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Cubber

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Posts posted by Cubber

  1. Hi all- I joined last week to gather collective wisdom about how things are done in the world of scouting in different councils.

    I'm a Cubmaster in my second year with a Webelos son and a Tiger son. My family was active in scouting- my mother was a cub den leader, brownie leader, and girl scout leader. Brother and sisters were scouts.  So I'm continuing the tradition.

    Looking forward to lots of learning here. Appreciate being a part of the scouting family!

    -B

  2. We use Trooptrack and have invested a ton of time configuring it-everything from privileges, advancements, newsletters and member directory information.  

    Wondering the same thing as BobWhiteVA.  Also hoping they don't stop supporting Trooptrack automated advancement reporting to council through internet advancement. Hopefully they will just support Trooptrack reporting to Scoutbook instead. 

  3. I'm not sure if anyone is still following this thread, but I talk with the CC/COR today. For those questioning my level of respect or loyalty- please stop. It's there and he knows that.

    Basically, I think he is attached to the very long continuous scouting history of this Troop and does not want to let the charter lapse and start back at zero.  So he is working to covert the many leads he has received from council this year into real scouts, and also get a few of the older scouts to reengage with the Troop and breathe some life into it. He has many experienced scouters to act as leaders should this take off. He realizes it is a long shot, but wants his last six months the council has given him to at least try.

    To understand how it got here: 10 years ago there was an upset between him and the CC and CM of this pack I'm in now. They parted ways and that CM/committee took most of the cubs with them to start a new pack. They then continued to recruit the others away and hold preemptive recruiting events for new Tigers each year. It starved the CO programs of new cubs and eventually there were no more Webelos transitioning into the troop. This went on for many years. 

    That explains why they only had 5 cubs when I joined. I've built it to 32, so the pack is healthy now.  But this is our first year with Webelos, and they are all first years. No second years for him. The Troop unfortunately could not wait for the feed to begin again. The last boys have Eagled and are leaving for college in the spring. 

    I told him that all the pack leaders need to understand his strategy with this troop and how he wants us to support it. He has not explained that to us. We want to support him, but we need him to tell us what we are supporting and how we can help him. And he has to be realistic about how tough it is going to be to sell parents on a start up. He knows. It was a good conversation.

    Hope this answers some questions and thank you all again for your guidance.

    -B

    • Upvote 1
  4. 6 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

    At least with male Scouters no involved as youth, they will have some references to boys's development because they were young once.

    Being one doesn't make you an expert in male development. Or often very knowledgeable about it. The time and distance change the memory into a personal story about who one is that the person can transfer onto others. That's really not fair- especially to the next generations that are growing up in a radically different world with differences in societal norms, expectations, technology, resources, and parenting philosophies.   

    Good leaders think about these things and how to help boys developing today. There is plenty of collective and better learning out there than personal experience, when leading a group of today's boys- that are all very different individuals. 

    11 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

    Also I see the proliferation of rules and regs as a result of women in Scouting. A lot of things Scouts use to be able to do are no more, and it has been since the 1989 decision to allow women as SMs and ASMs. No more pioneering towers, no more water guns, no more using wagons unless 14 ad nauseum. That may not be the case, but isn't it strange that there is a chronological correlation?

    I think it is just that- a correlation. Kids have had increasing use of screens and digital media since that time- also a correlation. Is it really having female anatomy that caused this or is it maybe a shift in the norms of parenting style fro all parents? Helicopter parents applies to both moms and dads. I see the dads stepping in to tell their boys what to do and not do as much as the moms in my pack. All parents also tend to take over more when doing projects like pinewood derby.

    15 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

    Then there is the mothering factor. let's face it, women have it. They are biologically born with the instinct to nurture and care. Nothing wrong with that, but it is something they need to learn to overcome. From watching my wife's interaction, it is a long, hard, painfully slow process. But she sees the value of letting the boys be independent, explore, and do things for themselves. Sadly a lot of moms are not like that.

    Well, I'm not sure what to say. Some surely do have this experience, like your wife but it is not universal.   I have a very large circle of female friends and many of them don't have this mothering factor you are referring to. Some had a child in their mid to later 30s, others over 40, often at the request of their husband. Many never had kids. even after they have them- many take the back seat. Women are just not all the same...

    19 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

    And notice the introduction of mandatory training in some councils. We are getting more and more folks with little to no experience in the outdoors coming into the program. In the past, experienced Scouters in the troops worked with the new Scouters to get them up to speed. Now the new parents are overwhelming the experienced ones. 

    And BSA is not helping. There was an effort to put more OUTING in Cub ScOUTING, and in less than 18 months national watered down the new Cub Scout requirements. They also watered down the new outdoor requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class.. Now they are watering down training. Then they introduce STEM Scouts, which is taking resources away from the traditional program.

    Yeah, I agree- those changes to the cub program was completely unnecessary. That was female driven? Had no idea.

    In regards to new overwhelming experienced leaders in cubs...in cubs they pretty much turn over as the boys move through the program, I thought. From Tiger leader (usually brand new), on up to Bear and then either to ACM or CM or Webelos DL. Maybe that is just how ours has been. Or is this not what you mean?

    That's unfortunate about the boy scout level. I had hoped that our transition to boy scouting would come with experienced leadership. And I say that as a CM!  We are really looking forward to learning from experts when we transition. Regardless of their gender though. Ideally mixed. That's just how my sons' futures will be and I want them to be better prepared to work hand in hand on a team with all kinds of people, instead of in an artificial bubble of "safety' from having to grow into a fully functional human that have overcome challenges that taught them to treat everyone with kindness and respect. 

  5. Just now, Jameson76 said:

    They can be registered in more than one UNIT, like a Boy Scout can be also registered as a Venture and or Explorer, and vice versa.  Not multiple troops.

    Ah. Well maybe he was just keeping scouts that have moved on in the past on his roster.

     

  6. 12 minutes ago, Jameson76 said:

    They had to have had some paper scouts, you need to have a minimum of five paid youth

    I didn't know that. I wonder how he managed that. Boys can be registered in more than one troop, right? Does that count toward the five?

  7. 1 minute ago, RememberSchiff said:

    Agree, it does sound like Wood Badge training problems.

    What I have seen with female troop leaders is a tendency to focus on specific program areas - scoutcraft, nature, hiking . Maybe advancement related, maybe just sticking with what they know.  Fishing, shooting sports not so much.

    My $0.02

    That makes sense. We teach what we know. There's definitely a gender disparity in those areas. Not for all, but many.

  8. 15 minutes ago, Eagledad said:

    You asked the question but the answer completely went over your head. :rolleyes:

    I don't think you really wanted to know. You just have and agenda. Not very scout like.

    Barry

     

    Barry- I can see you took that differently than I intended. I'm being completely sincere here- honestly trying to understand. I read your answer and I guess it did go over my head because you referenced adults in general and changes in general, and an experience with one specific male leader?

    I've only been with the BSA for 3 years and a CM for 2. I was a scout and my brother an Eagle, but that's the sum and total of my experience. Help me out. Is Wood badge a new thing created by or for female leaders, or has it been altered by or for them (seriously honest naive question)?  Are females setting policy, or there is a shift you see as a result of female leadership winning arguments over male leadership? Is this all just a change in society's approach to kids or is it really female leadership specific?

    My council is super male dominated and I see almost no female leadership except at the cubscout level. Frankly I think parents in general are contributing to the trends you mentioned- not female leadership. I share your concerns about that. I think the independence is a huge factor and I want my son in a boy-led program that emphasizes that. I know he needs to do things on his own and make mistakes without my guidance or interference. 

     

    • Upvote 1
  9. 19 minutes ago, NJCubScouter said:

    On the other hand, to the boys it would seem like a new troop since they are the only members.  Let me ask this, Cubber, have the leaders of the troop (SM, ASM's, committee members) stayed on to work with the new boys if they join?  Or are the parents of the crossing-over Webelos going to be expected to fill those positions?

    None are staying except the CC/COR and a friend that will stepped in as temporary SM. There were two boys only for at least three years, no committee. No one really to stay. Parents of the crossing-over Webelos are going to be expected to fill those positions. So you can imagine this one the expressed parent concerns.

  10. 1 minute ago, an_old_DC said:

    Either way, it isn't a troop to visit. How can they even have a troop meeting with no Scouts?

     

    We can't. So in that situation, it will be a moot point until next year, should they successfully recharter. However I think he is being creative in recruiting individual boys to become new scouts right now. I'll see if I can get details on his plan.

  11. @ Col. Flagg  So again, I hear your experience and recognize some people share it. That's all good, and it shapes your perspective and enriches the world to have these differences. My experience is different.  I don't not run in the same circles you do.  I get different answers than those given by your friends and family when I ask those questions.  'Girls' and 'guys' weekends just are not a thing in my world. People hang out with people and have people weekends.

    • Upvote 1
  12. 9 minutes ago, David CO said:

    That might all depend on whether or not the IH has decided to chime in. 

    It would not surprise me if the Chartered Organization has been informed that one of its units is about to lose its charter. This directive may have come from the top.

    Interesting. I don't know, but unlikely- our CO is very hands off. The Council does know this troop is about to lose its charter. I was copied on emails to our DR about the CC/CORs plans to make a last effort to recruit and recharter. I am not sure about what other discussions are underway. I will ask that as well.

  13. 1 hour ago, an_old_DC said:

    @Cubber when do unit charters expire in your council? This troop, with zero Scouts, is dead and may not receive another charter before your Webelos bridge to a troop. Why visit a dead troop that may be about to be dissolved?

    At recharter, due Dec 15, 2017. However, my understanding is that you can work with the council on a later date to amend, if there are extenuating circumstance, which is what he is attempting to do. 

    If they do not successfully recharter then all this is a moot point. Until next year. 

  14. On 12/13/2017 at 11:44 AM, Col. Flagg said:
    On 12/13/2017 at 11:44 AM, Col. Flagg said:

    the erosion of places where guys can go to "be guys" without people thinking that's a bad thing.

    I hear this sometimes and while I understand it comes from, experience or how our society currently is. There's no denying those experiences are real and meaningful. But it does not have to be where we are going in the future.

    In actuality, you'll have few brave pioneering girls join up at first, but most won't want to deal with the lukewarm reception they will receive in most troops.  They will wait it out and miss an opportunity. The ones that join will have some support and much opposition. They will be encouraged and they will be discouraged. They will be made to feel equal and made to feel inferior. Welcome to the same journey of your adult female leaders in scouting. Think about that.

    What makes the some boys feel they can't be themselves in the presence of all females, and vice versa?  How do we change that? Are there really  no females out there that don't fit right in with this world of traditional guydom?  Because I would love to introduce you to my nieces. Why should they be excluded from the BSA program because of young boy's insecurities about themselves? Why not teach our kids self-confidence and kindness, a better way to interact and respect each other as individuals? I really think we as leaders are ready and up for this challenge.

    Change is hard. It can feel personal. But we also need to remember that not everyone sees gender in a defining way. Some people look at their kids and see an individual, independent of their biological sex, independent of others gender boxes of what a boy is like and what a girl is like.  Why do we feel the need to reward certain behaviors and discourage others based on their gender? Why should it not be on their individual values, interests, and strengths? 

    Breaking down this barrier based on gender allows for change, which will be challenging in the short term but good in the long term. Females no longer receive the message that a program that emphasizes self reliance, leadership and outdoor skills is not appropriate for them but is for males. Males will no longer receive the messages that self reliance, leadership, and outdoor skills are the expected norm for them, but not for females. Not everyone wants to lead, not everyone wants to be an outdoors enthusiast. But everyone will now have the opportunity to join a program that encourages them to look at each other as team mates, as collaborators, as partners. As individuals with a unique set of experiences, skills and strengths. As leaders.

    I am so excited about the possibilities of what this can do for my sons and my nieces. And I am completely up for the challenge of working out the details as we make this change for a better future for them. 

     

    On 12/13/2017 at 11:44 AM, Col. Flagg said:

     

     

     

    • Like 1
  15. 8 hours ago, David CO said:

    If this is how you feel, then you owe it to your COR to be straight with him. Your COR can then decide if he wants to have a CM who refuses to acknowledge his authority.

    David, CO. I am not sure why you have generalized that I refuse to acknowledge his authority because we disagree on this particular approach in this area. To squelch dialogue, questions, about disagreements with authority is a losing leadership strategy, and I have faith that my CC/COR will not do that. I have no intention of escalating this to any sort of show down about who is right or who gets to call the shots with higher authority. My goal here was to get a reality check before I discuss it in detail with him- to see if his perspective is either a policy that I have not read, or it is standard across the BSA- and clearly it is a subject of debate.   Sometimes people just disagree, and sometimes they can start there and reach an understanding.

    The CC/COR and I both agree we are here to support the boys and their families in their scouting experience as our first priority. He is a good person, extremely dedicated to scouting, with a long history in the BSA.  I respect him and his authority. We just currently disagree on the this issue, and I am confident we can reach an understanding that works for everyone.

    Thank you everyone. Here's hoping two reasonable adults with the same goal can work out the details. 

    • Upvote 1
  16. Thanks for all the perspectives on this. It is a divisive one.  In answer to some of the questions...

    By 'us'- I meant the CM, the DLs, the committee members. The CC is also the COR in our case.

    To clarify, we are not using any resources other than our web events calendar and email (paid for by the pack and run by me) to let parents know about invitations to visit other troops at their troop hosted events off site. We were asked not to communicate these events by our CC/COR.

    Our CO provides space, but no other resources.

    The last two scouts 'eagled-out' of the CO sponsored troop. And now the COR is working hard to recruit new boys in so they can recharter. 

    7 hours ago, David CO said:

    Yes. As a cub master,  you volunteered to support the scouting program of the Chartered Organization. It is not unreasonable for your CO to expect you to promote both of their registered units. You should agree to speak up for the troop.

    I am not saying that you should lie to the scouts or their parents. Be truthful. Tell them that it is their choice, but leave no doubt in anyone's mind that you volunteer for and support the CO's units.

     

     

    With all due respect to our CC and COR, I volunteered with this CO sponsored pack to represent the BSA and it's program, not the interests of the CO and the COR. I have an ethical commitment to each family in my pack and their sons to provide the best program I can for them.

    In my opinion, taking into account everything written here, and the goodwill of the families that have put their trust in me, I should be giving all troops equal opportunity to connect with our Webelos. Of course, including our CO Troop should they successfully recharter.

    I would not feel comfortable personally endorsing any particular troop. 

     

     

    • Upvote 1
    • Downvote 1
  17. Hello everyone- I am a cubmaster with my first crop of Webelos that we are supporting in their transition to boy scouts.  We are very fortunate to have several troops inviting us for visits with their troops.

    Recently, our committee chair has the program leaders to not to visit with any of them, and instead send all scouts to a troop associated with our sponsor organization that just graduated its last two boys. That's right, there are no boys currently in that troop. They are trying to recruit and restart it from the ground up.  However, the parents we have talked with are not interested in starting a program from the ground up. We are caught in a bit of a catch 22.

    My question is: does the committee chair have the right to direct us to transition to a particular troop, especially if it has no boys in it? Has anyone else run into this resistance to allowing Webelos to check out multiple troops to find their right fit?

    Thanks for sharing your experience!

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