Thunderbird

Great work!  It's clear that a lot of time and effort went into your Troop Book. 

One thing to consider is that the BSA is constantly changing requirements for ranks, awards, and merit badges, so you might want to consider linking directly to BSA pages such as:

https://www.scouting.org/programs/boy-scouts/advancement-and-awards/
https://www.scouting.org/programs/boy-scouts/advancement-and-awards/merit-badges/
https://www.scouting.org/resources/guide-to-advancement/

Unfortunately, the Requirements Book does not always list all of the changes made each year, so I think you are probably better off just linking to BSA original sources whenever possible.

Same with BSA forms like permission slips, Annual Health and Medical Record forms, etc.

I think the lesson is fine.  I just wouldn't use the word "fasce" or anything close to it.  Some people will take it the wrong way and associate it with fascism.  They won't care about the history.

2 hours ago, cocomax said:

Maybe get rid of the arrow and all things native american and go back the the Roman roots of western civilization and wear black Roman magistrate robes and call themselves the "Order of Fasces" make the fasces symbol (bundle of sticks with an ax) found on the back of the US Mercury Dime the new symbol of the new order.   

Together we are stronger,  like a bundle of sticks.  

The "Order of Fasces" would sound too close to fascism.

I think this article is from 2017?  Of course, that doesn't change the seriousness of what happened.

Make sure that you get a copy of the newest Wolf Handbook and Den Leader Guide.

When you come up with your den meeting plans, I would recommend that you start with the requirements that are listed in the handbook, then look in the Den Leader Guide for ideas / suggestions.  In many cases, you don't have to do all of the requirements (do X of Y of the following requirements), so this gives you some flexibility on how to best deliver the program to your Wolf Scouts.

Talk to your pack leadership about rank advancement and when it traditionally happens for your pack.  You can use that date to backwards plan your meetings.

Remember that you can assign requirements to be done at home or with the family.  Some den leaders assign the Duty to God adventures to be done at home.  The pamphlet How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide needs to be done at home.

Communicate with the parents about what they need to do to help their Wolf Scout earn the rank or other adventures / awards.  Written communication is frequently better than verbal (because they have something to refer to).

Whenever possible, keep it simple, make it fun!

2 hours ago, MattR said:

Kind of a long shot, but if the boat is mostly used for personal use, then figure out the ratio and say it's fair for those that used it for their own use to pay that share of the $4000.

How many scouts are in this troop and how much does the troop have in the bank? ($4k is huge for any troops I know of.) Also, what percentage of the families are upset about this?

Saying this another way:  if the boat is owned by an individual Scouter (not the troop), but that Scouter lets the Scouts use it a couple times a year, then the burden of repairing an old, broken down engine should not fall entirely on the troop.  It might be reasonable for the troop to pitch in and pay something based on how often the troop uses the boat vs. how often the Scouter uses it for private use.

All of the troop's assets (including money raised or in bank accounts) actually belong to the charter organization.  Troop money is supposed to benefit the unit - not individuals.

The Troop Committee is not required to invite all parents to committee meetings.  In many troops, the members of the Troop Committee are the ones who vote, and the Scoutmaster is an advisor / non-voting member.  Different troops may choose to do things differently.  Like @T2Eagle, in my son's troop, we invite all interested parents to attend.  If we vote on something, we allow parents to vote.

The Chartered Org. Rep. can veto decisions by the Troop Committee (because the charter organization owns all of the assets and is one that takes the blame if the Troop Committee decides to do something in violation of the law, IRS rules, BSA rules, etc.).

Generally, individual Scout accounts are discouraged due to some recent rulings / decisions by the IRS.  (This is mainly aimed at fundraising and how unit fundraising is supposed to benefit the unit - not individual Scouts.)  However, units are allowed to track which Scouts owe for activities, etc.

"Funds raised by the unit from product sales belong to the unit.  They may not be transferred to the Scout or another unit, but may be re-assigned to units sponsored by the same chartered organization, such as when a Scout moves from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts or Boy Scouts to Venturing.  The unit committee is responsible for expenditures from unit funds for the benefit of the unit.  Unit funds may be used to reduce the cost of participation, including the cost of attending camp or obtaining uniforms. They may be used to provide financial assistance or awards to individual Scouts based upon their level of participation generally or in specific activities benefiting the unit, chartered organization or community, attendance, advancement and/or need. Unit funds may be used to buy equipment for the unit or for any other legitimate need of the unit." (BSA Product Sales Guide, page 9)

BSA Product Sales Guide

Fiscal Policies and Procedures for BSA Units FAQs

December 2014 CubCast - How to Handle Fundraising Dollars (also applies to other BSA units such as troops, crews, ships, etc.)

Bryan on Scouting: BSA offers guidance on individual Scout accounts

The Scoutmaster has the discretion to sign (or not sign) the Scout spirit requirement #2 or the Eagle Scout rank application.  Eagle requirement #2 is where the Scoutmaster has the most discretion.  The Scout can request a board of review under disputed circumstances.

"Its purpose [of the board of review] is to determine the quality of his experience and decide whether he has fulfilled the requirements for the rank. " (GTA section 8.0.0.1)

"Discussion of how he has lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in his home, unit, school, and community should be included. We must remember, however, that though we have high expectations for our members, as for ourselves, we do not insist on perfection. A positive attitude is most important, and that a young man accepts Scouting’s ideals and sets and meets good standards in his life."  (GTA section 8.0.1.2)

Based on what Scoutmaster Teddy has shared, this particular Scout:

1) Was caught with an illegal substance in high school.
2) Was selling that illegal substance in high school.
3) Has been in legal trouble before.
4) Verbally abused an ASM in a profanity laced tirade.

Adding to @John-in-KC 's questions:  How does any of this behavior show that the Scout accepts Scouting's ideals and sets and meets good standards in his life?  Was he Courteous to that ASM?  Was he Obedient in following the law?  Was he Clean?  Was he Trustworthy?  What kind of example does his behavior set for other Scouts in the troop?  As Scouters, we aren't looking for perfection, but this isn't an isolated event, either.

I'm not seeing in the Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse : Adult Supervision rules that every station needs to have an adult female age 21+ present:

"Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required at all Scouting activities, including meetings. There must be a registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over in every unit serving females. A registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over must be present for any activity involving female youth. Notwithstanding the minimum leader requirements, age- and program-appropriate supervision must always be provided."

https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss01/#a

@swilliams   Is your son currently in the 5th grade?  Is there a separate Webelos den for 4th graders?  If so, both dens are actually Webelos dens and he can meet with either (if the den leader of the den for 4th graders is agreeable).

Like @Pale Horse says, most Cub Scout requirements can be done on your own (outside of den meetings).  Do the requirement, then have your son talk to his Den Leader about what he did, and get it signed off.  Even better is if he takes pictures to show what he did.  This is actually good practice for when he joins a troop.

As another option, talk to the Cubmaster / Pack Committee Chair about taking over as the Webelos Den Leader for the 5th graders.

To whom are you wanting to reporting progress?  The Scouts?  The Scout's unit?  Yourself?

You can use Scoutbook to track individual requirement completions in Scoutbook.  However, Scoutbook does not currently have reporting capability for awards (although Admins can Export / Backup Scout advancement data to Excel).  If you are in the same unit as the Scout(s) then you could view or update / approve their progress.

If you are just looking for a communication tool between you and the Scout, I would think that using a blue card would work (even though it isn't an "official" way to report progress).

You could probably create something yourself using a spreadsheet or word processor (with tables).  Basically an expansion on @qwazse's idea.  Again, it depends on what your planning to do with it.

On 11/26/2018 at 8:59 AM, Jpalmer said:

We are getting ready to start a new troop for the girls and we want to have a linked troop with our existing troop. Our Council, as usual, is slow with info and vague when they finally do release anything. My question is this: What do we have to do to establish the link and where does that happen?

Also, is the form to get the extension for the older girls for Eagle the same as the old one for the boys (11.2.0.0)?

Also, do we have to apply online or can we charter with paper applications?

I would appreciate any info I can get!!  

Have you tried talking to your council Registrar?

I would think that starting a linked girls troop is pretty similar to starting a new troop for boys.  If a charter organization wants to sponsor a troop for girls, they have the option to sponsor a linked troop or a separate troop.  The chartered org. may decide to allow the linked troop to share the same troop number as the boy troop.  If so, then there is a prefix in ScoutNET that will distinguish the linked boy troop from the linked girl troop.  The linked boy troop and the girl troop must have different Scoutmasters.  The girl troop must have at least one registered leader who is female and age 21+.  Ask your council Registrar if there's anything else that you need to do.

Until the girl troop is established and shows up at beascout.org and the troop leadership activates online applications, you will have to use paper applications.  Please keep in mind that the BSA's online applications currently only works for new members - not transfers or members of more than one unit (dual or multiple memberships).

Unless they post a new form, I would assume that the form for the extension for Eagle for older girls (and older boys) is the same one that is already in use for boys (11.2.0.0).

JMO, but I would not sign the Scout spirit requirement #2 (assuming that it's not already signed off) or sign the rank application.  The Scout can request a board of review under disputed circumstances and the Scoutmaster can explain in writing what's going on and why you did not sign off in those two places.

@Scoutmaster Teddy  Have you already signed off on requirement #2 (Scout spirit)?

The Guide to Advancement (section 4.2.0.1) says:

"All requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle, except for those related to merit badges, must be fulfilled after the successful completion of a board of review for the previous rank."

https://www.scouting.org/resources/guide-to-advancement/mechanics-of-advancement/boy-and-varsity/#4201

And the current rank requirements (updated more recently that the GTA) say:

"The requirements for the Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks may be worked on simultaneously; however, these ranks must be earned in sequence."

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/boyscouts/pdf/524-012_BS_Requirements_WEB.pdf

Following the implementation guidance in the Advancement News, I would have the Scout demonstrate that he still understands the Cyber Chip concepts after his First Class board of review to the Scoutmaster or other designated leader.  Won't do any harm to do the recharge activity, too.

With a few exceptions (such as the personal fitness requirements), the rank requirements for the Scout-First Class ranks may be worked on simultaneously.  However (except for merit badges), a Scout cannot start working on the requirements for Star rank until after making First Class rank.

That said, the Cyber Chip is a bit different.  The BSA put out implementation information on the Cyber Chip in the March -April, 2016 edition of Advancement News (on page 4):

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/advancement_news/2016_mar-apr.pdf

I would think that the article would apply to your Scout's situation, and he should do the Cyber Chip requirements for the 5th grade.  If he did the Cyber Chip requirements for the 5th grade previously (last school year), and if his Cyber Chip expired, then he should "recharge" his Cyber Chip.

@PACAN  OK, I misunderstood what you were trying to say.  Sorry!

But t

36 minutes ago, PACAN said:

The Scout has the right to appeal and should do so.  Familiarize yourself with Chapter 8 of the Guide to Advancement.   Chapter 9 covers the Eagle Project evaluation. The EBOR owes the scout correspondence on why they made their decision.  Your appeal is based on the reason.

One of the items that does raise some eyebrows is the EP only requires the scout to lead "others" which is defined as 2.  This has been interpreted as that a scout could do his project with his parents (assuming both are BSA Registered).  This makes no sense by many (including me) and may have contributed to the EBOR member questioning how much leadership was done.

What they should have done is since the scout is 14 is to suspend the EBOR and ask the scout to come back with more clarification .  Once they voted, the recourse is appeal.

 

 

 

The Scout in this case led at least 9 other Scouts.  He just happened to lead them 2 at a time and rotated them in and out.  There's nothing wrong with that (except in the mind of the EBOR member who voted no).

4 hours ago, qwazse said:

If I could up-vote @perdidochas's comment twice, I would. As a scout, I loved helping with other scouts' projects be cause they were role models on how to get into the nitty-gritty and get stuff done.

It was also clear to me that projects weren't hard, and neither were MBs, really. My PL earned his Eagle at age 14. But, I also wasn't about to spend every weekend chipping away at some MB, so I was not going to follow in his footsteps. The difference between me earning Eagle at 14 and earning it at 17.5: cartoons and NASCAR. It's just that simple.

I voted for you.  😀

Something else that should be said is that a Scout can lead a project while also participating in that project.  There is nothing that prohibits the Eagle candidate from participating in his own project.

He led at least 9 other people (Scouts), and even though they weren't all present at the same time, that doesn't matter.  "Give Leadership to Others" where “Others” means at least two people besides the Scout.  These "others" are also referred to as "helpers".  "It may be, however, that a well-chosen project conducted by only three provides an impact not achievable with those involving more."  See BSA Guide to Advancement section 9.0.2.4 “Give Leadership to Others …”.

https://www.scouting.org/resources/guide-to-advancement/eagle-scout-rank/

13 minutes ago, cocomax said:

These are questions my summer camp has been asking and so far they have not gotten any answers yet.

1. Are 18 to 20 year old scouters allowed to be merit badges councilors anymore?

2. Many merit badge sessions are inside buildings, if a male staff member is the merit badge councilor and there is a female scout in the class,  must a 21 year old female scouter be present?

3. If all merit badge councilors were female and over age 21 would this meet the new YPT requirements?

 

  

Just my opinion:

1.  Yes, but they no longer count for purposes of the 2-deep leadership requirement.  Same answer with Assistant Den Leaders, Unit College Reserve, and Assistant Scoutmasters who are age 18-20 years old.

2.  Unclear.  The GTSS Scouting's Barriers to Abuse: Adult Supervision rules say:  "A registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over must be present for any activity involving female youth."  I could be wrong, but I think that as long as a registered female adult leader age 21+ is present and on site at the activity (not necessarily in every single classroom with girls), then that would count.

3.  Yes.  Registered merit badge counselors undergo the criminal background check, so if they are female and age 21+, then they would count for two-deep leadership purposes.

The no one-on-one contact rules would also still apply.

The Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse FAQs appears to say that you can have a parent of one of the participating Scouts present at the fundraising activity, and that parent could count as the second adult for two-deep leadership purposes:
 

"Adult Supervision

Q:  The Barriers to Abuse say that there must be two registered adults present for all Scouting activities and meetings.  Does that include merit badge counseling? Fund-raising events?

A. Yes. However, the parent or legal guardian of the Scout may serve as the second adult. This parent or legal guardian does not have to be a registered leader."

The way this is worded, it appears that fundraising activities (popcorn sales, etc.) and individual merit badge counseling are exceptions where a parent / legal guardian of a participating Scout can count as the second adult.

6 hours ago, DuctTape said:

This does seem to be heading towards the ridiculous. The policy is 2 deep for the event, there is no distance requirement but with all things judgement is necessary. At summer camp is it expected to have 2 adults follow every group of kids to every location? Or on a camping trip, 2 adults with every patrol, or with the buddies as they are out collecting firewood. If one patrol goes on a hike, while another chooses to stay in camp and do totin chip, are 4 adults needed? Of course not. 2 deep for the event, not 2 babysitting every small grouping.

If the patrol has an inexperienced leader who decides to take his patrol on a 5 mile hike away from camp, then the SM should be discussing how he will lead his patrol on a day hike without an adult. The conversation should lead the scout to understand his own strengths and limitations and construct a plan to be safe. The PL might request an ASM follow along for safety, or take along a walkie-talkie to communicate with base camp every 20 minutes, or modify the route to a cloverleaf which circles back through camp every 15 minutes, or realize he and his patrol aren't ready to take on this adventure and modify it to increase their skill level, or...

Regardless, the 2-deep requirement has already been satisfied. The question now is a judgement of the SM whether the plan is within safety parameters for the skill level of the patrol and his leader. 

4 adults for the camping / hiking example would be highly recommended (but not required) based on this article from Bryan on Scouting What’s the difference between ‘two-deep leadership’ and ‘no one-on-one contact’? (written before the October 2018 changes to the YPT rules, but still relevant):

"What about if there are only two adults present on a campout of eight Scouts, and one group wants to go hiking while the other stays at camp to fish?

While Youth Protection policies don’t expressly forbid it, it’s not the recommended approach because of health and safety concerns. What if the adult on the hike gets injured? What if the adult back at camp has an emergency? In those situations, it would be helpful to have a second adult present. Many troops in that situation would want at least four leaders: two to go on the hike and two to stay at camp."

How old / experienced are the Scouts on the hike?  How far is the hike?  Is the hike in the backcountry or close to roads?  If someone were to get injured, how quickly / easily could they be rescued, if necessary?  Do the Scouts have a hike plan and know what to do if they get lost?  Does the group at camp know exactly where the hiking group is planning to go and when they plan to return?  Etc.  These are risk assessments that need to be done.

A merit badge fair would be a different situation.  The Scouts are probably all in one location (although they are probably in different rooms).  The two-deep leadership would be for the entire activity (merit badge fair), although every merit badge counselor is required to be registered with the BSA.  No one-on-one contact would mean that a merit badge counselor can meet with a group of Scouts, but cannot meet alone with just a single Scout.  The risk assessment would be completely different from that of splitting up into 2 groups in the backcountry.

Most Scout Shops will ship them to your local Scout Shop or sometimes even to your house.  It looks like the SKU is: 320

52 minutes ago, Eagledad said:

I'm sure he is speaking of the idealistic rule of a selfless motivation to a noble objective. The rule is no less and no more than the same motivation for helping the little ol lady across the street. 

Barry

I thought @Ranman328 was referring to some kind of rule that requires the Eagle Scout project to benefit the charter organization?  As far as I know, the project can benefit any religious organization, any school, or the Scout's community (and "community" is defined very, very loosely).  I can see how it might be good idea to do a project that benefits the charter organization, but I don't know of any rule to do so.