croushorn

(This message has been edited by Ursus Snorous Roarus)

"What you keep missing... " What I keep missing? What I keep reading is that people here keep telling others that they have no way to sound their issues of concern. Yes, in my district if I call my DE she will gladly talk to me about my concerns - regardless of my volunteer title or lack thereof and without passing the buck. That is her role - to support the units of her district and participate in finding resolutions when concerns are aired - regardless of who is raising it (good old customer service!). She is there to help out, whether she delegates it to a concerned district commit

"It seems logical to me that the decision to seek advice from the district level is one that should be made by the CR/IH -- and possibly also by the CC -- but not by the ASM. " Let me get this straight - If I'm an ASM I'm not allowed to get advice from anyone on the District level about particular situations? Wow, glad I'm not an ASM. No, then again, glad I'm in the District I am as we are actually allowed to talk to each other.

"But you do not get to decide if the scout advances or not. That authority belongs to the board of review." BW question As I go down the list for the requirements of Eagle Scout rank, #5 is the Eagle project. So as SM, if I dont accept the project, and thereby dont accept that requirement #5 is complete, at that point the Scout is prevented from finishing the remainder of the requirements - short a SM conference which both prevents completion of the paperwork and from getting a date with the BOR right?

Doesn't he have an advisor or mentor thats been working with him through this project? I would agree, dont sign off on it, assuming he has the write up at that point. Then he needs to start all over again from the beginning and try and get it right this time. Sounds like you have plenty of others in agreement to taking this stand. The boy needs to understand that he has caused this. That said, I would let him know now so that there is still a chance, as slight as it may be, that he can recover. With 45 days to go he has some serious work ahead of him if he wants to, that is(This mess

"Now when a scout wants to seal his membership in the OA by going through the brotherhood ceremony, then yes, perhaps those questions are then applicable. " By whom? The unit has no say in a Scout pursuing his Brotherhood.

Funny how times change. Back in the day, most, if not all leaders smoked and dont dare consider calling an adult by his first name. Some of the first time my Scouts hear me called by my first name from other youth is at OA events, some are visibly taken aback by it. Recently, I recruit a past Eagle (early 30s) who found himself with an instant family through marriage and wanted a Troop for his new step son. I sign him up as an ASM but hes a little rough around the edges. Smokes has a few tattoos some of his military stories arent always appropriate But boy does he relate to the guys and

From the adult application: " Leadership Requirements The applicant must possess the moral, educational, and emotional qualities that the Boy Scouts of America deems necessary to afford positive leadership to youth. The applicant must also be the correct age, and subscribe to the Declaration of Religious Principle, and abide by the Scout Oath or Promise, and the Scout Law. " I think Council's 'authority' very much goes beyond just YP issues. I personally would fully involve the DE at a minimum when there are issues within the Troop leadership. If for no other reason so they are awar

We are involved in the weekly tapouts at camp and wear our sash all day on OA Day (brotherhood projects, meals, ceremonies...). Even with all the dirt and kerosene soot that gets on the sashes, a simple washing with other whites in cold does the trick and they come out as good as new. But have noticed the red thread slightly fraying towards the end of the summer season. Just gives us a reason to buy a new one and donate the older ones to a needy Brotherhood candidate. We hang them up to dry to keep from shrinking. My wife started doing that after I complained about them creeping up in my

"But choosing the leader and removing the leader is the units responsibility, not the councils." How about a pretty specific "what if": A SM behaves in a manner described in another thread by preventing a Scout from attending dinner, using what some would identify as profane language, and violating YP... if the committee doesn't have a problem with that (don't be so sure they wouldn't), can there be no recourse from Council? Let's say upon notification of the incident, Council would 'strongly recommend' the CO replace the SM based upon the three issues. But if the CO digs in their

Yep, been told the same: can't get enough boys to apply, or at least enough qualified ones. We've had girls on staff for about 10 years now and for the most part they do as good or as poor as our boys do... that's not a surprise as the bell curve applies for both as should the same standards for both. As an employer, there are age and gender laws the local council needs to obey today that reasonable minds didn't force on us back in the day. My issue with girls on staff is the distractions it causes the boys, plain and simple, for both Scouts and other Staff. It's usually not the girl

Bull its not too late: you can tear that card up just as easily as you signed it. And if youve already turned the card in, explaining to the troop advancement committee or committee chair I am almost certain most would agree to review the situation. I would spend a few more minutes with the Scout to really try to get to the bottom of it. Quietly bring in another leader or two to cover your back. Lay on the A Scout is Trustworthy part thick. Still, youll get to a point where that will only go so far and if he keeps denying it then you have to let it go. Remember there is a chance what yo

Of course there are no absolutes, agreed. But greatly disagree concerning there being a disadvantage or hindrance for a boy that is completely new to Scouts, or is a product of a weak Pack or Den. If there are stats available that break down the retention of BS or earned their Eagle that were vs. were not involved in Cub Scouts then the disagreement would be settled. Just following a troops new Scout program for a full year will show many many variables and some critical differences that definitely contribute to how high retention & success (defined) percentage is. And this is a key f

"If you join the Army is it important to know how to shoot a rifle or march or clean the latrine before joining? " Are you seriously comparing the military training of an adult to that of a 11 year old boy? Oh, how about for starters the 24 boot camp versus an hour and half once a week for starters... "There are no prerequisites to joining a troop. No skills are required." Clear. "If an unprepared Webelos Scout joins a troop, how is he hindered in any way?" In any way? How about taking the kid away from Momma for the first time in his life for one? "If a green kid wi

Boy scout skills? What exactly are those? Look, before we get our skirts all ruffled here, there's a lot of diffences. As simple as those of maturity between ages to as major as comparing the BS handbook and requirements to the that of the Webelo Handbook. Family camping is quite different than Troop camping. I never thought there was much importance in making sure a Webelos Scout was "prepared" before joining a troop. Then you are the benefactor of an incredible (and rare) Pack program and/or a very well coordinated Troop program for new Scouts. I wish I could be so lucky!

"The other parts of it -- requiring the Scout to say how he would be active in the OA, etc. I really, really like. " I think you'll find some of that is tough for a young Scout to do, most non-members don't have any idea what the OA is all about and how it functions inside. Much more than 'will you be attending Ordeals' is a bit much to ask at that point I think.

We were blamed once for leaving a window unlocked in which the church was burglarized through. We meaning all of the Pack, Troop & Girl Scout that meet at our church. Some our Board continually has a hard time differentiating. Turns out the Youth Director had to show some of the old fuddies that the windows are so cheap that the lock can easily be picked from the outside. We werent even in that classroom. Still think they blame us. I will bend over backwards anytime to improve relations with our CO (however I draw that line at our self appointed COR since he was the ringleader in

Youve received some very valuable advice here! I concur! Ive dealt with this from our Pack as well, when they finish their AOL early and the PACK has scheduled their crossover date for months later Troops dont have any say in the matter (but offer advice as to what has worked best in the past). I prefer February crossovers as they can take part as the big kids in the Pinewood and as a Den in the Klondike. If they crossover before those events, then they miss their PD and for the Klondike are dispersed into our patrols; typically theyre lost in the Scout Skill requirements they cant contrib

Too funny guys, great stuff. Doing this for service, that would be a worthwhile motive. For a couple years our lodge made a feeble attempt of using a roadside as a fundraiser. It was an interstate rest stop, and the DOT had such screwy rules it was outright hysterical. Couldnt do any cooking of any type; had to place our trailer so far out of the way that most drivers never saw us; until the rest stop store closed at midnight and opened at 7:00am we had to stop serving coffee or any food that competed with their store. A state employee came out every hour to check to make sure we wer

Fantastic news! This one act alone will cause much more planning and attention to cooking meals than we have encountered over the years. It will force older Scouts to come to actual campouts again! I am ecstatic to hear this! What reasons do we currently have to do patrol cooking vs. troop or adult cooking? or more sight-seeing trips with resturants versus actual camping! For many troops that is their 'normal' campout! Wonderful news. I came up right after the '72 reqs but had to earn the Skill Awards. I don't know all the differences right now without really digging in, but we did

All great advice! Like best that if he isnt good enough for a rank promotion, dont approve his candidacy. BEFORE the election night, sit down and have a talk with him explaining your decision so at least he is prepared and won't be blindsided by not seeing his own name on the eligibility list. Plus it allows you to tell him what is expected for next year's election. You may want to have this same talk with a parent with a committee member or ASM witness if you are expecting issues to come of it (try and head off any problems at the pass). That said, I rarely need to have that talk because

Collective weekends for the lodge to have fall ordeal, spring ordeal, and fellowship here and there are better for bringing together the lodge as a whole. Weekly ordeals can spread that out too much. Limited ordeal weekends are more eventful and accomplished as a large group. We support the camp with set up and break down in addition to annual service projects. I cant imagine spreading it out so much, coverage would be a bear with little of the crucially important interaction and fellowship. Our Ordeal weekends are a big blast! Your situation is very complicated, am shocked to hear an Ex