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acco40

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Everything posted by acco40

  1. pardon my studpidity, but what in tarnation does the folowing mean: "These Male Soccer Moms have outlawed butter knives and Gi Joes, but have they ever thought the problem could have started when they allowed their sons to wear black lipstick and pierce their noses." I'm at a total loss in try to understand the above.
  2. Second Class still has the requirement that on one campout, plan and cook over an open fire one hot breakfast or lunch for yourself. In the age of "immediate" everything, few boys have the patience to cook over an open fire. Finding wood is usually a lot easier than finding propane out in the wild! I believe it is important for the boys to know how to light and make use of a fire.
  3. Eagledad, you don't have to apologize for Bob White. (Maybe you meant apology TO Bob White!). I agree with you that the forum does slide into juvenile attacks all too often. I must say however, that when Scout specific questions are asked, the response by the multitude of posters is very helpful. Eagledad, I've enjoyed your many uplifting and informative posts.(This message has been edited by acco40)
  4. I don't mind the "mixing" but I would like to know if the poster is a Scout or Scouter (adult or youth).
  5. Some of the most pre-eminent scientists have written fascinating stories about their belief in a God (Hawking, Einstein, etc.) The Catholic Church has been dogged by a belief that it is "anti-science" since the days of Galileo. However, they run their own observatory and the Jesuits have made tremendous contributions to science. Science and religion are not mutually exclusive. When one side of the debate uses the logic of faith and the fact that God has a plan we can't comprehend, not much logic can change that. Merlyn, surely you must understand that for many, believing in a higher being does offer them comfort and for them, an improvement in their life. Many medical studies have documented how "having faith" and prayer have had tangible benefits to the afflicted. No, no research attributes this to a supreme being and science does not truly understand the mind / body interaction to date and the interaction of a higher being has not been ruled out altogether. Even with no formal training or education, humans have "created" religion in many forms in almost all cultures. I fully understand your concern about religion's influence in public education, law, and politics. I cringe when I hear our president utter such ridiculous non-sense myself. What you have to realize is that many people associate atheism with lawlessness, hedonism, perversion, etc. They can't comprehend "goodness" without a parental figure like a supreme being watching over them. Some use organized religion to help themselves. The vast majority use it to help others. If you would like to promote atheism or battle to keep religion out of your life, take the road of following commandments 5 - 10 (Protestant version) and "turn the other cheek" to the first four. The lawyer, engineer, doctor post by Eamon reminded me of the following: God surely must have been a civil engineer. For only a civil engineer would put a waste disposal system smack dab in the middle of a recreational area.
  6. Our troop just returned from Gettysburg on Monday and my thanks to many of the forum posters who gave me ideas and suggestions. Our troop decided to follow the Gettysburg Historic Trails program developed by the York Council. The program was a challenge to complete in two days and an evening but we managed. The boys got a lot out of the program. Thanks again to all who gave advice and I would highly recommend the program to any Scout troop that may be interested.
  7. Having no creative bone in my body, I looked away from my computer and on my desk was a stapler with: ACCO 40 on the front. Thus, acco40. Now I find out that ACCO is a registered trademark. My wish is for an endorsement check, not a copyright infringement lawsuit!
  8. Laurie, A CO is an organization (Charter Organization) and not a person. A COR (Charter Organization Representative) represents the CO to the unit, duh! An IH (institutional head), is the "head honcho" of the CO. I doubt you were talking to the CO but possibly to the IH or some sort of governing body of that organization (vestry, committee, etc.). Many, many CORs are "invisible", but like Bob says, only one represents the CO to Scouting. Good luck.
  9. Directing: John (a PL), please have your patrol set up their tents before 5:00 PM so we can begin meal preparation. Not Directing: Okay, everybody, go and be good Scouts!
  10. How do I get into the lucrative and ever growing field of background checking? (Yes, this was typed in jest.)
  11. I dont' know about "normal" but many Troop leaders view Venture Crews as competitors. Competition can be healthy! As someone once said, build a good program and they will come! The reaction of a first born to a new baby brother or sister is similar. Can you imagine your response if your husband came home one day and told you that he loved you so much and that having a wife was so wonderful he was going to get another one? The troop members may have feelings of abandonment. The new crew may be still registered with the troop, but are they active (please, no debates on the active definition) with the troop? If not, the resentment may grow. Good luck.
  12. At the risk of incurring the wrath of a certain poster for going off topic The recent black-out in the northeast has meant that the Red Cross had many units of blood spoil. If anyone in the area can donate, your actions will be appreciated. It's great that two great organizations can coordinate their programs like the ARC & BSA.
  13. Your question pertained to Scoutmaster training. Strictly speaking, much of the training that you listed, while a great idea, are not specifically SM training. Is your real question, what training would be of interest to a SM? Then I'd say ALL! For example, BALOO is Pack specific. But it would help if a SM had that training. It helps if the SM knows the role of committee, so I would not mind seeing a SM take the committee challenge! (Not all agree.) The only specific SM training is oddly enough, Scoutmaster Leader Specific training!
  14. We are all paid the same (Man O Steele, your excused) as volunteers. If someone is doing a sub par job, don't **** , step up! If nobody else steps up, shut up! I hate to sound so crass but the only real problems occur when someone is doing a sub par performance, someone else wants to do the job and the sub par performer won't relinquish control. If the Advancement Chair's performance is not satisfy the troop (or certain individuals in the troop), have the CC or other confidant, talk to him/her and see if the problem can be remedied. If not, or if it does not approve, announce the position is open and try to fill it with a competent individual.
  15. First, "young people are more than three times as likely as older Americans to favor it." That is why I believe, rightly or wrongly, the policy of the BSA will change. Second, question 5 is misleading. "5. Do you think organizations should screen out gay and lesbian adults from serving in jobs that allow them to be alone with children, such as scout troop leader or teacher?" As an organization, the BSA has no "jobs" that allow adults to be alone with children (unless their own).
  16. Bob, Your statement, "Yes, Catholic church requires all adult volunteers who are in contact with youth to be fingerprinted and take one of the three youth protection programs offered by the church (in addition to the BSA screening and YP)", did you mean a local Catholic church or The Roman Catholic Church? The church (not the Church) has been the CO for many years of the Pack and Troop that I serve as UC. THey have never done background checks or fingerprinting to my knowledge before. Update: Just talked on the phone with the IH of the CO. The Archdiocese has mandated that all adults who come into contact with youth have a background check. I'm going to pick up the form tomorrow. I don't have a problem with it. However, some individuals get defensive with background checks. Now, at the church, they have interpreted this new policy to mean all parents attending the Pack meeting, not just the Pack leadership. I wonder if adult parishioners attending mass, where youth are present, are required to have a background check? The lawyers must be loving it!(This message has been edited by acco40)
  17. He could have used "turn the other cheek" but I guess the BSA honchos in Texas might get suspicious. Sacre bleu!
  18. First a little background ... In these times of tight budget, our school district has decided that to use any classroom in the school will cost you $25/evening. In the past, parents of the school had made arrangements (checked with teacher, got principals approval, formally scheduled room, cleaned it up when finished, etc.) to use available classrooms (after hours) for Girl Scout meetings and Cub Scout den meetings. No charge was levied on the users. Now, the school district (not the individual schools) have lumped the non-profits (BSA & Girl Scouts) into the same lot as adult aerobics classes, men's basketball, etc. Neither the elementary school (K-5) nor the PTA is the CO for a unit. One of the Packs that I am commissioner for is chartered by Catholic Church (of which I am a parishioner). They have always (past 10 years or so) held their monthly pack meetings at the church. Now it seems that many organizations are trying to use individual rooms for dens meetings at the church. The church has balked at this. Now, I believe that the school and the church has every right to do what they are doing, although especially for the school I think it is penny wise and pound (euro?) foolish. One of the scout leaders went to the church today to schedule the pack meetings for the year (Sept - Jun). The secretary said no. The Scouter reiterated that it was not for the den meetings but for the pack meeting that they have supported for years. Anyway, the church said that they needed a background check for all of the parents in the pack before they would grant use of the church. Now, the scouter said all of the Scout Leaders have had background checks (and ironicly were approved by the church) but not all parents. The Scout Leader is furious. Now, I'm guessing it that it is a simple misunderstanding. I'm going to but on my uniform and meet with the CO IH soon and discuss the situation in a friendly manner. I'm guessing that if the church (CO) really wanted a background check of ALL parents of the pack they are within their right. Comments?
  19. The proverbial "Who can sign off on advancement? According to the SM Handbook, it is simply "leaders." Now, the devil is in the details on what is a leader (adult, youth, etc.). Anyway, many troops do it differently. Make sure your troops philosophy is included in your brochure (and make sure it agrees with the BSA first!). Sounds like you will be providing a wonderful resource.
  20. Hindsight is always 20/20 but follow the program. The ASPL and APL are NOT to be elected (or maybe elected by the required one vote of the SPL or PL). Was the election held by a secret ballot? It should have been. If so, how would the bribery work? At our latest SPL election, one candidate ran on the platform that he would promise that more time would be spent on games. Is that bribery? What about the "citizenship" experience of learning that if one elects garbage leaders, garbage results. That my friend, is a lesson many adults could learn.
  21. Simply tell the boys, two tents, five boys, no boy sleeps alone, figure it out. If the decision comes from you, you are bound to lose.
  22. With the fear that I will appear picayune, the award is the medal. The knot is a representation of the medal. Councils will usually spring for the knot (pay for it), but not the medal.
  23. "My contention is that men prefer gifts that are useful rather than decorative. Oh yeah, ladies please refrain from skewing the results by indicating your preferences. We can do another poll to see what women want." I contend that for women, decorative is useful. For most men, decorative is not useful. For myself, although I checked the "useful item" box, from the boys, I do prefer a plaque or momento type gift if it is not too commercial. My den gave me a plaque with a thanks that listed all of the boys names. I'll treasure it always.(This message has been edited by acco40)
  24. Some random thoughts ... What is the real purpose of learning to knots? First Aid? The real goals (pardon me, I don't like "aims") of scouting are to build character, mental and physical fitness and to become good citizens. All of these goals can be reached without knowing how to tie a bowline. Now, very perceptive individuals have figured out that many boys like the outdoors, benefit from an association with adults, (as long as they are reverent and are not avowed homosexuals?), etc. A program has been developed (uniform ,advancement, patrols, etc.) that uses methods to try and achieve the above goals. Most boys like challenges and the wonderful feeling they get when they meet those challenges. Look at each boy as an individual. Don't lose sight of the big picture. Can I tie a bowline on demand? Give me a few minutes to "refresh" my memory and I can! have I "fully mastered" the skill? Various individuals would give different answers I suppose. One way to avoid this argument is to have the boys teach the knots to each other and then let the boys decide if they have learned the knots properly. In most cases, their honesty and effort will presently surprise you. FOG, get over it.
  25. A waist of money? Your grandmother must be one heck of a cook!
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