Old_OX_Eagle83

I forgot selection of vigil names.

I can only guess, as each lodge can decide the responsibilities of position. When I was a youth member, my lodge had a Vigil Chief. I held this position at one time. What I was responsible for was: 1. Appointing a selection committee, which selected the candidates for vigil honor. 2. Obtaining the approval of the Vigil Advisor, and Scout Executive, to finalize the committee's recommendations. 3. calling out the Vigil Candidates 4. Crafting and presenting the Vigil tokens. 5. Scheduling and staffing Vigil weekend. 6. Conducting the Vigil, and vigil ceremony. 7. Securing the vigil totems. 8. Recognizing the Vigil Honorees at the annual banquet. This was in 1986, my lodge is long gone, and the OA structure has changed. It would be best to ask your Chief for direction on this.

Once a member, always a member, is correct. A member of the Order may wear the universal arrow, or sash when appropriate. A dues paid member of a lodge may also wear a lodge flap for the lodge he/she is currently a member of. Some polite inquiry as to proof of membership may be made by the Lodge Advisor or Staff Advisor, especially if the Vigil Honor is claimed.

The key to why lodge flaps that denote ordeal, brotherhood, or vigil membership not being allowed is a simple one. The OA does not have levels of membership, or ranks, just that simple. One undergoes the Ordeal to become a member; completes the Brotherhood to seal that membership; and me be given the Vigil Honor award for service. We are all members, there are not distinctions, we are a unified whole of brothers in service (that includes you ladies as well). The founders never intended levels of membership, but rather a show of solidarity. Yes, I have been given the Vigil Honor, and yes I am proud of the award. No, I do not need a special flap, shirt, hat, pin, or patch. It is true that I wear the discreet Vigil honor Pin on my universal arrow, at times, and when in uniform as a arrowman, my sash has a triangle of arrows in its center these do not make me special, or deserving of special privilege, they are reminders of my enhanced obligation. BTW, I do have a sash on display in a scouting memorabilia case, its the dirty, faded, sash I was given at my ordeal thirty years ago, the one my fellow scouts elected me to wear.

Stories like this make all scouts, and leaders, proud. The program works, it makes a very real tangable difference. The scout was "prepared", and his preparedness saved lives. The award was well deserved.

Name tags are a good idea. Troops, and Packs, often have new members ... and new adults involved. Besides, scout leaders should be attending many trainings, roundtables, camp meetings, disctrict events ect ... not everyone at will know you at all these activities. I like the cloth idea, the military saw the value in this idea long ago, maybe it's our time.

Time to tap your Pack Trainer and Parent Coordinator, they have work to do.

Wow David, this is will require a light touch. I dont intend offence, but Im wondering how this task is falling to you as UC, are you also the DL? Make sure its the DL that handles this, thats where the closest bond should be. This is what I would do, and that does not make it the best, or only, choice. Arrange an aside time with the scout, and parent, if possible. Congratulate them on the important role they played in helping set these young scouts feet on the scouting trail, the trail to becoming better citizens, leaders, and men. Point out that without a strong, quality, role model, like him, they may not have elected to remain in scouting. Explain that it was him that the scouts saw as the leader, and the fun and skills he shared that kept the scouts coming back. Recognize the den chiefs contributions as a key member of the den, and packs, leadership publicly make a big deal of it. Now that he is stoked up, discuss the next group of young men you would like to have his assistance shaping into exceptional scouts. Point out specific changes that program brought about in some of the former den members, and point out the similarities on the new group you need his help with. Remind the den chief to check up on his new scout brothers at district and council events. Every leader needs a good pick-me-up now and again, a teen needs this type of pep talk more than an adult. I to wear the wreath of service, and have a background in unit service, currently serving as ADC/District RT Commissioner. What you do is often invisible to others, and thankless, so let me say thank you! Hang in there, get that scout excited about his role. We need more den chiefs.

This is a big problem, and one the required diplomacy. Is your unit served by a Commissioner, if so contact him/her. Im assuming the committee knows better, if not someone needs to let them know. Has the SM had a friendly, employee to boss, Im concerned with the program talk with the COR? A little at a time may fix this, and it may not. Kid gloves for sure, but that SM needs a few more diplomats in his corner. It would not be out of line for the SM to ask the DE for advice in how to approach the COR, or to accompany him to this meeting, I strongly suggest all discussions on this be face to face, no email, no text, ect. The unit functions, if incorrectly, remember the purpose here is to enhance the program dont step on a landmine and blow the whole thing up! Also, remember, you are the ASM, you assist the SM, this is his battle, youre his backup.

I don't see an issue with troop family events, but in my opinion, these events need to be clearly defined. A troop program is not an ongoing family outing, most events need to be true patrol camping events, with boy ran program. When I say most, to me, that number is over 90% of program. P arents/guardians can't be denied access to events, but they can be excluded from program, and given tasks to perform that keep them far from the scouts on non-family outing. As far as siblings, you can say no, and should for non-family outings.

Thanks Eagle 92. BTW, that wasn't a shot at knee socks, just my legs!

Policy on this, hmmm ... not sure, may have been the page I used to get that pesky wet fire going. Let the scout be proud of his/her accomplishments.

Quickly, and with a firm had shake, followed with a cheer from the scout's patrol, and troop mates?

To drive home the message of Nationals role, and that of the various pieces of support infrastructure, national recently turned the support structure chart upright. Someone finally looked at the chart and realized it has been upside down all these years! All new BSA organizational charts have the scout at the top, with each level of program and support, holding up, supporting, that scout. Im glad to see all the paper was not wasted. Janice Overton, is obviously the perfect choice to act as a key support in the structure of the BSA program. Kudos to Janice! Your scout got what he needed, and thats what counts. I see the proof of a devoted leader, and determined young man here was well. See ya on the trail

5year your PWD sounds like a lot of fun!

Traditions vary. The best advice I can give is to attend if at all possible, and bring a small gift. As the invitation was not personal, the gift need not be, and can be from the pack. If you pack does annual pictures, write a message like Your accomplishment inspires us to do our best, and have the boys sign the back. Add a nice congratulations card, frame, and maybe a one free admittance to our next Blue & Gold Banquet coupon, and you have the perfect gift pack from The Cubmaster of Pack 235. Eagles, if not ready to age out often struggle to a comfortable place within the troop structure, offer him a Den Chief position if you like the scout. Be honored be have been included in this scouts special day. Eagle ceremonies can be quite inspirational, and often the young mans character and bearing will serve as a good reminder of why we do what we do. In the end the call is yours.

Good food for thought. I've read several works that have simular messages. The question is are these learned behaviors?

Contact your Scout Exec ASAP, follow his/her directions. The Charter Org will be contacted, or you will be asked to contact them as part of the instructions. Let BSA handle law enforcement and media, let the Charter Org handle discipline. This is a bad situation where the scouts took a back seat to ego. Your job will be to talk to the scouts about sportsmanship, proper behavior, and the meaning of the Cub Scout Promise, while smoothly leading this program past this speed bump. Do not delay in dealing with this.

Thaks for the correction ScoutNut, my memory can be a bit off at times

Rank requirements are covered In two places, as you earn the ranks, and at the board of review. I recall the scoutmaster conference being called the Personal Growth Conference when I was a scout; Ive not been able to find this in any published materials, so likely is was something the charter org wanted done. My point is, the scoutmaster conference is a scout counseling session, that should focus on the scouts future, setting goals, and sketching out plans to reach those goals. The Scoutmaster is the wise elder of your scout tribe, dont worry we all look old to the scouts, who knows what questions to ask to prompt a scout to set his goals high, and realize his visions. Where to board of review judges skills, the Scoutmaster encourages, coaches, and supports the scout. I can only tell you what Ive been taught, and that is that the Scoutmaster is not the authority figure, but your buddy the coach.

Gratz on the mile stone. Now it's time for the real work, retaining the young scouts. You need to make sure you have an agressive first year program polished and ready to roll.

Keep him involved. His life will likely get busy, and change fast. He'll need to put into practice what he's learned in scouting now more than ever, and there's no better way to hang on to those skills then to teach them too scouts!

This quandary is an old one, but a big one. Here are a few tips: 1. Have PWD workshops where the cars are actually built as a pack. 2. Add adult and open divisions to provide a better outlet for adult creativity. 3. Tighten the rules! No parts except what comes in the official kit. 4. Make sure every scout gets something, no one goes away empty handed. 5. Give awards of creativity, artistic expression, and anything else that works for your group. *If you can have someone there with a laptop and printer make up awards to smooth out rough spots, like: A. The 007 projectile wheel award B. The road hog award (jumped lanes) C. Green car award to award the fuel efficiency of a slow car D. The roof top racer *Keep a bag of goodies on had to go with the certificate 6. Make fun the clear goal, leave the seriousness outside adults who dont get this, can go home. 7. Dont let adults watch races from the same place the scouts do, scouts are rarely the problem. 8. Make your biggest deal, or biggest award, one of sportsmanship. 9. Consider not giving trophies, or special awards, to race winners everyone is a winner. 10. Make the whole event fun, no standing around and just staring at the race. Add other activities, simple fun stuff make it a carnival atmosphere. You can even theme the event Pinewood Derby, a Celebration of Sportsmanship. These are just a few of the things Ive seen work well. As a commissioner you get to see the PWD done many creative ways 

Theres a new Cub Scout program for 2011,it lays out the program meeting by meeting. The guide can make things as simple as following the pre meeting checklist, walking in, and following the syllabus to the end. The program also is friendly to modification to fit your needs. I think you can get the whole 2011 program guide form your local scout shop for under $15.00, and it will cover tiger to webelo 2. I suggest tracking this guide down, it will make your job easy, and a success.

Thanks for the reply. The troop didn't offer a new patch. You make a good point, if they had been concerned about which one I wore they likely would have provided it. If you cant tell I prefer the old green patch, and am just trying to justify wearing it  Ill be sure to refrain from knee socks and garters that might make the wrong impression, and is just scary anyway, lol.