FScouter

"I've been told that unless it's non-profit or charitable organization, it violates 'national rules.' " Ahhh, the infamous "national" rears it's ugly head once again. Or so they would have you believe. The "national rules" refrain is a favorite one used to instill fear. It's usually invoked to defend an indefensible position.

Among others, the tenure requirement is "Complete one year as a registered Tiger Cub den leader."

Ask you council advancement volunteers for the reference material they use to determine whether a project is worthy for the Eagle rank. Non-profit is too simplistic. Lots of non-profit groups would be not be acceptable for an Eagle project: BSA, ACLU, NRA. This horse project sounds like a good example of a worthy project that is not for a non-profit. The Eagle workbook and the Advancement Committee Policies book would be primary reference sources. Neither mention non-profit.

If you ask the boys that are joining, they will tell you they want to be with their friends. I'd consider that to be the primary consideration.

Good point Barry. I think we are sometimes too quick to "adapt to the most efficient methods" without first thinking through what the goals are we are trying to accomplish. It is readily evident: the Scoutmaster that appoints the "best" boy leaders, committee treasurers that insist on a "troop menu" on campouts to enable more cost effective buying of food, bylaws and rule lists so we don't have to think, etc. Sadly, CNY's Wood Badge staff appears to be stuck in the same trap and is spreading this kind of efficiency as a goal in itself.

" 1) SM decides whether or not patrol QM meets his standard of leadership and service. " That's an interesting thought, but it's not the rank requirement. If the SM really does have such a wide latitude to determine what is and is not an adequate position of responsibility, then the rank requirement would not have a specific list of acceptable postions. Rather it would say simply "the SM has a wide latitude and decides what positions meet his standard."

If it is the intent that patrol positions meet the requirements for Star or Life rank, why does the requirement not also list patrol scribe, patrol grubmaster, patrol cheermaster, and the rest of the patrol positions?? The alternative to holding a listed position of responsibility is carry out a Scoutmaster-assigned leadership project to help the troop". Id really question how one of these patrol positions help the troop, and 2nd, the SM does not assign patrol positions. That is the domain of the patrol leader, not the SM.

Correct me if I'm wrong anybody, but there is no position called "troop scribe". I believe the SM handbook refers to "scribe", QM etc., which are the positions that meet the rank requirement. The book goes on to describe patrol positions such as patrol scribe, patrol cheermaster, etc. There is no mention that the "patrol" positions meet the rank requirement.

"... my fellow staffer suggested that a Troop combine patrols on a camping trip to make up larger groups ..." The statement makes no sense. Obviously the result of combining patrols will make a larger group. That is what will happen! The question is WHY WHY WHY is a larger group a good thing, so good that the patrol method must be abandoned to get this good, good, good larger group?? The last time our troop had a campout with a patrol of two boys, both of them told me that cooking and cleanup was a whole lot easier than with a full patrol. Makes sense to me; 2 boys make less of a mess than 8 boys.

Is "patrol scribe" listed as one of the positions of responsibility required for the rank?

If boys stay home because they don't want to cook, that says a lot about how (not) fun their campouts are. Some adults look at the patrol method as more work for them and will rationalize avoiding it. Once you get the patrol method working well, everything is easier.

There is nothing written in any BSA publication that says YPT ever expires.

Except for a government entity, I don't believe any org is exempt from sales tax.

"I guess you think we should have sat out WWII - don't want to go sticking our nose in other's business." Don't be fooled. We provocated the attack drawing us into WW2 by first sticking our noses into the business of a tiny island 2,000 miles off our nearest shore.

"Why were they hating us, from '93 to 2001? " The United States has a hundred year history of sticking our arrogant noses into the affairs of other countries, solely to protect our economic interests. That's why people hate us.

Why wait until December? If he has earned now, present it now.

Why not ask him where that is written, so you can learn more about it?

Somehow I'm not convinced we can win a war by pounding the "enemy" into submission. We would win a lot more by taking a hard look at why we continue to do things that result in people in other countries hating us.

The G2SS says 10 hours driving per day, and to not drive at night. I'd recommend getting the booklet Tours and Expeditions #33737. It talks about organization, transportation, overnight stays, eating, budgeting, among other things.

When we use the program methods, and develop Scout spirit, good character is the result. I don't see character as something we specifically work on. It's an overused term, almost trite. I like the discussions of Scout spirit found in the Boy Scout Handbook under the Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, and 1st Class sections. They are all about living the Oath, Law, motto, and slogan every day.

A Camporee is a Boy Scout event, usually 2 nights. Because the event is designed for Boy Scout level activities, Webelos should not be taking part. Sometimes Webelos may be invited to visit for the day, not overnight. A Weboree is a similar event designed specifically for Webelos. Districts should be holding both events during the year. In our district, we don't have enough of committed volunteers to put on a Weboree, so Webelos are invited to attend the Boy Scout Camporee, despite BSA guidelines to the contrary. It doesn't work well. The best way for Webelos to camp with Boy Scouts is when a troop invites them and plans the campout with activities geared for their skill and experience level.

You might find something useful here http://www.marketing.scouting.org/resources/index.html/

bob

Neither the Quality Unit award nor the new Centennial award have any requirement that a unit sell popcorn or any other product.

Call the Supply Division. Their 800 number is on the inside front cover of the catalog. By the way, there are specific requirements to meet before the patch can be worn on the uniform. The Boy Scout Requirements booklet has the details.