InquisitiveScouter

6 minutes ago, yknot said:

those pockets require a lot of alchemy to create and sustain.

Love this... would give it two hearts if I could...spot on!

Just now, ThenNow said:

Lest we skip over this simple five word line, there is clearly more to be revealed. I, for one, am most intrigued, even while mostly dead.

I have no clue how you guys put up with this for years and years and years on end. I know. I know. Love for kids and love of Scouting, but good Lord. 

Hoping (against hope) and working for change at our level...

For example, at the local unit level (the only place I have most influence), we have implemented more stringent YPT measures.

#1, ANY adult who wants to camp with us has to have background checks done. 

#2, a personal promise from me to every adult on an outing that, if they harm one of the kids under my care, I will risk prison for murder or attempted murder.

#3, encouraging as many registered adults as possible to attend, not only to better supervise the younger Scouts, but to be able to provide the older ones the opportunity to go off on their own adventure, and to better keep an eye on each other (adult-wise).

#4 Ensuring the COR knows and interviews each and every registered adult, and knows who is going on the outings  (the COR lives two blocks from me, and we speak almost daily)

#5 Regular discussions at committee meetings about child abuse, signs and symptoms, and whether we are seeing any of these in any of our Scouts...(Part of my SM "State of the Troop" address)

#6 Personally asking parents, with Scout Handbook and materials in hand, whether they have reviewed the Youth Protection exercises there with their Scout.

etc, etc, etc

Vigilance, friends, is the watchword.

Long ago I mentally separated BSA from Scouting.  I do not equate the two anymore.  The mindset is, we have our own scouting program, and use the BSA materials as a baseline for our program, and build from there...

So, having slept on it...

Does Johnson's presser yesterday affect anyone's thoughts on remaining affiliated with BSA until more of these changes are manifested?

Over the years, I have become more aware of how the BSA "professional" side operates, and have grown more and more uncomfortable with their modus operandi.  Johnson's revelations yesterday only confirmed my interpretations of negative experiences accumulated.

I think my frog may be boiled, and, as we are nearing recharter time, I'm wondering if the thing to do is to decline renewing my BSA membership...

Anyone else struggling with this?

Just now, ThenNow said:

Do you take it off to make your dinner and re-don it once it cools? Charred side in or out? Inquiring minds...

Oh no!!  I make a new one every day, as every authentic tinfoil hat wearer knows to do...the aluminum loses potency throughout the day as it wards off the toxic energy and thought control waves.

I use heavy duty...but I do recycle!

5 minutes ago, CynicalScouter said:

Kosnoff has a message for me.

It is all good: this is all material in the public domain and it isn't about attribution. I just really find it insightful of all the material we post here (and it is a lot) what gets his interest the most/is most notable.

I know we produce a LOT of material but the question is whether it is relevant. I'm glad to see it is.

 

Yup, CS = Kosnoff...tinfoil hat on for the morning...

7 minutes ago, ThenNow said:

What was the IVF entry on him? Did BSA create it on their own initiative subsequent to the initial conviction? Upon hearing the charges? Was the arrest in any way related to BSA? I’m not poking, just asking because a better understanding of the facts will help me ponder and respond. Or, ponder and don’t respond, just hit one of those little buttons of which I’m glad someone else noted there are far too few to cover the range of emotions and reactions evoked by posts on this forum. Anyway...

DM'ed you with the story... I'm not comfortable pushing his name out publicly, as he is exonerated.

8 hours ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

Yes it can destroy the innocent. I know someone who was cleared of any wrongdoing, but is still in the IVF. And it did affect her reputation in the community.

I know a man who was convicted (wrongfully) of murder, later exonerated and released, who petitioned BSA to be removed from IVF.  The answer was "No." 

Image before ethics.

2 minutes ago, HelpfulTracks said:

Do you think that people who have not had any criminal complaint should be included in what is put out publicly?

No.  Many of those people would be unjustly tarred with the same brush.

4 minutes ago, scoutldr said:

Just to clear up any misconceptions...the religious awards are NOT BSA awards and it is not a BSA program.  The award should be earned through the scout's religious leader and awarded by the church.  It is one of the few non-BSA awards that the BSA allows to be worn on the uniform. (Medal OR square knot, not both).

 

 

No misconceptions... is says that clearly in the G2AI link above...

"Religious emblems are not considered Scouting awards. Instead they are earned by members and then presented to them by their religious leaders. Each faith has its own requirements for earning their respective emblems. A list of the emblems and more information about the programs can be found at www.scouting.org/ awards/religious-awards/."

6 minutes ago, johnsch322 said:

Does anyone here seem to think that today’s news conference will change the course of the Bankruptcy?

I think it gives more ammunition to the forces that think Chapter 7 is the right way to go.  Dissolve the organization and start over.

1 minute ago, Muttsy said:

Kosnoff is not that smart. 

It's my delusion...all mine 😛

9 minutes ago, 5thGenTexan said:

Cub Scout through Methodist Church

OK, so there are actually two "awards" here.

First is the "medal" based on the grade-appropriate program the Cub Scout completed.

Jesus and Me - K-1

God and Me - 2-3

or God and Family - 4-6

https://store.praypub.org/

Again, someone has to purchase that medal (and/or a handsome patch).   Each of those medals is $12.50 plus shipping, etc.  As stated, this is most approriately done by the Scout's place of worship, but I recommend you call the parents and/or pastor, and/or mentor to coordinate and find out what's the what.

Second, there is the Youth Religious Award Knot (if this is the Scout's first award), also previously mentioned.  This is most appropriately presented by the unit, and (most appropriately) after the medal above is presented.  A Scout may wear this knot on his uniform forevermore.  Yes, even as an adult

If this is the Scout's second or subsequent religious award, then the unit should purchase an appropriate "gold device" to wear on the knot.

From the Guide to Awards and Insignia

"Any combination of miniature devices may be worn on the same Youth Religious Award knot: Cub Scout, No. 604950; Webelos Scout, No. 932; Scout, No. 927; Venturer, No. 930; Sea Scout, No. 931."

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33066/33066_Religious_Emblems_WEB.pdf?_gl=1*b2csj1*_ga*MjI5OTE1NDQ1LjE2MzIzNDUwNTE.*_ga_20G0JHESG4*MTYzNDA2NzIwNC4xMC4wLjE2MzQwNjcyMDQuNjA.

Here is a the Cub Scout pin device, $2.99

https://www.scoutshop.org/cub-scout-device-pin-604950.html

You can search any of the device numbers above on scoutshop.org to see what is needed.

2 minutes ago, CynicalScouter said:

Which indicates BSA tried to hit him with a directive NOT to cooperate with discovery requests.

Ha-ha. That backfired.

And that's probably why they never hired someone from outside the organization...

1 hour ago, 5thGenTexan said:

I am in my 5th year and this is the first time someone has earned the Religious Emblem.

How do we go about the actual award?  Does the parent pick it up?  Does the Unit pick it up?

I know we will acknowledge it at a meeting, but just not sure of the logistic side of it.

As far as recognizing the award, that is most appropriately done at that Scout's place of worship.  But, that is up to the Scout.  Ask them how and where they want it presented.

BSA does not sell the awards...and it depends on the award.

Most Christian awards are available at https://www.praypub.org/

You may have to establish an account there to purchase.

Some religious organizations may order them as well.

Which award is it, may I ask??

You can get the religious emblem knot at your Scout store, though... item 5007, for $1.99

https://www.scoutshop.org/youth-religious-award-knot-5007.html

That depends on your unit policies for purchase of awards...

5 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

Is this being recorded for those of us at work and cannot watch? Not that I do not trust the commentary you folks provide, but I'd rather hear it from the horse's mouth. Plus add my own. One thing I am getting is: WOW!?!?!?!

Yes, recorded...you can watch later...it's just over an hour long.

https://www.andersonadvocates.com/boy-scouts-of-america-is-not-a-safe-place-for-children-today-congress-must-take-immediate-action/

"I'm fed up with people in that organization telling me what to say, where to say it, and what to believe."

Ouch

"They just wore me down..."

God, I know how he feels.

Anyone seeing a live feed yet for the conference??

NVM...got it

1 minute ago, malraux said:

While I understand the point, its hard to balance the goal of checking everyone who accompanies a group with a rule of every part of the program is open to parents to observe.

Not really...we do this, for overnighters.  Wanna camp out with us? Gotta have a background check...

11 minutes ago, CynicalScouter said:

Why not at this point?

Done

Wonder if MJ gave National a heads up...so they could prepare for the potential excrement storm??

P.S.  OOO Reply from SE

Should I forward a copy to our SE?

1 minute ago, CynicalScouter said:

I said earlier, my pure tinfoil hat theory is that this was timed to hit right when the bankruptcy ballots were getting into the mailboxes of the victims to vote no.

It could be pure coincidence. But there's a cynical part of me (get it, ha!) that says this press conference timing was not a coincidence and is timed to have maximum effect on the vote.

So yes, literally an October Surprise.

Here's a really tinfoil hat idea: CynicalScouter = Kosnoff

2 minutes ago, CynicalScouter said:

If there are emails or documents showing or suggesting that BSA is actively engaged in not doing enough, that's on thing.

Hmmm...It was MJ who tried to skewer me in an email back in 2019 when I pointed out 1) widespread confusion with and implementation of the 72-hour policy, 2) inconsistency in application of the "registered leader" policy, and 3) incoherence of a 2-deep policy that did not extend to MB Counselors.

He cc'ed my SE on the return email, and my SE subsequently removed me from all District and Council positions to try to silence me.  The SE said he did so under the guise of addressing my outspoken efforts to drive transparency in council finances...  Of course, he retained me as one of his useful idiots as we have one of the best unit level programs in the council.

Wonder if those emails will be in the mix 😜

This is like an election year "October Surprise."

And I feel guilty for having a certain sense of schadenfreude.

14 hours ago, HelpfulTracks said:

No it is not. But the current scouts are absolutely part of the equation in terms of how the final settlements are made.

For me that is absolutely part of the equation. 

When I think on this, I can honestly say we don't really need our local council.  Everything they provide us could be done (and in most cases, actually already is being provided) through National functions (policy, materials (books and uniforms), standardized training) and local volunteers (local training courses and events).

Could anyone else here live without their local council?  With the technologies we have now, could they go away without a great deal of impact to Scouting?  I think so....and so, BSA toggle?