carebear3895

I had a buddy of mine who helped start of a "history reenactment" Venture Crew. I should ask him how that's going now. 

That's......odd.

This is pure speculation, but I think COVID-19 is being used as a scapegoat here for something else. Especially when OA's Momentum is happening in August and the Summit HA base will still be in operation. 

1 hour ago, David CO said:

Who cares?

It's peoples livelihoods.... 

"Create a membership category for youth and families with no advancement program"

You mean like how was Venturing was supposed to be? High Adventure emphasis with an OPTIONAL advancement program. 

This will be known in time as "The Merger Standard" 

47 minutes ago, Jameson76 said:

The Controversial Collapse of Boypower

BSA canceled the Boypower program two years early, amid widespread reports of inflated membership numbers.  Articles in the New York Daily News, the Central New Jersey Home News, and many other newspapers enumerated the problems. The Chicago council was accused of selling one-month memberships for ten cents; other councils for inventing names to register. At least 13 major cities were discovered to have falsified records, involving some 30,000-40,000 “phantom” scouts.

Ah, the ole "phone book" method. My SE told me stories about the old days. Makes you wonder if Scouting truly ever was as big as the old records show. 

12 hours ago, David CO said:

I'm surprised.  There may be hope for you yet.

Let's not start this again, ok? 

52 minutes ago, 5thGenTexan said:

Here is your documented source from National commenting...

 

where did you see this on? And if it's coming from Effie, it's true. She is in charge of ALL communications 

13 hours ago, Oldscout448 said:

Or a discount designed to encourage new sign ups.

It's not a discount. 

The $25 new-registration fee is on top of the membership fee. 

I hate my job 

5 minutes ago, Mrjeff said:

That my friend is "jacked up" because an organization that you dedicated yourself to was the victim of poor management, unpopular decisions and reckless  spending.  I just bet you could live well on .05 percent of the money that had been thrown into the black hole also known as The Summit Bechtel Reserve.

Just got off the retirement plan webinar. I really could've done without one of the Assistant Chiefs who makes 300k a year telling us "I know you must be mad, but remember why you joined in the first place" 

Well it looks like our retirement is one of those sacred cows. 

4 minutes ago, Mrjeff said:

This really is not very complicated. The charterd organization owns the unit and it IS their responsibility to recruit adult leadership.  The adult leadership KNOW that they represent the charterd organization and MUST abide by the dictates of the charterd organization AND the BSA.  After that it gets even easier, the adult leaders provide a leadership and program model that is strictly governed by the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.  That's it...

Let me say, when this actually happens, it works *chef kiss* PERFECTLY

To bad CO's only do what they are supposed to probably only like 20% off the time. 

I think a lot (A LOT) of Professionals are going to quickly try and justify their jobs. 

Just now, desertrat77 said:

Carebear, how so?  Are they sacred to the units, the council, or both?

Popcorn is a money maker. Like, I get it. Volunteer hate it.....but it's low overhead and a money maker for councils. I would reckon no council is in a good enough financial state to cut one of their largest fundraisers. 

I hate it, unit leaders hate it, but "merit badge factories" are just not going away because they are so popular. The day of little johnny scout calling up a merit badge counselor are long gone unfortunately (which is sad because I think that's a great skill for a scout to learn)

I would love to see national simplify the recharter process. It's one of those those things where the answer seems so simple, but I think it get's complicated because of the current charter system. I'm all on board with simplifying it, but if it hasn't happened now, will it ever?

9 minutes ago, desertrat77 said:

1.  Skip the slaughter house and send to the glue factory:

- Popcorn

- Merit badge fairs

- Rechartering process

IMO, I feel like I can practically guarantee you none of these three will be sent to the executioner. Besides, there are far from "Sacred cows". 

38 minutes ago, TAHAWK said:

That would require paid Scouters who actually know "the way it is supposed to be."  

I'll have you know I became a fully trained Skipper since i've been in quarantine! We don't even have a ship in our Council....I'm just bored

14 minutes ago, carebear3895 said:

over 50% will leave before 6 months. I'm not sure how many more will last the rest of the year

Looking at the Glasdoor or Indeed reviews for DE jobs is always sad, but funny is a depressing kind of way. 

There was one from a few months ago from Dallas (guessing circle ten) about how a bunch of people in the office were crying from the stress. I thought to myself "yea, that sounds pretty accurate"

6 minutes ago, desertrat77 said:

@carebear3895, congratulations on your promotion!

lol, thanks....i guess. It WAS NOT recent, in case anybody was wondering. I just haven't updated the patch on here.

Yes, I am as candid in real life as I am on here (probably why volunteers like me). It ticks off my boss, but I get the job done so it keeps the Executive Board happy. 

3 hours ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

Most of the really good, conscientious, dedicated-to-the-movement professionals (DE's) I have met over the years, got disillusioned or burned out, then left.  I understand this is a common thing, but have no data to back it up.  What is the turnover rate for DE's??

 

over 50% will leave before 6 months. I'm not sure how many more will last the rest of the year

1 hour ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

And I feel like I was betrayed by the professionals.

Something I've learned while in the Cadre, never trust a professional who would rather wear a suit than a field uniform. 

3 hours ago, MattR said:

Wait. You mean there was no program silo? I guess making one is good news.

This means nothing to me. This is just org chart stuff from my perspective. My question is how will my council be kept honest. If national is smaller along with regions and areas, then my council will have even less oversight. I'd like to say this is good but it just isn't. There is currently nothing to keep my council accountable to its customers. I don't see how this change improves anything.

Can't get any less oversight when there was already zero oversight *taps forehead* 

I've been a professional for years and still have zero idea what an Area Director does. Heck, I've never even met mine.

28 minutes ago, Eagle1993 said:

 

Also looking to see what this would be.  I'm curious what they meant by this statement.

My guess are council paid membership programs. I.E. scoutreach, restoring the village, etc. 

The big talk right now is fees going up to $66 in August. Honestly, they could've raised it 1 cent and you will see an exodus just based on principle. 

Friends, it's looking very, very bad. I have a complete lack of trust in National right now. I'll see if I can somehow get the link to the town hall last night.