ctbailey

Seattle - Thank you for utilizing the UVTS 2.0. I have found in my short 18 years as a member of the BSA, the only thing about the BSA that stays the same, is that it is always changing! I think UVTS 2.0 is a change for the good. This is a tool that provides the commissioner service a better understanding of the "true pulse" of the units. Another thing that I honestly believe, this tool will help "re-invigorate" and re-engage those Commissioners who may have become a little distant. When a commissioner logs a visit - and fills in the comments - other commissioners can see what's

Seattle is 100% correct. this amounts to "sand bagging" the youth at the absolute very last minute.

The question really is - "Which fight do you really want to have?" 1. Fight#1 = "The boy did not satisfactorily complete requirement #2: 'Demonstrate that you live by the principles...' 2. Fight#2 = "I as the CC did not do my job to maintain the advancement records, provide sufficient Unit administration, or correctly hold Boards of Review." Therefore I quit, and I am leaving the entire unit in the lurch. 3. Or just sign it. The person who had the responsibility to ensure the youth was given the oppurtunity to grow, had plenty of coaching, etc, etc, is the Scout Master, n

To Moose - I think trainers EDGE is a reasonable expectation for a trainer to posess. In this day of Powerpoint, and the difficulty in getting folks to training in the first place... the last thing you need is a "boring" slide show. We've all attended the horror shows: the presenter that reads directly from the slide, for example. Or the presenter that speaks like a robot. BUT - and this is a big BUT - in your case the "untrained" presenter in this case is a professional educator! You as the District Training Chair make the policies for your trainings, do not let the inmates

Moose - it is sort of a moot point that the JTE doesn't get too specific about SM and ASM, because all direct contact leadership shall be "trained" for their positions or else they will not be included on the charter as of December 31 2011. (in our council - other councils recharter on a continual basis.) The intent of the JTE is clear that "all" unit leadership be position specific trained. The challenge for District Trainers is to get committee members into class - or go to the committees and provide the training on site. Craig

Beaver - that actually made me LOL, because it's so true.

before Jambo! wow, that's how often I used to check into that thing. The performance was so slow, that even I gave up on it. (And I've got high tolerance for bad software.) Thanks for the reply

My apologies to all if this is old news, but why (and when) did "MyScouting Community" go down? I've been out of touch a while, but has it been gone for long? craig(This message has been edited by ctbailey)

In my opinion, SR540 has hit the proverbial nail on the head! That approach is precisely how I counsel new units to proceed. Also... the occasional "unit Reset," by which I mean sometimes a unit has swung so far out of balance (either too much boy "led" OR too much adult "led.)

So far I agree with all the advice given. Scout - the unit where you serve as ASM... that would be the first unit that I would recommend you find a replacement UC for yourself, instead of a replacement ASM for yourself. My guess is you have a son in the unit, and naturally you are a good choice as ASM. That's where you belong - with your son. You probably wouldn't be objective enough to serve as a 3rd party, or a mentor/coach/counselor to the SM. Some of the most rewarding communication I have had as a UC is from a Unit Leader that calls me out of the blue for advice, or simpl

So, you're a new UC, eh? You've been assigned a unit that really needs some help to get the train on the right tracks, so let's hear some horror stories of how NOT to inroduce a new UC to a unit!

Scoutbox, let's spin off a new thread, shall we? I think your experience with this unit could use some light shined on it. I spun it into the "Program" area, because it's really not "adult leader training" related, and I'm sorta interested in some ScoutMasters and Cub Masters experiences as well.(This message has been edited by ctbailey)

AHHHH!!!! I've seen those before, never knew a name for it. Actually, now i think about it... didn't you and I have a similar discussion about those "camp blankets" where a person basically wears a blanket that has a hole cut out for their head? thanks!

what's a capote?

I still haven't heard any viable solutions. It's not always the DE/DD who is presenting. Very often it is a District volunteer, who has been asked to make a presentation by another District volunteer. Maybe someone with some "experience in professional fundraising" would care to shed some light on when and how to successfully run a campaign.

OK, we get it. FOS at an ECOH is deemed "untasteful" by the majority of respondants. So, when is a 'good' time for an FOS presentation? If I were to suggest inviting all the parents/grandparents/etc to a special "FOS" meeting during a unit meeting, I would probably get a low turnout. If I were to suggest inviting all the parents/etc to a special "coffee night" during a unit meeting, and NOT TELL THEM it was for FOS, I would be accused of ambushing the parents. If I were to suggest not specially-inviting people, and just take 15 minutes of a normal weekly or monthly unit me

hi Ramblin: As many have said all ready, it sounds like you are being tasked with Assistant District Commissioner duties. This is good. Please, Please, reconsider your trip to Philmont for the WB Refresher course. You would be so much better served by atttending the week long Commissioners Conference held at Philmont. You will find very quickly that Wood Badge is much different now than when you originally took it. My reccomendation to you is to hold off on the WB Refresher and take the Commissioners Conference. Serving as a Commissioner in any capacity has many different

OK, I have some information to report. I have contacted Scouter Magazine, and asked about the program inserts. I have been informed that Scouter Magazine no longer includes program theme information. I was not surprised to hear this regarding Cub Scouts, since Cub Scouts 2010 is very clear. I was a bit surprised to learn the Troop program theme information is no longer included, though. I was directed to the "scout source" section of the national website by the scouter magazine respondant. Of course, as you are all aware, the scout source section does not have the monthly pr

Hi, Is there any where on the National Site where we can download those monthly program ideas that are stapled into the center of Scouter Magazine? Thanks in advance. Craig

moose, I think the rock climbing example might be too extreme, due to "Climb on Safely" training and the G2SS. But if you were to replace "rock climbing" in your example with say fly fishing, or snowshoeing, then I'd say "yes." The SM or advisor (or even CM) should try and get at least a primer on the subject, but still know where the true "experts" are. In my experience, when a Unit leader feels they are personally unknowledgeable in an activity, the activity won't happen. If that Unit Leader has even a small understanding, there is a good chance the activity will happen. Our pur

that's a good question. Chances are there will be a "It depends" answer. The Course Director has some say in these matters, and if the ticketee missed by a month or two... the CD would probably let it slide, and the woodbadger would be allowed to receive their beads. If, however, the woodbadger misses the ticket window by a "long time" they would need to start over as an attendee at a future course. The person would still be "trained" in wood badge items, they just wouldn't be eligible to wear the beads and tartan necker. If the ticketee wants to complete it, and th

Moose... Round Table does not fall under any District Committee function at all. RT falls under the "Commissioner Staff" and is planned and run by the "Round Table Commissioner." Anything that happens at RT should be approved by the RT Commissioner, and in the event there is no RT Commissioner, the District Commissioner has the authority.

'92: I totally agree this has been a massive headache for thousands of folks. I have faith that the National Council uniform committee will stand up and speak for the volunteers. But we need to remember there may be financial pressures behind some of these decisions. The Centennial transition has been a big effort by a lot of folks. This issues will shake out, I'm sure, certainly now that the big party is starting to wind down. Maybe now we can all get back to the job of Scouting, and wait another 100 years for the next big four year party. ctb

Hi Everyone, I am pleased to report that the National Commissioner has taken a stand on the Color of the Trained Strip. According to the latest newsletter "The Commissioner" which is found here: http://scouting.org/filestore/pdf/522-975_Fall20109.pdf On page 11, there is a FAQ about the color of the trained strip for wear by Commissioners: 2. Is it true that commissioners should only wear the red Trained strip upon completing Basic Training? Thats what is listed in the documentation. Answer: If you have the new Centennial uniform, then you should use the new green T

Well, I could only find one National BSA document on this issue - the online National Supply website: www.scoutstuff.org Item #18120 is the smaller red trained strip that fits on the pocket flap of the "smokes" pocket. The catalog indicates that yes, indeed, Cub Scout leaders wear the red strip. If we assume that the National Uniforming committee has seen this item in the catalog, and they have not asked the Supply Division to change the description, then can we assume that this description meets the intent, as does in fact set a de-facto policy on the subject? And no, E92