Cubmaster Pete

Let me run this by you guys, if they give us $1000, is that a “charitable donation” as far as taxes are concerned? Or no, because theoretically they “own the units”?

While I do not have a problem being more involved with the CO, and they have been generous in the past, this really boils down to 1) they can't get their own members to show up and help with this public event and 2) they have had a few dissenters in the past about remaining our CO (been since 1940's)

They do provide a meeting space, but we choose to use a local church hall for both pack and troop meetings as it is much larger and more conducive to what we need. They do not provide storage for any gear other than space to park a small trailer.  They also provide a small campsite area.

48 minutes ago, Sentinel947 said:

 

• How many Scouts in your unit?  Between the troop and pack about 40
• How many Scouts and parents does it take to staff this fundraiser each time it's put on? 3 or 4 scouts and 2 adults
• How many Scouts and parents will consistently show up to the fundraiser if they are scheduled to?  Not sure, have not presented it to families yet.
• How long is this fundraiser? It sounds like it's on a weeknight, so maybe an hour or two? That'd be ideal. Couple hours
• Is the cookout scheduled at a reasonable time? Not too soon after school, not so late that your Scouts can't get their homework done? The dinner hour 6pm-8pm is probably ideal. yes its around that time
• How does your Troop typically get funded? Is it through fundraising? Or is your troop families well to do enough to just cut checks for everything? little of both. some familes do not fundraise, others do.
• What other contributions to your CO does your Troop make? Does your Troop provide any other service to the CO? Or is this the first significant request they've asked for? they have asked for spring cleanup help (wooded area) but usually they don't give us enough lead time to schedule it
• Is there a significant amount of families that are members of this CO, or is it a "Community Troop"? community troop, few are members of the CO

 

Just FYI the $1000 does not cover all of the recharter costs, which were $1900 between the pack and troop

22 minutes ago, FireStone said:

If you're comfortable with it, go for it. I wouldn't do it if it were me, but only because I know it would be a challenge to organize enough scouts on a monthly basis to work the burger stand. The monthly commitment, the need to be there each and every month, that'a tough, and I'd be nervous about that commitment getting in the way of other activities. 

That's a concern of mine as well. Or it would be a hard sell to scout families to commit.

 Just for starters the CO has given us $1000 every January for years to help with our recharter cost. I understand completely that they do not need to give us any money and that they are very generous. I am thankful for that.

Our CO has a public event one Wednesday a month. We were asked by the CO to sell brats and hamburgers at it for a fundraiser. Ok, sounds good. Captive audience, good exposure, helping our CO. Win-Win.

Now that I have found out more info, they want to withhold our yearly $1000 payment only if we commit to every month having the cookout fundraiser, and any profits go to the CO. Short and sweet our scouts work the sale and the CO keeps the money, and only then will we get the $1000. I do not know if we get to keep any additional money above and beyond the $1000, my guess is no.

We are having another meeting about this with our COR, both the troop and pack committee, and other leaders. In the meantime, what does everyone think? 

I was going to suggest the same thing, maybe even have a EMT or first responder come in and help put them together. If a contact at a fire station or ambulance service does not pan out (which I am sure it will) then approach a pharmacy.

@Corbin, if you are a new den leader, get trained! Offer these kids scout experiences! Get outside, go on a hike, do fun stuff. Build a birdhouse, tour a police station, rehearse skits to preform. 

Sounds like you pack needs a new leader to breathe some life into it. Take the reigns and don’t be afraid.

The Lone Scout thing probably would not work here, your DE will just say that you have a Family Pack (which you do) and that’s the pack that’s nearby. Unfortunately this isn’t a situation where there is no unit available. 

I would have her work on requirements with her father at another time, attend pack meetings as normal. She could be a “helper” with a Lion den. I realize this is not perfect, but it’s a start.

Then, have her do the recruiting for you. She wants her own den, then let her bring friends. You never know what parents who have never thought about scouts might be willing to do to make it work for kids.... that might be where you find the female leader you need.....

Would appear to be missing a house number and street or road. Mine would look like this

cubmaster pete

1234 anyroad

anytown, wi 53011

KOA has a scout program, $5 per person a night.

We have been toying with the idea of doing belt loops and pins at den meetings and only doing rank at pack events, so I think we will go that route. 

It doesn't take a lot of time to do it, and the kids and families enjoy it. I hear what you mean about the face paint, so maybe I will find something different to do.

Thanks for all the replies.

What I don't want is one parent saying "Why didn't you do that for my kid" when unfortunately I don't have time to do it....

We have had out Bobcat Ceremony for the year in the beginning of October. We do the face paint one. We had new scouts join since then, and they have earned their Bobcat. Would you hold the ceremony again (for one or 2 scouts) or just award them the badge?

Are they still available? The old green ones with the BSA emblem on them? Or something similar.....

Why not use a neat logo with "Anytown Scouts" on it? Use the BSA  logo and that would cover both the pack and troop and use the number...

We do $75 a year flat rate. If we do activities outside of a pack meeting that's an additional cost (sleepover at a museum, monster truck show, etc)

Nobody has ever balked at the cost. I run a used uniform package to keep costs down so it's about $36 for a shirt with all patches and a belt, rather than $60 retail. We don't require a hat. 

Look at you, lol. Got sucked in! 

Good luck, I love doing scout talks!

We are doing yellow and will for the forseeable future. Who cares if they went to red, do what you can do to be cost effective. 

"Age Appropriate Guidelines"

Is a guideline a rule?  

See "The pirates code is more like guidelines than actual rules" - Capt. Barbossa

Wow. So they can go to summer camp, but not shoot.

Unreal.

My guess is, if you made a YPT report to the council, something will happen. The SE would have to act. What the outcome will be is anyones guess.

Are you looking for a scout camp nearby? Most of them would be participating in summer camp activities and would not be able to have space for you.

Explorer Posts and Venturing Crews volunteer at the show, and they should fall under YPT regarding the showering questions (I do not know exactly) It appears they have their own camp they occupy during the show so that may solve the separate facility issue. I do not know if they could accommodate you or not but worth a shot. 

http://www.aviationexplorerbase.org/

Been reading this thread for awhile, will pipe up now...

I work for a railroad, and we have rules upon rules, they contradict each other, make it impossible to do your job. Make you angry even.

In the end, we end up breaking some of them anyways just to get stuff accomplished.  This seems like a similar situation.....

I think i got it but have to watched it yet. Can you elaborate whats different, or provide a link?

Seems to be some YPT violations here...

I used to work for Amtrak, and it has always been the under funded barely-making-it-by railroad. Especially the long distance routes outside the Northeast that seem to always be in the red.

That being said, I am confident that something can be worked out. BNSF does not operate freight trains over that portion of track, only operating it for Amtrak out of the "goodness of their heart" and because they were obligated to do so. Some state money will probably come into play to keep it open.