Khaliela

1 hour ago, MattR said:

The website itself might be free. A domain name costs money but, for the size of a website you need, it costs nothing to run. You just need someone to help set it up.

The trick is to find a domain name that's cheap. Ex. from my business Hart and Hind Publishing Company: 
hartandhind.com cost $1200 (yearly), BUT hartandhindpc.com cost $15 (yearly).

There are lots of Wordpress meet-up groups and they're generally happy to have new members.  Also, Wordpress is easy to learn and use. It's easy to update and maintain a website yourself, so you just need to pay for the domain name and hosting.

Honestly, I'm surprised there isn't a web development merit badge--most teens are tech savvy enough to create a webpage themselves. Maybe this could be a project they turn over to the kids.
 

On 8/7/2022 at 3:24 PM, 5thGenTexan said:

I don't have $5 a month to setup a webpage unfortunately.  

If you don't have the ubiquitous "for the price of a single cup of coffee per month" for your unit, why are you asking about marketing? 

Everything has a cost, be it fliers, radio spots, or FB ads. At $5/month, a webpage is likely the cheapest opportunity you will find. Our local newspaper charges $12 per column inch of black and white text, which few people will see. Our meet-up page cost $180/year. The cheapest radio spot in my area is $22 for 30 seconds. Want to hand out bookmarks at events like the county fair? That's $50 for the vendor permit, $135 for bookmark printing, and probably $250 for the graphics, though you can use the design for years. Heck, at Staples, 100 black and white fliers will still cost $19. There are no magic marketing bullets and certainty not for less than $5/month.

On 8/6/2022 at 1:03 PM, 5thGenTexan said:

I HAVE to find a way to recruit.  Our GT has 11 girls at the moment, and I can't rely on Cub crossovers.  I posted a flyer in the middle school newsletter as well as on FB, but that doesnt seem to really reap any results.  

Create a FB page--It's free. The girls won't share this, but their parents will, which means other girl's parents will see it, too.

Have the girls make short videos they can post on Tic Tok, Insta, and reels. Don't do the stupid "Please join" video either. Have them show something cool like ziplining, with captions like "look what we did last weekend!" When word gets out that the girls are doing cool things, you'll have recruits.

Set up a webpage--It's easy to do and will cost $5/month. In today's world, if you don't have a webpage, you don't exist.

My experience with marketing is with writing groups, not scouts, but the same principals apply--most groups don't do any kind of marketing. By just publicly posting our weekly meeting times on Meet-up, we grew for 11 people to 50 people in just one year. By upping the game and creating a webpage (www.palousewritersguild.org), the group now has over 300 members and is able to host writers festival every summer. As you can see it's a pretty simple page, but it lets people know what we're doing and where we meet. It also provides a way for people to contact us with questions. You really don't need much more than that.

Greetings:
I enjoy history and have done quite a bit of research on the microhistory of Camp Grizzly in Harvard, Idaho. 

The link below has information on the camp as well as ways to access two separate articles I wrote for the local historical society. The first chronicles the history from 1859 to 1907 ("History of the Camp Grizzly Area, 1859 to 1907." Latah Legacy, Vol. 45, No. 1) and the second covers the period from 1900 to 1942. ("History of Camp Grizzly Area 1900-1942." Latah Legacy, Vol. 46, No. 1.)
Camp Grizzly History | Khaliela Wright

I also wrote a fanciful piece about the origins of the ghost stories the boys told at camp for IDAHO Magazine.
Grizzly Ghosts | Khaliela Wright

The piece about the ghost stories even landed me an interview on a podcast with lovers of the paranormal who, I believe, were former Scouts.
https://khalielawright.com/beyond-terrestrial-podcast/

This summer our troop was approached by 6 youth who wanted to start a crew (half lads and half lasses.) The DE said we couldn’t start a crew, that a crew needed a CO in order to become a reality. (Preferably a bicycle shop of a cycling crew, the rifle range for a shooting crew, etc.) Our CO is willing to sponsor a crew and the DE was told as much. The kids just want to be a “High Adventure-Outdoors Crew†and not dedicated to any specific pursuit.

The DE has been telling us for two months that she will meet with the Pastor; our CO designated representative, but never gets around to it. School starts soon and the crew has decided to just start meeting anyway, with or without a charter. (I guess they’ll just be an outdoor club for a few months.) Is there anything the committee can do, aside from waiting for the DE who is taking her precious time, to help these kids get the all clear?

ya know I bet a Scottish kilt and a class A shirt would look kinda Bad A$$

I have never went directly from a scout event to a bar for any reason. Not exactly sure why that makes me a hypocrite.

Why is it that it's OK to wear your uniform to church and drink alcohol, but its not OK to wear your uniform outside of church to drink alcohol? Further, why is it wrong to not wear your uniform and drink alcohol? Would you consider approving their consumption of amber fluids if they put their uniform back on?

Our boys like hammocks when allowed. (Usually only 2 or 3 actually bring a hammock, they rest just play in those during the day.) Not all places allow hammocks though. While in the Grand Canyon this year the rangers told us not to use hammocks because they were a danger to the Elk on the Rim, and could damage the trees below. If you are a tent user check with local authorities first, or plan on brining a tent or tarp use just in case.

28 Tigers! Yowza! That's 56 folks at every Tiger meeting! That's not a den meeting, that is a convention!

 

Seriously, requiring Cubs (or the Cub's parents) to purchase new den numbers every year, not to mention the hassle of tearing off the old, and sewing on the new, is just plain silly. Also, if you get a family that uses the fabric glue instead of sewing, you could be talking about buying a new shirt every year.

 

Our dens keep their number until they finish Webelos (or change to a Webelos den emblem). Then the "old" Webelos den number becomes the "new" Tiger den number. If we need to split a den, the new den becomes den 6, 7, etc.

Granted I've never been accused of doing things the way council wants them, but den numbers seem stupid.

When my boys were in Cubs the dens were treated "sorta" like patrols. We let each den choose on of the patrol emblems and used that as an identifier. My oldest was in the Roadrunners Den, my youngest was a Vampire Bat. Over the years I have also been a den leader for Cobra's and Hunters. More fun than saying I'm in den 4.

In an ideal world, we would always be back on Sunday morning in time for everyone to attend their own church, or no church. But that cannot always happen.

 

For our Scouts that do not belong to any church, the thought has always been it is good exposure at least one Sunday (or Saturday evening) a month.

 

For those Scouts that do belong to another denomination, I wish their churches had 1-hour services at 5:00pm Saturday, and 8 / 9:30 / 11 am on Sunday, and we had enough leaders to get them all to their different churches. But neither is the case. And on many occasions we would not have 2-deep leadership for any non-Catholic Scouts who would stay back in camp. So we all go to Mass together.

From the GTA,

Section 1. Freedom, clause 3.

In no case where a unit is connected with a church or other distinctively religious organization shall members of other denominations or faith be required, because of their membership in the unit, to take part in or observe a religious ceremony distinctly unique to that organization or church.

 

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33088.pdf

When someone prays everyone is expected to sit though it; we don't say "Now everyone who doesn't want to hear Jonny pray, please leave the room" before proceeding. Either we should accept all the sects or not have a religious component at all.

To earn a Venturing Bronze award you have to learn about religions other than your own; perhaps it's time Boy Scouts did the same. (Granted I can already hear the Christians screaming "persecution!" I've never understood why it's OK for them to require the rest of us to attend their religious services, but's its persecution if we expect them to reciprocate.)

 

For our Scouts that do not belong to any church, the thought has always been it is good exposure at least one Sunday (or Saturday evening) a month.

 

.

 

I find that terribly disrespectful. I too was a member of a Catholic Troop that had the very same requirements; my boys and I are no longer members of that unit. We joined a Methodist Troop that respects our religious differences. There isn't anyone on the planet who hasn't heard the "good news," this means that if someone isn't Christian (or Catholic) it's because they choose not be.

 

Our current SM is Catholic; he also left the Catholic Troop because he didn't like the policy of forcing religion on to others (He had this crazy idea that people were given free will for the purpose of allowing them to exercise it and that included freedom to choose a religious preface.) Bottom line: You may end up running off your catholic membership as well as your non-Catholic membership.

I, too, find coerced invitations counter productive. I've attended many a Mass, Church service, and Meeting with the Mormons, when invited. I view them as cultural experiences. However, when told I MUST attend, I just flat out refuse. It's a, "you'll catch more flies with honey" thing I guess . . .

It may interest some of the cub leaders to know that the award of belt loop isn't recorded anywhere with their council. It's as if the award don't really exist; at least not on paper. The arrow points, on the other hand, do show up on the council advancement reports.

 

I'm in the process of going though my sons advancement report in preparation for him submitting his Eagle Scout application. He has a whole string of beltloops from cubs in his closet, but they don't count for anything--only the arrow points show up on the advancement report. Luckily nothing from cubs matters when it comes to eagle rank, but it was interesting to see since our pack also pushed beltloops over arrow points.

It's not a big deal because nothing from Cubs matters anyway, but it is interesting that so many packs are trying to earn them when they won't show up on an advancement report when the kid goes up for Eagle. The Arrow points do show up though.

The troop owns the equipment in the same way that a corporation owns their assets; that's why we are all required to obtain a tax ID number. The State expects us to collect and pay Sales Tax on the stuff we sell, Popcorn, Honey, Christmas Trees, hotdogs at RenFair, etc. And we have to submit earnings statements to the IRS. When an SM, ASM, CC, or other leader leaves they turn in their keys and no longer have access to "Troop Equipment." The CO owns the building, but the equipment belongs to the troop, provided it was purchased by troop funds. If the CO purchased the equipment, then they would own that as well, but if it was purchased by the troop and logged in the annual expense reports, it belongs to the troop.

Short answer is yes it's possible.

I was CM and DL for 2 dens w/o assistants for either for about 2 years. There wasn't an assistant CM either. Speaking from experience, I'd advice against it. It wasn't long before the Pack began relying on my for everything and "Khaliela will do it seemed to be their manta."

I got burnt out and crossed my son over to BS after only 1 year of Weblos and told everyone of my plan 6 moths out; Nobody believed me. When I left the pack was so used to everything being done for them that they ended up hiring a college kid to take over as CM after several months of prenatal refusals.

If you do this, in the long run it will hurt your pack.

It may interest some of the cub leaders to know that the award of belt loop isn't recorded anywhere with their council. It's as if the award don't really exist; at least not on paper. The arrow points, on the other hand, do show up on the council advancement reports.

I'm in the process of going though my sons advancement report in preparation for him submitting his Eagle Scout application. He has a whole string of beltloops from cubs in his closet, but they don't count for anything--only the arrow points show up on the advancement report. Luckily nothing from cubs matters when it comes to eagle rank, but it was interesting to see since our pack also pushed beltloops over arrow points.

It seems that random google-ing is the winner; so much for bing, LOL!

Maybe the better question is, "Why have you waited so long to participate in the forum?" I've known about Scouter.com from other adult leaders, but I blew it off. What was I to get from a "virtual roundtable"?

 

Disenfranchised with my Council RT, I signed on to this forum only very recently. I'm glad I did. Folks here dont just wear the uniform, if you know what i mean.

I'm for keeping the merit badge focus; high adventure can happen the other 11 months of the year. We've taken the boys Kayaking and white water rafting; gone caving; taken week long backpacking trips; gone to ropes courses and used zip lines; all outside of the summer camp experience. We tell our boys that camp is for merit badges, the rest of the year is for fun!

I find that most kids who do not fill out their day with MB's at camp end up getting board and a board scout is trouble waiting to happen. Besides I think most boys would rather have to work their butts off for one week than to have the merit badges follow them around the rest of the year. Granted, I come from a highly motivated troop with a bunch of intellectual kids who enjoyed pestering each other about their HW while sitting around the picnic table at camp with the lantern burning.

Both my boys earned 5 MB at camp their first year, and under my leadership at camp we had one lad earn 7. That's why I oppose limits on MB's at camp. If you have a gung ho lad--give him room to excel. Life gets crazy with academic pursuits, athletic pursuits; philanthropic causes; career decisions; internships; religious requirements, etcetera ad nauseaum. Let them get the MB's done at camp--saves head-ache trying to fit them in elsewhere.

EagleScout441: I will never hold a "leadership" position in BSA for the reason that I am not Christian. My council has threatened to revoke our charter if I am ever placed in a leadership position.

Am I upset about the decision? yes.

Do I think it's unfair? yes

Is there any thing I can do about it? No

Do I still serve? yes.

I am the most qualified adult in the troop to serve as SM and our current SM knows it. When the boys need to learn anything about plants and animals he sends them to me. I built the Klondike sleds we still use back when my boys were in cubs. I am certified in First Aid and CPR. I am a volunteer Hunters Education instructor and can help the boys with shooting sports, including Archery and have spent many a hour at the archery range helping lads finish up partials from camp. I am highly organized and equally adventurous. I'm everything you'd want in an SM; but I will never be able to wear he uniform. That dose not prevent me from serving my unit.

True leadership is doing what's right because it's right; not because you can get another patch or be recognized in some way. Life isn't fair.

So I ask you again, what did you win by losing?

I won the freedom to do whatever I want to do with those boys because there is no way they can punish me . . . Sometimes life's greatest reward is to be denied a position of responsibility.

From the GTA,

Section 1. Freedom, clause 3.

In no case where a unit is connected with a church or other distinctively religious organization shall members of other denominations or faith be required, because of their membership in the unit, to take part in or observe a religious ceremony distinctly unique to that organization or church.

 

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33088.pdf

 

For our Scouts that do not belong to any church, the thought has always been it is good exposure at least one Sunday (or Saturday evening) a month.

 

.

I find that terribly disrespectful. I too was a member of a Catholic Troop that had the very same requirements; my boys and I are no longer members of that unit. We joined a Methodist Troop that respects our religious differences. There isn't anyone on the planet who hasn't heard the "good news," this means that if someone isn't Christian (or Catholic) it's because they choose not be.

Our current SM is Catholic; he also left the Catholic Troop because he didn't like the policy of forcing religion on to others (He had this crazy idea that people were given free will for the purpose of allowing them to exercise it and that included freedom to choose a religious preface.) Bottom line: You may end up running off your catholic membership as well as your non-Catholic membership.

I lost the election for SPL and didn't get ASPL either. The new SPL is more "popular" than I am but, from what I've seen, doesn't have the leadership ability and dedication required to be SPL, he is also 1 1/2 years younger than I am, which is just insulting. The new ASPL is a 17 year old Star Scout who joined the troop about 5 years ago, but last night was the first meeting he has showed up to since January 2012, and they still elected him over me. So now I'm going to focus on finishing all my partially complete merit badges and then join Venturing.

My son was not elected to OA the first year he was eligible; but he didn't quit camping and give up. He was elected to troop leadership positions 3 elections in a row, but this June when he ran for SPL someone else won (and just like your situation it was because the other person was more popular.) Rather than be upset he congratulated the winner and used the extra time he just gained to finish his Eagle Project. He is still able to show his leadership abilities (and good nature) by cheerfully filling in for the SPL when he can't make it to meetings because of family commitments.

Winning is an attitude, not a tally on a score board. No one can truly be a good leader until they've given their all and lost. Leaders make decisions, good leaders take responsibility for their outcomes. You may have lost the election, but ask your self what did you win in the process?

It was recommended to me by another crew advisor who I met at an Area Venturing Officer's Association meeting. At the time I was getting a lot of cross-talk of how things were to be done between my crew and my troop. I've been asked to open meetings with prayer a lot. I don't think it was because I always matched the religion of the folks who asked me. I'd like to think it was because the folks knew I had the best interests of everyone present at heart. And honestly, love makes up for a whole lot of unorthodoxy. So if there's someone like that who, although likely to step on some of your "hot buttons", you feel has their heart in the right place, ask them. If not, I like s99's advice. Hold it someplace where sacred cows aren't offended.

There is a crew about 45 miles from here, but they don't run the program the way council recommends and I have a feeling that what council recommends doesn't line up with the way the program was designed. (Council wants all crews to focus on one specific area, like cycling and run the entire program around bikes.) Unfortunately, the lasses that have approached us want the "Boy Scout Experience" not a cycling club. They want to go camping, backpacking, rafting, and caving just like the boys. That crew just treats the girls like a patrol from the troop, boys in brown uniforms, girls in green.