David CO

1 hour ago, Pselb said:

Now, I may be an "outsider" to scouting, but the vast majority of parents who have kids in the program fit into my situation.  Those that are volunteering may not be able to recognize this factor.  Their world is scouting, ours is not.  The only connection is we have boys (and girls) in the program.

My world isn't scouting either.

I don't blame you, or any parent who is lukewarm on scouting, for not volunteering. The more gung-ho volunteers in scouting are often less than kind to those who show less support,  enthusiasm, and loyalty to BSA. If you were to volunteer, you would encounter many die-hard scouters who will tell you that you should get out because you aren't dedicated enough to scouting.

You don't need that. More importantly, your son doesn't need that. 

23 hours ago, ItsBrian said:

I don’t think he meant it that way, more as who runs it and makes most of the decisions.

I understand that, but there are other people on the forum who do mean it that way.

I don't think the ownership of a unit is a matter of opinion. It is a fact. The CO owns the unit.

3 hours ago, Tampa Turtle said:

Well I guess we are judging her -or more likely the parents-actions on the basis of what we might expect of Boy Scouts. It is Girl Scouting so maybe that is OK-though they has conniptions about Trans-fats but I guess Pot is OK. I guess the real reason she is getting applause is that the main things we appreciate in our culture now are only things that can be quantified or monetized so as long as she sells more that is a win! I mean the goal is sales right?

(This thread may merge with the James West Knot one!) 

Only if the knot is made from hemp.

5 minutes ago, Tampa Turtle said:

You guys made me reread the whole thread...

Sorry about that, I wouldn't wish that on anybody.

30 minutes ago, HelpfulTracks said:

Many of the comments on a myriad of subjects are not descent, they are down right nasty

I didn't raise the point before, but since you have yourself broached the subject of being downright nasty, I must say that I am not the one who is using pseudo-swears or scatological references in my posts.

25 minutes ago, HelpfulTracks said:

Calling horse hockey and recommending someone find an organization that fits them better pales in comparison.

In comparison to what?

4 minutes ago, HelpfulTracks said:

I was quoting your sentiments, those certainly are not mine.

I think everyone understands that. I was indicating that you paraphrased my sentiments exactly right. I couldn't have said it better myself.

50 minutes ago, HelpfulTracks said:

 All things district and council are bad, national are all liars.

Exactly right.

30 minutes ago, HelpfulTracks said:

Well as you say, it is not the Scouts unit it is the CO's.

Yes, it is the CO's unit. The CO makes the decision on whether or not to re-charter the unit each year. 

My CO doesn't much like BSA. It only re-charters the unit each year out of consideration for the few boys who still like scouting. I think it is very kind and generous of my CO to do that.

2 minutes ago, NJCubScouter said:

This is a legal product being sold in a legal establishment

You know better. It is not legal under federal law.

My school's Outdoor Education program works better for me. I prefer it over scouting. But so long as there are boys interested in scouting, my school will probably continue to offer that option.

3 hours ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

 

I've seen one guy buy 4 fellowships: his wife, daughter, son, and himself. 

 

What? No James E. West Fellowship for the family dog?

On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty outside, and not leave a mess.

I would prefer that we not encourage displaying economic class distinctions in BSA, especially on the uniform.

4 minutes ago, Oldscout448 said:

We have adults here who think it's their Troop rather than the Scouts troop 

Neither is correct. It is the Chartered Organization's troop. 

4 hours ago, WisconsinMomma said:

  

What they do -- they send three uniformed adults to the Librarian's house to go through the library with the librarian.   

  

I would never go to a scouts home uninvited. 

It is not an honor. You can't buy an real honor with cash.

48 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

Funny thing is that this weekend he took all the older Scouts and had a chat with them with the ASMs present. The oldest Scout present had to be forced to talk, and even then he didn't say much. That was Gunship's son. Next oldest Scout said they needed help to learn how to lead. Gut feeling is that he doesn't feel that way, he's expressed otherwise to me in the past, and just said what he thought the adults wanted to hear. 

...or he is telling you what he thinks you want to hear. Who knows?

When the adults are squabbling amongst each other, it is hard for the boys to express their own opinions. Boys will often feel like they have to take their parent's side in the ongoing debate, and the PLC become proxy voters for their parent's positions. 

When this happens, it is time for the CO to step in and set things right.

7 minutes ago, Col. Flagg said:

One should ask the question why good Scouters would seek recognition for charitable giving. 

I agree with everything you said, except the charitable giving part. Buying bling isn't the same as charitable giving.

1 hour ago, Back Pack said:

There’s a knot for giving money? What message does that send to scouts. 

The same message that is sent when scouters buy positions on the council. BSA is all about money.

11 hours ago, ParkMan said:

I'm not sure the answer.  Again, I'm fine firing the council staff and trying your approach.  We struggle for district volunteers now, so I'm skeptical.  But let's try it.

It just really saddens me the culture that exists where everything council or professional is bad.  I think it's sad to treat a group of folks who have chosen to dedicate their careers to the movement like this.

Everything council is bad. They're the bad guys.

5 hours ago, Col. Flagg said:

 

Way back when, our Pack was hosted by a church that really treated us like a burden too. They never really liked the Pack and treated every request as if we were begging at their doorstep. Then the membership policy changed in 2013 they dropped both the Pack and the Troop that were there.

In our area most churches treat BSA units like we are any other group renting their facilities. Only the Catholic units are seen as an extension of the church's ministry.

I think all CO's should see scouting as an extension of their youth ministry/youth program. 

13 hours ago, ParkMan said:

 I'm just guessing, but I doubt we'd ever see a DE. 

That alone would make it all worth it.

It also matters to me that "Though Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor" is a Commandment. That makes it a biggie in my way of thinking.

2 hours ago, Eagle1993 said:

I guess my question to you is what do you want to see?  I want women to feel unpowered and report instances of sexual harassment and assault.  Those reports should be fully investigated and guilty individuals should lose their jobs and freedom, if appropriate.  Too many times women (and men) have been silent as we have seen over the last 3-4 months.  

I think we have already answered your question. We want all people to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

7 hours ago, RememberSchiff said:

This Sunday Morning report also covered  "Troop 1262, one of the fastest-growing troops in America. The Scouts are almost all Burmese refugees, their families resettled here from Thailand" as part of the "changing face" of the BSA.

 

Yeah, I didn't like them putting those two segments together. It seemed like they were trying to imply that, until recently, we would have excluded Burmese boys from scouting.