FScouter

Over the last year or so the home page of Scouting.org has had a picture of a Scout in one part of the program or another. We've seen a Tiger Cub, a Webelos Scout, an Eagle Scout, etc. Now it's time to picture a Sea Scout, a girl at that. The picture will change in a week or two.

We have used them in our troop. The younger boys were always very enthused about them. At every meeting I would call up each boy that completed a rank requirement and award a green, white, or red bead. The only down side was that sometimes a knot would come loose and all the beads would fall off and be lost.

"...having people come together to effect change, now there is something " Hey, that sounds like a good Wood Badge ticket item!

"Is it just me, or are people in general just morons when it comes to social graces and common sense? " No, it's not just you. People in general are much more self-centered than half a generation back.

"Dont get me started. " Sheesh, what would you be like full bore?! I can't help but think that those that want to "fix" Scouting, and those that quit, and those that decline to join, just don't understand the Aims of Scouting, and the Mission of Scouting. It is not an indication of the irrelevance of Scouting today, but rather a clear reflection of the degradation of the values of today's society.

Thanks for the in-depth information about bookbinding. The best feature about the spiral binding is the lay-flat feature. It is to be expected that the selling price will be higher. Punching the holes and screwing in the spiral surely is not a speedy mechanical process, and must be much more costly to manufacture. When the 11th edition was released, BSA and the supplier recognized that there was a batch (or two) released that had defective bindings, even for a paperback, thus the free replacement guarantee. Scouts, being honorable, were not expected to demand replacement for abused Handbooks, only defective Handbooks. Mine is still serviceable, but has a weak spine. I've helped several boys tape loose pages (tip?) rather than opt for a new book, guaranteed or not. A Scout is thrifty and takes care of his belongings.

What the conspiricy theorists fail to mention is that Handbooks with defective bindings and pages falling out may be returned to the Scout Shop for free replacement.

I'm a little dismayed that the SM would sit by and watch the PLC make such a decision. Support of our local councils is critical to the success of Scouting nationwide. We are not isolated units functioning in our own world. Product sales is one way councils fund operations so they can provide services to your unit. Perhaps if the boys better understood the value of what they get from their council, they might look at it differently. That is where the SM, sitting in the PLC meeting, can provide input.

How about a patch for the former Scoutmaster's current registered position?

Rather, it sounds like the chartered organization voted to discontinue Scouting as part of their programs for youth. The Scout leaders are now out of a job. Another good reason to maintain good communication with the CO. This seems to happen when the Scout leaders look at the pack as a separate entity from the CO, and view the CO as simply a place to hold meetings. New Leader Essentials training has a bit on the relationship with the chartered organization.

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"Also, I can't find anywhere that a commissioner must have that position as their 'primary' paid position. I have heard people say that, but I can't find it written anywhere." A lot of things are said, yet can't be found in any publication. Maybe it is true, buried in some obsure publication. Maybe it was true in the olden days, but no longer. Maybe it is wishful thinking. Maybe it is routine misinformation. If it seems unlikely, just say you want to learn more about that, and to please show you the publication. Once one understands the function of the commissioner service, it becomes clear that a commissioner should not be directly involved in a unit as a registered member of the unit. Commissioners need to be objective, and it is difficult for members of the unit to be objective. Thus comes the rule about a commissioner not being a leader in the units he commissions.

"I really wish I was better at trying to explain where I'm coming from." Eamonn, you're coming through loud and clear. Well said. I think it was Barry that said something to the effect that we sometimes get muddled up in the details. It's good to be reminded once again what the big picture is all about. One thing I've learned over the years - when in doubt, refer to the Methods, Aims, and Mission. Frank

Packs do money-earning events to fund the costs of operating the pack. Dens (being part of the pack) should have their expenses paid through the pack treasury. If the pack is operating properly there is no need for individual den fundraising. This is discussed in the Cub Scout Leader book.

If the boys ethical choice is to take an award without having done the requirements for the award, then the adult leaders have not yet fulfilled their mission to prepare him to make ethical choices. That doesnt get rectified by taking away the award or making rules. We dont fulfill the mission by making rules or telling boys do this, dont do that. Rather, we teach the values found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. There are proven methods for teaching those values.

It's always easier to keep a good CO relationship going, or to improve a rocky relationship than it is to pack up and move somewhere else. A little time spent now analyzing what went wrong with the church CO relationship will surely help build and keep a good relationship with a new CO. Indeed, you might even find that mending fences with the church is a lot easier.

Sorry to sound negative, but "parents of" groups are generally doomed to failure. The primary reason is that the parent membership is not long term and not stable. The failure rate has been so high in our council that "parent" charters are no longer accepted. You might take a look at how it is that the troop leadership failed to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with the church. Problems arise when the chartered organization looks at the troop or pack as an outside group coming in and using CO stuff.

"OGE...It's open but female leaders or single mom's need to have either another female come along or their husband." Why? Might uncontrolled females go berserk without a husband to control them?

The Scout that chose to display the confederate flag made a poor choice. The ranger overreacted. The Scoutmaster made a poor choice to let it go. The commissioner also made a poor choice in ducking the issue. I'd have asked the boy what statement he was making, and what reaction was he hoping to get by raising that flag. He sure got a reaction all right, a whole mess of angry people.

"Is it a BSA requirement to have written by-laws? " No it is not a requirement. If fact troop bylaws aren't encouraged at all. Really, all a troop needs is the Scout Oath and Scout Law. For specifics, add to that the Scout Handbook, Scoutmaster Handbook, and Troop Committee Guide book and you're totally covered. The problem with bylaws is they either duplicate what is already written in the books, or they directly conflict with BSA.

It seems to me that the boy should not be arranging for his own board of review. That's a bit like bypassing the Scoutmaster. If I was on the committee, I'd tell the boy, "Great, have your Scoutmaster call me and we'll make the arrangements." There needs to be some communication with the SM. The boy is told in his Handbook that "... your Scoutmaster will arrange a board of review for you." Sounds good to me.

I got it too. I've often thought a good source for adult leaders would be former Scouts, if we only knew who they were. I've never seen or heard of this newsletter before now. Where are the back issues, or perhaps vol 2 iss 3 is the first one actually released.