Cubmaster Pete

10 minutes ago, ParkMan said:

Be transparent as best possible and provide an honest update.  i.e., "National is under tremendous financial uncertainty and pressure.  While I don't know the specifics, it sure appears that something unusual is keeping them from setting the fee for 2020.  National is aware how important it is and hopefully we'll get it soon."

 

And I would probably have done that. On the boards, it's a little different environment than a parents mtg.

46 minutes ago, ParkMan said:

How do you blame national for this fee increase?  

Poor choice of words on my part, failure to edit my post. Ya got me... I really don't blame anyone, not National even...

My comments were directed at the poor timing and wording of the statement, failure to plan, and now volunteer leaders such as myself having to deal with the fallout. 

We are the face of the organization to our families, and it makes us look unprepared and inept. That's why I am deflecting the criticism towards Irving. 

50 minutes ago, 5thGenTexan said:

  There are 4 of us in my family and $400 a year to National is not going to be possible.  I know the original letter from National said that to cover the increase we could just sell more popcorn and that line of thinking makes me say unkind things.

I can sympathise, there are 6 of us including CC/DL mama and me. 

We don't sell popcorn at my unit. I refuse to. We make more money doing other fundraisers. 

2 minutes ago, walk in the woods said:

 

The question isn't whether a family can absorb the 10% relative increase, rather, the question being prompted is if the BSA is providing $1100/year worth of value.  

Exactly. Even if it's only that, and as @ParkMan said it's not that much, but are parents going to say "Increase? Nope. I will spend my allocated $ for youth programs elsewhere"

Unfortunately, people aren't as loyal as we would like to hope. There is too much out there to be a part of. And current negativity towards the BSA, warranted or not, makes any increase a hard sell.

Believe me, when I need to go to families and ask for MORE money, I will surely blame Nationals ineptitude. I have no issue throwing them under the bus.

2 hours ago, njdrt-rdr said:

Can you tell me where you saw this requirement?

I think they are referring to the BSA regulation about 2 deep leadership at every Scout function, no matter what it is.

3 minutes ago, Cburkhardt said:

  Program:  Going back to the Green Bar Bill way of doing things.  

Where is this happening?

And don't get me started on awards costs... we spent $400 on belt loops last season. Sorry, that's insanity for something that doesn't fit thru the belt loops well, and they don't end up wearing the belt half the time anyways because they can't put it on.

Beads were much cheaper, and did the job just as well.

8 minutes ago, desertrat77 said:

Pete, I've been long convinced that the cub program is going to be one of the leading causes of the BSA's failure to thrive.

The cub program, as I went through it, was this:

Bobcat/Wolf/Bear:  Okay cubs, you've got 2 years [for all three ranks] to learn how to get along with people and do some age appropriate stuff.

Webelos:  1 year!  You've got 1 year to grow up and get ready to join a troop!  See that troop over there?  Hiking, backpacking, building big signal towers, cooking delicious food on fire?  That's what's in store.  So we're going to take one year to get you ready to join the troop.  And no slacking!

 

I was in for the beginning of Tigers, but I dont remember much of it because Tigers was in its infancy.

There is too much repetition over the years, too much doing the same crap. And some if that crap is BORING. The kids want to be outside, exploring. Current program does not do enough of that. Oh it's there, but just not enough.

1 hour ago, desertrat77 said:

 

2.  If we are going to fight to stay relevant, we need to get back to our best selling product:  outdoor adventure.  And encourage thriftiness.  Jettison the "Gucci Gear" mentality.  Cease the big push for earning Eagle.  Sell off or mothball everything that doesn't help scouts get on the trail, in the campsite, on the lake or atop the mountain peak.

 

Yep, lost its way. The program is not what it used to be. My W2 leader and I had that conversation this summer at our pack campout. They won't be bridging over to Scouts BSA. That's not the only reason, but one if them.

Here is the rub, other programs like BPSA-US are still doing it the old, traditional scouting way. And the BSA is the heritage organization, and it doesn't look like that at all. It's frustrating and damn near impossible to support and organization that, apparently, doesn't have the willingness to change...or just can't. 

I'm tempted to ditch the current Cub advancement program, dig out the old stuff, and use that instead. What are they gonna do, fire me?

18 minutes ago, Jameson76 said:

...not to mention fees at the 19th hole

 

Those are fees I've never minded paying....

15 minutes ago, desertrat77 said:

From my observation/conversations, folks aren't thinking about leaving solely because of the fee increase.  The increase is the proverbial straw.  They are tired and worn out.   I think many scouters can handle changes and challenges.  What they are tired of is the continual red tape from National and inefficiency and/or indifference from their local council.

Agreed. I would get tired and worn out doing any scouting program, no matter what organization it is. But the constant bs from National and Council is sometimes overwhelming.

5 minutes ago, ParkMan said:

I know not quite the question you're asking, but...

I'd plan a fundraiser.  

While I am fine with that, it takes adults to run that, especially at the Cub level. Most of my parents are have Fundraiser fatigue (we had 4 this year)

Leaning towards BPSA-US. Just curious if anyone has any experience with them, or another group.

Leaving the BSA is not a easy decision or one to take lightly...

Not trying to start rumors and cause issues, but...

If the BSA fee got too high for you to pay, what would you do? Quit altogether, find another program? Try to move your whole group to another program? Just curious if anyone has gotten that far yet in the "what if" scenario. Be Prepared...

If $48 or $49 was true, that would put my pack dues at $95 a year. For my 4 scouts, that puts me in a range I probably can't afford. Myself, and a lot of other families that already told me no more increases.

Will take clever ideas to hold the line..... beads sound better than belt loops....

I can't believe the damage, it's crazy.

Bear Paw and Gardner Dam, 2 other camps nearby, sustained damage as well. Not nearly as bad thought

Lol get rid of the uniform, and National eliminates a revenue stream.

Got a few more bits of info, CO had wanted us to do every week, April thru August. COR got them to agree to once a month, April thru August.

Realistically each scout family would have to do one event a year. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for CO and unit harmony.

We have had so much snow here lately, and more in this part of the state. Just had a blizzard move thru this area last week.

This is one of my councils camps. Glad no one was hurt.

1 hour ago, David CO said:

The children must be so disappointed.

The oldest is, his last year in elementary school.

Once he's climbing rocks in the Badlands, he'll get over it....

48 minutes ago, David CO said:

The shadow knows.

Mwuhahahahah!

5 days here in Wisconsin for us, and the school year has to be lengthened because we went over the built in make up days.

Not for my kids though, we planned a trip, and they won't make them up. Darn!

They are a Sportsman’s Club. 

59 minutes ago, ParkMan said:

There is no tax implication for the reason you mentioned.  Theoreticallly it's like a church allocating $1,000 to their youth group.

 

Thanks, that clears up a lot.