FScouter

Have you taken BALOO training?

"... hash out whether the Jamboree benefits the government enough to avoid Establishment Clause problems." Does anyone really believe that holding a National Jamboree is akin to our government establishing a national religion?

WHY should we know how much an SE earns? How much SHOULD an SE be paid? And how doe one arrive at the proper amount?

Uh - that would be "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ...", also known as the first amendment of the Constitution. It's a no-no for the government to blatantly establish a national religion like that. They should be ashamed. The National Park Service broke that law when it accepted ownership of that pipe cross for war veterans. That guy from Oregon doesn't like the government forcing him to follow the new government religion. Thank God the ACLU is there to protect the citizenry.

Yeah, I'll bet most people don't realize the ACLU is funded by the taxpayers.

My understanding is that the Jamboree is a training exercise for the military. They learn what is involved in managing a very large encampment. BSA ought to charge them for the privilege.

The boys in the NSP get mentoring from older Scouts through their Troop Guide and from Instructors. They learn together. They advance more or less together. After a year they're no longer a NSP, they're a regular patrol.

"There will undoubtedly be lawsuits filed against the BSA due to this!" "Some one will sue the BSA because they will somehow blame the BSA for this!" "There could be lawsuits filed against the BSA because of this." I'd like to hear Ed tell us why he thinks someone will sue BSA as a result of this case, and what damages they will allege.

I misspoke earlier when I said "700" counselors. Many counselors are qualified for more than one MB. The number of individual counselors is closer to 175. Still, I don't think any Scoutmaster should be expected to evaluate the qualifications of counselors. That is the function of the district MB coordinator. I know our coordinator and trust that he has approved counselors that are competent in the subject matter and that work well with boys. Who am I to second guess? I don't believe Scoutmasters should be nixing counselors based on their personal preferences.

"There could be lawsuits filed against the BSA because of this." Ed, you've made this comment 3 times now in this thread. You must have something more to say about this to support your position. Who or what victim might file a lawsuit, and what damage would they be suing over??

If the SPL election is held at month 9, the PL's will be in mid term. If a current PL is elected as SPL, do you let the APL fill out the remaining term of the exiting PL? Hold an interim election?

I believe someone already pointed this out but it bears repeating. Scoutndad, as the DL, is NOT denying the advancement, and will NOT be responsible if the boy does not advance and will NOT be chasing the boy away from Scouting. The DL is merely stating that the requirements must be completed, and is ready willing and able to help the boy complete them. It is the the boy's family that has total control here, and the responsibility is totally theirs.

The SPL is elected at the same time as patrol leaders, usually around 8 months. He can be re-elected. The PLC wanted to set qualifications including rank, tenure with the troop, and number of nights camped. They are having second thoughts now about qualifications because they are finding out arbitrary qualifications have nothing to do with being a good SPL. At one point the qualifications were so strict that only one boy was qualified, so what was the point in having an "election"? The qualifications elected the SPL and the boys had no vote. They didn't like that.

I've never heard of this award. What can you tell us about it?

There certainly is nothing illegal about that, but $1.00 seems very high considering the merit badge books cost less than $3. Maybe you could allocate $50 from your next money-earning event to add to or replace part of your library. What is the problem your troop wants to solve?

The inside cover of the catalog states the policy, "satisfaction guaranteed". If you're not satisfied, return it.

It's one thing to berate a boy for minor positioning discrepancies after the fact. Better to teach him BEFORE he sews on the patch.

... see if the kids can't work out their differences. And what I'd personally do at that point would probably be to suggest a wrestling/boxing match between the two kids... You have obviously never been the object of a bully. The bully and the target have no differences to work out. This is not an argument between two kids. The last thing the target wants is duke it out with his tormentor. He wants to be LEFT ALONE.

"... if there is a BSA national-sanctioned web site which outlines what their most current versions of each merit badge pamphlet are ...". The only BSA sanctioned web site is their own. I'm not aware that current MB requirements are listed. Many unofficial sites have good information, but take it with a grain of salt. Some are out of date and it's hard to know what info on what sites is current and accurate. I have found that the best way to find out about MB revisions is to go to the Scout Shop in January when the new Requirements book is released and look at the inside front cover for the badges that have updated requirements. The changes are detailed in the book. Usually MB's are significantly revised so it's best to buy a new MB book.

I'd rather see a well-used Handbook than one in pristine condition that has been sitting on the bookshelf. I cannot imagine not having your book on a campout.

Thank you for posting.

How does a boy get to be a part of the corps patrol? Are the members elected, or appointed by the Scoutmaster, or ?

The requirements are found in the Leadership Training Committee Guide # 34169F. The latest version has been out for about 2 years. In the current version ("F"), requirements for several training related awards changed, including the Scoutmaster's Key. The progress record card was updated with the new requirements, but it still says "1993 Printing", obviously an oversight. The national website has the old requirements. Meritbadge.com links to the national site (old requirements.) USSSP lists old requirements (but incorrectly cites the latest Guide as the source). The current requirements are: Complete Boy Scout Fast Start Training, New Leader Essentials, Scoutmaster/Asst SM Specific training, Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills, and Troop Committee Challenge. Participate in one supplemental training course at the council or national level. Conduct troop junior leader training annually in each of 3 years. Participate in 2 additional training courses such as Wood Badge, YPT, TDC, etc. Participate in Roundtable at least 6 times per year for 3 years. Complete 3 years as Scoutmaster within a 5-year period. Earn troop Quality Unit 2 times.

It is no longer required to participate as an adult in JLTC (council level).

What I am getting at is that the pants available on the open market are every bit as good or better than the BSA pants for much less. Thats nice, but so what? Pants on the open market are plain old everyday pants any Joe can wear. WE get to wear genuine BSA uniform pants! Consider yourself lucky. Most people dont get this chance. there is no good reason that with the high prices for the uniform pants that members have to accept poorer quality goods. Thats nice. Why do you need a good reason? Heres a thought. Would it make a difference if BSA sold uniforms at cost? Or how about if BSA issued a uniform at no charge to all registered members? Would you all be OK with that arrangement?