FScouter

This is an interesting topic, but since it doesnt deal with political parties, foreign affairs, the Constitution, religions or lack thereof, homosexuality, racism, or global warming, Im moving it out of the Issues & Politics forum.

There is only one "leader" in a den; that would be the den leader. The den leader might select an assistant den leader, maybe even two, but five "leaders" and 15 boys, where a vote must be taken, is not a BSA den. I'd suggest investing $5 in a copy of the Cub Scout Leader Book and reading it. You'd be amazed at the problems it will solve for you, provided you (and the others) follow it's guidance.

[The other post from alleposte with the extra long subject line was causing wrapping anomalies. I'm combining it with this topic.] new forum for scouts from all over the world.. www.scoutcommunity.forumcommunity.net

Yes, there is an official statement from the national council: http://www.scouting.org/Media/InsigniaGuide.aspx Note there is nothing mentioned about any "national event", but it does classify OA issued patches as being temporary insignia which may be worn on the right pocket. Only one jamboree patch is worn on the uniform, unless the 2nd patch is from a world jamboree in which case it goes on the right pocket, not above where it would crowd with a national jamboree patch

As you discovered, the slide sequence is wrong. All of the DVDs in the initial release were wrong. They are being replaced and I believe if you contact your council you can get a replacement DVD,or the supply division or local Scout Shop will replace it.

Uh, are you trying to pick a fight GW???

"FWIW, I noted that in another forum, one moderator, having given warning but leaving the offending messages untouched, was then 'one-upped' by another moderator who deleted those two posts. This practice is discourteous ..." Are you protecting the membership here? When, what posts, what forum are you referring to? How can anyone challege your assertion if you don't reveal the example?

Barry, I do support the national council double checking the paperwork. The district would be wrong to make the patch or medal available when the national council has clearly said to not do so. But I completely disagree with telling a boy hes not really an Eagle Scout when he has completed all the requirements. If the advancement chair feels this is such an important point, the board should tell the boy at the conclusion of his board of review that he will hear back in a few weeks if the rank has been earned.

I think you answered the question and provided a good example.

Ive sat on a good number of Eagle boards of review. After weve had our talk, we dismiss the boy while we consider. If the board decides he has met all the requirements, we call him back in with his parents, Scoutmaster, and anyone else that is there with him. The board chair makes the congratulatory announcement. Invariably the boy sports an ear-to-ear grin. Mom, Pop, and Scoutmaster are bursting with pride. Handshakes, hugs, kisses, and tears all around. Mom pulls out the camera. I cannot imagine how cruel it would be telling a boy he has met all the requirements and has successfully completed his Eagle Scout board of review, but youre not really an Eagle Scout until the national council signs off on it. BOO! HISS! I do tell the boy that his application will be forwarded to the national council for verification of the details and if there are no discrepancies, the official certificate will arrive in 2-4 weeks. At that time he will be able to get his medal and rank patch. He may start planning his court of honor but must wait until the certificate arrives before scheduling it. But as of right now, YOU ARE AN EAGLE SCOUT! Well done man!

Official BSA awards are always described in the BSA publications. It could well be that the "Achiever" award is newly recognized and will show up in the next printing of the Cub Scout Leader Book. If anyone runs across a BSA update about it, post it so we can all learn about it.

There has been endless discussion in the forums about those who "lord it up" by sewing a 1/2" patch on their uniform. I just never could see how anyone could get aggravated over the other guy having something they did not. The same objections could be said of the guy that has a newer car or a fancy new backpack. Anybody can have any car or backpack or award they want; just put in the sweat, money, leadership, or whatever is required to get it. What's the big deal about what the other guy has?

This country would be better off if we spent more money on things like the National Endowment for the Arts, public works, education, and less on non-productive activities like war. Anybody know what percentage of our GDP goes towards "defense"?

For years the Scout Shop has sold all kinds of doo-dad-y patches, especially Cub related. I'm not sure the sole criteria for a BSA award is that a patch is sold in the Scout Shop.

The new uniform parts will be available soon and I'm sure there will be more formal guidance about wearing it too. Until then we have one line found in the official brochure: "Transitional pieces to mix and match with your current uniform." What is a transitional piece?

Super Acheiver is an award given to boys who complete all 20 Webelos Activity Badges. It is an award for any and all boys who earn it (it should make mention of it in the Webelos Handbook). There is no BSA award for a Webelos Scout earning all 20 activity awards. Youll find no discussion about it in any BSA publication nor on the BSA web site. That does not mean the local council is forbidden from creating some kind of recognition. Some councils have a recognition of some sort; they go by different names and the patches, pins, or certificates are of local design. Its strictly a local thing. I'm happy to accept that for whatever good reasons, BSA does not support this kind of award.

What change in date are you referring to? Our council calender was released last year and no dates have changed. In fact the 5-year calendar has popcorn dates already set.

" got this news from the Scout Store when I tried to exchange my new pants for the correct sized pants. They said they are no longer making the "old" switchbacks and I can not get the wrong size exchanged for the new size (34 x30) that would fit me." Of course you can't get a different size of a discontinued product. The supply division may have some. Or ask to return them for a refund and then buy the new style. From the Scoutstuff website: http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/contactus.aspx Our promise to you You are the final judge of our products. If, for any reason, you are dissatisfied with any item purchased from the Boy Scouts of America, you can either exchange the item for a replacement or receive a full and complete refund. No questions asked. Give them a call; the phone number is on the website.

Here's a letter from the supervisor in charge of the project from the Forest Service side. (from another Scouting forum) Dear Steve, Some of you may have become aware of a story that all or part of the Bridger Teton (BT) Service Project has been cancelled. I want to assure you that the Bridger Teton project is going forward. Here is the situation. A group called the Rainbow Family decided at the end of May 2008 to hold its annual gathering in Wyoming - someplace in the Bridger Teton National Forest from July 1-7, 2008. During the first week of June, they announced that they would locate this year's gathering at the Dutch Joe/Big Sandy area (DJ). The annual gathering of the Rainbow Family can number more than 10,000. As of last week, there were approximately 1,500 people already at the DJ location. The Forest Service communicated that there was a conflict in use of the area but the Family members were already moving into the area developing their kitchens, latrines, and infrastructure, etc. Discussions designed to get the Rainbow Family to move to one of the locations originally offered by the USFS were not successful. While many members of the Rainbow supported the move to avoid a conflict in use of the area, the group could not gain agreement among themselves to make the move. The DJ is the same area where we were planning to conduct fence removal, habitat improvement and trail building - it was one of our two remote project locations. Our plan was to locate approximately 150 staff and participants at the Dutch Joe location. While most of the Rainbow group will be gone by the time we arrive in late July, the impact on the land and environment will not have had a chance to recover by the time we arrive. After discussions with the Forest Service, I made the decision to seek an alternate project site rather than bringing our participants and staff into the Dutch Joe area following the Gathering. At this time, we will not be conducting the project at the DJ location this summer. In conjunction with the USFS, we have secured another beautiful area in which to provide service and the 150 participants and staff with a great experience and program. We will be removing fence and addressing a number of trail improvement projects near the Gros Ventre Wilderness area. Rest assured our BT staff and our USFS partners are going to make the alternate project just as successful and meaningful as the DJ site. While the DJ site was beautiful, the Gros Ventre is a great site too. The location isn't as important as the service, leadership, program and fellowship opportunities ArrowCorps5 is all about. I look forward to seeing you and your contingent in a few weeks as we gather in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The 1,100 of us participating in the BT project will soon make history by completing our commitment to service in 2008. Dan Segersin Bridger Teton Incident Commander

Might I suggest the spin-off feature is a good way to fully discuss parlimentary procedure, unless of course it directly relates to district committee meetings.

Your forbearance is appreciated by 10,000 forum members.

"Lah me, another Scouter who can't read. " I don't know exactly what that's supposed to mean, but it's probably safe to say it's some kind of insult. EMB knows what he's talking about and I seem to recall he's a regional director of the National Association of Parlimentarians. If you choose to get into it with him he could surely rip you to shreads. OGE could do the same.

When they started making the shirts overseas, I didn't see a dramatic drop in price. Silly you. The director of the supply division saved so much money he rewarded himself with a new Rolls Royce.

"The noise is being made by people who think it IS a big deal." Are you referring to the "noise" being made by those that want in, or that of those that want to keep them out? All "noise" on any topic is made by those that object. Those that like it, believe in it, or are complacent remain silent. Without noise, we'd be a nation of apathetic drones.

I'd say since you don't have a real Venturing Crew, make up some other title for the leader, perhaps Exalted Ruler or Supreme Potentate.