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MikeS72

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Posts posted by MikeS72

  1. 1 hour ago, Navybone said:

    The OP provided evidence that there were affinity group meetings at NOAC (5 March) He did not specifically state why they were detrimental other than they exist.  He never states exactly why.  He then provided examples at a national level that had no actual connection or identified applicability to BSA.

    His apprehension on a white male affinity group is his perception -  or did someone tell him he cannot form one?

     

    1 hour ago, Navybone said:

    The OP provided evidence that there were affinity group meetings at NOAC (5 March) He did not specifically state why they were detrimental other than they exist.  He never states exactly why. 

    Go back to late July/early August of 2020 and you will see more explicit examples of why the OP was angry about one specific affinity group at the last NOAC.

    While the only affinity group I attended that week was a NESA group I knew exactly what and whom he was angry about, as a very crowded dining hall found me at an empty space at a table with the person he described in detail several times.  In the 20 or so minutes I was there I found the young man personable and polite.  If anyone remembers the conversations right after NOAC there is no doubt what the OP was referring to at that time or what he is referring to in this thread.

     

     

     

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  2. 1 hour ago, mrjohns2 said:

    I first heard it when Citizenship in Society came out in draft form.

    Had I not spent 2/3 of my life in the public school system CiS may well have been the first I heard it used as well.  Due to many years in elementary, middle school, and high schools it is a term that I am very familiar with and use often.

  3. 3 hours ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

    mmm... recent changes to my.scouting.org?  In-Council Transfer Application not accessible directly from the page...

    On the roster page for the current Pack or Troop you click the check box by the name of the Scout.  That will change 'transfer' at the top of the page to a clickable link.  Click on it and it will ask you for the unit type and number, that will allow you to select the correct unit.  Once you click to complete the transfer it will let you know that the registration has been created.  The new unit accepts via my.scouting and it is done.  (Just did one today for an outgoing AOL)

  4. 3 hours ago, Navybone said:

    I would disagree that it is a made up woke term.  I have heard it over the last decade plus while int he military to stop/reduce Blue on Blue sexual assaults (committed on sailors by other sailors): do not be a bystander - see something, say something, do something.  What is woke about that?

    The term upstander versus bystander has been used in anti-bullying programs for probably 15 - 20 years in many school systems.  Exactly what we would hope a Scout would be if he or she witnessed bullying.

    • Upvote 3
  5. 2 hours ago, swilliams said:

    The Eagle Coach says he emailed it to the District Advancement Chair.  The DAC says he never got it.  And here's the thing I wanted to FIGHT but my son asked me not to.   Our District WILL NOT allow a scout to submit the proposal paperwork directly on their own.  

    For fundraising, Council says under $2,500 you only need approval from the Unit/CC.  Between $2,500 and $10,000 you need District Approval (DAC and whatever committee is reviewing.  Over that, and you need Council approval.  I have no idea if or whether the fundraising differs from National guidelines.  I know the approval process does.  But that's water under the bridge at this point.

    Eagle Coach says he resubmitted.  He says, "When he (District Advancement Chair) confirms receipt I will ask to expedite."  It would have been nice if the "confirm receipt had happened initially.  So we're in a holding pattern for now.

    Pretty sure the fundraising guidelines apply nation wide.

    No idea other than imposing their will on a Scout as to why they do not allow them to submit their own proposal.  In our district the Scout usually works with a mentor, sometimes someone in the same unit, sometimes someone they are comfortable with from outside the unit.  Once they are confident everything is ready to go with the proposal the Scout contacts the DAC to set up a meeting (in our case this meeting is frequently just before or during Roundtable) to go over everything and get approval.  Once the project is complete it is the responsibility of the Scout to get it to the council chair for her approval before it goes to national.

    Hope everything works out for BOTH of your Scouts.

    • Upvote 1
  6. 6 hours ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

    Do they have the "attachment" rates for Scouts BSA awards?

    This was part of a presentation by Anthony Berger, who is the National Director of Cub Scout programs.  I do not recall anyone asking about the Scouts BSA rates.  This is the overall rate nationwide, which I am sure varies depending on district or council.  Here we see a lot of Cub earn the shooting sports awards at the many Cub camping events our council hosts.  My district also offers 5 -6 free shooting sports days each year.

    • Upvote 1
  7. 38 minutes ago, MisterH said:

    Does this mean that the awards are being phased out entirely and being transformed into electives?

    Yes.

    This was a part of the presentation at our council leadership summit yesterday.

    20240203_104720.jpg

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    • Upvote 1
  8. 38 minutes ago, curious_scouter said:

    FWIW my exec replied that council policy is as long as the paper app has hit their desk and YPT is confirmed we're good to go.  The lag in council processing the paperwork should not concern us if the paperwork is in as the act of submitting a valid and accepted application is what gets that person covered as a registered leader, insurance, etc.  I do worry about the "what if they lose it".   Two years ago, our entire recharter was lost and it took 9 months to sort it out.

    The interim between paperwork and online status is killing us for using otherwise great tools like internet advancement.  I can't enter advancement.  I can't enter activity logs, training, swimming status, etc, etc.   It all hinges on paperwork.  Why not just let me keep entering data and information for a person?

    Ha.  True that.

    I would be extremely surprised if any council would be able to ignore the new requirement that a completed background check must come back before anyone has contact with scouts or serves in any capacity.   How will your council exec explain the sudden absence of said volunteer if and when that background check shows that they should not have been accepted due to abuse being uncovered?  

    If I am not mistaken this is one of the YPT conditions of the bankruptcy settlement.  (and something that should have been in place all along, just like ending the 72 hour rule that should never have been in place)

    • Upvote 1
  9. 49 minutes ago, Maboot38 said:

    which isn't working well because unless you install an app, you only see phone numbers in the messages. 

    I don't know about the Apple ecosystem, but on my Android phone texts show phone numbers rather than names only if it comes from someone not in my contacts.  Contacts show names.

     

  10. 20 hours ago, Eagledad said:

    I remember well how to use the hammer and saw properly at my first Cub Scout Den meeting at the age of six.

    Rogue Pack??  

    I joined Cub Scouts in 1961, when the joining age was 8.  It was not long ago (relatively speaking) that Cubs went with the Tiger Cub program and even more recently that the Lion Dens were added.

    As for things we can no longer do, you only have to look at certain aspects of OA ceremonies that have been changed over the years due to risk factors or to Wood Badge where I remember my patrol being given rope, a canvas tarp, and a pile of brush and we had to figure out how to get everyone to the other side of the pond in the area of our council camp where the course was held.  No one could get wet during the attempt, let alone drowned.

     

  11. 19 minutes ago, RememberSchiff said:

    Nov 21, 2023:  Arkansas

    It was announced Quapaw (3400 scouts in 39 counties) and Westark (2800 scouts, 17 counties) Area Boy Scout Councils will merge to form the Natural State Council.

    Sources:

    https://nwa.pressreader.com/article/281827173508349  

    https://www.kark.com/news/local-news/quapaw-westark-area-boy-scout-councils-announce-merger/

    Sounds like a net positive for both councils.  I am sure the newly formed Natural State Council will do just fine under Shanna's leadership.  (Shanna was our DE here in CFC a while back - great person to work with)

     

    • Upvote 1
  12. 2 hours ago, Tron said:

    It really depends on the scout and on the troop. A mature 10 year old that powers through their AOL can in my experience crossover the 1st day of summer break between 4th and 5th grade and have absolutely no problems. What do you think about parent meeting and explain the options for the scouts and explain the risk/reward? When a go getter Webelos crosses over a year earlier than expected with their AOL they basically gain an extra year to get their Eagle.

    All depends on when that scout turned 10.  The last requirement for AoL is "Be active in your Webelos Den for 6 months or Be 10 and a half years old."

    While some Webelos may have turned 10 early in the 4th grade and are 10 1/2 by the end of the school year, some are still only a couple of months into their 10th year. 

    • Upvote 1
  13. 6 hours ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

    At least National listened to Cub Scout folks who stated that if the new rule applied to Cub Scout camping, it would destroy the program. I am glad family camping is still allowed without restrictions at the Cub level. 

    Not quite without restrictions.   (bold underlined italics added by me)

    Cub Scout Programs – Overnight Exception:   Cub Scout parents or legal guardians taking part in an overnight Cub Scout program with their own child or legal ward are not required to register as leaders. All adults must review the “How to Protect your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide” that can be found in the front of each Cub Scout Handbook. In addition, the parent or legal guardian must be accompanied by a registered leader at any time they are with youth members other than their own child/ward.  All other overnight adults must be currently registered in an adult fee required position.

  14. 2 hours ago, Double Eagle said:

    There is no mention of law enforcement or conviction.

    OP stated that this is the second time that this individual has done this.  He was caught on camera committing a criminal act.  It was also mentioned that drugs were found on him at school.  As a juvenile you may not likely be aware of any law enforcement involvement, but I find it hard to believe that there has been none, particularly when involving drugs at school.

    The youth leaders of the troop have expressed their concern that the boy will have a negative effect on new and current members.  

    It all comes down to whether you are willing to take the risk of losing members who either themselves do not want to associate with someone who has committed multiple crimes or whose parents will pull their sons out of scouting.

    • Upvote 1
  15. 4 hours ago, fred8033 said:

    Cycling or hiking or swimming.  It's not really required.

    The choice there is to complete either swimming OR hiking OR cycling; one of those three.  None of those replace camping.

     

    4 hours ago, fred8033 said:

    Also, I really like what @InquisitiveScouter suggested

    I agree.  The requirement is to take a bike trip of at least 15 miles or 4 hours; that is a bike and should be allowed if the scout can complete the requirements using that bike but could not physically do so on a 2-wheel bike.

     

    4 hours ago, fred8033 said:

    If none of those are possible, then there are other options like @RememberSchiff suggested.

    It may be possible for the scout to look at something on that chart, however, they should be aware of the fact that they do not just choose one of those possible options but must fill out the Application for Alternative Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges.  That application requires a statement from the scout's doctor stating that there is a medical reason they cannot complete the required badge(s) and must then be approved by both the district and council advancement committees.  There is a restriction on the application that states:  Following a personal conference with the candidate and the candidate’s parent or guardian, we recommend the following alternative merit badge or badges be approved. These must not be merit badges previously earned (Guide to Advancement 10.2.2.3). 

  16. 2 hours ago, Armymutt said:

    it seems to me that leaving kids with untrained adults who may not be their parents is outside of the intentions of the policy. 

    Part of the new (9/1/23) Cub requirements for supervision deals with just such a situation as part of the GTSS Youth Protection / Scouting's Barriers to Abuse section:  In addition, the parent or legal guardian must be accompanied by a registered leader at any time they are with youth members other than their own child/ward.

     

  17. 2 hours ago, Craftsman said:

    Before I start, here is some background information. My wife and I just moved military bases and immediately linked up with the cub scout pack on post. They're shorthanded due to few leaders being deployed, and the unit is mainly run by non-military spouses. My wife volunteered to run the Webelos den since it had no leadership at the time. She wants to schedule a tour and a nutrition class for the scouts, but it keeps getting shut down because the pack leadership says the non-scout affiliated trainer needs YPT. So here is my question, does guest trainers and instructors need YPT if the den has 2 deep leadership? These guests are giving a tour and classroom instruction and will not be alone with any child at any time. We are told by the pack that everyone needs YPT if they will be around scouts and that it's a change in the rules. 

    Unless this is a requirement of your specific council OR your charter organization the answer is no, vendors or guest speakers do not need to be registered or YPT trained.

    Here is a cut and paste from the current YPT FAQ on scouting.org:

    A. No.  Youth Protection and supervision remains the responsibility of the unit and Scout leaders. Vendors and other third parties must be licensed businesses that carry proper liability insurance, units should be sure that they use reputable services.  Vendors such as museums, climbing guides, hiking guides, rafting services all fall into these categories. Unit leadership must ensure that all BSA policies and guidelines are followed when using these services, unit leaders must still have proper training.

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  18. 8 hours ago, sierracharliescouter said:

    Today I learned that Narragansett Council owned a significant fraction of the State of Rhode Island.

    Every Rhode Islander owns a significant fraction of the state!!  😅🤣😂😇

    Narragansett Council encompasses what was once upon a time the Massasoit Council (itself the result of several mergers), my original council.  It has been absorbed several times over the last six decades.  My first scout camping experience was at Camp Noquochoke, which closed down a little more than 40 years ago.

  19. Driver's License or state issued ID is required in order to come on any campus in my area, and has been for years.  I cannot remember the name of the software and database, but it scanned the ID and compared it to a database of SA offenders and persons with violent felony convictions.  If there was a match it displayed the persons photo in the database to compare against the person who presented the ID.

    I had numerous occasions where I had to go to various schools, usually to assist in training new staff, and even with my employee ID badge around my neck I still had to present my license to be scanned.

  20. 6 hours ago, ThenNow said:

    a)     The BSA will work with the YPC to assess how the names of adult perpetrators of child sexual abuse in Scouting and other information can be made public or used in connection with a database accessible to other youth serving organizations. Specifically, the BSA agrees to work with the YPC on a protocol that makes confirmed past child abusers in Scouting, and future confirmed child abusers in Scouting, publicly known.

    The big difference between this and what some on here have advocated is the word confirmed.

    As @vol_scouterstated above and many have stated previously, the IVF was not created and maintained solely for CSA cases, and even for the files that were sex related not all could be confirmed or successfully prosecuted.  I would be surprised if anyone here would object to names of convicted persons being released (also part of @vol_scouter's comments was the fact that if someone were arrested and convicted their names would have already been know and published after conviction).

    I cannot remember who it was, but one of our regulars related the case of a female scouter who was banned after an accusation that was disproven by the police investigation.  Despite the legal exoneration she remained in the IVF.  I would never want to see that persons name made public.

    In 6 decades of scouting I can only speak to knowing of 2 perpetrators.  One I learned of reading the newspaper, probably in the late 70's, who was sentenced to 15 years.  The other was late 60's, and I never learned what happened in that instance.  The one who was convicted was made public during his trial and after his conviction.  The other as I stated, I have no knowledge of what happened to him and whether anything he did was ever known to the public, although I know with 100% certainty that he was guilty.

    I can speak to knowing how easy it can be for a child to accuse someone of what initially sounds like a classic case, but upon review was just a vindictive student who thought that was the best way to get back at a teacher he was mad at.  This child went home and to his father that one of the PE teachers made him go into a closet and take his clothes off.  What he did not include in his accusation was that the closet was actually a 10 x 10 room with a door that stored PE uniforms that could be borrowed if needed.  The teacher unlocked the door, sent the student in, closed the door (teacher remained outside of the room) and had the student put on a uniform.  Had this happened in scouting the adult leader would likely have ended up in the IVF just for being accused.  Thankfully in this case the school principal knew that I was supervising the area before class that day and asked what I could tell her about the reported incident.  The teacher was cleared of any wrongdoing and the student disciplined.  This is not to say that we should not believe the child when they say something happened, just that it needs to be thoroughly investigated before taking action (other than removing the individual until the investigation is complete.)

  21. 1 hour ago, dangale said:

    That was my assumption but I was asked to look into it. Frustrating situation as we are trying to grow and encourage our Girl's Troop but only have two of the moms who are able or interested in being involved. We definitely need more female registered leaders, but it's been a challenge and of course it is hard to have to tell the Scouts they can't attend, as well as their parents, who don't understand why they can't camp with their own kids in this situation. Thank you for your feedback. 

    While this may not help you with this particular situation, do you have any female leaders registered with the boy troop who would be willing to be registered as a multiple registration with the girl troop?

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