Fat Old Guy

Okay, maybe not a medal but a certificate of some sort. Ozemu, you're right, we do pass out medals like the Easter Bunny passes out Jelly Beans.

"small 'burb in Westchester County just outside the Big Apple...nice," Is that anywhere near Asgard? Hope not, New York is my idea of Hell on Earth.

I'm headed for Valhalla so Bob White won't be there.

"It's my understanding that a Scouter should wear the uniform and insignia of the position for which they are currently working when wearing the uniform." This is true but it often isn't the case. Not many are willing to buy a new uniform for every position. I have a friend who is Roundtable Commissioner, Troop Committee Member and Cubmaster. Another friend is ASM, Asst. District Commissioner, District Vice Chair, AND he sits on a Council Committee (all in that one hour a week). He has a different shirt for each position.

When I received an award a few years ago, I had an inkling that I was getting something because my wife insisted on coming to the District Awards Dinner. "Hmmmmmm..." I said, "something is up." but I wasn't sure and I acted very surprised when my name was announced (even my wife, who knows me very well, thought that I was surprised). I like the element of surprise. Our troop always sends a large contingent to the District Dinner so it usually isn't a problem getting the awardee there. Maybe the solution is to get more people to go on a regular basis so more people can be surprised.

I know that Bob White "will never see this" (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) but I'd like some references, including page numbers. I have the Scoutmaster Handbook and the Advancement Committee A&P here but I can't find anything that says that it is the responsibility of the SM to chase down Scouts for SM Conferences. There is mention in the Scout Handbook that after an SM Conf, the SM will schedule a BOR but that's all I can find. I'm also looking for this bit about BORs being at the convenience of the Scout but I can't find that either.

If donatations aren't fortcoming from the church or Council, start looking at rummage sales and thrift shops. I've found complete uniforms. For books, try used book stores and thrift shops. Not long ago, I came across six brand new handbooks in a used book store. Something that I've thought about doing for my district is getting the local paper to run a small story about needing "experienced" uniforms. If nothing else, think of all the uniforms that belong to kids that dropped out after crossover. They buy a uniform, wear it for a month and then quit. Mom would probably love to get rid of it.

Put that kid in for a medal.

We have an annual 30 mile hike on the AT. The younger guys go to the campsite and do a five mile out and five mile back hike. The older guys also go skeplunk . . . splekunk. . .. . sperklunk. . . caving every year. We're trying to encourage them to do more high adventure stuff rather than just sitting around saying, "we're bored." But it isn't working. (This message has been edited by Fat Old Guy)

Bobo Blanco claimed, "At the insistance of a friend I have unsquelched FOG and Ed in this thread. " Go on! Get outta here! You have a friend? Nah. .. . really? "FOG, you did not post first on this thread, Ed did." I stand or sit corrected, I started the thread that this thread spun off of. "I return now to resquelch the two of them. I invite, even encourage, them to do the same to me." Nah, your comments provide too much amusement.

"If you read the brochure for Merit Badge Counseling Orientation, you will see that the conversation you suggest having with "anyone" is supposed to happen with the SM." Classic Bob White. I'm not the SM or even the ASM but I'm known as a wellspring of Scouting information in my Troop. It isn't unusual for Scouts to come to me and say something like, "I work on my dirt bike all the time, would that qualify for Auto Mechanics?" I didn't realize that I should send him to the SM who would send him right back to me. I'll start following procedures.

Bobo Blanco stated, "Mark, I never thought you ever baited me. I was refering to the originator of the thread." Bobo, how could I be baiting you? You claim that you've squelched my posts so I would think that you wouldn't have seen it. In any case, I was posing my questions for people who think and can do more than spout the company line.

" realize that some merit badge counsellors will "only" work with specific troops, but I have a problem with that. If you sign up to be merit badge counsellor you should be available to any boy from any troop in your council/district." Some do it because they want to continue to have a life outside of Merit Badge Counselling. I know a fellow who was a Swimming and Lifesaving counselor but quit because no one had bothered to tell him that he could say no and he was seeing Scouts five or six days a week.

Mk..., I didn't find being called "mainstream" insulting, just interesting. As for attacks on others, I believe the main focus of my negative comments has been Bobo Blanco and I don't know if that will ever change. It won't change as long as he espouses ignoring the Guide to Safe Scouting while continuing to claim that the "powers that be" know what's best for Scouting and that to question their decisions is to be a bad Scouter.

Mk.... said, "I should not be attempting to speak for Bob, but if you're right, he won't speak for himself. But when I read the other thread, I made the assumtion it was FOG he had squelched, not you." He's squelched me, Ed, and he claims to have zapped Wheeler as well. However, we all know what Bob's word is worth. "Although I think FOG has become much more mainstream" Mainstream? Good Golly (edited to avoid offending the devout), I hope that never happens. I hope that I never accept anything without questioning just because it is handed down from on high (unlike someone else, who will remain nameless but whose initials are Bob White). "than when he first started posting, I get the feeling Bob is never going to like FOG." That's because I've called him a pedantic book-thumper and he knows that I'm right. Of course, he'll never "read" this so he can't respond. LOL! Bobo said, "Baiting to me would be to introduce another posters name into a thread in a negative manner in order to try and force them to respond or react defensively. I have not done it . . ." Har! (of course, Bobo won't see my derisive laughter).

I'm with the other people here. This isn't Cub Scouts where everyone works on building a paper mache mask together. However, it sounds like neither troop is really following the program with their "merit badge sessions."

" The patches get on much straighter and better positioned if they're glued first." I prefer to staple them in place. One of the best ideas that I've heard about for a uniform exchange isn't a free uniform bank at all. I don't remember where I heard about this but,as I recall, they charged $10 for a uniform item and when you returned it, you got a $5 credit toward your next item. This kept things affordable and encouraged people to trade in uniforms.

We usually limit friends to boys that are potential members. Unfortunately, in two years, only one boy who wasn't a member came on any outing.

Being a card carrying member of the Uniform Police, I am required to point out that making a neckerchief other than the official size is a big no-no. That said, I am a scofflaw and wear one that is huge.

Didn't Smamantha Stevens used to say, "Oh my stars and garters!"? That's an expression that popped up in 18th century England and is a reference to awards and honors bestowed by the crown.

Here's the current requirements for an Eagle Palm, bear in mind that all requirements must be met before the Scout's 18th birthday (under normal circumstances). Eagle Palm Requirements Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 3 months after becoming an Eagle Scout or after award of last Palm. Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life. Make a satisfactory effort to develop and demonstrate leadership ability. Earn five additional merit badges beyond those required for Eagle or last palm. *Merit badges earned any time since becoming a Boy Scout may be used to meet this requirement. Take Part in a Scoutmaster conference. The big sticking point is that a Scout has to show the motivation to do something. If he just sits around like a bump on a log, he shouldn't get the palms. Even if he had 36 merit badges at 13 and his Eagle at 14, if he doesn't ask for the SM conference until one month before his 18th birthday, all he's going to get is one palm.

"Does anyone have uniform banks anymore? If not, I'd say to put an item in the community section of your local paper calling all former scouts and former leaders to donate their uniform parts" We have one in our troop. Right now it consists of three shirts. Since virtually no one buys the pants, we don't get any pants donated. I don't know how many people would want to give up their uniforms unless they had moved up to another size. My brother was last a Boy Scout in 1968 and his uniform still hangs in his closet as a momento.

Ed, one of the things that you have to think about with popcorn is the BIG PICTURE. A good chunk of the profit goes to Council to pay for your DE, camps, etc.. The more popcorn that you sell, the less they'll come after you for FOS.

Sure I'm baiting you all. I'm dangling bait to make you think.

" I have given a thumbs up to everyone on this thread a thumbs up, except for FOG. I'm not smart enough to agree with him. ;^)" At least you're smart enough to recognize that :-)