Scoutmaster Teddy

I've been honored to work with our present Council Exec (Jonathan Cartner) and their predecessor (Jeff Doty). The DE's that stay for a while have been excellent. I can't say enough for the council board and leadership. As a DC I've been invited to quite a few council board meetings and I've contributed to the council SWOT analyses, 

Dean

14 hours ago, gpurlee said:

... It would be a safe bet that we will see a major consolidation of councils following approval of the bankruptcy settlement.  And this consolidation will limit the number of both existing and future high-level positions within councils or regional or national level positions.  So, yes there will be subtle or not so subtle encouragement to fall in line with the national position.

That would be the end of "All Scouting is local." It's enough now that I have to make a 4-hour roundtrip for a Commissioner Cabinet or Lodge meeting if no Zoom option is available. And that isn't the worst I know of. An acquaintance of mine in GSLAC travels almost 6 hours round trip from Edgar County, IL. Scouting would become a big city program in my area, where the big cities are not so big. 

I have several UMC units in my district. As District Commissioner I had to tell them that having the Council as a charter partner was a "no."

Anyone else have this issue? 

I'm a virtual attendee this time. Got my swag box from Alps Mountaineering and my patch. I wanted to go in person but a pulmonary fungal infection has slowed me down. Plus I didn't apply for staff on time.

A late "Thanks" for all of the replies! So far, so good. Knock on wood. So much to do.

Hello,

I've been a Den Leader, Webelos Leader, Asst. Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, Wood Badge Staffer and a Unit Commissioner. On January 1st, I'll be a District Commissioner.

I would appreciate any tips or advice (too late for me to run...).

Thanks!

I used to be an Owl, and a good old Owl too! C3-133-11-1

I used to be a Staffer, and a good old Staffer too!
C3-133-14 Troop Guide
C3-133-16 Scribe
C3-133-19 Chaplain

(Gosh... I slid down pretty far...) JK!

After working in information technology for more than 25 years I can say I'm not surprised. I've seen the guards being lowered due to wide-spread budget concerns, lax management, and lack of oversight.

I will be monitoring my information. Just because a corporation says not to worry doesn't mean you should let your guard down.

That's a doozy of a question. My first impression would be to "go for it." But the Scoutmaster in me says to have the troop in the same color so I could spot them at large events.

If I were asked I would say "sure," but wear the troop color at large events. Wearing a different hat during a troop campout or such as a show of patrol spirit would be acceptable.

Yes, the Founder's Award 2018 was a typo... It was January 2019.

I'm one of the Scoutmasters "allowed in." I fumed out as a youth and missed summer camp and what would have been my tapout. I joined Scouting with my son when he became a Tiger. Attended with him all the way to the troop.  I had my 15 nights camping (more like 30) and was nominated by my committee. That was Summer 2017. Got Brotherhood. I'm still very active, having advised for a Winter Dinner (Jan 2018) and still serving as a Chapter Adviser since May 2018. No freebies here.  Founder's Award Jan. 2018. Haven't missed a work project or Fellowship/Conclave. Not bragging... Just trying to set a good example.

We offer Brotherhood at the May Fellowship, Thursdays during Summer Camp (five to six opportunities), and at the August Fellowship. Plenty of opportunities. As much as I try to live the Scout Oath and Law and provide cheerful service and a good example I still fail to convince some of my own Scouts to reach for Brotherhood. They get their pocket flap and sash and dash. Some don't even pay dues after year one. The dynamic has shifted. 

This photo of a rig to teach children rowing skills, and just have fun on water, has gone viral on FaceBook. There is talk of a local camp building one, but I wonder how the rules committee will see it.

I served in the USMC. I always chuckle at "Class A." For us, the tan shirt and green pants were Class C's, or what we lovingly referred to as "Charlies." It wouldn't be a Class A unless we had the green jacket and tan tie. Class B would be a shirt with the tan tie.

Bummer. Can't read the article. Anyone see one on a free site?

On 12/7/2018 at 12:48 AM, fred8033 said:

I may have missed some posts from the original scoutmaster that may influence my view.  It's the challenge when the facts come out a bit at a time.

I am one who always wants to make the mistake in the scout's favor.  But, it is the scoutmasters discretion and there is a threshold where you do say no.  It's in the scoutmaster's discretion and boards will hold it up in those cases.  

I wish this scoutmaster the best.  

I am the original Scoutmaster. Thank you for the comments. It's a tough row to hoe for sure. 

Scoutmaster Teddy

The weed was only the latest. Selling weed INSIDE of a school is not good. He has plenty of other offenses, including a profanity-laced tirade against a ASM. Poor kid has affluenza since Daddy is a bigshot.

He will get his conference. I will not sign his Eagle paperwork. 

I have two Eagle Scouts threatening to return their badges.

This isn't the first time he was busted though. He's been in legal trouble before and we had a situation with him a few years ago when he verbally abused an ASM. He left he troop for a year but never seemed to learn the lesson.

I've found myself in quite a predicament. One of my Life Scouts, the CC's son no less, was busted for having an illegal substance (weed) in the High School. I have no legal experience and this was treated as a juvenile offense. Actually, I have no access to any record that shows me "proof" that an arrest actually occurred.

I'm going to stand my ground and refuse a Scoutmaster's Conference for Eagle. I may end up losing my job but that's okay.

Hope your holiday season is better than mine!

I follow the BSA guidelines and hold my hand over my heart if I'm out of uniform. As a veteran I could hand salute, but if I'm around scouts I follow the guideline. 

As a Marine, I find some scout flag ceremonies to be confusing. At summer camp one year we were asked to remove our head gear, outside, to salute the flag. I dunno. Mot scouts still recite the Pledge of Allegiance wrong. it's "One Nation Under God" not 'One Nation (pause) under God." It's peeve of mine. About indoor ceremonies... scouts pivoting as the flag goes by from the rear of an auditorium to the front is odd.

Anyone else going to the NLS/DYLC in Parkville, MO, this weekend?

The Greater Saint Louis Area Council and Lincoln Trails Council are merging.

https://stlbsa.org/blog/2018/09/27/st-louis-and-decatur-illinois-boy-scout-councils-approve-merger/

I was there. Super busy though. It was my first NOAC so I attended as many seminars and events as I could. I was especially intrigued to join the LodgeMaster developer group to see what I can contribute after spending the last 20+ years in enterprise applications. I met a lot of devoted Scouts & Scouters throughout my travels at NOAC.

We took a charter bus from the Illowa Council. The ride there was uneventful. The ride back was very warm at first with the AC being out on the bus. The AC was eventually repaired. "NOAC" on the way home was referred to as "NO AC."

I skipped Summer Camp the year I was to be tapped. I fumed-out at 16, too much perfume and gas fumes.

I did the Ordeal as an adult last August and just completed my Brotherhood. That is one of the mistakes I tell Scouts about - I should have stayed and completed my Eagle rather than buy a fast car and *try* to find a fast girl.

Whooo! I finally made Brotherhood. Missed my first chance by being hospitalized in May.  It is a nice ceremony. Shhhhh...

Scoutmaster Teddy