FScouter

It's not a restricted item. Order one from your Scout Shop.

It's fairly easy to explain why the SS # is required on the adult leader application and prospective leaders generally don't object. But the boy application also asks for the SS# of the parent, plus that of the boy. What's the rationale behind that? Some parents leave those boxes blank and I don't push the issue because I can't think of any logical reason why BSA needs that info. Does BSA do background check on boys and parents too?

There are several resources that discuss the nominating committee and election process: District Nominating Committee Worksheet # 33157D The District Nominating Committee video # AV-06V006 Selecting District People # 34512E The District #33070C Highlights of District Operations for the 21st Century video # AV-06V002A Any particular council may have bylaws that differ slightly from the national publications. Council bylaws are the last word. Summarizing the above resources: 90 days prior to the district annual meeting, the district chairman will submit a proposed nominating committee to the council president for approval. The president can add or delete names as he sees fit. Members of the nominating committee do not have to be registered members of BSA. If there is a vacancy for the district commissioner, the council president may ask the council commissioner to serve on the nominating committee. If he is asked to serve, he would serve as an equal. Once the president approves the makeup of the nominating committee, the committee meets to develop the slate of candidates for district chairman, vice-chairmen, and members at large. These are the only 3 positions that are elected. The members of the nominating committee should be announced to district Scouters so that suggestions for nominations may be submitted. The DE would meet with the nominating committee not as a member of the committee, but only as an advisor. The nominating committee also selects a nominee for district commissioner. The district commissioner is not elected, but is approved by the council executive board and the Scout executive. The individual must be an elected member at large. The election takes place at the annual district business meeting. It is conducted by the chairman of the nominating committee, when called upon by the district chairman. Those eligible to vote include all current members of the district committee, and including members of the council committee if they reside in the district. The vote is carried by the majority of members present at the meeting. Nominees do not have to be present at the meeting to be elected. Chartered organization representatives are automatically members of the district committee. They are not elected, but are selected by their respective chartered organizations. Newly elected members take office immediately. (Whether that means they are the group that then elects the district chairman and vice-chairmen, to the exclusion of the outgoing members at large would be determined by the specific council bylaws.) After the election, the new district chairman appoints the chairmen for the three functions of membership, finance, and program. Those chairmen will then build their committees. All of these people are drawn from the pool of members at large. Individuals are not elected to specific committee positions, but are appointed by the chairmen of the three functions. The only specific positions elected are that of district chairman and district vice-chairmen, if vice-chairmen positions are used in the district. The nominating committee should stay active throughout the year to help fill district committee vacancies. Any nominees must be elected at a district meeting.

Silver-Shark - I'm not sure what you're trying to say. The uniform discussion in the Handbook describes the uniform and when to where it. Joni4TA asked "What I am confused on is if all that you people have said is true... about the uniform not being 'required'...". It has been said many times on this forum that the uniform is not required. Some interpret that because the book doesn't specifically say in bold print "must, mandatory, and required", that the uniform is optional. My personal view is that the uniform is required just the same as an outdoor program is required, adult association is required, advancement is required, and all of the eight methods of Boy Scouting are required. Boy Scouting is not Boy Scouting without the 8 methods, and uniform is one of those methods.

Packs don't merge. One dies, and others pick up the kids and maybe leaders that want Scouting. I'd be careful about picking up leaders from a dying pack without knowing why they lost their boys. Quality, trained leaders don't equate with a dying pack. Good luck controlling which way the bunny hops.

The weakness on one pack has zip to do with the success of the other. Ed had given us the fact that there are enough kids in town to support two packs. If those missing kids are not in either pack, it isn't because one pack has a strong program. Agreeing with Bob, this isn't a recruitment problem. Build the program and those missing kids will come out of the woodwork.

The only instance I can think of where the committee would say "No, you can't" would be if the activity violated the Guide to Safe Scouting. Even then, they should say instead, "Yes, you can, if you address these G2SS issues." Can you think of any other reason to say "NO"?

Hmmm ... I've always figured that anything sold by BSA is considered "official".

I'd look at the program the pack is offering. Kids will be drawn to a strong program. Strengthen the leadership, strengthen the program, and the kids will come.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Tiger den meetings are run by the Tiger Den Leader, the same as in other dens. The difference is that each boy is required to have an adult partner present. Parent involvenment and assistance is not the same as being a Den Leader.

Adults sometimes forget that their role in Scouting is not to ensure perfectly planned and executed campouts and activities. The adult committee, with their collective knowledge and experience, can certainly do a better job at planning and executing, but in doing so the boys learn nothing. One of the purposes of the Scouting experience is to give boys opportunities to demonstrate leadership, and to plan and execute their own activities. This is real life practice for what they will encounter as adults. Let them learn and improve now, and give them a running start on adulthood.

As with scratch-off lottery tickets, the big winner is the company that manufactures the tickets.

The Handbook does NOT say The uniform is required to be a Boy Scout, The uniform must be worn, or Wearing the uniform is a requirement for rank advancement. Therefore, the uniform is not required. The Handbook does NOT say The uniform is optional, Wear whatever uniform parts you like, or The PLC or Scoutmaster or Committee shall decide what constitutes a uniform. The Handbook correctly describes what the uniform is, and when it is appropriate to wear it. The Scoutmaster handbook has it right, as you said. The uniform is a method, and used properly, boys will be motivated and proud to wear it. Everything else being equal, I think its fair to say that troops that blow off the uniform cannot be as successful as those that fully utilize this Scouting method.

Welcome back! "I can still remember my Mom's proud face beaming down at her little new Cub Scout." Kids remember this stuff, and you're the proof. This is one of the reasons recognition is so important in Scouting.

There will always be 1 or 2 or 3 families that will have a problem with the date or the cost or the details. What I have learned is that making changes to accommodate some people will create conflicts for others. The date has been set and approved. Go with it. Even if everyone would agree to the changes, you set a precedent. People will come to expect that you will alter the troop plans if they have a last minute conflict.

The uniform may not be the appropriate attire when out in the forest such that a lot of equipment needs to be carried at the waist. A police belt would not be needed when the uniform is most appropriate.

"...it does seem to me that we are dealing with nuances that are subject to interpretation. " Did your DE sign off on your Unit Money-Earning Application? What was his interpretation?

During heavy exercise such as hiking in the sun carrying a backpack, the body sweats for cooling purposes. To maintain a normal water/salt balance in the body, salt is sweat out in proportion to the amount of water. When the thirsty hiker drinks water, the normal water/salt balance changes and becomes heavy on the water. If more salt is lost and more water is drunk, water intoxication could conceivably occur. Eating a little food while hiking should add back most of the lost salt (sodium). Better yet would be to drink plenty of water beforehand. That would cause the body to sweat more water and less salt to keep a good balance. My personal opinion is that Gatorade is a waste of money. If God intended us to drink that stuff, it would be flowing in the creeks.

Tell us, what is a Rover Scout?

A short needle helps too.

Sew it on by hand. It's not exactly a piece of cake, but it can be done so the finished job looks good and the pocket is still a pocket.

Upload the graphic to your personal web page, and post a link to it in a response to the thread.

I'm not a physiologist, but can not a healthy set of kidneys correct the imbalance in short order?

"My son is six and a wolf cub." I don't get it. Your boy is six and completed the first grade already?? Cajuncody quoted the rule as age eight or completed the first grade. What's the straight scoop here? Eamonn, if you understand this, I'm really in a sorry state.

Call the National Distribution Center in North Carolina at (800) 323-0732. They will deliver to your door. It helps if you have a catalog. If not, call them and they'll send you one.