ParkMan

I think there's a bunch of steps that can happen here before you start calling district and council folks. As has already been shared - talk with the Scoutmaster. There's about a 95% chance that's all it will take. The conversation is simply one of "my son's going to have a hard time advancing if he has to write out these worksheets." Just about every Scoutmaster I know would say "well, then let's find another way". If the Scoutmaster doesn't work out, then you call the Committee Chair. The Scoutmaster serves as the discretion of the Committee. The chair of the Committee has a lot of sway as a result. If that doesn't work, then you call the Chartered Organization Rep. You explain how their Scout program is making it hard on your special needs son to advance. At that point, if I couldn't find a way to make it work, I'd do one of two things. 1) act as transcriber and write out the forms. 2) call the troop down the street and ask when their meeting is. If after all that, you couldn't get it sorted out, then I wonder what kind of troop this really is.

My understanding is that the WOSM is like the United Nations. National Scouting organizations can be members and work collectively together, but they don't grant the license for a Scouting association.

The BSA training is absolutely lacking in the how to run unit department. The primary training for unit leaders is: - SM basic training - Intro to Outdoor skills - Leadership training There is absolutely a series of classes needed around how to actually run a troop. I can spout off the stages of team development in my sleep. But, how to make patrols function in a meaningful way - nope.

Ohh - that never even crossed my mind. Thanks!

Moderators, Got to admit. I'm not sure why you locked and then hid the thread. Was it because of the "adult nature" of the content? Was it because of the debate over values? The comment and you'll lock future threads just has me wondering what to stay away from. Not complaining or questioning, just looking for clarity.

Perhaps hate is overused and we can argue whether it's the right word. But, reading over the posts it's clear that there is a negative, dismissive, hostile tone towards district executives.

My sense is that there is a lot you all can do at the district level. In my district I see lots of opportunities to help youth. OA, advancement opportunities, camping opportunities, etc... To me it's kinda like when a den leader makes the transition to being a pack leader.

Ok- got it. Thanks guys!

My church has a youth group - so do many. That doesn't prevent the kids from being interested in Scouting. I get that in general the LDS community is more insular. But don't LDS kids play baseball, soccer, fencing, etc... BTW - I'm not suggesting that Scouting will get a large percentage of LDS kids - just wondering if it will be similar in number to other denominations.

A fellow scout leader once described Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as being like baseball and soccer. Yes, they are both sports, are player outdoors, have teams, and use a ball. But, they are different. I'm sure some folks from an LDS background will embrace girls in Cub Scouts. They'll look at the program on it's merits and choose. Actually, thinking about it, I don't see why lots of LDS wouldn't check out Cub Scouts for girls. Now that it's becoming just another extra curricular activity why wouldn't they? I presume LDS families participate in other co-ed activites.

Sounds like a guy who needed a bigger title for some reason - longevity, pay, whatever. Maybe your district has some specific needs that require a more senior person.

Then help them find a new Scoutmaster before you step down. I'm stepping down as Committee Chair, but I'm helping through the search. As I see it, you've got a Troop with boys who want to be Scouts. In my book that's the most important requirement for a troop. The rest is all mechanics. Volunteers can be recruited, a CO can be lined up, camping equipment can be found. We had a troop in our district lose their CO a few years ago. They went down the street and regrouped. Did they lose some boys who were members of the original CO - you bet. But it all worked out. In my book these National decisions are important, but still not nearly as important as the simple wish of boys to be Scouts.

A District Director manages District Executives. It's a first line management position.

I'll admit a bit of a smile here. Welcome to the world of non-LDS Scouting. There are never enough volunteers. The church is just about never behind what we're doing. No one is instructed to be a volunteer. The volunteers are out there. It just takes a little vision and persistence. We'd love to have you join the club

So I come from the thread on how professionals are no good to the thread about how Scouters who take Wood Badge are no good.

I think this is a bit unfair for us to generalize. We're making statements about who DEs are and what their motivation are. We all have different experiences. I know mine well and he was a guy who was a dedicated scout and later volunteer. He decided he wanted to make a living out of it. Yes, he worries about money and membership because he has to. But he's also first to be concerned about program too.

Only to play devil's advocate... I've been given two or three pocket knives over the years and have never bothered to carry them. I have to cut something once a week or so. When I do, I grab a pair of scissors or a utility knife from the garage. To me they're just a tool. I don't carry a screwdriver around, why would I carry a knife? I'm glad we have the freedom to do it, but it's not a big deal to me at all.

I'd let it go. Your work as Scoutmaster will speak volumes. I'd you get dragged into it, then it just gets worse. I'd be happy with your service, take the high road, wish him the best, and just move on.

Yes - of course. We occasionally have a boy swear and a leader talks with him. We've never had an incident of pornography.

Fair enough. Just struck me that the LDS decision was likely in the works for some time now. A decision last year to admit girls didn't seem to match up sequence wise with the LDS decision. But, perhaps I'm wrong. I do understand where you're coming from and think it's unfortunate for the Scouts that we loose good people because of this. Who the BSA admits is less important to me than the core mission of bringing Scouting to the youth in the program. Do I agree with the recent decisions - sure. But, had they not happened, I'd still be a volunteer. I understand that for you these decisions overshadow the core program. Though we see it differently, I won't try to persuade you. I tried that last week with some others to no avail. I'll just simply leave it at that it's sad we'll lost you.

When I was a Cubmaster I'd have said much the same. My pack never camped at Council camps, never participated in District or Council activities, never took advantage of any support from a DE on membership or anything else. We were the big, successful pack that did it all our self. For our part, the only relationship we had with the BSA was: - purchase badges and other items from the store - turn in recharter packets & applications - the occasional training So, in a real way, we'd have said much the same. When I joined the troop, I saw that things were different - but only because we wanted it to be so. We go to camporees, council events, council camps, make better use of training, etc. We're better off for it, but I do still remember those days in Cub Scouts when we operated completely independently.

That's essentially what I thought too. Thanks. Reading it over though, it's interesting how the BSA leadership maneuvered here. Makes me wonder if the relationship was already strained.

But I thought this forum had established that the BSA decision to go co-ed was because the LDS church had already the BSA leadership it was leaving. Let's say though that they hadn't. The BSA created all kinds of special stuff in the program for the LDS church. I would imagine that the execs would have gladly said that LDS units were exempt from the co-ed program.

It used to say that Cub Scouts were only allowed to use flat bottom boats. The current G2SS appears to have clearly moved away from that.

Scouters of different ages help create a richness in the adventure. Yes, a younger adult can strap on a pack and lead the boys on a great hike. Any older Scouter can help at Camp, telling stories, imparting wisdom to the boys. One of my most memorable conversations as a scout was with an older Scouter who helped me through a time on a trip when I got myself in a 14 year old snit. He helped me to see the bigger picture. Explained to about how I was technically correct, but was missing the bigger picture. I think of him to this day. I hope the experienced Scouters continue to keep coming back to our troop. They add so much to the experience for the boys.