CaliGirl

17 hours ago, fred8033 said:

We can disagree.  Most CORs won't do anything.  The CC and SM should.  But parents absolutely have the right to stand up for their kids when their kids are wronged.

And unfortunately, suffer severe consequences...

On 8/4/2020 at 7:37 PM, Thunderbird said:

Just curious, but why was the Unit Commissioner acting as a member of the Life BOR?  Was he just supposed to be observing, but then got carried away?

The UC did not 'visit' very often so when he did, it wasn't questioned.  The man is revered in out District.  However, he was silent for the other BORs that evening and the stark contrast in his behavior for my Scout's BOR was noted and questioned.

This happened more than a year ago, however my Scout is now in the middle of his Eagle service project.  The COR just mentioned that he needs to be around for my Scout's EBOR because there are concerns.  This prompted me to post an update because honestly, it feels like there will be repercussions AGAIN. Of course I am very worried, and will take your advice to ask the COR to document what transpired at the Scout's Life BOR with the District and Council. 

Thankfully he is no longer our Unit Commissioner or a BSA volunteer due to health issues.  However, I do have concerns about my Scout being treated fairly.  The situation begs the question  - who informed the UC about my son's BOR? And was it from his own Troop?  Yes, the UC overstepped in a big way but he has held so many roles in his Scouting career that no one dared consider going against him.  This same UC derailed an EBOR for a Scout from the old Unit, even telling other Scouters that he knew going in that he wasn't going to agree to pass him.  There was complete bias based upon his involvement with that Scout in the old Unit.  (There are a lot of details with that story but suffice it to say that the Scoutmaster was truly vengeful.) That Scout was denied Eagle and ultimately won in an appeal.  

I know this is from a long time ago but it deserves an update:

Would it surprise anyone here to learn that the Unit Commissioner from the old Unit was the very same Commissioner for the new Unit?  And guess who paid a visit to the new Unit on the very same night my Scout was to have his Life Board of Review?  Our Commissioner does not visit the Troop.  I sat on the other BORs for the night and our Commissioner was silent.  However, when I excused myself for my Scout's BOR, the Commissioner took over the BOR (even though the Troop's COR and Advancement Coordinator were in attendance) and he grilled the Scout mercilessly and RETESTED him for 45 minutes, until a Committee member told him to stop.  He then tried to persuade the Committee not to pass the Scout.  They passed him because they knew him, and this man did not.  He was basing his opinion on the old Scoutmaster, who was his buddy.

This is what happens in the BSA when you are treated unfairly and ask for help.  This is what happens when a District and Counsel are AWARE of a rogue Scoutmaster and allow him to continue.  My Scout was not the only victim of mistreatment in the old Troop.  But everyone knew about this Scoutmaster and just let it happen....

Thankfully he is happy in his new Troop, which is run very differently.  What the Council does with all of this information is out of my hands, and I doubt I will ever find out.  We are in the same District so clearly I am concerned about my Scout being with some of these Scouters (from the old Troop) at events.

@@Col. Flagg - The demerit program was not in place when he joined the Troop.  Glad my son has moved on!

@ Stosh - The rank was revoked after the BOR as punishment.  The Troop had not submitted the advancement papers to the Council.

The rank has now been awarded after several months, with the original BOR date.  Council examined the Scout's book and noted the multiple sign offs (in different handwriting and ink colors!).  They also had a discussion with the Scout.

In short, representatives of the Troop lied to cover the actions of their Scoutmaster, who revoked the rank.  Rather than admit his wrongdoing, a cover story was crafted.  Very, very sad.....

Stosh, I cannot possibly convey the amount of hurt this has caused.  The Scouting community is small.  My son has been verbally abused in school by boys from the old Troop. Now I fear his reputation in the new Troop has been tarnished.  He is 'that boy' whose parents went to Council.  Thankfully we have spared him the details of all the lies told.  He does not need to know the extent that adults will go to in order to protect themselves.

@ krikkitbot - No, he is not that old.  Time is not a concern right now.  He is happy in the new Troop.  If they want another SM conference and BOR for this rank he will do it.

The Council has been actively involved, and the members whom I have spoken to have seemed truly sympathetic. They hold the opinion that he earned the rank and would like the new Troop to submit the paperwork.  However, I am getting the sense that the new Troop wants nothing to do with this, and I cannot say that I blame them.  

Unfortunately this issue still has not been resolved.  The original Boy Scout Troop now contends that his Board of Review NEVER took place, despite the fact that the Committee Members signed his book.  I am absolutely flabbergasted by the lies and behavior of these adult leaders.  Their actions are so far out of line with BSA guidelines and expectations. I am sorry to say that we are seriously considering leaving Boy Scouts.

Thank you all for your responses.  To clarify here, the reason he was asked to leave a camp out had nothing to do with violence of any kind, weapons, fire, profanity, drugs or alcohol.  He provided an honest opinion and it was not appreciated, that is all.  

My Scout would just like the rank that he earned months ago and will forgo the COH.  Not looking to get anyone in trouble here.  Would just like to move on...

@@Oldscout448 - he was asked to leave a local campout.

@@krikkitbot - My son was asked his opinion on a camping related matter - that is all I can say without going into detail.  One of the ASMs could not believe he was being asked to leave over it.

@@NJCubScouter - The last thing I want is for the new Troop to be involved.  This is absolutely not their problem. 

@@NJCubScouter - it was for First Class.

@@T2Eagle My understanding is that he had to wait until the next COH.  However, the way things have been operating in this Troop I am sure there would have been even more obstacles put in his way.  We are changing Units.  I attended a Troop Committee meeting at the new Troop and it has further highlighted to me the old Troop's dysfunction.

His 7+ years includes Cub Scouts.  Thankfully this was not a BOR for Eagle!  I am looking at his handbook right now and yes, it was signed off.  

@@krypton_son To be fair, I think this SM is a good man who perhaps has been at it too long.  Recently an ASM criticized something to the SM and his response was "If you want my job you can have it right now."  I know how difficult it is to get and retain good volunteers.  Unfortunately there is no waiting list for SM here so we have chosen to move on.

@@David CO The rank advancement was not submitted to the registrar and the COH has already taken place.  I had the registrar run my son's report to confirm.  It was also missing some recent training.

I understand that the demerit policy falls outside of the BSA program.  I also understand the need for rules, however what was outlined in the Troop Code of Conduct is not being enforced.  There has not been any positive reinforcement here - at all.

Not we wait.

@@Cubmaster Pete We are not alone.  I know of at least six Scout families within the Unit who are very unhappy.

Thank you for your kind words.  

@@Cubmaster Pete he is in the process of changing units because of this incident and because of the way this Troop is run overall.  I have a very active Scout, who has been involved for 7+ years.  He is determined to reach Eagle, but the environment in this Troop is not healthy.  Council was notified this past week and we are waiting on resolution.  Per our initial discussion they were very supportive but you never know 'who knows who'....

Thanks for your response, NJCubScouter.  The demerit was not at all related to the BOR, and was not for anything serious or violent.  In addition to the demerit and loss of rank, he was asked to leave a campout.  During the same time period, the SM also stripped an older boy of his rank advancement for talking during a Troop meeting.

Can a Scout Master pull a Boy Scout's rank advancement after a successful Board of Review?  Our Troop unfortunately has a demerit program in place and my son received one in between the BOR and COH.  As a result, he pulled the rank advancement, in addition to other punishment.  Your thoughts would be appreciated.