Hi, I'm coming into this discussion late I know, but I just joined the board.
I'm a Tiger Cub DL with 9 scouts. I have a couple parents who are completely uninvolved to the point that they send their son to meetings with another parent. Or the child doesn't show up. Even the pack meetings and go see its. The same children have not yet completed any electives (outside of the ones we incorporate into our den mtgs/go see its) or any Family achievements. They don't have their Bobcat Badges yet either - that I am trying to work with them at meetings, but I keep asking the parents to work on it at home, and they are not. They flat out say they don't have time.
We've had 1-2 advancement ceremmonies at the Pack level, and most of my scouts have received their Bobcat Badges and even some belt loops. They all have the IRE - just with varying amounts of beads.
I do feel bad for the boys who don't earn an award, but there's not that much more I can do, other than speak to the parents.
I'm new to scouting, this is our first year, and I am not getting any help or info from our local higher ups. I've found out quite a few things from this forum, and other online scouting sites, so thank you all very much.