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DLister

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Everything posted by DLister

  1. How about a scout who wants to wear his MB sash at an Eagle CoH in a couple of weeks for a friend from another troop? Or a new scout who just completed his first merit badge... do you tell him "good job, now you have to wait three months before you actually receive the badge"? They earned it, don't make them wait for it.
  2. The Guide to Awards and Insignia recommends no more than 3 rows of knots, but since it's a recommendation and not an absolute decree, I'd call it more "wearer's discretion".
  3. I don't see a reason why units should have a lot of direct contact with their DE to begin with. For most needs/issues they should be utilizing their commissioner and/or the district committee. For recruitment materials, talk to the district membership chair, FOS presentations should be done by volunteers under the direction of the district finance chair, commissioners can be asked to help guide units in solving their problems, etc. Yes, I realize that not every district has the resources to do things in the ideal manner, but shouldn't we be working towards that goal?
  4. The Amateur Radio Operator rating strips are now available from National at http://www.scoutstuff.org/bsa/new-items/emb-amateur-radio-operator.html. I'm not sure yet if they've made it into the brick-and-mortar stores yet though. In case anyone's curious about the size, they're the same height at interpreter strips.
  5. Why treat merit badges different from rank advancement in this situation? They should also be awarded at the earliest possible convenience, not just at Courts of Honor. I'm not suggesting troop stock-pile MB patches as well, but to make a scout wait up to 3 months for it doesn't sound kosher to me.
  6. I am 100% positive about the ability of the camping requirement to be waived by the lodge adviser and council executive for district and council scouters. See page 21 of the Guide to Officers and Advisers, available at http://www.oa-bsa.org/resources/pubs/#goa.
  7. The ability to waive the camping requirement for non-unit Scouters has been in place for at least the last 20 years. This is just a guess on my part, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is allowed so district and council Scouters who might not have the opportunity/ability to attend a long-term camp but would still be an asset to the OA can be inducted. I understand the same argument could be make for some unit-level Scouters, but I don't make the rules and haven't found a place that the intentions behind them are explained.
  8. The safeguarded Order of the Arrow subforum for members-only discussion seems to have disappeared. Is this a permanent change or will it return?
  9. #51 - Alumni Award Red, blue, and yellow know on khaki with gold border
  10. The change allowing 1 adult nomination per 3 youth elected does not take effect until January 1, 2013. It's likely they will update the Lodge Adviser's Handbook online at that time to reflect the change.
  11. I know this was posted a month ago but I feel this misunderstanding should be addressed: They show up for election, where I have to remove my just bridged Webelos or none of my Scouts get elected (the newly bridged boys won't vote, and those are counted in the percentages). There are two different percentages to consider when an election is conducted. First, are at least 50% of registered troop/team members UNDER 21 (yes, this includes ASMs between 18 and 20) present? Second, was a candidate for election voted for on at least 50% of ballots TURNED IN? If a scout declines to turn in a
  12. I find it interesting that Venture Patrol Leader is not an acceptable POR for Eagle but is for Star and Life. I wonder if that was an oversight on National's part.
  13. David CO - Would you mind explaining what you mean by "cultural appropriation"? I'm not going to try to change your mind at all, but as a chapter adviser it would help me to understand objections some scouters have to the organization.
  14. Basement - I guess that depends on if you think paraffin fits the definition of a chemical fuel (liquid, gaseous, or gelled fuels) from the G2SS.
  15. From page 8 of the Guide for Officers and Advisers (available for anyone to read at http://oa-bsa.org/resources/pubs/GOA-2010.pdf): "Chapter advisers and staff advisers are appointed annually by the Scout executive to support the purpose of the Order and give active leadership to that purpose." In larger councils, the SE will probably delegate this to the lodge and staff advisers, hopefully with input from the district(s) involved.
  16. The election was conducted correctly. "Selective abstaining" is not a possibility, and I don't believe Eagle92 was trying to say that. Twocubdad - Scouts must be listed on a simple majority of ballots cast. If a scout does not turn in a ballot, he still counts towards the quorum but not towards the number of votes needed to be elected.
  17. From the OA handbook: "The official Order of the Arrow sash is available for members through the lodge or local council service center, or through the Supply Division of the BSA. It is a white fabric sash with a red arrow embroidered upon it. ... Sashes may not be altered in any way or form. Beading or any other material is not permitted on the sash. Nothing is to be worn on the sash, including signatures, patches of any kind, pins, or "legends" (embrordered or drawn illustrations of the history of the Order of the Arrow or of the local lodge). The only exceptions are the 50th and 60t
  18. I second the suggestion to contact the chapter and lodge advisers, but don't ask them to show the national policy backing up the chapter chief's email. Simply ask why additional requirements are being added to the election of eligible scouts contrary to national policy.
  19. Most likely the upcoming royal wedding. I didn't get an invite either.
  20. ScoutNut - Looking at the OP's profile, he is the chapter chief. I do agree that checking w/ the lodge or other chapters for ceremonies that may already be in use in that area is a good idea though.
  21. SeattlePioneer - You were probably selected for OA membership for the ability other adults saw in you to help fulfill the purpose of the Order which is to: Recognize those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and through that recognition cause others to conduct themselves in a way that warrants similar recognition. Promote camping, responsible outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship as essential components of every Scouts experience, in the unit, year-round, and in summer camp. Develop leaders with the willingness, character, spirit
  22. The local council for that area might be interested in preserving that history. If you don't know what council it is, you can find it by inputting the address at https://beascout.scouting.org/.
  23. emb021 - The change was made in January 1997. Under the old rules, it was still possible for every eligible candidate to be elected, but it required each eligible scout to be voted for on exactly half of the ballots turned in. I think the current procedure is better because it allows the scouts voting to judge the merits of each candidate individually instead of having to compare them against each other. Interestingly enough, when the change went into effect the number of scouts being elected did not significantly increase in my lodge.
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