Deaf Scouter

Worse part too Eagle is they were all Pack Committee as well.

A good example: I asked at the pizza parlor where we ate for a broom from the manager as I wanted to assign the youth leaders the job of cleaning the floor. (we had brownies and dropped several crumbs) Was told several times by the manager no, he would do it in spite of my persuasion. Next thing I know my ASM had the broom and duster and was doing it himself... *sighs

With Kudos 'PM lesson plan' I'm going to be sure to email it ahead of time plus have printed copies so parents and Scouters see what we are doing step by step each week. I'm going to email each person separately with their 'coaching' area and forms that they need to show and then let the youth leader do. This will help educate the parents and the Scouters in boy-led Patrol Method.

I'm already pushing for IOLS training for all Scouters and parents. Asked the Committee for approval to help with half the cost.

After our 'indoor' camping (we wanted the television to do the Citizenship in the Community movie), I'm realizing parents and newbie Scouters need Patrol Method training as well... *sigh

Indoor camping does not incorporate the Patrol Method at all.

One of the parents really got defense when I spoke up about leaving stuff on the floor for the youth leaders to clean up. Even though I explained they need to so the sweep themselves and explained what Leave No Trace is.

KUDO... Thanks again for the lesson plans!! I had the patrol flag, yell, and etc. on my agenda but it never materialized as we never got into the 'indoors' until 4 pm and went right into our MB session, dinner and then a movie. I would have much rather set up tents and a canopy.

Gonna definitely print the Green Bar lessons into agendas so parents can see what is taking place and my Troop guide will have something to follow. My Troop Guide does make comments of 'I never did this or that and why must we' even though he takes the lead well when directed into what role he needs to do or what topic he needs to cover in written for him to follow like having a sheet with the differences of the cub scouts and boy scouts, types of knots, or Time to Tell video.

With Troop history, they don't want to fold Basement. Even the ASM was a part of it and wants his son a part of it. These people except for one would have a problem with the other Town Troop that is branch off from ours. I had at one point thought to disband the Troop when the charter was late. If its late again next year, I will push for disbandment.

Its right that a CC is needed. I have seriously thought of going over to the CC role and letting the ASM be the SM. I think I have more strengths in the CC role than the SM role. I would still attend Troop meetings and help out where needed for the ASM.

Qwasze.. NICE 'painting' humor... *laughing

Been following my threads have ya??.. *grins while laughing

Eagle.. this pays to know.. THANKS! Ours was not done that way and I want that in writing for now and the future. I want our Charter as the mailing address since they are stable unlike us so things would be directed to the right place plus seen to. who knows maybe they would even PAY for the registration and just take the whole train off my head... *grins

By the way our trailers are all registered as being owned by "Troop 123, Hometown, PA", not in the CO's name. The troop pays all insurance on the trailers too.

Equipment chair become the CC?? Can't see it happening with this newbie. He is a stay at home dad with 3 kids who are ALL involved in extra curricular activities. Sometimes one kid is involved in the same sport for both town and school in the same season.

I think when ALL is SAID and DONE, I'll run over to the DMV mobile wagon and ASK what the cost would be to register our trailer, put it in writing and take it to the committee and insert into the budget plan I'm working one with the yearly preliminary calendar. These people have no concept of expense and income for this troop. Did I tell ya we are planning an Eagle Banquet because its the way they've always done it. Troop pays for the whole thing.. *scratching head while looking at the Troop funds amount. I figured the Troop provided just a cake in such and such a size and the award ceremony while the rest was the parents responsibility just like in my son's old troop...*grins

Spaghetti Diner fundraiser.. brought in 1200 but the Troop funds got 180 while the scouts got over 1000.. *grins I had no idea they did this 'work hours' thing. I knew about ticket sales as that was mentioned plus that is how my son's troop did it too. The work hours was a whole new thing that wasn't mentioned until after the Spaghetti Dinner. I like the idea as it gives the scout money toward their summer camp but at the same time how does the Troop funds grow?

Yeah, yeah, yeah I got a lot on my plate. At least we may have anew treasurer on board who is ASKING the exact same questions I am... *laughing Our old treasurer wants O U T.

By the way.. I come to the forums to save me work hunting/ googling since there is so many that are EXPERIENCED here. Love how you guys help in redirecting me back to the core issues: program planning again and again.

Lisabob,

You hit several good points and I can even see how it creates chaos here.. *smiles

The trailer was bought long before I came into the troop and was a major complaint. When I came in, equipment was all over the place with no inventory list. Some of the equipment is outdated (Troop's been around since 1938) while some are safety issues. I've got newbie people who don't know what to pack. I'm tired of dealing with complaints.. this was more work or we needed this and that or we have a trailer but it just storage. Our Troop kitchens are even set up yet we have 4 Patrol boxes. Trying to get basic stuff done is like pulling teeth. If the trailer was pullable, we'd use the stuff and people would see what is used. We can teach/direct the boys to get this and that.

The size alone prevents us from using it because no one can haul it. We had our Spaghetti Dinner and bucket was put out for Trailer lettering and they want a big fancy job with the $500.00 they got. There wasn't even talk at the committee meeting first about this lettering bucket. People just come up with an idea and go ahead with no planning or forethought. I'm now seeing the advantage we had in not lettering on our Troop trailer. We do have a LOT to work on within this Troop. Worse is I'm trying to do both the Committee Chair and Scoutmaster.

The whole thing is a runaway train and I just wanted to find out the simple cost of how much it is to register the trailer for our preliminary budget along with the calendar as this troop has no concept of money: expenses and income. Personally I'd sell the trailer and just keep labeled bins. We do have some really cool cooking stuff that will never get used unless the trailer goes though.

I agree with Basement on the 'Eagle Charge'. I'm finding lately I'm really in personal conflict with some of these adults in their approach and our planning. They really don't know the methods, aims and ideals of Scouting which is why something so outlandish as registering a trailer out of state comes up. Yeah they want to be thrifty but where is the citizenship development?

Basement,

Isn't the purpose of a troop trailer to haul gear, keep it all in one place and make it easier to move things while making the load lighter for the Scouters?

The size of this trailer is defeating this purpose. We just finished Citizenship in the Community so your point to Eagle can be pointed at my own troop who really don't know the ideals, methods and aims of scouting... *sighs

Nld Scouter,

Tell me in my math is right?

weight of the trailer (I THINK)7,500 or 3,500

divide by 500 lbs /500

equals: 15 for 7,500 or 7 for 3,500

multiplied by $5.39

Total cost is: $80.85 or $37.73 for a year.

How does one go about finding out the insurance angle as I haven't even considered that. My understanding is the Charter organization should be taking care of that and we should get an up to date inventory list to them asap. (by the end of this school year, June.)

Inspections is yearly, just like a car... correct?

Let me ask this as it brought up again and I can see how one track mind things are going. I don't seem to be getting my point across as they all look at the money angle: $99.00 for 5 year as steal

For this SM newbie...

What name is on the Troop trailer registration form and title?

Where should the registration, title and etc be mailed to?

What other consideration should one know about Troop trailer? Who should one look for in a Troop Equipment chair?

This is a troop that is going through transition as well as experienced and newbie committee members still learning their jobs plus seeing the big picture of charter and rules and regulations pertaining to National, Council, charter organization and their Committee roles.

*laughing at Unkie Will Trailer knot idea...*laughing

Better yet make either a Patrol patch with a Trailer logo or a Position of Responsibility patch like Scoutmaster's/Committee member with a Trailer logo with a quirky position name as a way of THANKS along with a certificate at one of your Court of Honors.. *winka (I'm totally NOT kidding.. *laughing)

Unkie Will...

Sorry for the misunderstanding. Equipment Chair hasn't actually registered the trailer. It was the idea that he researched and spent so much time on. He hit me up with it today when I got a million things to do for a campout that takes place tomorrow. (Shows how my mind is on so many things if I can't be clear in how I word my posting... *smiles)

I really have a problem with this and really would like to know how many others have actually done this? Seems risky with how often committee positions change and etc. Power of Attorney is something one shouldn't play with especially to strangers in my honest opinion. How many of us have actually done our own lives with strangers by giving power of attorney? So how many here have ACTUALLY done this.. registered their Troop trailer in another state??

Guy..

Thanks for taking the time to write. Lots of VALUABLE advice to take from yours as you pinpointed a couple of issues that are happening already in mine. Especially love the 'DO IT' comment.. *smiles

I like how you did the training approach. Troop meetings are just too short to do it. You give me possibilities there with that mention.. *grins

Did you have a problem with 'tools' like rope, flags, compass and etc. and having them handy for Troop meetings?

ssScouts..

*hearty laughter

I'm gonna BORROW this for humor is really needed by me today as I deal with insurance/registration issues. Talk about PERFECT timing and needing to add in humorous approach. THANKS!!!

My newbie Equipment Chair blew me away today with the TOTALLY unexpected.. registering our Troop trailer through the state of Maine. We are a NY Troop.... *shaking head in total bafflement of where ideas come and the solution to a 'simple' question.

It was a simple request from me at our April committee meeting to get the trailer registration cost for May's committee meeting as it hasn't been registered in a couple years. Size has an impact on not registering it plus not doing campouts as we should. I want the OUTING back in ScOUTING and our equipment with us hence the reason for asking the registration cost to stick it in our budget planning for next year.

This is totally new to me and I really got nervous on the Maine's paperwork of needing a Power of Attorney. Anyone else know policies: National, Council and etc. That I should be considering? Pros/cons?? ETC,etc,etc????

(Am I the only one that feels.. Geeze now I gotta research this when here I thought I was learning the arts of delegation and teaching people this is part of your committee position of responsibility... *smiles while whistling)

Good point on the voting 5yearScouter but logo colors prevents the switch hence the reason grey was chosen to begin with. Because of the fact that some have the latest logo in Class B and are financially strapped, we will stay with this logo.

With so many other things to consider for this Troop in revitalizing it, I'm sticking to the grey and more concerned about getting ALL in grey neckerchiefs with the smaller version of our logo. (They used the same silk screen from the Class B so the neckerchiefs are never 'clean' looking because the rolling covers up much of the logo.)

Have you tried the 'unsquelch' button in the top of any thread up there ^ above the green bar on your right?? In the future, don't click the box ' do you wish to be notified via email when there is a reply to this thread?'. Instead bookmark the thread in a folder called scouter.com and come back it later.

Having done a similar 'insurance' thing for Eagle project...

It ended up that what was really needed was that one group needed a copy of the other's insurance policy to move to the next step.

In your case of the Council and the Bus Company try and see if just getting a copy of Council's insurance to the bus company is enough to get the bus company on board. Its basically a pointing finger game of line up of the pecking order if something happens: which is the personal insurance, then councils then the bus company UNLESS the bus company is at fault which switches the order of the bus company first then council.

(As for those discouraging ya, turn a deaf ear. You can borrow mine if ya want.. *teasing laughter. Kidding aside, I learned long ago that the best plans always have some road block that eventually gets settled. Then you and everyone else is SO happy you didn't got to plan D.. *laughing)

Emb021 states it right on the 'Jamboree'. Its a National and International event.

There are camporees. They can be district or council. and those putting on the event decide who is allowed to come. for example my district is usually only district but they may get a neighboring Troop from another district WITHIN our council. Our Council puts on what is called Council Trophy Challenge (CTC) that has been going on for a few years. Was only for our Council but its has opened up in that last couple years to other Councils because of word of mouth.

There is also another term used called 'Brotherhood'. Dorchester International Brotherhood is one (or is it Dochester International Camporee??) There is a USA/Cananda Brotherhood in the 1000 Island that rotates back and forth in hosting each September. Brotherhoods usually are opened camporees.

What is nice about Brotherhoods is one get to see another area but still pay the same price as if one is close to home unless one pitches in for the gas price and tolls... *smiles These brotherhoods introduce the youth leaders to patch trading and other country and other states thus opening their world view from outside of council. Pen pals are formed. A better term is e-pals in this techno age.. *laughing

Ahh.. John.. now I know why I never heard a thing after being told by another UC that he nominated me to take over his UC role. I guess they decided the SM role was where I really needed to be.. *grins

Will..

Welcome back to ScOUTING.. *grins

I just came back too after a 3 years absence. There were a lot of new faces that pegged me as a newbie when in reality I'm just a newbie to the SM role. (I wore a new shirt as my old one didn't fit with the basic patches) I quickly added the knots and saw a change in some attitudes and how people talked once they realize I wasn't as newbie as they first thought. (I was asking questions because so many things from National to Council had change in the 3 years I was gone which probably added to the 'newbie' concept. Plus walking into a Troop that was trying to keep from folding with no experienced Scouters also added to my need for multiple questions...*grins)

So a food for thought for you on the knots wearing.. *winka

Great wealth of info from everyone and THANKS!

I'll end up doing the sewing... *smiles

I have a neat little trick of hem ruler and iron first that makes sewing a breeze. I've seen the roller foot for the machine but have never used it yet. Cotton works easier to do this and I agree its better with absorbing the fabric paints.

Right now we only have 2 people that have the old dark color so we can switch as we need about 12 now. If they choose the marbled texture one then I'll go around and buy up all the Walmart lots. We really needed to stay with the grey because of the Class B. Those that have them are tight with money being a Scouter and having a youth leader coming into the Troop. Too many expenses for new comers on top of summer camp soon.

I'm glad you reminded me about the first aid thing as I didn't consider that in the planning stage.

Love those neckerchief links, Eagle.

Now off the pre-strink the cotton material first.. *grins

I try to get the sign up sheet going but its like all want to do it at the last minute because they don't know what other schedules are.. *sigh

Other times its before getting the actual event locked into the calendar to begin announcing it because of so many conflicts. Next year I'm approaching things differently.

I like the active 75% participation. Right now people come when ever they want which makes it so hard with such a small troop in never knowing who is going to be at Troop meetings. It throws plans right out the window many times and having to go to a plan B or C.. *sighs

We're doing our own Troop neckerchiefs and painting them using the freezer paper stencil method so the youth leaders can feel proud in having made their own. What things should one consider in making a final decision on which material to use for neckerchiefs? Below are some of the things I'm having to think about with mine:

65% polyster/35% cotton (thinner & lighter) versus 100 % cotton (heavier and shrinks on first washing)

Solid color versus a slightly marbled texture (I'm trying to match the Troop color of light grey (light ash) of our Troop Class B.)

Which kind of material used? I've been looking in the quilting section for the solid background material and grey offers only one choice unlike the other colors: dark grey... *sighs

If I pre-buy how much should one consider so that it stays around for a while like 5-6 years?

Anyone buy material online rather than the old tried and true place, Joanna's Fabrics?

Anything else I MUST know before taking the leap to buy??

I've been thinking about the attendance requirement and wanting to bring it up to the committee so I can implement it. I'm struggling to get a good program going when everyone ends up cancelling a campout due to lack of attendance. My last Troop meeting none of the new scouts showed cuz their old den leader who is my ASM was in Mexico. We have a campout this weekend which we are trying to get numbers for.

Do you do a re-election if the absence is almost every week and cause the patrol problems? Is there a set standard that elected into that position means attendance at 80% of the meetings and campouts for example?

Oh SR540Beaver... *wiping laughter tears

I roared laughing at your comment of

'Just keep everyone a minimum of 300 feet apart and the rest takes care of itself. Sorry, couldn't resist.'

Sometimes signing and speaking is ASL does it naturally... *laughing

Most don't realize that ASL and spoken English are two different language yet I want to keep the Deaf parent involved... *smiles

Qwazse.. already took the Wood Badge and cried a few tears. Staff was well aware I was deaf so powerpoint and handouts were a big help plus a wonderful mentor and patrol. I actually would like to go through it again without the ticket work angle to gain a different understanding. sometimes when one goes through something they focus too much on one things,, for me getting it that little things like patrol method development point was totally missed. funny part is they matched me up with a gal who knew a little sign and our first looks at each other was oh craps. mine of her she can't sign. and hers of me, deaf, why me? I'm struggling to hear out of ear and couldn't they have talked to me FIRST?. we're now the best of scouting buddies.. *grins

Eagle92.. I use the more formally name William Hillcourt so its no wonder I'm lost on the nickname... *laughing

*teasing.... Didn't realize so many older timers here as so handy with a computer in this techno age. Now if my committee and ASM was the same as y'all, I'd be in 7th heaven. I exchanged phone number with my ASM when I was first pulled on board my troop. asked him if he text and he says no and then my jaw drops as he pulls a 'dinosaur' cell from his pocket. It was eye opening to realize in 3 years I had yet to see one of those since everyone around me had a smart phone of some sort. Then again if it wasn't for the Deaf parent they would have never know what a VP phone was.. *laughing

If its in April.. definitely a lead into Earth Day.. *winka

It is amazing how events, words, an article and etc. can trigger memories of a person. There are some that we avoided because we thought them nuisance then but don't realize to years later the 'real' gift they had... *reminiscing smile

I'm sure many of us have one, two or three of those kinds of memories. To this day mine is that fellow deaf classmate who copied everything I did including moving her desk back and forth every time I moved mine to get away from her in my limit space. Looking back it was jealousy on her part yet now Facebook shows my jealousy of her when I see how well she's done when compared to myself... *smiles