acco40

Yes (but only if your CO moves with you). What Council/District you are in depends on geography, not choice.

I always thought that New York CIty should add a professional athletic team and name them "The New York Jews" and have as a mascot a "respectful" dark skinned, large nosed, yamulke wearing, Hasidic jew. Maybe that would bring home the point to some. Was it Seton or Beard who practically worshipped Indian culture and is responsible for many of early references to Indian culture into the BSA?

Is the bear heterosexual and does it believe in God? Didn't the first Earth Day start in the early '70s?

What is the old saying (Churchill?), if you are not a liberal in your youth your are mean, and if you are not a conservative in your later years, your are foolish. Not as good as his retort to a high society lady who reproached him by citing that he was drunk and his response was yes and you are ugly but in the morning I will be sober. I view the article as more tripe. I found just as many religious fanatics at school (University) as "godless heathens." What I found interesting was than many of the "polarized" students tended to be the opposite of their parents. Institutions are neither godless or moral. They are inanimate. Only people (some would argue animals as well) can have ethics, morals, and faith. I laughed when the author labeled Columbia University as a radically secular institution that either ignores or disparages religious belief in God.

The following is not mine, I "mined" it from web site but I tend to agree with the contents. It is more of a "what to look for" list than a "questions to ask" list. Many know the right answers. Fewer demonstrate that they follow the "answers." 1. Currently trained adults. 2. Leaders wear correct uniform. 3. Scoutmaster concentrates on training Junior Leaders, and knowing the needs and characteristics of each scout. 4. They use the Patrol Method for everything. 5. They follow the contents of the Boy Scout Handbook. 6. The committee supports the decision of the scouts, they dont make decisions for them. 7. They have at least two Assistant Scoutmasters. 8. They recognize scouts three times for each advancement. 9. They DONT use troop meetings as merit badge classes. 10. They plan everything in advance and put it in writing. The difference between a wish and a plan is a plan is written down. 11. The only rules they have are that scouts and leaders follow the Scout Oath and Law. 12. They get outdoors once a month (even if just for a day event) 13. Troop meetings are filled with hands on activities 14. New scouts make First Class, First Year. 15. They keep in contact with Webelos Dens year round. 16. They select leaders they dont recruit them. 17. They participate in District and Council events. 18. They attend Roundtable. 19. Adults smile and play nice together. (If you are not enjoying yourself then neither are the scouts.) While I tend to agree with the above, many parents of Cub Scouters don't understand the Boy Scout program and such traits as not using troop meetings as merit badge classes disappoints many. (This message has been edited by acco40)

Thanks guys. Our Troop is young (11 youngest and just turned 14 the oldest) and of medium size so the SPL and ASPL are not necessarily much more "senior" than the others. I believe in the future we will integrate the SPL and ASPL into the adult patrol and have the SPL act as the patrol leader. It will be good training for him to see if he can herd the adults as effectively as he can the youth!

I thought we may have sunk to a new low when I read the "need help dating" subject on this forum! Seriously, I've seen patches for sale for about $2.00 and tie bars for $3.00 on various internet sites. Not sure of the date.

I noticed in the SM handbook that in reference to troop positions "Scouts serving in any of the following troop postions will also continue to be active members of their patrols." The reference is to the troop positions of QM, Troop Scribe, OA Rep, Troop Historian, Troop Librarian, Instructor, Chaplain Aide, Den Chief, and Jr. SA. The SM Handbook also states that the SPL is NOT a member of a patrol. The same goes for the ASPL(s). My question is for small to medium size troops with one SPL and one ASPL, do you assimilate them into a patrol wrt cooking, cleaning, etc. or do you have them "stand alone" as a Sr. Patrol so to speak? We have traditionally assimilated them into patrols (sometimes to even them out numbers wise) but my thoughts now are to have them remain intact as the Sr. Patrol. Comments?

I argue repeatedly about having "must" type rules in our troop. My comment is always the same, if you are going to make a "must" rule, it needs to have a consequence if the Scout does not do the "must" task. When confronted with this, most see the folly of their ways. When a Scout does not attend troop meetings that may very well be a sign a bad troop meetings. This is an excellent opportunity to make the Scout and his parents aware that he has some responsibility to make his troop meetings a quality event. The troop meetings don't just happen, they need input from all of the boys communicated to the SM via the PLC. As for fund raising, again, if the troop has a "must" rule, it needs to have consequences if the "must" is not followed out or trash the rule.

Nice article. The military draft and the general view of many that "maybe the Army can straighten him out" has left an impression on many that the Army harbored many an ill-fit individual. In my job, I work with many active duty and retired soldiers and marines and as someone once said, I like the cut of their jib.

No apologies needed to Steelers Wheel (are they from Pittsburgh?) but you may have a lawsuit on your hand from Stealer's Wheel. Have a great holiday!

Professional question - I've seen "job" descriptions for den leaders, cubmasters, committee chairs, assistant scoutmasters, scoutmasters, commissioners, etc. but I really have no idea as to what the are the responsibilities of the professional scouters. Now as a volunteer, some may say it is none of my business. However, I would like to know the proper individual to go to if I have a question, comment, etc. Where can I find generic job descriptions for Scout Executive, Field Director, Development Director, Finance Director, etc.?

The Troop Committee recommends adult leaders. The CO/COR approves and removes adult leaders. Work within the system to seek change. A SM should never be second guessed in front of the boys unless it is an immediate health and safety issue. However, the SM certainly is not always correct and should be open to advice from all. Good luck.

It is my understanding that the "ld style" council strips are still "kosher" and that having the US Flag emblem on your uniform is optional. However, wearing the council strip on the wrong shoulder may encourage receiving a ticket from the "uniform police."

Rooster7, I think you hit the nail on the head. You view homosexuality as something one "does", I view it as something one "is."

OUr troop was asked to perform as a color guard (minimum of 5) at a "hottie tottie" reception for FOS donors, both corporate and individual. I'll be honest, the SM picked boys from the troop (not all) who HAD the complete uniform and requested somewhat uniform shoes ("brownish" clean hiking shoes, not all had dress shoes). For what it is worth, the "complete" uniform did not include sashes of any sort (MB, OA, etc.). All wore their custom troop hats. I thought it worked out real well.

A couple of observations, first one may join many collegiate Lesbian and Gay Alliances as a heterosexual. Same goes for such organizations as the Triangle Foundation. {One of my fondest wishes is for the local Triangle Foundation to support our local fund raising for our council camps by "adopting" a set percentage of the new buildings that are being planned and erected on camps. I think it would lower the rancor between the two organizations.) Second, is a question for Rooster (or others). You have stated that "The act itself, and/or the embracing of those desires, is immoral. It isn't a generalization to say a group is immoral when they openly embrace and defend the immoral act." What about a gay individual who felt in his heart that yes he was gay, yes it was immoral, and had remained celibate. When asked point blank if he was a homosexual he was truthful and replied yes. Should he be banned from membership in the BSA? Heck, Jimmy Carter, a former SM, admitted to "lusting in his heart" an act of thought that many religions view as immoral. Why not ban his membership?

In my area there are over ten troops within a five mile radius. When we "recruit" Webelos our emphasis is not only to introduce them to Boy Scout activities in general but to show them the particular merits of our troop. In your area, the real recuitment aspect may just be to convince the boys (and their families) to continue on to Boy Scouts and not necessarily sell your individual troop. Depending on your goals, your activities would vary. From a Webelos perspective, I would caution one to judge a troop by the "special" activity the troop may be doing for the Webelos visit. As a Webelos Den Leader, I would talk to the Troop adult leadership and mention that I and the boys would like to drop in in the December - January time frame for a troop meeting and then drop in unannouced to see what a "real" troop meeting is like. From a troops perspective, I would not try an tailor a meeting for the Webelos. Run the best troop meetings you can and that should sell itself.

Where you lead, I will follow Anywhere that you tell me to If you need, you need me to be with you I will follow where you lead -Carole King Sorry, after reading this thread, I couldn't get that song out of my head.

Against my better judgement ... One sign of intolerance and or ignorance is attributing similar qualities to a vastly diverse group. Think about it. What if I labeled all conservatives (or liberals, or heterosexuals or homosexuals or Scouters, or ...) at "they", "their agenda", "their lifestyle", "their politics", in general, "them." It debases individuals. Nazi Germany used that practice very often. I don't like to see that tactic used on this forum. Got a beef with a particular activity, opinion, cause, or indivudual? No, problem. But don't try to smear a group.

FYI, I don't recall it being in the G2SS, but I've been taught that a husband & wife (or two brothers, two sisters, etc.) does not constitute 2 deep leadership in the eyes of YP.

I'm going out on a limb here but it really is a matter of taste and not BSA policy. You mention that the troop was asked to "help out and do the color guard." The center of attention should be on the deceased and his family and not on the Scouts so I would shy away from medals, service stars, etc. I would even ask the deceased family (or whomever asked your troop) if they had any preferences for your attire (what sash if any, etc.). I would assume that if your head gear and or neckerchief has the deceased troop number on it, by all means wear it. Without any outside input, I would personally wear my BSA socks, belt, pants, shirt, neckerchief, least flamoyant neckerchief slide (i.e. gray BSA metal slide), neckerchief, and hat. Not to have gallows humor, but our troop wears black with gold trim hats and neckerchiefs so they would fit in with a funeral. A lot would depend exactly what kind of Memorial Service was being conducted. Is it a typical memorial done before interment, a ceremony celebrating his service to Scouting, a religious service, etc.? If it was a ceremony celebrating his service to Scouting, I would be more inclined to having the boys wear their MB sashes. Again, it is all really a matter of personal taste and the taste of the deceased family should take precedence.

I'm a SM and a MBC counselor. However, I have not yet counseled any of the boys in the troop that I serve as SM. I've only counseled boys from other units. In their eyes, I'm not SM but a merit badge counselor. I highly encourage the boys in our unit to get counselors outside of the troop.(This message has been edited by acco40)

Eisley, I think your response violated the "can't add more rules" rule that has been discussed in a previous thread. You seem to have a rule to "use common sense." I don't recall that being a BSA policy. Seriously, units obviously have the option to do what they would like but our troop is small we don't carry on registrations for individuals as an honorary. Now, if someone wishes to start an endowment fund for honorary members, I'm all ears.(This message has been edited by acco40)

"It could be that most Scouts see this as a game." I thought it was a game myself (a game with a purpose). Actually, if the most important thing in a young man's life is membership in the BSA, I'd be a little worried about him! Now, don't get me wrong. I think I know what Eamonn is talking about and agree with him. Scouting is a grand program for most boys and as adults, we have a tremendous responsibility to administer the program properly. I've seen to many times units (troop mostly) that follow the unit leaders idea of what Scouting should be and not what the program really is.