Cburkhardt

This is not a matter of hate on the part of the litigators. They are simply pursing a commercial opportunity that is being enabled and encouraged by the political policymakers in our state capitols. I don't like it, but this is the tort system we have in the US. Our political leaders are going to openly allow victims of alleged misconduct form the 1950s through 1970s to apply today's legal and behavioral standards at the expense of today's children in order to recover damages. The policymakers pursuing this change are generally and happily engaging in a process they think will enrich their

To Barry's issue: I think it depends on the audience that is receiving information on the BSA's YPT and the issues related to Dale. The parents in our new all-girl Troop have little concern about the Dale issue. One reason is that they are a full generation removed from those who paid close attention to Dale. They also understand that large, credible employers, NFPs and other entities have changed their policies on the issues of sexual preference only in the last decade. Even the Episcopal Church refused to recognize gay marriages as recently as 6 years ago. So, the fact that the

I suggest we stop arguing the "100% Issue". The argument is what it is. We do not want to unwittingly provide litigators evidence that can be misrepresented in court. We have all agreed that 100% compliance is the unquestioned goal we are striving for now and in the future. Why don't we leave this sub-issue at that?

The very unfortunate reality is that states, with the urging of the trial attorney bar (and victims/potential claimant groups), are already well into the process of repealing the applicable statutes of limitations and are going to allow file of suits against the BSA going back decades. Much of the press seems on-board with that process and the manner in which news articles are being written is forming the minds of future juries who will determine those cases. We are a wonderful, well-run organization and absolutely have had our act together on these issues for a long time. But unless we fil

The girl and her parents pressing a public relations campaign for "immediate" Eagle Scout recognition are trying to pressure the BSA into retroactively recognizing activities apparently engaged in during years prior to the official admission of females into Scouting. This is most inappropriate, in that such a practice would result in a rush of others desiring retroactive application of activities and events prior to their admission into Scouting. To allow this would invite litigation over the matter as others come forward to force claims of apparent retroactive activities as satisfying advan

As a Scoutmaster of a larger, best practices Troop for girls in a council that now has over 40 girl troops, I cannot agree with much that has been written in this posting. There are no known instances of easy rank sign-off for girls in our council — and I would know. There are the expected instances of rapid advancement of a few older girls who are on the edge to earn Eagle in 2 years, and that is to be expected for many of the reasons stated here and on the other posting on hints for new youth trying to earn Eagle in short time periods. As in the earlier camporee posting, there is a te

Scouts BSA youth membership grew 2.2% at end of April compared to April last year. From 708K to 723K. Cubs is up 1.1% over same period from 840K to 850K. No girl-specific numbers available yet, but it can be concluded that we would still be losing membership if we had not welcomed girls.

My intention with this posting is to see if others are observing a renewed interest in supporting Scouting on the part of the Episcopal Church as it currently exists. I am observing some movement in that direction locally because that church is in alignment with the direction of the new BSA membership policies. The increased number of units is being requested by BSA folks and is now being welcomed, whereas before I speculate there would have been a less-interested reaction. My personal observation is that all families are being welcomed to participate regardless of their current faith or ri

Recent membership policy changes may be renewing interest on the part of Episcopal parishes in the sponsorship of Scouting units. In our large metropolitan council our Bishop personally supported formation of new units and appeared and spoke at the formation of our first new Scouts BSA Troop for Girls (sponsored by an Episcopal parish). This was motivated in part by our having visited with the Bishop's staff long before unit formation. I solicited and followed several suggestions they provided and they consequently have a very favorable view of the program and the "ownership" viewpoint we a

Thanks, Mark. I will prepare a 1-page summary of the 2-year advancement "heads-up" suggestions provided by everyone and post it in about a week.

Older girl advancement is proving to be a lot like ..... older boy advancement. Not a surprise because the younger girl advancement in our Troop has already evidenced the identical tendencies. At the 10 week mark we already have our first Eagle-type go-getter with 3 merit badges, almost tenderfoot, etc. And, we already have a few laggards with drastically less to show. My conclusion from all of the (mostly) wise comments is that I should focus our assistance on understanding and complying with our advancement process on Scout C. Some of you are, in my view, just a bit harsh on her

We are using the same theme in DC this weekend. Since the OA is running our event, they must have picked up the idea at a conclave.

Jameson: You are correct in concluding this will be very complicated. Perhaps one of the most complex financial reorganizations in bankruptcy history. Essentially the BSA is the national organization and contains within it all above-council governance and assets (the extent to which they are owned). Councils are separate from a corporate standpoint, and their assets are owned separately. However, there is a close relationship between BSA and the councils to the point where "control" over councils can become an issue in legal proceedings. The degree to which council assets are at risk in

I'll be at our District Camporee with our Troop this weekend, so I won't be too active on this posting until Sunday night.

The news conferences this week again raised the issue of the future of BSA finances and properties in light of abuse incidents and the ongoing repeal of "statutes of limitations" by states. This topic will narrowly focus on what financial reorganization bankruptcy is, the high likelihood that the BSA will file one this year and the likely organizational and operational impacts such a process will cause. I am doing this to allow Scouters to be informed in an organized manner in advance of a filing so we can help others understand the circumstances when they occur. The filing will provide an

Scoutmaster Response on a Community Blog Friends: I post on a community blog in our metropolitan area that is viewed by a large number of parents interested in Scouting. A posting titled “Do you trust the BSA?” Started yesterday after the articles broke. Below is the post I made this AM: Scoutmaster’s Thoughts on Abuse I’m the Scoutmaster of the Scouts BSA Troop for girls in Washington, DC who has commented extensively on this site. You can read the previous lengthy postings if you are curious about how Scouts BSA Troop 248 for girls operates. As an in

If this is systemic across the Council, some of the CORs and leaders of units might request consideration of a merger into another Council that is more functional. They might suggest merger discussions to the Council key-three. It is not a good strategy to "wait until help arrives" in these situations.

As everyone can see there are many different and valid ways to do this, and many believe strongly in their views. This is great because it confirms the importance of our chosen volunteer work. One circumstance I will note is that leaders of all-girl troops are particularly tasked to simultaneously start up a unit and provide concentrated attention to these older girls. I think utilizing the advantages of top-notch summer camp staff and programs Can be a smart way for new girl troops to go. But I recognize these other approaches as very good.

Thunderbird: Thanks for the specific “catches” on merit badges and rank requirements that have time requirements that need advance attention. This is the kind of thing we need these youth to be aware of. Qwaze: The multiple weeks of summer camp is good for merit badge completion — especially for the previously “unscouted” girl. Our 7 weekend campouts will give them plenty of chance to compile the 20 nights. Great overall thoughts. keep the ideas flowing folks. When we have covered it enough I will compile a one-page summary and post it broadly.

Thanks to the over 700 who have visited this posting in the last 24 hours. Understanding how to best provide advice on this is a concern shared by many. We are going to deliver on this. And, Happy Easter to everyone of you, regardless of your faith. There is a clear need to provide guidance on basic scheduling and requirements/leadership sequencing to meritorious older young men and woman who have been presented the opportunity to advance through Scouting’s ranks during this exceptional period. Thanks to those who had useful prioritization thoughts to offer. To those who seemingly th

Please post 2-year Eagle plans for boys and girls on a short track. We are seeking schedules and hints on things that need to be “worked from the start”, such as particular required merit badges to present timing pitfalls.

Dear Friends: These are splendid suggestions, and I certainly agree and recommend them to all readers. We anticipate that the Scoutmaster daughter/4-year camp staffer and the 3-year Venturer are good examples of tag-along girls who have probably fully-absorbed the Scouting spirit and have already acquired much of the required First Class skills (which they will have to of course demonstrate mastery of). Both already have their merit badge plans on paper. I am really pleased we will have them to inspire our 11-13 year olds. Their significant growth will probably be on the leade

Girl Webelos Dens in a special pack affiliated with a girl troop. ? Here is an idea some of us at our all-girl troop are considering. Our earlier experience with our all-girls Webelos den (the members of which have crossed into our troop) was so positive that we are giving thought to having Webelos 1 and 2 dens affiliated with our all-girl Troop. We would not operate a full Pack — only the Webelos programming. We would have them meet at the same time and place with us, but they would have a different meeting room. We would have a Cubmaster/den Leader staff in parallel with our Scoutm

Three girls in our 27-member Troop will need to earn Eagle in 2 or 3 years. These young women came our way because they heard about our Troop and have different but compelling reasons to want to become Eagle Scouts within a compressed time frame. Let's start commenting about how this can be done in a quality way. First, the three circumstances: Girl A is the daughter of a Scoutmaster of another established all-boy Troop. She has been a "tag-along" for many years. She has been on camp staff for 4 years. She turns 18 in a month and wants to earn her Eagle in 2 years. She joined our a

I will stay with my prediction that we will have very significant Scouts BSA girl enrollment increases these next few years. I do not see anything out there that will equal our outdoor program for girls, as the other girl-only organizations seem inalterably focused on social issues, activism, religion or semi-academic topics at the junior high and high school ages. Those organizations will not be able to compete with us on the outdoor opportunities. Just like Venturing, Scouts BSA will dominate that age group for girls on the outdoor opportunites. On the boy side, I am not ready to ag