held whether or not the SM says the Scout is ready to advance. This does make sense as it allows