Jeffrey H

Have uniform inspections once a month. Make them fun and avoid embarassment. The focus should be on neatness of appearance and obvious patch mis-placement. Make gentle reminders and set an example. As someone mentioned earlier, it will not be corrected overnight. No one likes to mess with patches after they have spent hours sewing them on. Also, mis-placement of patches is not a major issue to some parents including parents that strongly support the BSA program. So don't expect those patches to be moved anytime soon, unless YOU or the Scout himself is willing fix them rather than waiting on "Mommy" to do it.

Knight said: "They were a relic from the disastrous "Improved Scouting" program" I was a Boy Scout from '73 to '77 during that "disaterous" period and I had a great time earning those "relics".

The BSA uniform is expensive. I have two official shirts, two pair of official pants, and one pair of official shorts. I even have two pairs of official SOCKS! I have two leader neckerschiefs that I always wear. You might say I have two complete "full" uniforms and I'm very pleased to wear them at every opportunity. That said, I did not obtain the above items overnight and my pants and shorts were purchased "used". Only one of my shirts I purchased brand-new. I refuse to pay $45-50 for below-average quality pants. $20 is more like it.

Adult Attention Deficit Disorder? Right, that's the great cop-out response these days. Good responses to your ADL problem. No need to take her off the roll, just stop asking her to do things and don't expect her to do anything regardless of her Title. She is no longer your Assistant from her own actions. Proceed forward without her and find another willing Assistant that does not make excuses. As you know, we are volunteer leaders because we are acutally "doing" the program. We effectively resign when we stop "doing" regardless if our name is on the membership roll.

Ekmiranda, I'm very sorry of the trouble you went through. I did not read your entire post in detail (because of time and length), but I got the substance of your message. We live in a world where hate, jealously, lying, etc. are common. Sadly, these sins do occur in the Scouting program among some of our registered leaders. Fortunately, most leaders I know do try to apply the Scout Oath and Law to their lives. Like myself, they make mistakes, but at least try to live what they teach according the Scout Oath and Law. Please consider staying in Scouting. We need all the truly honest leaders we can get that will influence other so-called leaders that suffer from the "jack-ass" disease.

Feminization of the Uniform? No. Not really. I don't see it. The problem with "under the collar" is it does not look as good, does not lay well on the shirt, and it's more difficult to put on. The neckerchief is not a necktie. Just my opinion.

The last post said it well. The relationship with the CO is enhanced greatly when members of the Pack are also members of the CO.

"...Is the anything prventing us from puting a council shoulder patch or pack number on any type of red jacket?..." There are limitations for what you can put on the "official" Red Jacket. However, I've see leaders put Troop numbers on various personal jackets for ID purposes.

The 100% cotton shirts look best and have a more classic scout uniform look. They don't "pilfer" like the poly-blend shirts. Yes, they need to be ironed, but they iron easily and still look great even if they are a little wrinkled.

A Scout Leader who is "hungry for power" has no business as a Scout Leader in any role.

Here's my input for what it is worth... I'm an Asst. CM for my Pack. My primary role in this position is to support the Cubmaster and take on duties he may need delegate to me. The Cubmaster is the top program officer for the Pack and I never do anything "significant" without consulting with him first. Your ACM needs to be reminded of these recommended duties issued by the National BSA office. The first listed responsibility for the ACM is to "Help the Cubmaster as needed. Be ready to fill in for the Cubmaster, if necessary." Responsibilities: An assistant Cubmaster's responsibilities (as designated by the Cubmaster) are to Help the Cubmaster as needed. Be ready to fill in for the Cubmaster, if necessary. Complete Cubmaster Fast Start Training and position-specific Basic Leader Training. Attend monthly roundtables. Participate in pack meetings. Supervise den chiefs and see that they are trained. Conduct the monthly den chief planning meeting for all den leaders, assistant den leaders, and den chiefs to plan and coordinate weekly den meetings and pack meeting participation. Work with neighborhood troops that supply den chiefs and into which Webelos Scouts may graduate. Help inform pack leaders of training opportunities and arrange for them to attend training sessions. Work with the pack committee to develop and promote an ongoing plan for recruiting new boys. Work with the Cubmaster and pack committee on pack reregistration. Help with pack activities, such as dinners, derbies, bike safety workshops, service projects, etc. Work with the pack committee on outings to see that the pack and dens qualify for the National Summertime Pack Award. Participate in the annual pack program planning conference and pack leaders' meetings. Promote the religious emblems program. Support the policies of the BSA.

You know, I did not see any uniform errors that were worth mentioning. Good-looking troop. Pocket flaps? Yea, I noticed those too but I think we can overlook those, can't we? Fortunately, He he has his world crest low enough where he can't put more than 6 knots on his uniform and over-decorate it. Woodbadge woggle? The plaid necker is far better looking than those ugly "pink" WB neckers.

When I hear any leader say "It's for the boys", I interpret that to mean that he/she believes in the BSA program and wants to help instill those values to the boys. They are not in it to receive "knots" or awards or be a part of an adult leadership fraternity, but to be the best unit-level leader possible For me, being an adult leader is setting an example and helping to implement the BSA program in my unit.

We have a great two-way relationship with our CO which is a church. They are very supportive and engaged with our unit. What do we do for our CO? We do occasional service projects that benefit the CO and we also promote the CO. The CO uses our Pack as an outreach to the community. Many families that are associated with the Pack have become members of the CO. It helps a great deal if some of the Pack leaders are active members of the CO.

The written guideline manual is basically the Cub Scout Leader Book. Read over the Book first before you write any guidelines. You will find that the guidelines have already been written for you.

Ask to serve on the Pack Committee and willingly volunteer for upcoming events or outings. Even if they think they don't need help, offer yourself to the Committee for something that no one likes to do. Also, attend every outing and campout that the Pack is involved in. Your help will be noticed.

I hate to admit it, but if it were not for the merit badges offered at summer camps I would not have earned about 80% of the merit badges I have. During the school year, I was active in my Troop, but I did not work on badges because of other interests and extracurricular programs. Needless to say, I was not on the "Eagle Mill" track. I enjoyed my Troop for almost 5 years, but merit badges were not my focus. The summer camps I attended in the Circle Ten Council in the early to mid-1970's were "merit badge factories". I think this have been going on for long time now. I remember one summer when I only took 2 merit badge classes. The rest of the time I would go hiking, exploring, and just checking out nature. It was fun and relaxing.

When I was a Boy Scout in the early to late-70's, my Dad was an ASM and SM. I don't remember that much parental involvement with the Troop, at least what I could see. On a campout, we might have one or two Dads that would come along with the Scoutmaster but that was it. Why so many parent today? It might be (this is a guess) that there have been too many stories of "abuse" in the recent past and parents are being cautious. Even with the BSA's Youth Protection and two-deep policy, they are still being cautious.

Webelos are still Cub Scouts and the motto is "Do Your Best". Now, a Webelos Den Leader needs to determine if the Webelo actually did his best before he signs off on completion. As a Webelos I Den Leader, I know it's a transition period to Boy Scouts but they are still in the Cub Scout program. We should be not be holding them to any unrealistic standard that is not expected of a Webelos Scout. That said, I do believe that when activity badge requirements use words such as "know", "memorize", or "demonstrate", I expect the Webelos to be able to show me what they have learned with a basic level of knowledge. Of course, this does require much more than simple "attendance" or merely "showing up". I do take into consideration any disability that a Webelo may have in his best effort to do complete an activity badge.

Is it appropriate for Scouters to wear their lodge patch on their uniforms when they are not active and not paying their dues?? We have one leader in our unit that wears his, but it was earned as a youth and I know that he is not active today or paying any dues. I was inducted into the OA as a youth, but I am currently not active as an adult. However, I see many misuses concerning the OA patch and inappropiate times to wear the OA sash.

If I see someone with tons of knots on his shirt, then so be it. I assume they are being "Trustworthy". Besides, Nine to Twelve knots stacked on a shirt looks silly (earned or unearned). I suggest keeping the number to down three for the ones you consider most important in your service to Scouting. Neatness in appearance is a guiding principal in uniforming. I often find that many of the best and most active adult leaders are those that wear "plain" shirts.

"Besides being in a new Troop all the other leaders have no knots so I don't want to "boast". I like your attitude. Keep up the good work. I have "plain" uniform shirt as well just for campouts. I only have the basic patches on it including my position. I enjoy wearing it because I can be in uniform and not worry about getting it dirty. What annoys me most are folks that wear their OA lodge patches and I KNOW that they are not active dues paying members.

"When a Webelos Scout bridges in to Boy Scouting he should already be a Boy Scout except for the transferring of his registration. In his heart and in his approach to the program he should already be a Boy Scout." This may happen in their hearts, but the rubber meets the road when they are expected to attend monthly campouts in an active Scout Troop. Webelos rarely campout once a month and are usually not prepared for this transition. I know some Web Dens do alot of camping, but they are rare. The drop-out rate is high because those that are truly committed to Scouting stay with it. Let's face it, there are very few 11 or 12 year olds that are willing to camp in cold, wet and rainy conditions without Daddy or Mama with them.

"And how do you teach adults that it is NOT okay to climb up on top of Indian Burial Mounds ... ?" You don't. You lead by example. If there are written park rules that prohibit walking on the mounds, then you can remind them of that rule and hope they follow it. If they don't care, then a Park Ranger can remind them. I know NLT principles would say "stay off the mound", but 99% of our world has never heard of NLT.

It's Me, I understand your feelings. You are primarily in it for the boys and you enjoy the satisfaction of making a difference in their lives. These should be our primary motivation for serving. Even if you have earned some "knots", wearing them is an option. People will know if you are qualified with or without them. The main reason I wear my "Den Leader Knot" is because my Cubmaster filled out the paper work without my knowledge and awarded it to me at a Pack Meeting. I wear it to say "Thank You". I could not have done as well as a Den Leader without the help of him and the other leaders.