purcelce

Ahhh...Scouting for Food coordination. Back in 2002 and 2003 I was the FOS coordinator for Scott Air Plane Patch. Now doing FOS on a military installation takes a butt load of paperwork, getting initials from some 2Lt who didn't know he was in charge of signing of on community stuff, Staff summary sheets for the Base commander, Legal office to look over it...you get the picture. After getting all this goatroap of paperwork knocked out 3 Troops and 1 Pack hit the streets on bag day, and pick up day. In every bag was a note saying that had instructions to Please leave the bag out on pick up day OUTSIDE the front door before 10AM, and if there were any problems to call me. Things went well on pick up, we got a ton of stuff and it looked to be a success. Come Monday morning the Phone call came in. There were a few legitimate pick up snafus due to kids missing a house or two. But what really got my goat was the moronic things. Here are a few in no particular order. 1. "I just went to the grocery store, have somebody come and pick up my donation now" 2. "Nobody pick up my stuff." Why? "I placed it in the back of my truck" 3. "Nobody picked up my stuff." What time did you set out your bag? "5 pm on pick up day." 3. "Nobody pick up my stuff." Why? "I left it in the mailbox" 4. "Why didn't you guys knock on the door? I was home" Moral of the story...Morons are everywhere. God loves everybody. Even doing a good thing can become a headache. Laught at yourself, cuz you have done something like the above at least once in your lifetime.(This message has been edited by purcelce)

Kraut-60, vmpost sums up how the post was ment to be taken Do I wish death to the Uniform Nazis, no. Do I wear the full uniform - yes. Do I have problems with adults that are not a part of the unit telling kids what is wrong with their uniforms - yes. One time I had a uniform policeman come up to me and TELL me, in front of several Scouts and Scouters,that my unofficial jacket could only have 1 backpatch. While this guy that was older than Baden Powell's Scoutmaster was reading me the uniform riot act, I politely interupted him and asked why he was wearing a patrol emblem on his uniform. He stated that he was a proud member of Wood Badge,Beaver Patrol class of SR-1908D2. I then stated acording to the BSA Uniform Guide that adults could only wear patrol emblems and that I was more then happy to help him take that "illegal patch" off his uniform. Well our uniform cop was speechless and quitely left the area. I got a round of applause for sticking to the "Uniform Police".

Yesterday was a loooonnnggg day of Venturing for me. Come to think of it was a long weekend doing the Scouting thing. I spent Friday and Saturday helping out with the District Klondike Derby. At the Klondike, there were 3 Venturing youth helping with the staff (two of them were from my crew). I saw 4-5 members of my crew back in their troops pulling sleds. (Made me think that Troops and Crew can live in harmony) Sunday morning comes along and I put on my Venturing uniform and head to church for Scout Sunday. Afterwards I drove across town for a Eagle COH. One of the kids in my crew was becoming Eagle. The COR "hosted" by his Troop. The mother of the Eagle (who happens to be our Associate Advisor) asked me to give some words of wisdom. Now I came to be a guest and didn't know I was a part of the program, So I spent a few minutes figuring out what I was going to say. Our new Eagle Scout was sitting next to me and I told him I was going to tell the story of what he did at camp two years ago. His face got as red as a fire engine and begged, threaten me, and asked if I would not bring that up. I looked at him and smiled. The COR starts and I look across the table and I counted 13 dark green shirts. 9 male and 4 female venturing youth. It made the Mean Old Guy (my nickname in the crew) proud. Then I noticed that one of the females was not in my crew, but from a crew 45 miles away. I thought to myself that this is cool. These kids hang out with other venturing kids. My time comes up to take the podium, I smile at Mr Eagle and he slumps in his chair. I gave the famous "Once an Eagle, Always and Eagle" Speech. No mention of the goofy. I'm back in my chair in 3 minutes. While sitting with the kids drinking coffee and eating another kid's cake, I feel somebody tugging at my hair. Our VPA shows a few strands of hair, laughs and dumps the hair into my coffee. Well this young man got his later as he messes with the Crew Prez. The Prez chases him outside and then every youth at the table run outside and goof off in the parking lot for 10 minutes. We had a quick buisness meeting to finalize the fundraiser for next weekend. While the kids were talking among themselves asking me questions and getting things in order, I look behind us and I see 4-5 adults from Troops in the area watching us and I could see approval in their faces. The meeting finishes up and about 6 of us head to steak and shake and we have a bull session over the politics of the OA, upcomming summer camp, and other scouting talk. I ended the day with sitting in a chair for two hours watching the new Council Venturing Youth Officers getting stuff together for the Council Venturing program. Moral of the story: Venturing and Boy Scout troops can co-exist in harmony, Let kids run their program, this stuff is fun, and sit back and watch these young adults surprise you with their maturity.

Eamonn I've taken the bullets out of my gun. Venturing is flexible program that it is already mondernized.

Do Venturing Crews encourage Venturing recognition and awards much? In my crew we do encourage it. However it's up to the youth to come to me to get things started. Awards enhance our program, it's not the program. And, should crews still have where a male Boy Scout still can earn his Star,Life and Eagle in the Crew? Yes. Cary P Crew 805 Advisor

Welcome to the show! Come with an open mind, a great sense of humor, and at times a thick skin. We are just like family here. You will love us and we will get on your nerves from time to time. Cary P Advisor Crew 805 Ephesians 6:10

Sue gets 10 pts!

I got this off of netcommish.com, the Ask Andy column is one of my favorites. Well Andy zings a member of the UP read on.... Dear Andy, Ive been a Unit Commissioner for just over two years, and I feel that part of my job is to make sure the Scouts Im involved with wear the correct insignia in the correct places. But when I politely ask someone to remove a patch thats incorrectly placed, the response is usually "mind you own business." Last summer at Scout camp, I saw a young Scout wearing three purple youth religious award knots! After I stopped chuckling, I went to his SPL. I told the SPL that this display wasnt in line with BSA insignia guidelines, and I politely asked him to take care of the situation. But dealing with adults is another matter (I suppose that the bottom line is that adults will wear what they want, come hell or high water). Any thoughts about this, Andy? Also, Ive noticed that there are a couple of older Scouters (over 60maybe closer to 65) who wear the Explorer Gold Award square knot, but according to Mike Walton's website, that award wasn't created until 1976, and these Scouters were a lot older than 21 by 1976! Ill probably not ask them about it, but whats the lowdown on wearing this knot? (Ol Andys not gonna print yer name, but you know who you are!) Answer As a Commissioner, the only thing you can do to yourself thats worse than becoming known as "the council cop" is making a reputation for yourself as "the patch police"! Why? It's pettysimple as that!. Id sooner you shot yourself in the kneecap! Here's my recommendation: CUT IT OUT! As a Commissioner, your dealings are with unit leadersScoutmasters, Cubmasters, and Committee Chairsand not directly with Scouts, so leave em alone. Your primary job is to help these leaders deliver the best possible Scouting program to the youth they serve. You provide the big picture, the vision, the guidanceand you leave the details to them. If you want to help in the uniforming and badge or badge placement areas, the best you can do is be a shining example, and let it go at that. As for those guys wearing the Explorer Gold Award square knots, remember that, until 1959, this red-white-and-blue striped badge with the silver knot on it also represented the Explorer SILVER AWARD, and they're sure old enough to have earned that one. One way you can legitimately help your units improve their uniforming is to conduct the annual uniform inspection that's part of a Unit Commissioner's "job." And, when you do this, keep it positivedon't ding the delinquent; reward the right!

Here is the question? How does this endevour connect people with Christ? That is THE mission of Christians.

Venturing honor society? Has anybody asked if the Venturing youth want it? My guess would be no. Venturing needs to keep the focus on the crews, keeping the kids motivated, and having fun. I think the kids are honored to be a part of a crew or ship. BTW I asked a few of my crew guys what they thought of the corp of discovery program and they said it had some merit but they hated the name. Around here Corp of Discovery has been beaten to death. (This message has been edited by purcelce)

When it came to recharter time we had 37 youth on the books. We dropped 4 due to not wanting to be a part of the crew. One aged out. One moved. We have (HOLY SMOKES I just counted) 39 youth on the books. Since we rechartered: One aged out. 2 will age out this year. Picked up 5 new members (1 female) In the bullpen: Have 1 female and 1 male waiting to complete 8th grade. Have two leads on female youth who are intested in joining. Other tidbits since recharter: Crew activies participations range at about 50 percent or more. 4 Crew members are registered with other crews. 4 are away at college and make it events when they can. 3 Crew members are officers in OA lodge. (Chief, Vice Chiefs) 2 Crew members are officers of the Council TLC. (VPP & Sec) 1 bronze award earned. 2 members are close to finishing. 1 member close to completing gold award. 3 have earned eagle, 3 more going in front of the board this month (they are getting eagle thru their troops) 12 youth going to Ely on crew super activity, 4 are females, 2 youth going to Philmont with council contingent. 10 or so will be on summer camp staff. 6 going to NOAC. Planned crew events include 4 campouts, several day trips, fundraisers and service projects. A few new crews in the area have started up and they are active and growing. I say we are doing all right. Cary P Advisor Crew 805 (This message has been edited by purcelce)

and there was much rejoycing...yea (10 points to the first person who know which movie that quote came from)

I'm going with the Seahawks. Shawn Alexander was my goldmine in my fantasy football league. He got me to the playoffs and a 2nd place win in a league that has been going on for 6 seasons.

I'll second what my esteemed ventruing advisor peers have stated. Remember what Emb021 said. Venturing is not co-ed boy scouts. The youth run the program. Socializing is a big part of what teens want to do. Venturing is a flexible progam so go with the flow of what the crew want to do. Most important have fun with it. Cary P. Advisor Crew 805

Welcome to the fire. Bring your cup of coffee, a sense of humor, have fun. Cary P Advisor Crew 805

No matter where in life you travel there will always be idiots, knuckleheads, yahoos, and a plefera of others. (I am a part of this group, aren't we all?) Do the best you can with what you got and remember if the youth are having fun, are safe, and learn something, then you've done your job as a volunteer. OMG where did that come from? I'm begining to scare myself. I'll have to use that at Roundtable tonight.

FScouter, PM me and I can get you the info. I'm a BSA Aquatics Instructor. Went to Camp School back in 2004.

Being a Assistant Jr Deputy of the UP here's my take on the spin. Jambo patch above the pocket - can be worn forever CSP - It's an official csp from the council, wear it. I wear a 2003 council fos csp on my uniform. OA flap - same as csp. Unit number - change to your local unit. I don't have a uniform guide handy so I can't give an official ruling

Eamonn, In my crew of 35 or so, I have about 17 male youth under 18 that are still active with their troops. Being a boy scout and venturer can work. Just had one of my youth go through his Eagle BOR on Thursday. Two more are going to meet the Eagle BOR next month. Last year I had 5 make Eagle. They all went through their troop. Next month we are moving our monthly meeting to another location so the crew can be at one of the lads Eagle COR. What I think that makes this work in our situation is my crew's CO does not charter a troop just the crew. Plus we only have one meeting a month and one event a month. As with your ship, our crew is not run like a Boy Scout Troop. The youth run it like a crew. A male under 18 can have the best of both worlds, but it is ultimatly up to him to make it work. Happy trails. Cary P Crew 805 Advisor

rsteph PM me and we can work out a trade also. I've got Okaw Valley Council and Taleka Lodge stuff.

Welcome to the forums! Cary P Crew 805 Advisor

Johninkc, There were female youth from my crew at the winter banquet. The females in my crew know that oa is a Boy Scout program. At our end we have no problems. Cary P

Who says OA and Venturing don't mix. Last night at our lodge's winter banquet. We had about 19 youth, 4 adults, and 7 parents and friends representing the crew. Youth of my crew really impressed me last night. Two crew members ran for the vacant lodge chief post...one won. One crew member is now section chief Four youth crew members were selected for vigil. Plus I got three new members to sign up. One of our members had earned his Bronze award so I presented it to him in the corner of the room, since he had his mom, dad, and grandmother there. Best part was watching my kids having fun. Boy I love this Scouting stuff!!!!!!! Cary P Crew 805 advisor

My copy is the "The Leaders Source" catalouge. Looks like the SPL is shaking hands with a new crossover scout. National must of used different pics for their catalogs.

I just got my new BSA catalog. I think the picture is really great. A crossover ceremony with Cubs, Webelos, Boy Scouts, Venturers and leaders. A very impressive picture of real scouting. Later on last nght while being bored I started looking for uniform goofs. Now you must have a keen eye to spot them. So here's what I found. Three OA sashes worn at a non OA activity. Merit badge sash worn folded over a belt. Trained patch on right sleeve. Venturer wearing white socks. If you can spot more then you can be promoted to Chief of Police Before you start bashing my comments, this is done in fun. Have a great day! And I may see some of you (that means you Manyirons)at Winter Banquet. Cary P