10 minutes ago, Tampa Turtle said:

Why not add an electoral college system to the SPL election?

Well..then the Russians would have to get involved and nobody has time for that

7 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

Other ideas:

4) Do not keep changing requirements on various things.

You have to keep changing the requirements to drive book sales.  It's all about monetizing the program, gotta get on the cash flow train.  As I have noted, Summit is not gonna pay for itself

7 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

SM got the 4 month terms from a podcast.

11 hours ago, qwazse said:

Corollary: Stupid happens fast. Get smart, slow it down.

Life Is Hard; It’s Even Harder When You’re Stupid

4 minutes ago, Eagledad said:

I believe there is a model rock merit badge.

 

There is a Space Exploration MB.  Typically the Scout build and launches a rocket as part of the requirements.  Most summer camps launch these at the end of the week, that is always good times, just be limber and ready to move

19 minutes ago, Eagledad said:

good Unit Commissioner could accomplish developing successful units in one CO, but finding a UC capable is not only hard to find

Sort of like a Unicorn

You wanna make sure you hold out for signing bonus and good incentives.  Make sure the incentives are paid out early in the contract.  One can never tell what the future may hold.  Also make sure the incentives are guaranteed in case he gets traded to another troop or venture post.  

8 minutes ago, ParkMan said:

But isn't a lot of what's wrong in Scouting a problem at the unit and district level? Not enough boys, not enough adults, boring programs, disorganized unit.

How does national fix that?

It is what's wrong and also what is so right with scouting, the unit level.  Your question "How does national fix that?" is that National (and Council and District) recognize that it is the unit level that is what drives the program.  And PROGRAM is the key.  Too much is the top heavy down from on high and not enough unit level pushing up

The units that thrive, do so because they are NOT waiting for anyone to lead them, they are leading.

That comes down to the right leader being in place and providing the right leadership to the youth and letting them run the show.

I can only assume the risk management lawyers have been hard at work

Do a run to Texarkana as the boys are thirsty in Atlanta...may be too old school though

Replace the SPL and drive on.  As with many things, some SPL's are waaaay better than others.  Sort of like trendy craft beers.  Some are great and some are terrible, but you keep trying them and hope is eternal

Get to get asked "who are you" when the elusive UC is spotted at an actual unit meeting

SM Minute, Lower the flag, dismissed

50 minutes ago, Eagle1993 said:

@Jameson76

Does JTE reflect an “ideal” Troop?  If not, then BSA should address the gaps and emphasize the true key metics.  At that point, they should have their District Commissioners (hopefully retired from the best Troops) work with units who don’t score well to identify the gaps and work to improve.  I think some of the framework is there, but not sure if they are driving the right attributes and commissioners are hit or miss from my experience.

I think JTE is a good start, but maybe not the whole story.  Also as it is self declaratory, could be some fudging (on my Honor yeah yeah).  Though at least to get Gold you will have to camp out and go to longterm camp

Since it is self reporting, that is where the benchmarking  and hands on can come into play.  Go on some outings with the "best" troops, go to meetings, go to Greenbar meetings.  See what a thriving troop is doing and how they do it.

Real institutional issue is that those that are making decisions on possibly how to improve Scouting are NOT working in the units.  Most of them likely have not been on a camp out with an actual troop or dealt with an actual scout in years.  Gotta get your hands dirty and sleep in the rain to really grasp the current state of the program.  

2 hours ago, ParkMan said:

We have examples where the program can and does work well.  Those packs and troops grow.  Yet, we hear about declining numbers nationwide.  Where is the disconnect? 

The real question is why is the BSA not benchmarking these successful troops.  Success might be X number of years of growth, or X years of sustaining the number of Scouts.  Also should be other real unit metrics like Scouts at camp, nights camping, advancement, etc

If BSA looked at the 10 - 15 most successful units (and yes that could be very debatable) in a number of councils, then likely there would be some similarities or common threads.  With this information you would have some indicative evidence on what can or should be working.  Then you could structure engagement and training to work towards growth.  Not saying do surveys, or have focus groups, I am talking down in the mud actually out with the units and seeing what is happening.

14 minutes ago, fred johnson said:

@CalicoPenn ... Your argument is repetitive.

We have about 75% of our scouts in hammocks.  Recent outing that was maybe 40 of the 50 scouts, they were strung out in the woods everywhere.  At summer camp it is closer to 90%, with the tent used for storage

Main one used is the Eno.  Also some have the Hennessy and other brands.  Variety of rain fly options, including the rigged rain fly, then a hammock, then a hammock under the hammock

The Scouts do classes maybe once per year on hammocking.

• What size trees to use
• How tight to make them
• Alternatives to the higher priced rainfly
• Straps
• Making a hammock village
• Accessories (lights / storage containers)

Sort of seems that the North Star Council (sorry...do not want to create any confusion over what is meant by “council” as apparently there are many types of councils) is trying to distance themselves from the BSA as they expand into other areas.  Wonder how that will work out.

Also sort of confused by this statement -  supports our growing programs for members and nonmembers

How can you have a growing program for nonmembers?  If they are in fact not members, then they would not be in any program.

GSUSA - youth membership is stated as 1.8 million

BSA - youth membership is stated as 2.4 million

On 3/31/2018 at 9:32 AM, RememberSchiff said:

In Utah, by state law,  it will not be a crime for parents to let their children play unsupervised in a park or walk home from school alone. Utah is the first state in the nation to pass such a law.  A law to fill a void in common sense?

“The fact that we need legislation for what was once considered common sense parenting a generation ago and is considered normal in every other country in the world is what surprises me,” said Danielle Meitiv, the Silver Spring, Md., mother who made national headlines three years ago after she and her husband were charged with child neglect for letting their two children, ages 6 and 10, walk home from a park by themselves. “I’m glad Utah has put these protections in place after what I discovered when I tried to parent the way I was parented.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/29/well/family/utah-passes-free-range-parenting-law.html

Should the BSA be a proponent of a similar law in the other 49 states?

Thank you Ms. Meitiv.

 

It's madness that we even have to have these laws.  One must be vigilant no doubt, but the perception of the danger is worse than the actual danger

Abductions in perspective:

• Number of children age 2 – 14 killed in car accidents, as passengers: 1,300
• Number of children killed each year by their family members and acquaintances: About 1,000
• Number of children abducted in “stereotypical kidnappings” (kidnapped by a stranger for ransom or for sexual purposes and/or transported away) in 1999, the most recent year for which we have statistics: 115.
• Number of children killed by their abductor: About 50.

Murders of children by abductors constitute less than one half of 1% of all murders in America.

Stranger Danger?  Of all children under age 5 murdered from 1976-2005:

• 31% were killed by fathers
• 29% were killed by mothers
• 23% were killed by male acquaintances
• 7% were killed by other relatives
• 3% were killed by strangers

Moral: Your safest bet is to leave your child with a stranger.

18 minutes ago, David CO said:

I wouldn't let a football player go out onto the field without a helmet. Why would I let a scout go out into the cold or rain without proper clothing?

 

Not exactly the same.  Based on the laws in my state I am not allowed to have a choice on seat belts.  I doubt the referees would allow play without the required gear.  In some cases a helmet may be recommended (rock climbing for example) but it is your choice.

I however can choose to wear plaids and stripes together, I can choose to not wear a jacket and be cold.  I can also choose to carry a backpack that is too heavy on a hike, not bring a rainfly, and forget a sleeping bag.  

Through errors and omissions those life lessons are taught.  If you do not turn things in on time, likely you will not get credit for the work done, next time you may be on time

17 minutes ago, Scoutmaster Teddy said:

 separate inner organization?

Do you mean another organization that is within the first sub-organization that used to be more secretive that is within the original organization and is part of the larger original organization that sprung from an organization across the pond that was brought to the new country in an effort to sell magazines?

2 minutes ago, Southpaw said:

At Least we will not need to buy a second Troop Flag, those are expensive.

But the girls flag has to have glitter......

17 minutes ago, David CO said:

I don't understand any of this talk about letting kids go out into the cold, half naked, in order to help them develop a sense of personal autonomy. It sounds like a bunch of self-help psycho-babble to me.

Isn't that sort of what we do in the BSA?  Let youth make decisions and bear the consequences of those decisions?