Gonzo1

Lisa, I'd be inclined to say that anybody could be the buddy "as stated in the literature". Another scout is not required. I think meetings in public places are OK, but I wouldn't accept McDonald's customers as buddies. There's nothing wrong with McDonald's customers, I'm sure they are nice people, but no single individual is accountable to anyone else. If I were to accompany my son at the public place, I might sit where I could observe, but not be distracting. G

Crew 21 Adv, I think I mentioned it earlier, but I'm an ASM and the UC, the COR is also the ADC. So we got that part covered. It really is a matter of being in the good ol' boy network with this bunch. CC is trained, runs a casual, but effective meeting. I'm going to spend a few minutes at the next Cmte mtg on G2SS highlights. ie, no smoking around scouts, traveling in the backs of pickups, etc. just the highlights.

Beavah, Lisa You're both right. The CC said the other night that "referree" wasn't in his job description, hmm, seems like it is. I know I need to be patient Thanks, G

ASM915, Yeah, I'm a yankee, the outsider and new (here). Our council policy is no tour permit required if the unit is going someplace in the district. My main beef here is that "it was decided" by 4 or 5 adults and did not involve the boys. Parents basically said, 'hey, that sounds like a good idea.' The scout who was supposed to teach the skill came in on time with notes and props and ready to go just to have someone pull the plug who really shouldn't have. I kow the PLC sis getting active, but after 4 years, these people should know better. However, "Betty" thinks she knows all she needs to. CC, SM, Adv Ch, didn't really make any attempt to stop her. So as a way to get Betty by my side, I could emplore her to "share her vast wisdom and knowledge" but helping conduct training. G

FScouter, I've already thought about reverse psychology, but I really find her intolerable. It's not the female part, it's the person part. Suggestions?

jyoungun, Welcome, Congratulations to you and your cousin. Are you currently registered in scouting? If so, wear your uniform. If not, I would wear a suit or appropriate attire (open collar dress shirt, sport coat) and put an Eagle lapel pin on your left lapel. See this link for suggestions. http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/default.aspx?ctgy=PRODUCTS&C2=GIFTS&C3=JEWELRY&C4=&LV=3 Have a nice day. Gonzo

Lisa, Please read here AND check PM. The buy in from CC, SM, other committee members is there, but for some reason, some of them don't want to upset "Betty". I don't know why, but she seems to have some kind of spell on them. CC, SM, other ASM, Adv Chair, Treas, COR (also District ADC) all want help. I kow that those who aren't around (absent parents) may see a "take over" but it's committee members, SM who want help. I can see where a planning meeting would be of benefit, I'm not sure if they have that meeting. G Please see PM

David, Welcome. Another option is that he can cross over later, say next month and get a quality hike. It doesn't have to be forced or "gotten by default"

Yeah, this om seem to be used to getting her way. However, I'm used to the boys getting their way, in a matter of time, she'll be gone.

The mom gets the "power" because the committee gives it to her so she won't be ticked off. Frankly, I could care less if anyone gets ticked off as long as people are civil and the boys best interest is the objective. It's pretty much her good ol' boys club, a couple of moms and dads who don't really care about any additional training. Her comment about new training was "I've had all that before and I don't need anymore". SM is pretty weak, CC let's the committee meetings get out of hand. Thanks, G

Stosh, I guess I could have put it in "working with kids" Moderator, please move if desired. As Beavah noted (and Barry to some extent), who should then approach the offending adult? SM, ASM (working to develop PLC as SM is hands off here), CC or SPL? In the case I outlined above, the offender is a parent of a Star Scout and has been with the program for a while, been Cmte Sec for about 4 years. Troop is only 4 years old. Same SM the whole time but unitl I came to the troop, PLC did not really exist as a planning group. Meetings and functions just happended. I have been asked by SM to work with NSP and PLC. I'm glad to. However, this particular mom thinks she runs the troop. Several committee members has received me well and have me for help to make the troop better. At the last committee meeting, I offered to conduct training (on various topics) to comittee members for 15 each meeting. Same mom was absent and hit the roof when she found out I would be teaching. Same mom now thinks I'm trying to take over and I'm unqualified. Some other dad I've never met (or seen) emailed me and told me I'm not in the "Good Ol' Boy Network" and basically told I'm not welcome. So, approaching some of the individuals may be more difficult. Would some of you please email me a sample PLC agenda / meeting notes for our SPL, please email to jgonzalezdc@doctor.com Thanks, As usual, the forum members provide a wealth of information and sound advice. Gonzo(This message has been edited by Gonzo1)

Dug, CC doesn't get it. Beavah, I'll use that approach next time. thanks G

Some liked the course the "old" way But 21st Century is a New Day Who cares which is best Let's put our skills to the test To deliver the program for boys, eh?

What do you folks do when a parent or committee member "hijacks" the meeting for some other purpose? Here's what happended: 1 PLC plans meetings 2 Unit fundraiser is coming up soon 3 Mom (Cmte Sec.) decides that scouts need to get "buy in" by distributing flyers. 4 Last week, (4-2-07) "it was decided" by mom and a couple of committee members that scouts would pass out flyers this week. 5 Last night (4-9-07) Meeting started, mom said since "it was decided" last week to get the boys into cars and pass out flyers. SM, COR, SPL, PL's had no idea. 6 A work around developed quickly, the skill that was planned for last night will be combined with next week, but the SM didn't know what to do and was about ready to just "cave in" and let mom run the show. The way I see it, mom has no clue that PLC is getting off the ground and figures that she runs the troop. So, when this happens in your troop, how do you stop it from happening and how do you train the offending parent.

Local, (about OGE) I really think you misunderstand We're homeboys, from Chicagoland We've been to same places Through scouting's embraces I look forward to shaking his hand

OGE, A fight with you is unintended A pal in you I've befriended We're both Eagles you see On many things we agree But to agree with Merlyn, only one in ten did

Sweet Mother of Moses, you gotta be kidding! The National website says: WHEREAS the national officers further agree that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the traditional values espoused in the Scout Oath and Law and that an avowed homosexual can not serve as a role model for the values of the Oath and Law ; and... http://www.scouting.org/media/press/2002/020206/re solution.html

OGE, Clown status I dont intend to accuse I read and I am amused Youre a friend Grey Eagle Like mans best friend a beagle Your offer I do not want to refuse

Alright alright. It seems this is where this discussion is. Someone arguing about what court ruling said what. Who said what and what government can and can't do. Well, here's the real deal: BSA has rules, some of us don't like some of them. Some of us want to drop the DRP, some don't, in other threads, some want girls, gays, etc. to join Boy Scouts. These rules are in place, that's it. Let me be silly for a minute. Let's say I don't like the G2SS rule about scouts ridin' in the backs of pick up trucks. Then, I decide to just let 'em ride back there anywhay, it's easy to pack a bunch of boys in there, just hop in. Forget seat belts, pack in 5 skinny kids in the back seat, afterall, what could happen? I'm taking Johnny to the "latrine" wink wink alone, don't tell anybody, just mind your own business. If we pick and choose the rules we want to keep and follow, what good are they? We can't pick and choose, it's not the way it's done. When we signed up, we agreed to follow the rules. In other words: N O A T H E I S T S! N O G A Y S N O G I R L S (except Venturing) Next! (This message has been edited by Gonzo1)

It seems that the entries have died down Some boring, others witty, like a clown They're easy to read And just what we need To make laughter and smiles, no frown

I have earned 3, I wear 3. Eagle Scout, Community Organization Award, AOL. Did my own sewing too.

Scoutldr, You have "cred", don't worry about it. When you get the chance,go to woodbadge, you'll enjoy it. You're also right, if you've earned 'em, wear 'em. Brent, Our Council Commish wears about 5 or 6 rows. I think for some folks, it establishes credibility to wear a bunch of knots. G

Or better yet, ask how can the boys make a better meal for themselves. Or, how the adults can make a better meal for themselves.

You know you have a great group of new scouts when Their parents all get along together. Lisa, About the berets, if the boys don't have short hair, and a properly shaved and formed beret, they will look like pizza chefs. Ask a former airborne, ranger or special forces soldier for instruction on beret care. G

DanKroh, You said: "Methinks Paul Harvey was just pulling numbers out of thin air.... " I just went to www.paulharvey.com and listened to the archive of Tuesday's broadcast. He said that according to Newsweek Magazine, 91% of Amercian adults believe in God, atheists, however noisy, are just 3% of us. If I'm not mistaken, you would say that Newsweek magazine is a reliable source. But, to be sure, i looked it up, it's in the March 30, 2007, Newsweek. I guess your "reliable" polling data isn't reliable, Me thinks you're wrong. I wouldn't mind if a pentagram wee put up, as long as it's display is proportional to the number of wiccans in town. So, Christmas get 3 weeks, pentagram gets 10 minutes. It's only fair on a per capita basis. DanKroh, it's too bad people get murdered for thier beliefs. I don't want to see anyne get murdered or beat up. Be glad you live here, in the "good ol' US of A" as you put it. There is no execution or murder because you believe differently. Believe on! You also said: "Yes, and if they are required by the BSA to disapprove leaders who are atheists or gay, or to reject the membership applications of boys who are atheists or gay, then they would be breaking the law. THAT is the difference. Meet there all you want. Just don't ask them to enforce the discriminatory policies of the BSA" If it's OK for schools to discriminate by having all-girl teams, they are dicriminating based on gender, how about the senior ciizen who want to use the tax payer funded community center for indoor walking. The age discrimination isnt it? You can't have it both ways. Poof! Be gone! Merlyn, You said "Public schools CAN discriminate in some ways. Religion isn't one of them." So, it's OK to discriminate, schools have have an all girl basketball team, but not BSA. School could host 100 Black Men Chorus, but not BSA, Schoools could hos All-Latino Soccer Championship, not BSA. Here's a good one, Schools can host Rainbow Coalition, not BSA School can host anything but BSA, is that right? Down't make sense. As long as Boy Scouts can't get the charter from a school, that seem to be OK, all of the gay, all boy, all girl, race divided stuff is OK, just not Boy Scouts, is that right? Merlyn, I ackowledge your courage to come here and try to make your point. You have a lotta courage, determination, stick-to-it-iveness, drive, motivation and personal devotion to your cause. I'm thinking you are more like Jehovah's Witnesses, you keep at it and keep at it, but you're just plain wrong. (no offense to our Jehovah's Witness brothers or sisters here, I know you believe devoutly in God, I simply don't care for your approach)