InquisitiveScouter

Do you mean something like this???

https://www.medalsofamerica.com/blog/when-wear-miniature-medals/

Worn on the chest, or do you mean small medals still to be worn around the neck??

3 hours ago, Mrjeff said:

Um.....no they can't............check the by-laws and operational procedures.  Anyway, do as you see fit.

 

Agreed that the membership regulations put an onus on SE & Council Pres to work in concert when taking such action.  But the Scout Executive has wide latitude to remove district and council positions.  Removal from Scouting has it's own procedure.

Page 12

https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Rules_Regulations_Sept20.pdf

"District and Council Scouters. District and council Scouters must be approved by the local council Scout executive. Council Scout executives may remove or refuse to renew the position registration of a district or council Scouter when the council president and council Scout executive agree that the Scouter’s service is no longer desired or required."

So, you can see there really is no standard here.  You'd hope there be a conversation between SE and member before such action is taken.  A "common courtesy" as it were...  But no, not here.  Ask the wrong questions, or provide an opinion in a survey that is not in line with the Scout Executive's desires, and you are removed from all these.

Our District and Council volunteer staffs and committees are mostly non-functional or non-existent.  And our district and council programs greatly suffer for it.

As long as the money keeps rolling in, the SE will do as they please.  It is a private organization, after all...

I have contacts in both levels who privately confirm the SE does this unilaterally, without a single discussion with our Council President.  Now hearsay isn't admissible  But, when more than five trustworthy individuals confirm this (including professionals), based on their lengthy history with the council, and without any official communications from the SE, you have to form a judgement as to what and how things happen.

you won't be tried for Boy Scout Treason?

Yes, you will... in absentia, with no formal charges, defense, or appeal.  You will be blacklisted and excluded from participation at district and council level.

This has happened to me and others in this forum, for asking questions about decisions, governance, and finances.

@Mrjeffis probably right about board members, but when word reaches the professional staff, you could (repeat, could) have backlash.  Just tread carefully.

18 hours ago, Spatulate said:

I will ask the SM to prepare the plan in a readable format to have SPLs present at the next TC meeting.

If you use Scoutbook, just put the plan on the calendar there.  No need to come up with another product.  At the meeting, you can project the calendar on a screen one month at a time, and everyone can follow it together.  Technology can really help with this.

Or do it by Zoom and screen share. (or your favorite platform)

We do a trip-by-trip approval.  When a trip is approved, we put "Committee approved" in the admin notes on Scoutbook.

As from posts above, the Committee looks at the plan first through the lens of "Can we rally the functions, logistics, and bodies we need to support our Scout's desires?" 

An example might be that the Scouts want to do a Troop cycling/camping trip.  You expect 25 Scouts to attend.  How many adults will this take to provide transportation and supervision?  Two isn't gonna cut it. (Unless you've got a 20+ passenger bus that one leader drives, and the other leader pulls a large trailer that can carry 27 bicycles and Troop gear.  You get the idea.)  So, what's it gonna take, and can we provide it??

This is why it is important for the SPL (with SM, or adult that facilitated planning, attending) to present this to the Committee...  if only for the Personal Growth/Adult Association/Leadership Development aspects of it.

Once the plan is approved at the Committee level, it becomes the demand function for a Troop budget. (Does your Troop have one?  Budgeting is a Committee function, not a Scouts' function.)  What resources will it take to implement the plan, and how are we gonna get those resources (like thru dues and fundraisers)?

Our Troop runs an SPL term of 6 months.  Each SPL has the task to do an Annual Plan during this tenure.  With this scheme, at a minimum the first six months of new SPL's tenure is already programmed, and they can look ahead for planning, instead of trying to come up with a camping trip for next month.  The next six months after that on the existing plan can be tweaked, if the PLC wants to make some changes.  They are not "married " to that part of the existing plan.  (e.g.,  Previous PLC said they wanna do skiing, but we have changed our mind and wanna do snowshoeing instead.)  Then, they get to dream up (create) the plan for another six months after that.  This kind of long range planning makes for a much more stable program for our Troop and families, and gives us time to make adjustments and do adequate budgeting. YMMV.

The adult leadership needs to help set a "battle-rhythm" adequate for your Troop's needs.

2 minutes ago, SiouxRanger said:

I personally would not start at the District level as the volunteers at the District level have little connection with Council level matters as part of their official duties as District officers.  The DE might be able to obtain a copy for you, but most DE's I've dealt with are not interested in any task that puts them on the radar of senior professionals that might reflect poorly on their jobs. And, such a request puts junior staff in a difficult position.

The advice was more to obtain a warning for the OP'er if they don't have a good sense of the culture in their council before starting to ask these questions.  Hopefully, your District guys (talk to volunteers first) have been around a while, and can give you a good sense of how the council operates and treats them.  Their input and experiences will be a good indicator... concur that they won't necessarily be close to council ops, but the Chair or Commissioner may wear other hats in the council that do give them better insight.

1 hour ago, Christi13 said:

Again the questions were:

Who is allowed to attend the Executive Board meetings for a council?

Can I as an Assistant Scoutmaster, OA Chapter Advisor,  District Committee member, and Unit Commissioner sit in and listen to an Executive Board meeting? Yes or No? 

 Would I be able to look at past meeting minutes? Yes or N 

 Would I be able to request looking at those minutes? Yes or No? 

Is the Scouting program to be transparent in their work? Yes or No? 

Is the Council expected to be transparent in their work? Yes or No? 

Thanks 

1.  Who is allowed?  It depends on what's on the agenda.  Some meetings are open (you may attend), some meeting are closed (you may not.)  It varies by council as to whom will decide which it is.  If all of yours are closed, it's a shame.  These meetings should be on your council calendar.  Call your District Key 3 and ask if you may attend.  (Yes, start at a low level to gauge what the reception to your questions will be, and the volunteers may have some knowledge about your specific council.)  Be prepare to answer the question "Why do you want to attend?"

2.  Can I as ASM, OA,...? See above.

3.  Past meeting minutes?  Varies by council.  And, if the meeting was closed, No.  Google is your friend... here are some examples

https://www.mississippivalleybsa.org/about-us/our-executive-board/

https://scoutingevent.com/Download/50968661/OR/Minutes__Council_Executive_Board_September_2020.pdf

4.  Can you request the minutes?  Sure, but the answer may be No.  Start with your District Key 3. (I recommend your District Commissioner, then District Chair, then DE.  They will help you "take the temperature" of the council and see if your inquiries will be welcomed or viewed with disdain.  Start treading carefully...

5.  Program Transparency?  Supposed to be, yes.  But there are times and instances where issues must be discussed behind closed doors to preserve anonymity of youth, privacy, etc.

6.  Council Transparency?  Same as above.

You may find some of this helpful:

https://www.scouting.org/council-support/cebo/

The "View" video links are inop, but you can download and view on your computer.  Expect vanilla and pie in the sky.  There is a difference between the ideal and reality 😜

6 hours ago, Jmatt0613 said:

Hello everyone! I have come up with an update but it's not that good. Unfortunately, I have decided to leave my current troop after some issues arose. This is a drama that has been brewing in the background since our summer camp.

I had a meeting with the new scoutmaster (NSM), Chartered organization rep (COR), and old scoutmaster(OSM) which was an intervention under the guise of a leadership meeting. (NOTE before this COR had not been present at troop functions for almost 1 year and OSM had only reappeared back in march) They essentially summed up the meeting into 3 things 1. I need to back away from the troop for some time to focus on myself and my future (they also agree to help and check in on me), 2. That I was not to attend ANY troop or committee meetings or ANY 2 deep leadership with the scouts until COR said it was ok too, and 3. They claim that it is to make sure my relationship with the scouts wouldn't be taken as me being a predator. I understood this and agreed with 1 and 3 but 2 is where I had a major problem because I had already agreed to help and be available to the new leadership and parents that came in.

I stayed away as much as I could unless the scouts asked for help (I always take 2 deep leadership seriously because one mistake could ruin my life) the meetings that I did go to COR and OSM were not there but NSM was but he never tried to talk to me about 2 and was actually grateful when I actually showed up. Then our September committee meeting happens where all three are there. (I received an email from the  Committee chair informing us that there would be a committee meeting and that anyone can attend) Nothing was said to me before or during the meeting but COR wanted to talk with me afterward. He reiterated 1,2, and 3 to me again and told me that he would call me to help me with something before the next week. Since I had not been asked to help with any meetings during September I decided to not attend meetings and not interact with any scouts. COR never called or even texted about helping me and then proceeded to take a vacation the last week of September and the first week of October. COR was set to return the day before the October Committee meeting it was intentionally scheduled that way.  

Two days before our October Committee meeting the Committee chair sent out an email reminding everyone of the meeting and was still an open invitation. As this thread showed I planned on attending to propose the Code of Conduct. I arrived a bit early way before any scouts or other adults showed up and just waited. When the SPL arrived I asked him about returning something that I had loaned him because I planned on almost quitting the troop and fully embracing ! 2, and 3 to the best of my ability. While doing this other scouts arrived and I got swarmed until the normal meeting opening which I stayed to watch with NSM. I was going to wait until the NSM was finished and walk with him to the committee meeting. Before that happened COR walked over and asked to talk with me so I followed him. Upon the talk beginning, he asked why I was there and that I  knew about 1, 2, and 3 to which I calmly explained that I was there for the committee meeting and what I had previously mentioned. He asked if I knew why he had told me to stay away and I just told him what 3 is. he agreed and asked if my mother knew about 1,2, and 3 and the real reason, to which I responded yes and said I was only there for the committee meeting. He then followed up with that if I attend another meeting of any kind he would have me removed in handcuffs. I simply asked why as I knew I had not broken any laws to which he responded "for what you did to those kids online I should have had you removed from the program a long time ago," (This is the exact quote and he didn't explain it at all. The reason is that I know is because immediately after I texted my mother a summary that included that line in full.) Cor then said I could stay for the committee meeting as I didn't have a ride there but then reiterated that if I come back again I will leave in handcuffs. During the entire committee meeting, I stayed silent, and as soon as it was over I went outside and ordered an Uber. As soon as I was home I emailed the NSM and committee chair that I am leaving the troop because I have become unwelcome by Cor and that if I attend another troop event I will be removed in handcuffs. I wished them the best of luck for the future and that I might not return again. 

My scouting journey has come to an end against my will and I'm quite sad about it ending this way with people I considered family. This is not the ending I thought of or hoped for at all but if I stay any longer I am risking my future for nothing. I hope those who have read this have a wonderful time with however long you have left in this amazing program. I might end up updating this if any major events happen in the future.

OK, there is a lot to unpack there... and some new info which is disturbing.

I'm not gonna delve any deeper from a thousand miles away.  But I will offer the following:

1.  You are young.  Unfortunately, with a group of other adults (parents), your views are not going to carry much weight.  They are asking themselves : "What is this college kid doing here?  He should be off with his friends doing college-kid stuff."  So, you are probably viewed with some suspicion for hanging around instead of "letting go."  That's probably the origin of #1 and #3 above, but just a guess...  It's a way for them to have you not be there.

2. From your posts, I take it you are under 21.  BSA rules say "Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required at all Scouting activities, including meetings."  So, from your posts above, "...I arrived a bit early way before any scouts or other adults showed up and just waited. When the SPL arrived I asked him about returning something that I had loaned him..." They probably took this as a violation (from #2 in your post). 

3.  Someone in charge now does not want you there.  So, go, before things get worse.  Best thing for you and the Troop, ultimately.  There are a million other things to do in Scouting.  Find some.  Does your college have an Alpha Phi Omega chapter?  (No, start one.) How about a local NESA Chapter.  How about OA? etc, etc etc.

4.  You were diving into a Code of Conduct for the Troop.  While the Scout Oath and Law applies to all, YOU actually have one to follow:  The Scouters Code of Conduct.

https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/bsa-scouter-code-of-conduct/

Make sure you follow it, always, in your other Scouting adventures.

Happy Trails!

7 minutes ago, mrjohns2 said:

While important, maintenance can deferred. Paying the power bill cannot, insurance bill, payroll cannot. 

Not indefinitely.  We have buildings that should be condemned (black mold, roof leaks, rotting structural members, etc.) because of deferred maintenance.

I have repeatedly asked since I moved here to see our council's plans for camp... non-existent.  Our new Ranger, whom I know well, is scheduled for NCS soon, has asked for same to review and take with him to Camp School... crickets...

Not going to give money to pay for further mismanagement.

22 minutes ago, Cburkhardt said:

Ever been something like a district finance chair, popcorn sales chair for a district, district solicitor for FOS or someone who spent significant time finding the least expensive insurance for your council’s service center?

Lord, no!  Nor would I.  And why would I?  I wholeheartedly believe we need to gut the bloated structure we have, consolidate councils, reduce unnecessary/unproductive labor overhead.

Too many feeding at the trough as it is, with no value added to program, unit service, camp improvement, training, etc., etc., etc.

After all these years, I'm not gonna throw good money after bad!  A Scout is Thrifty!

10 minutes ago, Cburkhardt said:

Attending camp, volunteer hours and other “in-kind” contributions are not what I am talking about.

I will never give an unrestricted contribution.  For a myriad of reasons...

But I have given hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars of materials to maintain our camp, which reduces the overall burden on their operating costs, and simply must be included in any intellectually honest discussions about camp properties.

I have also given same to other non-profits in our area, and those efforts are much better received and appreciated than anything done for our council.

17 hours ago, Cburkhardt said:

Ultimately the Board has a fiduciary duty to take actions in the best interests of future Scouts.  Their views may or may not be in alignment with your thoughts. 

Ultimately the Board has a fiduciary duty to take actions in the best interests of the corporation.  The way the system is constructed invariably leads to decisions that have nothing to do with the best interests of future Scouts.

Money before people.

Read the thread.  The code of conduct is the Scout Oath and Law.  The idea is to set expectations and consequences.  Then stick to them.

21 minutes ago, skeptic said:

Many non profits run funding with token gifts for contributing, such as tickets to something or books and so on.  My understanding is that the donation is still tax deductible.  But, not a cpa.  Grey area perhaps?  

 

Only the portion of monies after you subtract the reasonable market value of the product you received.

See page 4.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf

So what is the reasonable market value?  You'd have to make a comparison to a similar product.  $3.00 for a 7 ounce bag in my local grocer. (That's retail.)

So, if @SiouxRanger could itemize, you'd be looking at a $22 donation.

Unless the council deems it a "Token Item" (also page 4)  (what does a 6 oz bag of kettle corn cost the council?)

"Token items. You don't have to reduce your contribution by the value of any benefit you receive if both of the following are true.

1. You receive only a small item or other benefit of token value.

2. The qualified organization correctly determines that the value of the item or benefit you received isn't substantial and informs you that you can deduct your payment in full.

The organization determines whether the value of an item or benefit is substantial by using Revenue Procedures 90-12 and 92–49 and the inflation adjustment in Revenue Procedure 2020-45."

LOL... would love to get rid of the tax code and go Flat Tax!!

1 hour ago, skeptic said:

You made a donstion to Scouting and got a bit of popcorn as a token of appreciation.

 

So that you could not claim it as a tax deduction...

Whenever you see Scouts selling popcorn, just give a donation.  100% of it goes to their unit.

And for games, here is a great resource.  Pick about 10 games your Scouts like, and build your resource box based on that.

https://troopresources.scouting.org/troop-games/

Many have videos that demo how to play the game!!

See main site for lots of other stuff

https://troopresources.scouting.org/

And another:

https://troopleader.scouting.org/

The syllabus linked above was updated.

Here is the current BSA syllabus for ILST:

https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/721-07218-ILST-Facil-Training_WEB.pdf

Recommend you follow the syllabus for the first one you do.  After that, modify and adjust content of course.

Thanks for doing this!!

Here is the main page, and you can get Troop Position Description Cards there also.

https://www.scouting.org/training/youth/

5 minutes ago, BAJ said:

I hope that BSA is at least making some substantial money from the gaming companies for promoting their products.  If this event came with a substantial “contribution” that can help address some of the post-bankruptcy financial concerns…. Then….. well….. maybe.

A deal with the devil...

1 hour ago, 5thGenTexan said:

How many times have I told a Scout they can have all sorts of fun without a device.  And now BSA does this?

 

https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2022/09/29/calling-all-gamers-sign-up-for-the-bsa-esports-tournament-series/

Dare you to post this as as a comment on that forum:

Excerpt from a recent review of studies on video gaming:

Neural Basis of Video Gaming: A Systematic Review

Background: Video gaming is an increasingly popular activity in contemporary society, especially among young people, and video games are increasing in popularity not only as a research tool but also as a field of study. Many studies have focused on...

Video game use has been linked with reduced recruitment in the anterior cingulate cortex, associated with proactive cognitive control and possibly related to reduced attentional skills (Bailey et al., 2010). Likewise, exposure to violent content in video games is associated with lower activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, interfering with inhibitory control. The same team (Bailey and West, 2013) observed how video game play had beneficial effects on visuospatial cognition, but in turn had negative effects on social information processing. Lastly, video game exposition has been linked to delayed microstructure development in extensive brain regions and lower verbal IQ (Takeuchi et al., 2016).

Another article: Playing shooter video games damages the brain, study suggests

Playing shooter video games damages the brain, study suggests

Playing “shooter” video games weakens the brains of young people and puts them at greater risk of dementia in later life, new research suggests.

“Playing “shooter” video games weakens the brains of young people and puts them at greater risk of dementia in later life, new research suggests.”

And another: This is Your Child’s Brain on Video Games

This Is Your Child's Brain on Video Games

Video games leave kids revved up, stressed out, and primed for a meltdown.

“It’s not realistic to expect the brain to adapt to intense and artificial stimulation it was never meant to handle. It’s also not realistic to expect a child with still-developing frontal lobe to control their screen-time, whether that means managing how long they play a game, how they use or misuse social media, or how they behave afterward.”

Another article on electronics and effects on our kids:

The Mental Health Crisis is upon the Internet Generation

Three ways that modern internet technologies are tearing our young people apart

And one on limiting the use of social media:

No More FOMO: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and Depression |...

Introduction: Given the breadth of correlational research linking social media use to worse well-being, we undertook an experimental study to investigate the potential causal role that social media plays in this relationship. Method: After a week of...

And is that all programs?

My crystal ball says yes.  With many double counts.

So... I was on the phone with the Scout office the other day inquiring about an account balance in the store...

A professional gets on the phone and asks me "How many new Scouts do you plan on recruiting this fall?"

"None!" I say. Because, paraphrasing... 'We took on 18 crossovers this year because, for most of them, their traditional Troops have folded.  We gained three Scouts as transfers because their Troops folded (and are awaiting the decision from three more Scouts).  We have four youth newly recruited to Scouts, many driving a good distance because the Troops in their area folded.  We planned and budgeted for 8 crossovers and two new Scouts.  We've exceed our target by 150%!!!  How many units do you plan on starting up this fall?'

"Thanks for the info! See you around!"

LOL

12 hours ago, qwazse said:

For the record, I was speculating that the parent wanted the scout to be isolated. From what in particular? We have no idea. I’ve had more than a few parents who became increasingly worried about who their child was befriending as he/she moved into adolescence. As a parent I’ve had the opposite experience in that kids from outside our local circle actually were the best people I could ever wish to have in my children’s life.

The requirement as worded gives a tremendous amount of latitude. Maybe it does subvert the objective of the lesson. But, maybe for some scouts, a little step can be a big experience.

Considering the parents’ views a little bit more deeply, I can imagine holding a belief that they shouldn’t see anyone as being different. Thus, connecting with someone on the basis that they are different may fly in the face of that.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 200% 😛 

On 9/28/2022 at 9:12 AM, qwazse said:

There’s nothing wrong with aging out as a life scout on your integrity.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 100%

Going there this weekend, as our Scouts love TI!  

Glad you had a great experience.

Cradle of Liberty Council sold the Treasure Island portion (in NJ) of the property to a local businessman for $500K in 2018.  The local businessman allows the Friends of Treasure Island to coordinate FREE Scout camping on weekends outside of Memorial Day - Labor Day.

https://www.friendsoftreasureisland.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Island_Scout_Reservation

If you live within a reasonable drive, sign up for their email blast to get notifications of open campsites.  The reservations go fast, and often a year in advance...

If you are agile, there are often short notice cancellations you could take advantage of.

Enjoy!

For those interested in the history... the Marshall Island portion (in PA) was sold for $1M to the Port of Philadelphia as an environmental credit offset to their pollution.

https://www.philaport.com/marshall-island/

2 hours ago, 1980Scouter said:

The LC that made the video had a link to the agreement form. It said it is mandatory to do FOS, popcorn, flowers and any other fundraiser at the council level. Camping is allowed at other council camps though. including for summer camp.

An unenforceable edict??

3 minutes ago, Armymutt said:

Why would they be learning the skills with younger Scouts?  That sounds like a new scout patrol.  My troop had two patrols, mostly because we had two lines of tables in the chapel hall.  As new Scouts came into the troop they could pick which side of the room to sit on, and that was their patrol.  We had everything from Life Scouts to new Scouts in the same patrol.  It was the job of the older Scouts to teach the younger ones in the patrol.  We operated similarly to the description in the 5th edition of the Scoutmasters Handbook, though with less formality, as it was the early 90s.  The PLs evaluated the skills of their patrol and focused on ensuring everyone was up-to-snuff.  

The gold standard 😛