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Compass

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Everything posted by Compass

  1. Thanks, John-in-KC, for remembering. Makes me want to dust off my old handbook. I like the current program's approach regarding Eagle Required's (four for Star, three for Life). When he's First Class, he's left a rather rigid approach to requirements (not much picking and choosing), so four Required's are not a problem-- in fact, he's grateful to be able to choose, even though from a short list. Life then seems less painful, even though more total MBs are required, because less Eagle-Requireds are needed. Eagle is not diminished, because five Eagle-Requireds are needed (the ones they
  2. I've never heard of the not-to-wash restriction. Good thing: I've developed somewhat a, um, 'food catcher' in front, myself. My problem is somewhat different. The last time I got my new Brotherhood sash was over 30 years ago. If I put it on, it would look like a lei!(This message has been edited by Compass)
  3. Great post, Pack38Scouter! We are starting a new troop, and you have helped me in very many ways. Good luck in your future troop!
  4. ASM1, I did not say that every boy wanted to be SPL in my old troop, but that there were lots of interested, qualified candidates (including me) when I was a boy. I did not intend to imply that others who were qualified and not interested were non-existent or deficient. But, in reviewing my original post, I can see that my omission of a third category (qualified and not interested) could be troubling. I was addressing slontwovvy's original post and question, in which he said no one was willing to run, which I found odd (that is, until ozemu's post; thank you, ozemu, I wasn't thinking al
  5. denver4und@aol.com, I agree with much of your post, both the 'legal' aspect and the democratic/self-management spirit behind it. I, too, had a pukey experience with an out-of-control committee, so I can also relate to that. However, I don't think that Bob White is saying the Scoutmaster (SM) and/or Committee Chairman (CC) is/are dictators over the process, but you may wish to observe that the "Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the image and program of the troop" and that he "works directly with the Scouts." (Troop Committee Guidebook, page 9) Further, "the Scoutmaster
  6. When I was a JASM when I was a boy. Kinda like being a 'professor emeritus' of Scouts: honorable position, but sends a message (to some) that the JASM is on his way out, that he is heading to 'retirement village.' As a Scoutmaster, you can change that. Give him a steady job to do, similar to an ASM. Give him some extra, short-term assignments, sometimes in charge of other boys. Make it special for him.
  7. It is as Bob White says: troops (boys/PLC, not adults) make the rules regarding requirements. New (or reorganized or struggling) troops tend not to have much or any requirements. Larger, established troops with lots of willing, able, and qualified candidates tend to create rules and stipulations. They can afford to be more picky. In my old troop, when I was a boy, the requirement for the job was 1st Class rank, and you could not be elected twice in a row (SPL only). (Much) more recently (nephew's and son's troops), you could not be elected twice in a row for any position (too
  8. My recommendation is to let 'em do without an SPL until the personal discomfort level rises to the point where they want another election. In the mean time, use the ASPL. This reinforces the idea that it's their troop, and its success or failure depends on the boys.
  9. What if he was 14 or 15 years old and entering Scouts for the first time? Or, what if this was a boy who had been in Scouts but had to quit because of parent priorities (had to move because Dad is being transferred due to job or military obligations)? There seems to be a desire to punish the boy on the part of some adults. This misses the point of using Scouting to help boys. Welcome him back in. Also, do something about the other adults-- they still have some unresolved issues to work out. Otherwise, this boy may have more than the usual hurdles to overcome.
  10. I'm always a little mystified by stories like this. As a boy, I always wanted to be elected to SPL, as did others in the troop; we always had lots of qualified candidates. As an adult, the situations I have seen where boys were unwilling to run were: 1) the one boy who ran was an Eagle and nearly 18 years of age, and the other boys were eleven or twelve years of age and Tenderfoot rank or below (new troop). 2) the adults had taken away the joy of leadership: too many rules, legalistic approach (extreme and sometimes nonsensical application of rules), harsh judgement of perform
  11. I probably can't add much to what has already been said, which is outstanding advice from everyone. Having gone through the experience recently, one observation: be careful about what other adults (leaders and parents) say at the troop meeting at any troops you visit. Every troop we visited (seven in all) had enthusiastic parents and adult leaders that described their troop in a very positive way. This included a troop that had no boy leader elections (the Scoutmaster picked them all), an adult-lead troop, another troop that was in total perpetual disarray (no discernable patrols, appar
  12. evmori: "How can one celebrate Christmas if one is not a Christian? If it Jesus Christ wasn't born we wouldn't have Christmas!" Oh, I quite agree. It's just that people antagonistic to Christianity delight in pointing out earlier pagan celebrations (prior to the Christian era) that occurred during those dates, or pagan practices that resemble today's traditions (giving gifts, Christmas trees, singing hymns, etc.). My point was that, no matter what the origins of certain Christian holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and their calendar dates), no matter what the origins of certa
  13. momandscout, To start our troop, we had to have 5 boys and 5 adults (Scoutmaster, Charter Organization Representative, Committee Chairman, the rest Committee men). We home school, so I have a similar perspective. I have to tell you, the others are making valid points. Going the Lone Scout route, while available to you as a home schooler, is not the best for your son. You would be denying him the opportunity, joys, and heartaches of troop leadership. He would not experience the participatory democracy of the republican (not the party, but government style) form of troop govern
  14. evmori, whether a Christmas tree has a Christian or pagan origin is irrelevant at this point. They are absolutely associated with a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of the Messiah. Just because people choose not to pay attention to the angel ornaments or the big star on top doesn't make it otherwise. ScoutParent, good point. The truly dedicated should go the way of their beliefs. Merlyn, I would expect you'd to be at work during normal duty hours this Thursday and Wednesday, 25 December 2002. By the way, roads could be construed as public property. Kiss those Christmas pa
  15. OGE, you are quite right. Very well reasoned post. I personally am not in favor of governmental outlays for religious displays. Fairness issues like the ones you mention invariably come up. Fairness would necessitate other religions being promoted in likewise manner. I shudder at the thought of two displays, one Christian and one Satanistic (for example), simultaneously and side-by-side on the courthouse lawn. My faith is in God and His power; He doesn't need governments or their tax money. But also consider: look at history regarding government adoption/sponsorship of a par
  16. I'm glad things worked out, Mike. It's tough coming into a bad situation and performing major surgery to save the patient. It helps to make sure all parties know it isn't YOUR rules, regulations, and procedures, but Scouting's. They signed up for the program, right? Would they show up for a baseball/football/soccer game without being suited-up? Would they be allowed to play in their preferred costume verses the sport uniform? Or, if they're in band, how far are they going to get without a uniform or maintaining their instrument? Respect isn't a reward for seniority, it's earned.
  17. gshafer, Don't worry so much. Do the things as suggested here. Play fair. Make sure others know you are playing fair. Make sure the PLC is very much involved in these decisions. Include other adults in the process whose sons are also potential candidates. Remove yourself from undue influence. Every Scoutmaster who has a son in the troop has to be careful about fairness (including me with my son). Just don't be unfair to your son. Your son is probably experiencing some sacrifice already with his loss of your time and devotion that would have otherwise been given to him. He ne
  18. Actually, my comments were related to my marvelling at eisely's mischievous forum-creating impulses, and my speculation as to possible reactions. I tend to agree with you, NJCubScouter, that 'Open Discussion - Program' has little to do with this story, but politicizing the story was not my intent. Nor was my subsequent message intended to be a personal criticism. Far from it. 'Environmentalist Wacko,' at least in my experience, usually is reserved for pretty extreme attitudes and beliefs, and I have not seen any evidence in any way that this term applies, though self-inflicted. My cit
  19. Thankful: For the blessings that God has given me, mostly undeserved, in my life. For my wife. For my family. For my continued employment. For my survival from heart surgery this year. For Scouting, imperfect program with imperfect people-- like me. For our nation, created and maintained at such tremendous cost. For eternal salvation, thoroughly undeserved gift from God, given on a Scout campout.
  20. Don't you just love this style of reporting? Simple and unquestioning. Hey, he's good. Mom. Apple pie. Flag wrapped around the shoulders. Everyone loves him. But, he's hurt. Someone hurt him. Someone bad. BSA hurt him. Bad BSA Bad. Lambert needs to wipe the apple pie crumbs off his mouth and start answering some tough questions. At what point did you know you were lying about your beliefs? Or, did you simply quit saying and going along with the Oath and the Law? Why are we supposed to think you are a hero and a good person when your silence was in itself a deception? Why
  21. Maybe we should be thankful that public enemas are not being touted as constitutionally protected. Behavior of this nature is indefensible, no matter what, um, lifestyle.
  22. I agree with mk9750. Bring it up before the PLC. Explore the full ramifications-- pros and cons. Let them decide. If it turns out to be a bad decision later, let them change their mind. Most of the troops I have been in, consecutive terms in the same office were not allowed to permit more opportunity for more boys. This may not be best for others. In the circumstances you describe, the once (and future?) SPL is not being elected consecutively, so others have been and are having a chance at the job. Why shouldn't the boys elect who they think is the most capable? Or, is t
  23. NJCubScouter, Put spikes in trees so that loggers are maimed or killed when they cut them down? Assume and believe that anyone in authority is likely wrong and/or evil (odd position to take, considering your position of authority up there)? Charter member of PETA, and still supports them, even after recent revelations about their funding of domestic terrorist groups? Think it's ok for environmentalist groups to go after mom & pop cattle farmers out west because they are less able fiscally to defend their economic interests? Etc.? Then maybe you are a 'wacko.' If not, you might revi
  24. Like scomman says, I remember the inflate the pants, etc. requirements being a Swimming merit badge requirement back in the 70's. It was pretty tough to do, even at 12 or 13 years of age. I frankly thought this particular addition was excessive for an eleven year old. I was quite concerned whether all of our boys could do it at summer camp. One boy made excuses to be away at the time-- I think he didn't think he could do it and was trying to avoid public humiliation. Of the remaining boys, one-fourth came very close to not completing it, some of whom had been practicing swimming since
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