When you remove the parts of an organization that appeal to most members, you will then lose members.  Potential members will see that what formed the foundation of the organization is gone and they do not want to be a part of it.  Current members will leave because they see what has been a large part of the organization and the threads that hold it together are gone.  There will be few members left to continue and the organization will cease to exist. 

What has been gained from this fiasco except the loss of an organization that has been beneficial to the BSA and the Community.  No one wins unless you count those that really wanted to see the organization cease to exist.  

A result of a few controlling the many while the many have no say in who the few are.

The sad world we live in.

Song - Scout Vespers

Sing with reverence.

Sing to tune of: "Oh Christmas Tree"

Classic Words:

Softly falls the light of day,
While our campfire fades away.
Silently each Scout should ask
Have I done my daily task?
Have I kept my honor bright?
Can I guiltless sleep tonight?
Have I done and have I dared
Everything to be prepared?

Listen Lord, oh listen Lord,
As I whisper soft and low.
Bless my mom and Bless my dad,
These are things that they should know.
I will keep my honor Bright,
The oath and law will be my guide.
And mom and dad this you should know,
Deep in my heart I love you so.

Second version

Quietly we join as one,
Thanking God for Scouting fun
May we now go on our way,
Thankful for another day.
May we always love and share,
Living in peace beyond compare.
As Scout may we find,
Friendships true with all mankind.

Quietly we now will part,
Pledging ever in our heart,
To strive to do our best each day,
As we travel down life's way.
Happiness we'll try to give,
Trying a better life to live,
'Till all the world be joined in love,
Living in peace under skies above.

Most MBUs have become a numbers game.  How many can we get through and how many badges.  Many of the instructors just talk through the requirements and as long as the Scout sits through it all, they are then "given" the badge.  The Scout goes in expecting they will be given the badge.  They have been taught this by their parents.  Have seen too many youth and adults who fully expect the Scout to get the badge just because they sat in on the class.  If the instructor tells them that they will have to do some work for it, then the Scout might start to argue back, but then come the parents.

With COVID there came an abundance of on-line courses from councils around the country.  Many from my area went on-line and took the classes.  Did they really learn the badge?  Probably not.  Did they earn the badge?  Most likely not.

It's become a give me-give me generation.  Don't have to do anything but show up.

There are still a few Scouts who will do the work, but not many.

What I am being told is that realignment of Lodges is still to be voted on by National OA at the end of July, but that any such realignment will be held off until after NOAC next year.

Anyone know?

Actually looking for any more info on smaller groupings within territories, not the top positions.  

Has anyone seen any info on the make-up of new groupings in the new Service Territories?  It does away with the current Regions-Area-Section so just curious what the new breakdown will look like.

Lodges will be scrambling to set up new Conclave schedules.  

From the Commissioner Newsletter this past weekend:

The BSA’s organizational structure will change at the end of this month with the elimination of areas and regions, which will be replaced by 16 National Service Territories. The new structure will be streamlined and focused on supporting our local councils. Unit Service will be an important part of the new structure.

1973-1974 was a turning point for BSA, especially in my area in terms of desegregation.  Until then, there were duplicate Districts and duplicate Lodges.  This duplicity ceased to exist when local councils merged.  Of course, you have to realize that there was not full desegregation of the schools until 1973-74, when the school systems bussed students to even out the schools.

All of this was a reflection of the times then.

But let's not ignore what existed then and lose the history.  Like it or not, the history is important.

I agree that almost any ECOH script could be modified to include multiple Scouts.

When I grew up in Scouting in the 1960s, all COH, including ECOH, were done at the District level.  There was no such thing as a COH at the unit level.  All ranks were handed out and recognized.  One COH had 10 Eagles presented, even from one troop.  It was held in a High School auditorium and covered by the local news.

By the way, did you know that a Silver Beaver is a real animal.  Back in 1982 I was traveling through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park late at night.  There was a line of cars.  While there was some fog late at night, the line had slowed.  As I proceeded, I saw what everyone had slowed to see.  A LARGE beaver ambling along the grass along the side of the road.  It appeared silver/white in color.  This was before regular cell phones and did not get a picture of it.  The next morning I asked a park ranger about it.  He said he had also seen it.  The coloring was due to its' age, similar to what you see in many dog's faces as they age.  

The beaver had to be old, well beyond the normal life span.

He was still working.  He was persevering.  A wonderful sight to see.

This is what happens because of the desired numbers for membership.  With the joining requirements at 11 OR finished the fifth grade, this will continue to happen.  With so many being home schooled they are completing fifth grade at earlier ages.  Had this situation several years ago when they first changed the requirements from AND to OR.  Then it was changed back to AND.  Now with the OR and a desire to increase members you will see younger Eagle.

Had a "ghost" DE once.  Was hired, but no one in district met him.  He showed up at council office on Monday for meetings and training with other DEs and staff.  The DEs went to lunch.  He didn't come back.  We didn'e even get his name.

Have had some great DEs and some bad ones.  Now none.

It's not my signature.  I'm not the SM.  The SM wishes he had not signed or could take it back.

It's really a no-win situation.

One of his buyers named him.  Several others have fingered him as the go-to for drugs in his school.  However, there has been no arrest, but law enforcement is aware.

My belief is that the EB can turn him down, but it would be a symbolic gesture.  Then council will ignore and he will get Eagle, thereby tarnishing it for others.

Unfortunate!

Have been asked to sit on EBOR.  Forms have been signed by Unit and SM.  Have been informed that Scout has been implicated in drug transactions lately, being looked into.

What are the options for board?  Know that vote has to be unanimous.  With all other things properly signed (SM would like to retract), the Board can turn down, then the Scout seeks appeal from Council.  Council is aware of everything and has nothing to say.

Any suggestions?

I walked into church yesterday and the first thing my pastor said to me, as she looked at her phone, was that the lawyers for the United Methodist Church were recommending that churches not start any new charters with the BSA.  Also, that any that currently have a charter consider not renewing it.

I have not seen anything about this, but then I do not see the internal communications.

Has anyone heard anything about this proposal?

With the United Methodist Church being the largest charter partner group with BSA, this was cause a huge impact.

Sounds like we may be going back to the early days of Scouting in the US.  Then each community, where there were units, was a council.  Then they later came together to form a new council and the original small councils became districts.  In the beginning there were probably at least 800+ councils, now 260+.  May soon be back to the 800+.

Then the main lawyers will have accomplished their objective - to see the BSA dissolved and gone.  That is what they want more than any monetary gain for them or the claimants.  The money would just be icing.

This is my story.  I was asked by a friend to help with a troop (his son was a member).  They needed someone who could take care of the paperwork.  The troop had been around about 10 years and had had 3 SMs. I showed up at a meeting and knew 5 youth and adults.  Near the end of the meeting the SM stepped forward with a couple of announcements.  The last one - Now let me introduce you to your new SM (me).  That was a shock.  I had two choices - run for the door on the other side of the room or step up.  I stepped up and served as SM for 16 years until the unit folded due to lack of youth (no feeder pack) and volunteers (most left after their sons did).  By the way I have no kids.

I once told my old SM that I took the position because of the fun I had when I was a youth and it was my way to pay back to others.  Most were surprised I was in the position because I had no kids, but they came to understand my commitment.  

Perhaps it was meant to be for me to be the pin that held things together for the youth when others left with their sons.  One group asked my wife once why we had no kids.  She told them that if we did, then I would not be able to spend as much time taking them on outings, etc.  They told her - Don't have any kids.

After 16 years, I felt some of the challenges that have been listed, but am still active with the District, Council, OA, MBC, etc.

There's no limit on length of time in a position.  As long as everyone is okay with it don't change it. 

I stand corrected.  My comment had nothing to do with male/female only timing.  

I messed up the timing.  This year has had me all messed up.

I have no problem with a female Eagle Scout.  My concern is that if a female only became a member of a Troop in January, how is it even possible to make Eagle this fast.  That would not allow for the proper time between ranks.  

Our Lodge will be holding a shortened Ordeal event this weekend.  Only Friday night and Saturday.  Everyone leaves after dinner Saturday.  Temps taken for a week before and on site Friday evening and Saturday.  Mask worn at all times.  Spread out tents.  Right now only event scheduled for the year.

Council covers 18 counties.  My District covers 3. Council is on Conditional Charter.  Now the Council office is for sale.  Most of the DEs, DDs have been let go.  Not looking good for the future.

Still, only 6 hours for the badge.

Looks like on the schedule from the Summit, Canoeing is Thursday morning 9-12 and Thursday afternoon 1-4.

Maybe you have to do both sessions.