FScouter

If the choir decides to quit the church, where would the members get the idea they can take the choir robes with them? The concept of who owns unit equipment is only fuzzy to the degree that the charter concept is misunderstood. There isn't even a shred of evidence to support the idea that the members of a unit own, either collectively or individually, equipment obtained by the unit. The unit is not a separate entity unto itself; it is simply a program utilized by the chartered organization and operated by its selected leaders to further its aims.

"The parents have gotten the speech about the need for a CM ..." Which of those parents do you think have the qualities needed to be a good Cubmaster? Rather than sitting back and hoping he will volunteer, hows about being pro-active and recruiting him? Take 2 adults, knock on his door, invite yourselves in and make your pitch. Tell him he would make a perfect adult leader and that he is the one that the unit feels would be best to lead their boys. You have to sell the position.

I think that for the most part the council already provides all the tools and support that units need. The council provides a service center, camping facilities, and a full-time professional staff to assist chartered organizations. The question might ought to be more why dont units use the tools they are given? If a unit leader steals funds, call the police, replace the leader, and ask yourself why you selected that person to be a leader in the first place. What are the best practices? BSA publishes 1001 resources jammed full of best practices. Look at the Scoutmaster Handbook for example. 180 pages of best practices and on the last page a list of over 50 more resource publications. It is the job of the unit committee to look after the unit, to select the best people to serve as leaders, to ensure the adult leaders are trained, to assist and support them, to interpret and enforce BSA policies. Who else is closer to and better situated to monitor a unit than the unit committee? The question I have is why do unit leaders, unit committees, and chartered organizations look to someone else to do their work for them?

I read again the annual charter agreement. It really is very straightforward. Scouting is a program the chartered organization may use as part of its programs. They agree to follow the Scouting program. BSA agrees to support it. The Scouting unit committee is no different than the community service committee of the Elks club or the choir at the church. The Scouting unit does not "own" equipment any more than the choir owns the hymnals and choir robes.

The rules and boundaries spelled out in the G2SS seem clear enough. No one-on-one contact, separate accomodations, 2-deep leadership, etc. The Venturing YP video for youth members is good.

BALOO training addresses these issues. If there is no planned program, the default program is "run around wild".

"I have to say on the face of it, giving that boy the choice of scouting or his girlfriend was the dumbest thing I've read about lately." I'd sure hope there was a lot more to it than that. Unless he was insisting on sharing a tent with her, there's not much in the G2SS that would necessitate a breakup.

It would be nice if they would tell the real reason they are quitting. Maybe that's too much to expect.

What Wingnut said. Why is your committee CHAIR doing the work of the committee MEMBERS?

So the only person that would be required to give up a bead would be a former CD? Everyone else with 1, 2 or 3 beads would not give up anything. I see the reasoning for requiring a new CD to go through the new course first. But it seems silly to strip an earned bead from his neck.

Dancinfox - please make a clarification. It makes sense that to staff the new course that one must have attended the new course. What is confusing is your statement in your opening post that A prior 21st Century course director can go back on staff before 12/31/06 by giving up the fourth bead and going through the process of becoming a course director again. Are you really saying that one must give up a bead to move forward? A trainer from the old course must take the new course AND give up an old bead? Is that what the admin guide says??

A boy has earned his rank at the moment he has completed all the rank requirements including a board of review. The BOR date is recorded on the advancement form which is turned into the council. The badge should be presented ASAP, such as the next troop meeting. The court of honor is a formal recognition of what has already taken place. It is not a rank requirement. This is covered in the Scoutmaster Handbook in addition to the Advancement book.

He's on an "on your honor" suspension until 1 November. (This message has been edited by a staff member.)

From the Insignia Guide - the official hat may be worn indoors during a flag ceremony except in a church where custom forbids. For informal indoor activities, the hat should be removed as when in street clothes. The is no such thing as half a uniform. Youre either wearing it or youre not.

Hmmm... Did I do a good turn yesterday ...??

"...the makers of scouting attire didn't seem to notice that men's bodies and women's bodies are different!" BSA offers uniforms designed and sized for women including pants, shorts, blouses, culottes, and skirts. Culottes for example come in sizes from 6-18, and waist sizes from 34-54. If that doesn't work there are custom made-to-measure sizes. Refer to the catalog, web site.

On his 18th birthday a boy is through in a troop as a youth. If he wants to continue in the troop, have him submit an adult leader application for assistant Scoutmaster. Why wait until February to do it right?

My understanding is that it's "gay" knot, the purpose which is to make a statement of protest.

There is a penalty for hiring illegal aliens?

As the council insurance person if they will provide a certificate of insurance naming the landowner as an additional named insured.

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The Scout Shop is a good source.

"...I guess I'll just have to go along w/ my committee chairperson's 'rules' " Maybe you could tell the CC you'd like to know more about this and to point you to the book and page where that rule is found. The publications define the uniform including the activity uniform. The publications describe how to salute while wearing the uniform. What else is there to know? A t-shirt is not a uniform, it's only a t-shirt. The only "gray area" is how far does one deviate from the program before feeling guilty.

Buy Scoutmaster Handbooks for the Scoutmaster and all the assistant Scoutmasters. Then sign them all up for Scoutmaster Specific training. In the meantime they can do the fast start training on-line, or borrow the video and guide from the council office. One cannot be an effective BSA leader without reading the handbook (multiple times), following it, and taking the trainings. The troop committee should have a reference copy of the Scoutmaster Handbook as well.