Dixit

UMC and BSA agree on new "affiliation agreement" which relies on the Council chartered unit model

https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/gcumm-shares-new-path-forward-for-scouting-ministry

http://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/merit_badge_reqandres/CitizenshipSociety_Counselors.pdf

2 hours ago, David CO said:

The first thing to consider is if the act of Chartered Organization shopping is contributing to the problems in scouting.  It reinforces the mistaken idea that a scout unit is a separate entity from the CO.  Do your scouts want to be part of the problem or part of the solution?

In my particular case, our existing CO is considering ending chartering its units.  So "shopping" in this context is finding the right fit for our unit with a new CO.  As we begin this journey, we want to consider all relevant factors are we approach new potential CO's

Regarding tax status, during my research it wasn't clear if tax-exempt status flowed to the unit automatically or whether it had to be "granted" via the CO's EIN

For example, this Council (http://www.bsa-la.org/miscellaneous/tax-exempt-status.html) says the following:

If a troop's chartering organization is a church (and tax exempt), the troop could be considered tax exempt only if the church let the troop use the church's EIN, or the troop's EIN was included within the church's group exemption by the church

If your unit was shopping for a new chartered org, what would be your factors to consider?

Here is my initial list.  I realize some of these are not normal and beyond basic expectations.  Just trying to come up with as expansive a list as possible.

• Indoor space available for Unit use for meetings ( I know they are supposed to provide this but not all CO's do)
• Outdoor space for Unit to use for meetings
• Outdoor space to store equipment (shed or trailer)
• Approach to managing unit (hands on or hands off)
• Longevity of the chartered org
• What type of organization is the CO? (religious, community org, community association, etc..)
• Tax Status (and willingness to extend tax status to the units)
• Ability to extend insurance coverage to adults volunteers? (versus individuals purchasing umbrella policies on their own)
• Requires "background check" for all adults (meaning even non-BSA registered adults)
• Willingness to assist with fundraising
• Willingness to start a new charter given BSA's current bankruptcy's situation

What would you add to this list?

Does this look like the new agreement for Council based units?  It's linked right on https://www.scouting.org/resources/forms/

• Annual Council Unit Registration Agreement

Right above it is (which also looks new?)

• Short Form Facility Use Agreement

@hikeoholic Thank you!

Anyone heard from any lodges about changing unit elections to allow virtual elections if units won't be meeting in person anytime soon?

This troop has a cached 2012 copy of the #4 mini-activities http://troop125ny.org/CyberChip/BSA_Mini_Activities.pdf. 

So upon further research it appears the Scout rank pocketknife change was effective 1/1/2019 and the First Class camping change was done back in 8/1/2017 (prior to my Scouts BSA involvement)

The point of the May 14 2019  "program update" is merely to point out the 14th edition handbooks have wrong language in print.

Quote

The text in the corresponding chapters of the handbook was not properly edited to reflect these changes and reflects the old requirements

Changes to First Class and Scout rank requirements

https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/program-updates/

The recently updated IOLS curriculum makes reference to "Scouts BSA Handbook for Girls" (No 39006).

https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/3364018OLskills_Aug.pdf

Anyone seen this in the wild?

EDIT to fix title

PDF has the new language.  The "online" still has the old language.

This is the full PDF version that contains updates as of May 2018.  The online version will be updated shortly.   After June 1, 2018 you may refer to the online version for the most updated information.

G2SS updated and says this now about required female leaders

Inconsistent messaging from BSA .  They also put out this FAQ after the 2015/6 changes:

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/program_update/pdf/Cub Adventure Program FAQs.pdf

They make it clear that while there are two ranks, its still only a "Webelos" den.  Also says only new 5th graders should go directly toward AOL rank.  Doesn't say 4th graders must stop working on Webelos after 4th grade

From pg 5

Only boys who join Cub Scouts in their fifth-grade year should, after completing their Bobcat requirements, begin working directly on Arrow of Light requirements. All other Cub Scouts would work on earning the Webelos rank first.

From pg 6

Q: Are boys in the fifth grade referred to as Arrow of Light Scouts?

A: Boys who are earning the Webelos and Arrow of Light ranks are Webelos Scouts and are members of Webelos dens

3 hours ago, SouthernTierScouter said:

Be careful here, and check the Guide to Advancement 2017.... page 20

"Boys who join Cub Scouting for the first time as a
member of an Arrow of Light den, or boys who were
previously members of a Webelos den but did not
earn the Webelos rank, shall work on Arrow of Light
requirements during their fifth-grade year. They can
earn the Arrow of Light Award without earning the
Webelos rank."

 

 

 

Thanks for highlighting this.  "shall" doesn't mean "must" but obviously the intent here is for 5th grade boys (assuming non-LDS) should be shifting their focus to Arrow of Light rank.

Interestingly I can find no other official BSA literature where they refer to an "Arrow of Light" den. 

46 minutes ago, JasonG172 said:

May31st is my cutoff- CubMaster here. 

I have Webelos that might possibly not earn their Webelos Badge.  Some missed a campout where we had an EMT there and I told the parents that this wont be made up later so they need to be there.  I give lots of opportunities but if you don't make meeting then you can ask your parents why you didn't earn your badge

Are you saying you only give first year Webelos until May 31st?  They can earn Webelos rank at any point up until they age out of Cub Scouts. 

12 minutes ago, MikeS72 said:

We just had a fourth grader who turned ten in early December, completed his Arrow of Light requirements, and crossed over with the rest of the AOL boys last month.

 How did he achieve 6 months of tenure since turning 10?

Its likely something put out by national.  It was also mentioned around the 14:30 minute mark of this video to Councils

https://livestream.com/bsa/nationalcouncil/videos/167434394

For those Councils doing early adopter program for family scouting, there was supposedly so called "Unit Leader Webinar" that was going to be available after January 8th.  Anyone know where to track this down?