FScouter

Terms like debate, dissent, opposition, limiting discussion, votes, and parlimentary procedure implies that decisions are being made by the committee. I learned that the committee doesn't make decisions at all. The decisions are made by the patrol leaders' council. The purpose of the committee is to support the PLC in carrying out those decisions. I don't see any place for governance by the committee.

Perhaps "registered parent" means a parent that filled out the form, paid the fee, and registered for the event. "Registered leaders" probably means registered with BSA.

No charge PDF from the BSA national site: Individual Scout Record #34518B http://www.scouting.org/forms/34518.pdf First Class / First Year tracking sheet #34118B http://www.scouting.org/forms/34118.pdf

Does anybody use the troop flag anymore? It's got your community name on it.

The scenarios presented in the training tapes show ideal situations. It may not be realistic to expect that YOUR troop is going to operate with that level of efficiency and precision right out of the starting gate. View those tapes with the idea that this is what you are working towards in your own unit. I'd even suggest watching them every year or so as a reminder of how a troop can operate, with properly trained boy and adult leaders following the program.

Wojaue - It honestly was not my intention to make anyone feel like an idiot. Your statement about the committee arguing back and forth is a pet peeve of mine. Sometimes a discussion develops about the official policy regarding a topic. For example person "A" states that the policy is for 2-deep leadership, and supports it with the written document, such as the G2SS book. Person "B" argues back that there is another policy that requires 3-deep leadership which trumps the G2SS. He can't produce the source, has no backup, and says something like "it's official!". My challege to person "B" would be to produce the written source, otherwise we're only obligated to follow the policy that we have in the G2SS. That usually ends the arguing. In his initial post Proud Eagle quoted his camp director as arguing that "national made the rule and that if anyone had a problem with it they should take it up with them." I find that to be an arrogant attitude. In your case with the OA, there certainly is nothing wrong with providing separate facilities for 3 age groups. It just doesn't seem like something that needs to be argued about. Again, I apologize for offending you.

There is no training course for the pack trainer. Like Bob said, it is a leadership position within the Pack. You should plan to take the Trainer Development Conference through your council. Work with your district training chair.

"It would be nice if there was clearly stated policy so that planning commitees wouldn't be wasting time arguing about what to do every time the situation comes up. " There are clearly written policies for things that are policies. In other words you will never find a written policy that covers a situation for which there is no policy. The G2SS contains the separate accomodations policy. If someone on the planning committee is arguing that there is additional policy "somewhere", assign that person to get a written copy of the policy he wants to see, and report back. In the absence of a written policy, there is no "policy". That means that if it ain't written, it ain't a policy. Rumors and "I heard it somewhere" do not constitute policy.

If a particular flag is not designed to be raised and lowered on a mast, it obviously cannot be displayed at half mast. The rule doesn't say anything about re-engineering flags without masts. Therefore, display it as it was designed to be displayed and don't worry about any fallout.

There are some publications available at the Scout Shop that do a good job of discussing the organization and function of councils: "The Council" #33071D "Council Nominating Committee Worksheet" #33156A "Orientation Guide for Council Officers and Executive Board Members" #33161B They're not fast-moving items, so you may have to call the supply division at (800) 323-0732 to order them.

Interesting. You expressed misgivings about the course SM last year. You offered to do it yourself. Sounds like they are taking you up on your offer, a year late. A suspicious person might say this was a setup for failure. All the more reason to back away from it.

I recollect he said "The bombing starts in five minutes." He thought it was funny at the time, but many observers believed he was voicing his true feelings about the Soviets. Too soon to tell what BP's true feelings are. We've heard two tales.

In my opionion a course in shambles is worse than no course at all. You didn't say how much time is left, but if you have less than 6-8 weeks I'd say it's too late to properly make it happen. Ideally, planning for these things should start 6 months or more in advance.

" ... wildfire that destroyed more than 14,000 acres ... ". It's interesting that whenever the press reports a fire, they state the number of acres involved and report the land as being "destroyed". Fire is a natural process that has been going on since the beginning of time. The land is not destroyed.

Note that the cap is "optional". That doesn't mean "optional" to the whim of individuals at any particular moment. It means optional by vote of the troop.

Don't fall into the trap of going after free money. Boy Scouts earn their own way. We don't ask for handouts. A boy earning his own way builds character. Asking for handouts does not.

The liability umbrella covers unit activities assuming you follow the rules. However, if you violate G2SS rules you may find that BSA will not defend you and your chartered org. You may find yourself personally liable. Filing a permit is one of the rules and if you don't have one when an accident occurs, you'll find yourself on the hotseat. Another aspect is that the favorable liability insurance premium rates that BSA has negotiated with its carriers is predicated on BSA having good G2SS policies, and on units following the rules. If too many units violate the rules, or have problems resulting from not following the rules, claims may get denied, and rates will jump. Ultimately, insurance claims are paid by the policy holders through higher rates.

The leader's guide for the camp our troop is attending says "Official Scout Uniform is appropriate dress at anytime during the week. The camp especially encourages Scouts and adults to wear their uniforms when arriving at camp, during dinner, at campfires and when leaving camp." Funny it doesn't mention the morning flag raising.

By "PC" do you mean it depicts actions that are inconsistent with the Scout Promise and Scout Law?

One of the purposes of a tour permit is so the council can review your tour plan to see if you have enough leaders, properly trained, drivers with auto insurance, and to see if your plan might violate G2SS rules. The idea is to avoid potential probems before they the event takes place, regardless of what entity may or may not be found liable.

This sounds like nothing more than a tempest in a teapot. After boiling down 15 or 20 posts from our regulations friend we seem to have nothing more than BSA runs 8 on a boat with agreement from the Coast Guard, while other operations are limited to 6.

A Philmont trek usually qualifies for the 50 mile afoot award. Both the Afoot and the Afloat awards require 10 hours of conservation work (per person), ideally done somewhere along the 50 miles. It may be done elsewhere if necessary. The requirements and application are on page 2 of this link: http://www.scouting.org/forms/34408.pdf

As a start, I'd suggest the national BSA website: For a basic overview of scouting: http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/faststart/concepts/index.html For basic info about the troop committee: http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/faststart/committee/index.html For basic info about troops: http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/faststart/index.html For basic info about Scouting: http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/index.html Fast Start training should be the first stop for any new leader, or interested parent, followed by New Leader Essentials training. Fast Start comes in different flavors: Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing. Take your pick, or do them all. Borrow a video tape from the Scout office, or view the training on-line through the national web site. Attend the Roundtable meeting and ask a lot of questions. Books: Troop Committee Guidebook Scoutmaster Handbook Cub Scout Leader Guide All are available at the Scout Shop, and each one has an extensive list of further resources.

What makes you think that BSA operates uninspected, illegal boats? Are you employed by the Coast Guard, or BSA, or what? Are you a volunteer leader in BSA, an interested parent, or ??

If "this has been brought up to Irving with no response", it's not hard to see why. You have not specified anything at all that indicates anything wrong. What Coast Guard regulation has been violated? What safety rules are not being followed? What things "are not right...but, won't change" ? What accusations are you making about 300 pounds, and 13 years old?