madkins007

The 'Rules and Regulations' can be tricky to get, but I had a copy and they were pretty unhelpful. For example, all uniform stuff you need to know is in the Insignia Guide. Just FYI- I like the hat idea, but would not support it since I don't wear hats. I agree that the 'Trained' strip is not the greatest motivator, but perhaps a great temproary patch would work in its place.

Scriptures: 1. The bit about the money changers is TOTALLY out of line and a very non-Scriptural application, as has been pointed out. 2. You are trying to pay your own way- this is covered by several Scriptures: Deut. 25:4- "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing." Matt. 10:10- "or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support" (Jesus' disciples were to go out with literally nothing and let the people support their work- kinda like what you are trying to do.) How about the ages old practice of alms-giving? That was allowed on the steps of the temple (Acts 3:2 "And a man who was lame from his mother's womb was carried there and placed every day at the temple gate called Beautiful, so he could beg from those entering the temple complex.") without condemnation- it was an everyday thing. Or the general practice of 'helping others', as in Hebrews 13:16 "Don't neglect to do good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices." So, do you enter a 'Bible Battle' against the other people? NO! That is a sure way to create bad feelings and division. Your job is to win them over with compassion, empathy, love, and even a dash of concern that they might not understand your situation. My technique would be to invite him out to lunch or for a dessert/coffee (neutral ground and food- big helps to negotiations!) and let him know that you were hurt and troubled by comments you heard that he had made (note- NOT accusing him of having said stuff- give him room to gracefully suggest you or he may have misunderstood the situation). Suggest that you just want to clear the air and make sure you both understand each other's positions. Explain that you fully understand that the church does not want to be associated with some things, but that you were simply curious as to whether this applied to the troop/pack and if so, why. Help the deacon understand that the BSA is basically the church's 'boy's club'- that the charter is an agreement that the BSA will run a structured, character-oriented, activity-filled program for the church's youth, and that it helps to serve others in the community as well- an outreach of sorts for the church. Believe it or not, boys and families DO start to go to churches that support their unit (especially after they experience things like church staff coming to camps to run services, Scout Sunday, etc.!) Good luck!

If it was slightly curved, it could be the patrol award (Baden Powell Patrol Award?)

In our pack, we had dues of $45/Scout (part was for registration, part were den dues, part was pack funds). You paid them up front, then could earn money in fundraising to help pay them for next year, or pay for camp, etc. This way, families that did not participate did not reap the benefits of the labor of others, and people could make their own choice. By the way- this policy was voted on by the entire pack every couple years and passed easily each year. We also were an inner-city, low-income pack. It IS a good idea, though, to keep a careful eye on fundraising too. It can run away with you if you let it!

Just FYI: You can store patches in a way that keeps them flat, dry, and safe, and lets you file them away until you think of a use for them. The easiest/cheapest way I think is to use those disposable baby bottle liners. Take a liner, drop a 3x5 card in it with the pertinent info writen on the card (ideally in pencil), drop the patch on the blank side of the card (so the inks or pencil don't touch the patch), then fold the flap over and tape it down. Most liners have places on the outside to write stuff as well, which you can use instead of the card, but the card still helps keep things flat and manageable. I've got a few plastic shoeboxes full of these- my old patches, my recent patches, my son's patches, my daughter's GSUSA patches, etc.

yuck

Badges, pins, etc.- I'd sell back to the Scout Shop and put the money in the account. 'Garage sellable' stuff- track, uniforms, etc.- with the COs permission, sell to other Scouters. Put money in account. Money- turn over to the CO after repaying reciepts, debts, etc. Pack supplies (books, etc. that the CO might not want, are not garage sellable, and cannot be returned) can be donated to the district/council or another pack with the CO's permission. Rule of thumb- it is easier to store money than supplies and 'old' materials become dated or damaged easily. They are more useful being converted for cash and put in the hands of people who can use them. As far as your terminated membership- I am so sorry. This has happened to people in our old council as well- and from what I know, it was for standing up for what was right (and according to official BSA policy) when a few higher-ups on the council wanted to go a different direction.

Sometimes, the unit's finances can be a window into the very heart of a unit. A troop I was somewhat associated with for a while had several thousand dollars in the bank, but was a very small unit (under 10 boys). Troop leadership refused to use the money to pay for things like camp, routine expenses, etc. Why? Because the money was raised several years ago by other boys, and since these boys did not earn it, the leadership would not use it for them. This makes me wonder exactly what the plan for the money IS- those original boys are long gone- do they indeed plan on NEVER spending the money? Would it surprise anyone to learn that there were a lot of other questionable practices going on at the same time? As a parent- knowing what I know now I think I would challenge the troop to show me why they need $x per boy MORE when they have that much in the bank. What is the plan for the money? As a unit leader- I believe that the best unit budget has a safety buffer (let's say an average of about $10-20 per boy), but otherwise pretty much works to use its money wisely- ask for what you need, use what you asked for. Also as a unit leader, there is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY ON EARTH I would EVER pose the issue as phrased in the original post. Oh- by the way... if they have $8,000 in the bank, WHY does each person need to kick in $10 to get started? That sounds like an 'address envelopes at home' scam!(This message has been edited by madkins007)

Interesting situation! I doubt your Ship needs $20,000 a year from the three combined fundraisers, and I can see where the club might not be real hot on doing the thing for the District without you. I think I would offer up the golf bit to the District- 'suggesting' to them that the current club may no longer be able to host the program- that is really the club's decision to make, I would assume. Otherwise, I'd offer up my notes, planning chart, some of my contacts that would work well for them, etc. and focus on the needs of the Ship.

Antelope- mostly via eBay... -Stuffed mini keychains- 3 animals in 2 designs (Wall Drug, SD and Jackalope Junction) -Stuffed animals- 6 different designs -Plastic 'toys'- 1 big Beyers model, 3 differnet small plastic versions from 'wild animal' assortments, another large one from an old Olympia beer ad thingie -Statues- 2 -Weirdest critter- 'Flatalope'- a Cabelas hunting decoy designed to camoflague a bow or something- it has a sculpted face and flat cloth body -Several patches, pins, keychains, 'spirit rocks', etc. -Some cool 'beads'/charms from an artist on eBay PLAN to get a 'clay' critter thing from Cimmeron Art Gallery soon, as well as another plush animal I've found on a few sites.

www.campmor.com is also good and offers Scouts a discount. Eureka tents are usually a rock-solid value- the Timberline Outfitters 4-man is a perennial troop favorite for good reason.

On a Cub pack-level overnighter, the parents are in charge of their own youth. If the outline in the Leader Book was followed, each family was taught the basics of YPT and other do's and don'ts beforehand- and that may have been the big missing step.

I am not a fan of 'co-leaders'. Why are you not the den leader? Is she reluctant to give it up, are you reluctant to take it all on? I think my take would be to talk to her about how excited you are about the chance to run the den for a while, and that this is her big chance to follow her dream of (committee work, sitting back, fill-in-the-blank). I WOULD NOT make ANY noises about trying new things or changing stuff, just about trying to fulfill your life-long dream of den leadership.

Yeah, what he said! As much as I am a BIG believer in making stuff yourself, these stoves are more of a novelty than a real tool. This version, however, is more robust and a fast cooker: http://www.hikingwebsite.com/gear/homemade/rrstove.htm I can't find it anymore, but somewhere I saw a 'make your own Sierra Stove' plan that used an old can, a 'toy' personal fan, and a few other parts. It ran on pine cones, twigs, etc. and generated heat by blowing the air just so. Several similar stoves are here: http://zenstoves.net/Wood.htm. The www.zenstoves.net site is pretty cool as well!

We have always gone with the 'official field uniform' standard for Scout salutes. Admittedly, I cannot find anything in print, but the BSA 'activity' uniform is not really 'THE' BSA uniform, as described in the Insignia Guide and elsewhere.