evmori

Cool! And they come in different lengths! And they have camo!

"They laughed, that's great. They got to cheer and moan at the adults, always a fun thing. But did they learn, and did the learning result in significant measurable changes? The chances are small." Fun and educational all at the same time! And visual! Children are far more visual in their learning than adults. Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

"Children are far more visual in their learning than adults" This is a fact I guess. And if so, then by doing what twocubdad did and also having someone correctly uniformed would really drive home a point to the kids! I must be a kid cause I learn better if I can see, too! Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

When I took Woodbadge, there was a classroom session on backpacking. My Patrol Counselor was one of the instructors for this session. He came into the room with everything you shouldn't take backpacking including a microwave! He made his point & everyone in the room understood. There are times when showing something completely wrong works. I like twocubdad's method. The Scouts will see how not to uniform & at the same time get a chuckle at the adults. A good chuckle always helps. Naturally, there should also be someone who is uniformed properly. In the original post, if the intent was to embarrass the Scout then that's wrong. Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

I would concur with OGE. The Scout must be told this SM conference and/or BOR is NOT for rank advancement. Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

If you don't point out what they are doing wrong then how are they to know it is wrong? Fat Old Guy, When you son get's F's, just shoot him! End of problem! Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

OGE is a real funny bird! Check for pods!

OGE, I would agree providing the BOR is for nothing more than straightening out the "mess". Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

No one is trying to decree anything. The question posted was can the SM be forced to sign it against his will? The answer is no. The Scout in this instance agreed with the SM that he really hadn't fulfilled the duties of his POR. And from the post, it seems mom & dad are driving the push to get the SM to sign the requirement. And since this Scout hasn't completed all the requirements for rank, based on what is in the SM handbook, a BOR isn't necessary! Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

The requirement reads "After a Scout has completed all of the requirements for any rank from Tenderfoot to Life, his progress is reviewed in two stages: - Scoutmaster conference - Board of review" It starts with the word "After" which means once all not some of the requirements are completed the Scout is reviewed. During the SM conference it was determined by both the Scout & SM that the Scout had not completed one of his requirements and therefore didn't have his BOR. Seems to follow the way it is written in the SM handbook. Barry, Signing the book DOES mean you approve. OGE, Excellent point but from what I read, this Troop has decided to do things this way. Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

Mike F, Correct me if I'm wrong but the Scout never had a BOR, did he? From what I read the SM made the determination during the SM conference that this Scout didn't perform the duties of his office. And that is his perogative. Sure there are some problems in this Troop. There are problems in every Troop. And the Scout admitted he didn't really do his job. And since there is a new SM the situation will hopefully change regarding the training of the youth leadership. I think the SM in this case handled this situation well. Signing off on this requirement at this time would be a great disservice to the Scout and could set a dangerous percedent in the Troop. Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

I sort of feel the same as dsteele about homeschooling. And yes, the public school system is geared for the average kid. I don;t think homeschooling is always the answer. We need to learn to work & play well with all types of people. Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

"He also had a written outline of the position description, specific duties, etc. Scout was physically present for most activities, but by his own admission pretty much didn't do anything." This sticks out. The Scout realizes he didn't do his job. So why should the requirement be signed off? And the short answer to your question "Can the SM be directed to sign a requirement he doesn't believe has been met?" is no. Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

I'm sure that knot means a lot to those who earn it! Ed Mori

Mike F, Thanks. It seems from your last post that the Scouts is in agreement with the SM that he needs to develop his leadership skills more. It also seems from an earlier post that the parents are really the ones pushing this Scouts acvancement. Since he is the SM and he doesn't feel this Scout has performed the duties of his office he has every right to do what he did. A little more time might do this Scout a lot of good. Ed Mori

"To be concerned about the apearance of favoritism stems from a misunderstanding of the purpose and procedure of the requirement." One opinion. Another is so there actually isn't any favoritism. Ed Mori

Serve actively. Another one of those terms that can mean many things to many people. I feel it means perform the duties of the office. Was this Scout aware of the duties of the Scribe? Did he ever ask how he was doing? Did the SM ever review how he was doing? Ed Mori

Dave, Will do. Sorry. How can one show favortism in a SM conference? Easy! Don't do it & sign the book saying you did! This is also dishonest and I am in no way condoning this. sst, You're welcome. Ed Mori(This message has been edited by evmori)

Bob, Everything is black & white for you isn't it? Well, in the real world there are a lot of gray areas and to me this is one of them. I only counseled my son on one Eagle required merit badge. Why? Same reason. I wanted no perception of impropriety. There was none & I didn't want anyone to even think there was. Just because it isn't in a BSA manual or publication doesn't mean it isn't the right thing to do. Ed Mori

Never heard that before. Sounds like the stuff urban legends are made of.

Adrianvs, The on site activities are C.O.P.E., Discovery and a climbing wall. The off site activities are caving, horseback riding & whitewater. Ed Mori

I like acco's take. When my son was advancing & I was SM, I too defered the SM conferences to ASM's for the same reason. That way, no one can point the finger & say there was any favoritism. I know it is not in any BSA policy. But it makes sense. Ed Mori

I guess it all depends on where you go to summer camp! The one I attend has quite a few on & off camp activities other than merit badges. A Scout can actually go to camp for a week & never attend a merit badge class. I don't think the counselors at summer camps need to be experts. They need to be good teachers. They need to have positive attitudes. Ed Mori

I'm a boomer. Born in 1956. We fight for causes. The generation before us was wraped up in what they had. Generation X is wrapped up in themselves & what is in it for them. Ed Mori

It's really not up to the Troop on how to handle it. It is up to the counselor. Now as a merit badge counselor, if a Scout and his buddy cam to me for the completion of a partial I would review what he has already done & set up a schedule for completion of the badge. Ed Mori