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Ojoman

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Everything posted by Ojoman

  1. Ojoman
    First, my council has not really provided the type of support to drive girls to the program. Second, apart from youth protection concerns which should be resolved with training having separate units for girls seems unnecessary and burdensome. Especially when you can share sponsors, leadership, meeting space and even do events and activities together. Few of our troops have established a female troop. Venturing has always been co-ed so why not Troops? Also, opportunities for more social type activities that would be age appropriate for both genders together would be welcome. I'm sure some counc
  2. Ojoman
    Great minds run in similar circles... lol
  3. Ojoman
    I've read about the Beaver Wars and native nations fighting each other... quite a different view then is projected today... 400 years doesn't change history... anyway, when you consider how many bodies, bones and mummy's are on display I suppose that can be quite disturbing. I wouldn't want my parents or grandparents dug up and stuck in a display case.
  4. Ojoman
    The National Office (Ivory Tower) had people who had been out of the district level for many years deciding on what direction to go. In 30 years I was never asked to share my success 'secrets'. Management by objective pretty much became 'the beatings will continue until production improves'. To be fair I did have some fine managers for many of the years I was in the profession but also just as many poor ones, some even incompetent.
  5. Ojoman
    You have some good and valid thoughts. The BSA has tried to mirror the GSA who dropped their age/grade requirements. As BSA traditional membership declined they added Tigers to boost numbers but failed to realize retention as the Cub program was now too long. Then they added Lions and compounded the problem. I would change the program and make the Cubs a 3 year program and then a separate Webelos unit/program for 2 years or closer to 1.5 with crossovers as they are now done in February. Adding girls to the program is a positive as it gives parents a 'one stop shop'. Girls have long wanted to b
  6. Ojoman
    About 40 years late... During my 30 years as a professional I nearly always had membership growth and not only that but balanced growth. Not only balanced but pretty much by age/grade level. Funny thing, no one ever asked me how I accomplished that. Journey to Excellence if pretty much useless... The measure of a unit should be retention of both youth and volunteer leadership. Quality programs result in retention and growth. Unit support, training, quality roundtables, making sure units have the tools to deliver a high quality experience and are meeting the needs and expectations of kids and p
  7. Ojoman
    Our school district asked the Onondagas for permission to continue to use the word Warrior which is not a native American word but were refused. We could have kept it with their blessing. The district changed their mascot 2 decades ago to a spartan/roman type warrior as a show of respect. Concerns me on any use of or reference to their culture, especially words. Time will tell if Lowanne Nimat Lodge or Longhouse words are allowed.
  8. Ojoman
    Our local school district has been told by the NY state board of education that we can no longer use the name 'Warrior' for our mascot. The mascot (a roman or spartan warrior) is fine, just can't use the term as ir might reflect upon native American 'warriors. I expect the Order of the Arrow will have to change along with our council's name (Longhouse). I have a long history of service with the through the Order of the Arrow including many hours of 'cheerful service' at camps, serving on ceremonial teams and as a lodge advisor. I attended the 50th anniversary NOAC as a youth and years later as
  9. Ojoman
    Eagle 94-A1 and OaklandAndy: Sad for your experiences. There are good and bad 'leaders' in every profession. I've had some awesome leaders and some of the worst. I don't want to dwell on these types of experiences but more on how to fix or improve councils and districts. The program 'starts and ends' with the units. Strong units = strong districts and strong districts = strong councils. Just as cubbing is the 'root' system for scouts, districts are the 'root system' for councils. If we have strong, independent units the future will be bright. Sadly, for decades, field staff were given the spur
  10. Ojoman
    And a bad leader blames his subordinates for the balls he drops... experienced that first hand. Water over the dam now but I expect it still goes on.
  11. Ojoman
    Experience is a hard teacher... The Philadelphia board quashed the placement of a new SE when they merged with Valley Forge. Flip side, the COR's were unable to stop the merger of Cortland and Syracuse councils even though they voted down the merger. Win some, lose some... Best advice is for units (and districts) to not be dependent on council. That means staying strong in leadership and program. Sadly, too many units fail to stay healthy. It is the responsibility of the units leadership and chartered partner to keep the unit healthy but these days that responsibility is too often not taken se
  12. Ojoman
    I always let my volunteers know that even though they were volunteers, others depended on them to do their job. I also made it a point to recognize them properly for their contribution to the district. The district committee or commissioner staff isn't a place to rest on your laurels and build tenure. Of course a district can always create an alumni committee for 'old or long timers' that want to remain affiliated but aren't up to performing for whatever reasons. They may be 'old and tired' but they 'paid their dues' and deserve a place at the fire...
  13. Ojoman
    I know of at least 3 cases where SE's were removed but that spans an over 30 year career. Doesn't happen often enough. Still, there are some very fine and competent SE's and councils that have them are fortunate.
  14. Ojoman
    I guess the 'good old boy' culture is still around. It is still up to the selections committee to do their best to get the right person for the job.
  15. Ojoman
    Depends on the council and the scout exec. Many boards are balanced with high profile people that lend their influence to expand the program and raise funds with program scouters that operate program related committees. Our council has a membership chairman on the board but no district membership committees... does that make any sense? We are poised to get a new scout exec in another month... we'll see what we end up with.
  16. Ojoman
    Of course, well trained leaders with strong, healthy packs and troops should be in a position to create their own unit culture/environment. It's been years but my sons cub pack only availed itself of the district training committee and daycamp. Beyond that it had a strong committee, did not allow dens larger than 8 youth and all leaders were trained and ran a 12 month program. Virtually 100% retention and annual growth. If the unit leadership doesn't see the district or council as being of value then call a parents meeting and build your own structure. My kids pack virtually rose from the ashe
  17. Ojoman
    The SE is an employee of the council. The COR is a voting member of the council and can and should attend the annual business meeting and can participate in board meetings. If enough reps raise enough issues, the board should take action. Of course, raising issues is not the same as having positive suggestions. Discussions at district committee meetings might be a good place to start. Sessions at a U of Sctg can also be a place to encourage discourse to help find solutions to issues.
  18. Ojoman
    Does your council/district foster a positive or toxic volunteer environment? What can be done to improve it and make it more positive or take it from toxic to positive or are you happy with where it is at? Things that make for a positive environment: transparency, good communication, program and training support, good PR, fellowship opportunities, emphasis on quality, low pressure environment, encouragement and thank you, proper recognition for efforts and accomplishment. Connected, properly trained and staffed council executive board, district committee’s and commissioner staffs and posi
  19. Ojoman
    This may be the last year that we really can get any sort of an accurate year to year membership picture as you point out with individual registrations spread through the year instead of at recharter time. I suspect that one reason for new members paying the whole 12 months up front is to guarantee that National collects a 12 month fee from those that would join in the fall and drop out prior to recharter after only paying for 3 or 4 months.
  20. Ojoman
    You might discuss with your council management what the 'critical achievements' are for the unit serving execs. Usually the primary ones deal with money (product sale, FOS, events and such) or unit/membership growth. There are often others that fall into 'quality' areas such as Journey to Excellence, camp (long term scout and cub summer programs) and so on. These are supposed to be reviewed at least quarterly. Management by Objective is common place in BSA. Goals/criticals are weighted so crucial ones tend to get more attention, like membership and money.
  21. Ojoman
    You never know and even with growth it can be deceiving... I always wanted to see the numbers after all the recharters are processed. Year end with most units rechartering in December means the losses don't show up until January and the dropped units I believe still lapse and stay on for 2 additional months so you don't get a true membership picture until March. I believe the district I'm in expects to drop 3 of its 37 units... I would want to see the March to March comparison. By then most crossovers are completed so you get a good picture of if there was growth by program. December might loo
  22. Ojoman
    I would hope that means your unit is healthy/strong and not in need of intervention. Perhaps a recent change of DE? In your position do you attend roundtables or district events? COR's are also part of the District Committee and those meetings are open to unit scouters to attend. In a large district it may take awhile for the DE to get around and meet everyone. I would hope you soon have a working knowledge of your DE but on the most positive of conditions.
  23. Ojoman
    While I do in fact, tend to lean towards the survivors, from my personal experience I question really how many cases the BSA has culpability in. Is every case in the bankruptcy documented in BSA files or are there others that have only surfaced recently... When one does not have all the facts for either side it brings to mind the old adage of 'figures never lie but liars sure can figure'... not that anyone on either side intentionally lies but half truths and misinformation can lead even the best intentioned persons far astray. My personal hope it that this issue can soon be put to rest and th
  24. Ojoman
    Quite true, a youth or adult can join at any time and reputation/word of mouth/peer to peer recruiting ought to be ongoing. Having said that, few schools would want to distribute flyers or hold recruiting events year round. If you have good relationships with your school administration, board and PTO you might get a fall and spring and perhaps a January opportunity. This would be especially true if you were helping to host a PTO event like a movie night, ice cream social or dance.
  25. Ojoman
    I did the Forbes Trail on opening day... great fun. I am the advisor for our new Erie Canal Historic Trail that kids 10 to 18 can hike, bike or boat... https://www.williamhillcourtmuseum.org/announcing-a-new-award-that-can-be-earned-the-erie-canal-trail-medal-and-patch
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