SiouxRanger

I think that there is some reference in the congressional charter prohibiting military marching, or some such.

Absolutely. I'm just a kid at 70, but you are absolutely right. The principles of Scouting have been no hindrance but only benefit in my life.

All the upvotes should be attributed to @RememberShiff. For me, at least, and from your upvotes, I recognize that he/she? has clearly spent many hours "behind the scenes" ferreting out really interesting and useful (not to mention uplifting insights in times not always so uplifting), all to my (and perhaps your) enlightenment of really neat things carrying the movement forward. Maybe even arcane. Where does @RememberSchifffind this stuff? A magician never reveals his/her secrets.

Maybe just a moment to take a break in the discussion and upvote or downvote @RememberSchiff for his diligent and faithful monitoring of this site, and all the delightful and informative Scouting news and insights he brings to us. "Diligent" is how I think of his effort. (AND, moderators, all upvotes should be attributed to @RememberSchiffand downvotes attributed to me.) Thanks all.

I do not understand the concept that "the premise plays in both directions." National lost the Oregon case. Filed bankruptcy anticipating 8,000± claims. >80,000+ claims were filed. (Now I don't for a moment believe that 80,000+ claims is anywhere close to an accurate measure of the actual claims as the bankruptcy claims process appears to me to horribly bungled.) But, National believes 8,000+ and the bankruptcy proceeding is 80,000+. So, nowhere do either of those figures reduce to zero. That is, even National agrees that there are valid outstanding claims. Tha

Thanks for the reference to "IF." Some professional from Milwaukee, I believe, unknown by name to me, in the early 1970's would send a box of Scout Mirrors to Philmont to be distributed to the Philmont Rangers (at least, and maybe other groups and classes of staff-I was a Ranger) which had a copy of The Man In the Glass (now Mirror, apparently) on the back. A remarkable contribution and a treasured possession. The Scout Motto: "Be Prepared." What more concise summary of life can be made? If you are "caught off-guard" you were not "Prepared." End of discussion. An "F."

There is some merit to the sentiment that, “All’s well that ends well.” A scout whose effort on a particular requirement was not as hearty as they could have done or should have done, and that they have recognized their shortcoming, and used that as a springboard to improve or perfect their future efforts, toward their future scout advancement or later as an adult scout mentor… Well, the Scouting program thereby produced a responsible adult. Meeting the program’s goal. And, everyone follows a Scouting Trail personal to themselves. Unit leadership, summer camp staff, m

PLEASE POST COPIES OF LETTERS FROM THE BSA IV FILES DIRECTING ANYONE TO CONTACT LAW ENFORCEMENT. Or admit you are just an apologist for a failed program that damaged children.

I AM NEVER DISINGENOUS. I am an Eagle and a Philmont Ranger. And those two status' are more important to me than any other accomplishments (but one which would identify me.). And in my world, my veracity is unquestioned. But you, and the forum here are at liberty to form their own opinions. The IV files I have read, about 40 of 7,000 or so DO contain newspaper articles about perpetrators and police reports. And conviction reports. BUT NOT A SINGLE LETTER FROM BSA NATIONAL OR LOCAL COUNCIL, not one, to any law enforcement agency reporting suspected abuse. Not one. Nor

Not sure I understand the significance of "being a mandatory reporter." I see Tom smack Bill with a baseball bat, I'd report it, even if not a "mandatory reporter." I hear/see AAA abuse ccc, I'd report that too, mandatory reporter or not. Are we standing on technicalities in the protection of children??? When in doubt, REPORT. Raise the alarm. Raising a false alarm, you are "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." Fail to raise the alarm, well, abuse.

Well, from National's BSA files, the council would receive an incident report, send it to National (now what we'd call "snail mail,") get a reply, AND THEN the volunteer's registration would be revoked, (or perhaps suspended pending further information). But this all begs the question, just what level of confidentiality did you hold in the hierarchy? Were you even privy to this level of mess? Well, from National's BSA files, the council would receive an incident report, send it to National (now what we'd call "snail mail,") get a reply, AND THEN the volunteer's registration would

Well, from National's BSA files, the council would receive an incident report, send it to National (now what we'd call "snail mail,") get a reply, AND THEN the volunteer's registration would be revoked, (or perhaps suspended pending further information). But this all begs the question, just what level of confidentiality did yen ou hold in the hierarchy? Were you even privy to this level of mess? Well, from National's BSA files, the council would receive an incident report, send it to National (now what we'd call "snail mail,") get a reply, AND THEN the volunteer's registration wo

Haven' read any indication of law enforcement notification of abuse incidents by local councils or NATIONAL BSA in National's Illegible Volunteer files I've read. Please post all such records from National's Ineligible Volunteer files of which you are aware. Thanks so much.

Exhibit from a BSA IV file. Found in my random review of about 40 BSA IV files, and I think mentioned in a deposition somewhere that I read. Released, I am given to understand, after the usual legal motions, court hearings, and a court order (Oregon case). Not publicly available without the court's order; BSA contested the files' disclosure. (And I recall, perhaps only 7,000 files-not all of them…? Unlikely the non-disclosed are less egregious.) Letter to a Council Executive from Paul Ernst, Director of BSA National of Registration. "We (National BSA) have always asked that

Exactly.

FOS is defunct in my council. Haven't received a solicitation in at least 3 years. It seems to rely on major fundraising events for funding. And major donations, but I think those are few-and limited to capital improvements-and even at that I think that is nearly zero. And who wants to pay for past abuse claims? Major donors want to put their name on a building or trail… And, even at that, my council sold off a piece of land named for the purchasers/donors to pay its portion of the bankruptcy settlement. (Get a good lawyer to restrict the use of the land donated.) Our cou

Do you have specifics for this? I'd really like to know what you think. Specifically, regarding: "departure from BSA practices" and "controlling of mired in out of date practices." So vague I cannot determine what you are referring to. Thanks.

In 24 years as a troop leader, Committee Chairman, Treasurer, Eagle Scout Coach, having attended all but perhaps 6 troop meetings in that time, (and all but 6 campouts) I've seen a DE appear at our troop meeting maybe 3 times. Bearing nothing but a smile and kind words. Contributing nothing to troop improvement. I have never looked to a DE to provide any help to our Troop. They have nothing to offer. The Council office has nothing to offer either other than to take our money. Unit Commissioners, well, they are as rare in their appearances. They have never offered nor contributed any

I just have to pause and reflect over discussions of camping gear. My camping/scouting experience goes back to 1967 or so. And with 3 Eagle sons, and hundreds of campouts, as a scout, local council summer staff member, 4 years as a Philmont Ranger, and all of the campouts with my sons, less maybe 3, I own a small room in the basement FILLED with gear, some successful, some worthless, some purchased and yet unused because adding a few bucks to the order got me free shipping. And, I have been through countless discussions with other scouters, and tested, tried equipment. I own and ha

NO. WRONG. Totally wrong. Violates YPT and a parent's common sense. No one gets between me and my child. This is a "go-to-the-mat, or move on issue." In over 20 years of intense volunteering at pack, troop, district and council, never, ever heard of such a position/policy. Send a written notice/demand for intervention to the Council Exec., certified mail, return receipt requested. (And by regular mail also.) Keep copies/postal receipts for your file. Carbon copy your Institutional Head, and Chartered Organization Representative. All the parents for that matter. And car

Well, there "ought to be ample time" but in my council, the DE's contribute virtually nothing to program. Does National even have a training program for DE's focused on "program?" A "perfect mentality/world view" is fine, but it is not reality. I have chaired district level events for over 20 years. Never has a DE provided a whit of inspiration, insight, help. A total disappointment. I have come to the belief that DE's are not trained in any aspects of program whatsoever, AND, I truly wish you could direct me to the materials that do train DE's on program. Philmont has loads t

I am not sure that agreement can be presumed. I am a lawyer, 40 years in practice and our council executive, pompously affecting "CEO" is paid twice what I earn. And so, fine. BUT, the CEO manages half a dozen "professionals" who do menial tasks. (Actually, the tasks I've done as a volunteer-and much better than the "professionals.") And, if I make a legal mistake, I can lose my net worth-easily so. If the council CEO makes a mistake-frankly-who will ever know? I have no pension. Scout professionals have a superb pension. So, why does my scout CEO get paid over $300,

I KNOW that it was commonplace in my council. Presumably, you have a pension from National and your comments should be interpreted thus so. And if no BSA pension, please so state.

My recollection is that the number of non-existent scouts falsely registered in the Atlanta council exceeded the total number of scouts registered in my council. I lost all faith in National and the professional staff at that point. Why are the professional staff "commissioned?" Because they are trained, held to a higher standard, Trustworthy? And after that report on the Atlanta council, we then learned of and experienced the BSA abuse scandal and devastating bankruptcy which has shamed the organization's otherwise stellar reputation of over one hundred years, and diminished the v

The Peach Cobbler reference almost certainly has to be reference to the ancient Philmont Ranger tradition of preparing a peach cobbler for the Ranger's crew on the trail at Philmont. I did many of those. AND IF NOT such a reference, please post about it. Thanks.