DeanRx

IM Kathy, How exactly does it happening at a scout function make it different? Are scouts to be held to a higher standard ONLY when at a function or ONLY when in uniform? I agree there are certain things that can be done as a scouter outside of a scout function (like going out for beer - as an adult, OK to do... as an adult in a scout uniform, not so much). However, is our expectation that a youth check his true self at the door? Do we expect these guys not to get into any trouble at ALL growing up? One of the main points for having my son in scouts is to give him a good environmen

Broken the oath and broken the law = no Eagle.... Hmmm, yeah... How many adult leaders have ever driven 5 mph over the speed limit on a scout outing? BROKEN THE LAW How many adult leaders have ever padded their charitiable contribution on their tax return? BROKEN THE LAW How many adult leaders have gone out in a non-scouting funciton and had a little too much to drink, or used bad language, or smoked, or had sex with someone prior to marriage? BROKEN YOUR OATH Before we as adults begin to throw the hypothetical stones at a scout, we better get our own houses in order folks!

I think the best approach is to interview the two other kids. Let them know they do not have the option of not being involved. They may choose not to remember much, but at least as adult leaders, you have done your due dilligence. As to whether this should disqualify the lad from receiving his Eagle award, Hmmm... thats a tough one. Would it be hypocritical for a pot-smoker to get Eagle? Probably. Would it be hypocritical to not allow a lad a second chance if he made a genuine appology for his actions? Definately. We as scouters sometimes are very quick to forget that we are de

Yeah, so what if its about money... BSA is a business. They have to stay fiscally solvent. If the majority of their big time donors have decided that their anti-gay membership policy needs to change, then it will change. Go ahead and try to put together an anti-boycott. The majority of Americans and the majority of American businesses DISAGREE with this stance. History and time has shown and will continue to show BSA to be on the wrong side of this issue. Those that wish for BSA to continue to die on this hill for this issue are really wishing for BSA to just die a slow death. Event

This was the WORST thing they could have done ! Who exactly are they getting more input from? As a registered leader for the past 7 years, I have never, not once been asked to give my input - fill out an online survey regarding this issue, etc... but they have no problem getting ahold of me for a FOS donation every year! Where is the national meeting in May? Do local councils have a delegation that will attend? Can I send my vote in with the delegation, or is there a place at the national website or a ph number where volunteers can make their voices heard? If so, I haven't seen any...

The couple things I really do not understand on either side of this issue: 1) Why do so many folks see it as either pro-gay or bigoted? I don't endorse or condone the lifestyle. In fact, my personal beliefs state it is a sin and is morally wrong. HOWEVER, I also view intolerance and prejudice as sinful. As humans, we all have sins, smoke, cheat, drink, gluttony, gossip, etc... we don't explicitly throw the human (adult vol. or scout) out because of ANY of these things, except sexual preference? To have local option is BSA in effect stating, "hate the sin, not the sinner" - an

Basement- I understand your position on the issue... However, what we are really talking about is how best to avoid mass shooting int he future, right? I'm not sure how you make a dent without having mental health at the forefront (even more so than firearms restrictions). Its a sick comment on society, but we really don't CARE or really think we can do anything about gun violence with regards to drug trade, domestic violence, or suicide, do we? I sure don't. My main concern is we establish plans on how best to avoid someone taking out a bus-load of children along with themsel

I don't think it is a problem with regards to G2SS. As long as its billed as a "family camp". The only restriction I know of for cub camping is any long term camp (i.e. resident camp) that is longer than 72hrs. But if the parent is along... One big pain in the hind parts - National will require you to have a complete health form (long form - to include complete physical) that is less than 1 year old for EVERYONE that goes on the trip, b/c its greater than 72 hours. That means dads, moms, siblings... la de dadee everybody!! I have a hard time getting family members to turn i

Beavah, We are probably closer together than we are apart on most of the issues. I'm all for training - mandatory. As for the zero-tolerance issue... well, I guess I just feel we need some stronger teeth in the brandish a weapon in the act of a crime department. Most criminals KNOW what they are doing. They are using the firearm to intimidate a victim into doing what they want. I have friends that have been robbed, I have been robbed... without showing me his weapon, I would have probably told the thug to F-off and ran away instead of handing over my wallet. As for perso

yeah good for them... they stood up for what they think is the right thing to do... then point folks in the right direction to complain if they don't like the change. While I do NOT agree with national's current membership policy, you have to be willing to live by the brand that you buy into. Its not like I can go and buy a McDonald's fanchise and then be surprised when MCD international tells me I can't be selling Whoppers on my local menu... An 'A' for effort, but a better approach is to try to change the organization internally. Glad they didn't throw the baby out with the b

My solutions: FIREARM RESTRICTIONS 1) You want a background check - fine. 2) You want a mental health eval - fine, more revenue generation for my profession... this would just result in a doctor shopping expirience for the MD that will give you a "Go" on the eval. What is the end result... sue the doctor that gives a pass to the individual that later commits a gun crime? 3) You want to restrict by type of gun or by magazine style / size... well good luck getting the gun ban through congress, it is political posturing. The magazine / rounds limit is a red herring at best. 4) You

Beavah writes.. "Does anyone in the USA actually fear that the federal government would ever become tyranical? Really? You honestly think one day you mght become an Orwellian nightmare? This is a staple of modern American political rhetoric, particularly among less-well-educated rural folk of the former Confederate states. In a lot of cases it's unsophisticated folks being taken advantage of by political operatives who know what works best to generate donations. Yah, some people really do believe it, though I reckon it's more that they get caught up in da emotion and self-righteousnes

Eagledad writes: ">>Clearly the BSA has become more conservative and National much more autocratic than in my days in scouting.

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of the rap music... I guess I lump that in with "media" in general. I would say any music that glorifies or attempts to entice voilence via the lyrics. Maybe rap does this more than other genres... I don't know. Dean

"Anyway, when do you consider someone being a bit too... intense in Scouting?" My barometer has always been if and when it stops being about the boys, then the scouter is being too intense in scouting. This really moves it to an examination of motivation for me. Woodbadge can be great or it can be crap... it really depends on the reasons WHY someone takes it. Are they motivated because it will help them deliver a better program for the youth? If so, then fine. If the motivation is to punch a ticket and get their wobble "bling" so they can "outrank" some other adult at the round t

My only real issue with the 23 EO's signed yesterday by the President is that they don't really accomplish anything. By his own admission, congress would have to act (like they ever do anything together) to pass the big 3 things that MIGHT (not would , but might) have an impact. #1 - better background checks... this one makes the most sense and has the strongest chance of getting through congress... probably makes sense. #2 Limit high capacity mags... well - I can shoot a 10 rounder, drop it and have the second one locked and loaded within 2 seconds last time I was timed at the range with t

Never carried on a scout outing. I know of one time (as a scout) that I WISH a leader had a weapon of some sort. I usually don't have one on a private campout either. I have w/ a rifle when I'm going "plinking" in an approved BLM area. If I was going to do a long hike away from civilization (i.e. a partial or thru of the PCT) - I would likely have a handgun and CCW (or carry exposed - which is now illegal in the great socialist state of CA too). I don't care WHAT the state / federal parks OR California says about me needing to having a CCW permit at that point. Its about personal protect

Yup, that is really what Gun Control boils down to... WHO gets to define and decide what is "reasonable"?

Thanks Mr. Scott, Good to know there are folks out their like you. Dean

Sentinel- We have Troop guides / trainers, but they are fairly uninvolved with the younger boys... something the SM and I both hope to change. The APL is a newly minted Star (same as the PL). Both made it to that rank with little over a year in the program. Both are very fine scouts and I believe want to do a good job. However, both are very young (age 13). There seems to be a theme throughout the troop where the older scouts (15+) want to have little to do with the newbies (under 13), unless it is required for credit on their POR. I have already spoken to this fact both dir

OK, so need some input as to how to mentor a young PL (13 y/o). A couple issues are coming up in his tenure. Frist - a great number of conflicts has resulted in the PL missing a few campouts and twice has cancelled (on short notice) patrol meetings. Both times, not all of the patrol members got the message, so have scouts showing up to meeting location with no meeting and a no show PL. Second (ties into the 1st issue) - We are a 100% boy led troop. Patrol is a new boys patrol. Absence of PL at both campouts and cancelled patrol meetings means no work on scout skills with the "new

I was reviewing the Medicine MB requirements today (as I recently signed up to be a MBC for this badge) and I seem to have stumbled across a couple issues in the pamphlet... In requirement 1.p. under "Discuss with your counselor the influence that EIGHT of the following people or event had on the history of medicine:" it has listed Helen Raussig. The correct spelling should be Helen Taussig. She was an early female pediatric cardiologist who developed a shunt procedure to correct a congenital heart condition called 'tetralogy of fallow'. It was once one of the most common fatal heart

I'm all for every adult involved with scouting taking and reviewing the YPT. However, there is a big difference in advocating taking something voluntarily and REQUIRING it in order to participate. The issue to me is its just one more hoop to jump through to get enough drivers for unit outings. The proof of insurance, the copy of the driver's lisence, makes sense. A YPT requirement (in at least one state, now a required face to face training) does little in my mind to protect anyone. All it does is act as a barrier to someone driving in the carpool and makes more pre-outing work fo

Just got an e-mail from our CC for the troop. They are asking that a minimum of one parent from each family REGISTER under a new heading of "scout parent". No cost, but they are given a BSA# and that any and ALL drivers for unit functions will now be required to have YPG training BEFORE they can transport scouts on unit events. Anyone know if this is a national thing, or someone's own interpretation of the rules at the council, district, or unit level? Its good to have folks trained, but to register and be forces to train just to drive a carpool of kids... sheesh! Just one more hu

I only hit "submit" once... I promise !!(This message has been edited by deanrx)