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InquisitiveScouter

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Posts posted by InquisitiveScouter

    Major Changes Announced -- Councils Impacted

    in Issues & Politics

    Posted

    On 6/2/2020 at 3:36 PM, dkurtenbach said:

    It is difficult for our Scouting game of camping and hiking and related outdoor activities to compete.   

    Which is why we have quite a few young people who are seen as not fitting in to other groups of their peers...

    On 6/2/2020 at 3:36 PM, dkurtenbach said:

    That cause, of course, is the environment

    BSA has a long way to go here...how many of your council camps have been logged??

    Crossing State Lines - Different Covid Restrictions

    in Open Discussion - Program

    Posted

    You have asked a question that you might not like the answer to...

    BSA COVID-19 FAQ  ( https://www.scouting.org/coronavirus/covid-19-faq/ ) says, in typical CYA fashion...

    Q: If meeting locations are open, can units meet or do other in-person activities?

    Councils make the determination, working closely with their council health supervisor and local health department, about when units can conduct in-person meetings and activities again. If the unit’s local council is allowing in-person activities but has restrictions in place (e.g., no more than 10, social distancing of 6 ft. etc.), the unit must meet and abide by those restrictions – even if the unit is traveling out of council/state.

    underlining added

    Good luck...

    Poor Performing Committee Chair

    in Open Discussion - Program

    Posted

    On 6/4/2020 at 12:37 AM, 5thGenTexan said:

    There is no one else in the Pack that has taken the training and learned outside of normal training about how the program is supposed to work and try to implement that.  That being said, I am going to be a parent now.  It really hurts me in the heart to quit because I really enjoy my positions, but I simply won't work with him any more.

    5thGen,

    This is also a failing of the Committee that is all-too-common (lack of succession planning and training).  Most people will let someone else carry the burden as long as they will...so do not feel guilty about dropping these responsibilities.  It sounds as if you have been letting them know for long enough.  Thanks for making the program work!

    Now, when you do step down, be prepared for folks to say you have done it without warning. 😜 Just smile, correct them gently, and enjoy being a parent for a while.

     

    • Upvote 1

    Major Changes Announced -- Councils Impacted

    in Issues & Politics

    Posted

    Our "honor campers" sleep in staff cabins and camp buildings during Ordeals.  Usually only candidates and a few Elangomats sleep outdoors.  Great way to set the example, huh?

    Our lodge fellowship weekend draw is that the youth conduct massive video game sessions well into the night.  That's the only reason my son wants to go...gggrrrrr

    • Upvote 3
    • Popular Post
    • Popular Post

    Major Changes Announced -- Councils Impacted

    in Issues & Politics

    Posted

    Just now, desertrat77 said:

    the organization has so little credibility

    I call it the "self-licking ice cream cone" SLICC

    Our lodge does zero service projects, other than for council. And nothing for units outside of elections.  They conduct inductions/ceremonies, go to conclave and NOAC, use captive labor at Ordeals to set up tents and flies/ do general maintenance for Summer Camp.

    Members (adult and youth) our lodge repeatedly use the phrase "sash and dash", which I decry.  An Arrowman's first duty is to his unit. 

    For our last election, they actually sent this guidance out to unit leaders..."The question of how the Scout will deal with membership should be considered before approving them for eligibility."  and "Will the Scout do their Ordeal and then never be involved with OA again (i.e. the "sash and dash")?"  [Copied and pasted directly from the Lodge email.]

    Here was our Troop reply:

    "As a long-time member of the Order of the Arrow, I want to ask you (and, through you as Chapter Adviser, all lodge members) to reconsider using phrases like "sash and dash", or asking unit leaders to evaluate whether members will become involved with the lodge in order for unit leaders to approve candidates.
     
    Those are not, nor ever have been, considerations for election.
     
    If a lodge or chapter election team instructs the Scouts of our Troop to consider these as criteria for selection, I will stop the election immediately.
     
    The questions and inappropriate additional criteria show a misunderstanding of the mission and purpose of the Order. https://oa-bsa.org/about/mission-purpose
     
    Youth membership in the Order is an honor bestowed by the youth members of the unit onto one of their own.  The lodge has absolutely no say in it, nor can any lodge add criteria for selection.
     
    If an eligible Scout does not wish to be considered for election, that is fine.  
     
    Whether an elected Scout chooses to undertake the Ordeal is irrelevant.  His election is an honor in and of itself.
     
    If the Scout does complete the Ordeal, he is a member of the Order of the Arrow for as long as he maintains a membership in the BSA.  Whether a Scout chooses to maintain membership in the lodge after his induction is irrelevant.  Order of the Arrow membership does not depend on lodge membership.
     
    An Arrowman's primary duty is to his unit, not the lodge.  That this ideal is not prevalent in our lodge is troubling."

     

    • Thanks 2
    • Upvote 4

    Major Changes Announced -- Councils Impacted

    in Issues & Politics

    Posted

    "The Peter Principle is based on the logical idea that competent employees will continue to be promoted, but at some point will be promoted into positions for which they are incompetent, and they will then remain in those positions because of the fact that they do not demonstrate any further competence that would get them recognized for additional promotion. According to the Peter Principle, every position in a given hierarchy will eventually be filled by employees who are incompetent to fulfill the job duties of their respective positions."

    • Upvote 2

    Major Changes Announced -- Councils Impacted

    in Issues & Politics

    Posted

    Most of the really good, conscientious, dedicated-to-the-movement professionals (DE's) I have met over the years, got disillusioned or burned out, then left.  I understand this is a common thing, but have no data to back it up.  What is the turnover rate for DE's??

    Most (not all) of the professionals I have become acquainted with, who have advanced further, were there for themselves or the hope of future big money as an SE or some position at region/national.  I think this mentality has finally borne its fruit.

    Two exchanges really stick in my head...

    My first SE, in the council I grew up in, tried to recruit me as a DE when I was graduating college.  I told him "Thanks, but I am going to be a pilot in the Air Force!"

    He replied, "Now there's a waste of a good education."  I never spoke to him again.  (And was an officer and pilot for 26 years 😜 ) 

    When I retired, and came to this council, looking to get involved, the current SE tried to recruit me as a DE (and later as full time Camp Director).  I asked him what was his biggest headache in the council...

    He said, "Volunteers who put on the uniform and think they are equal to me."  I chose neither to befriend him, nor work for him in any hired capacity.

     

    • Upvote 3

    Good Press for BSA, Indirectly

    in Open Discussion - Program

    Posted

    8 hours ago, MattR said:

    Pushing a program such that a 13 yo can complete eagle  leaves nothing for a 16 yo.

    Concur...

    I've often thought there should be a lower age limit for Eagle Scout.

    And there are many things for the 16 yo to do...High Adventure, Hornadays, National Medal for Outdoor Achievement, Supernova Awards (Scouts and Venturing...5 total), Congressional Award for Youth (up to Gold Medal) (although not a Scouting program), Summit, Religious Awards for particular faith...

    Good Press for BSA, Indirectly

    in Open Discussion - Program

    Posted · Edited by InquisitiveScouter

    11 hours ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

    For those that think 18-25 year olds need adult supervision, I say tell it to these folks.

     

    Eagle94,

    I agree that our young military personnel are having experiences which make them grow up much faster.  However, after 26 years on active duty, I can tell you the 18-25 year olds do need "adult" supervision.

    As a squadron commander (normal first level in Air Force that has UCMJ authority) I spent a great deal of time handling legal and readiness issues for this age cohort.  Drugs/DUI/crimes/security violations/domestic issues/financial problems/mental health, etc.  Most "kids" entering the military are quite unprepared for the military culture.  Something that would be a minor offense in the civilian world (or no offense at all) can have serious consequences in the military.

    The research is becoming clear that our brains are not fully formed until we are between 25 - 30...specifically some areas of the frontal cortex.

    This area is the seat of executive function, responsible for processing what our actions should be in

    1. Situations that involve planning or decision making
    2. Situations that involve error correction or trouble shooting
    3. Situations where responses are not well-rehearsed or contain novel sequences of actions
    4. Dangerous or technically difficult situations
    5. Situations that require overcoming strong habitual response or resisting temptation

    ^^^^^Sounds like Scouting to me...

    Although I have not seen empirical evidence for this, I claim that Scouting is a "rehearsal" for those areas, and that, through having experiences in these areas at a younger age makes a young adult much more suited making good decisions in situations above.  This is why people want to hire Eagle Scouts, why they are given higher rank when entering the military, and why, in later life, they are usually more "productive" citizens.

    Remember all the crazy stuff you did at this age?  It's a wonder I survived, even as an Eagle Scout ;)

    This is why I am involve in Scouting.  I want young people to have experiences in a relatively well-controlled environment which will help them develop before they hit those critical 18-25 years, where their decisions will have more significant consequences.

    If you have the time, here is a good read https://www.rainbowrehab.com/executive-functioning/

     

     

    • Upvote 3

    Major Changes Announced -- Councils Impacted

    in Issues & Politics

    Posted · Edited by InquisitiveScouter

    3 hours ago, desertrat77 said:

    If everything gets liquidated, I could foresee a wealthy individual who is anti-BSA buying the Eagle Scout TM.  Then they'd hold on to it, not using it themselves, and but granting anyone else the right to use it either.

    How much would any of you think this is worth??

    My guess...starting bid $5 million

    https://trademarkangel.com/can-i-buy-someone-elses-trademark/

     

    https://trademarkangel.com/why-is-a-trademark-watch-important/

     

    http://licensingbsa.org/trademarks/

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