qwazse

CP: a rose by any other name ... At some point, a decision has to be approved. Everybody has to be able to reference it and communicate it. For example what do you communicate the boys about to cross over? The parents might ask "is it smokeys, pith helmets, or berets?" The answer you don't want to have is "well, this term's SPL was barets, no clue what next term's will be!" (Unless, of course, the boys really want to change style every six months, set a budget for it, and have the design process as part of their activities.) Moreover, this isn't reviewing next month's hike plan. This is deciding how every youth in the unit is going to appear at every significant troop occasion. You don't just need PLC buy-in, you need the larger portion of the troop to be happy with the decision. If 95% percent of the boys think "SPL Irsapson is making us look like stupid 70's throwbacks," it's a real problem. If the boys are *all* positive about it, that's a different story. Time for Irsap to bury his fashion sense and post a link to pictures as soon as everyone's outfitted. Written or otherwise, it's a change in by-laws. Teach the boy to build consensus.

Well Chao, you got my prayers, cause some of this is will take a miracle. I lost track if you are COR, SM, or UC. Each will take on a different slice of what I'm about to write. Either way, this is how things usually pan out ... Has CC taken Woodbadge? Ask how his "Game of Life" went. Throwing down axes is not a viable long term strategy. Sometimes a person like this is a little more married to scouting than he should be. If he has a wife, you may want to very carefully talk to her about it. If the marriage is strong, she'll help you reign him in. If that's the center of the storm, step away before you're in over your head. Help them to think of the name of a counselor they both trust. Will any of those volunteers pull together to start their own unit? Sometimes the best way to peace is the "Paul and Barnabas" solution. Let the team take on different missions, maybe some of their "rage quit" isn't just about the CC and they need to learn the hard way that their attitudes also need adjusting. The down side is you wind up dividing boys just so adults can learn "no matter where you go, there you are." Teach your unit leader this phrase: "I'm not about to be bothered by the burrs up someone else's butt -- especially yours." It's to be used sparingly, but everyone should know it was said. SMs and Advisors who get bogged down in this interpersonal muck will miss out on the needs of the youth. Respect whoever is doing work. Pretend to listen to whoever is blowing smoke. Finally, if any of this is disagreement in following something spelled out in Guide to Safe Scouting, follow the G2SS.

Wore them as a youth. Never had a problem. But, your son needs to understand that changes in uniform by-laws require a good bit of consensus building. Every bright idea has a cost, and if too many people think it too high for little value, they may undermine his objective. Early discouragements make getting up and taking the lead that much harder.

You do realize that some venturer's get put down by scouts because they don't even know the oath or law? Not every crew has felt comfortable being distinctive in every possible way. Going without those touchstones may have been fine for your crew, but our crew will probably benefit from them. My kids had no opinion on the matter. I suggested our VOA send national their opinion on the matter, but they had none. Most youth just don't seem to be getting out of shape about this sort of thing. Of course, we have no mechanism for referendum, so we'll neve really know ...

Emb, I didn't mean to imply an "anything goes" mentality with the official forest green shirt, so thanks for the clarification. That said, I'd applaud a crew who opted to swap out the unstamped buttons on the new model of that shirt for ones with the BSA logo! So, now we should add a uniforming category to the "age appropriate activities" chart, with the MB sash row having a bar running from 11 to 18?

If it's any consolation, the cubs have to change oath and sign too. http://scout-wire.org/2012/10/25/one-oath-and-law-approved-for-all-bsa-programs/ Opinions on this were all over the map: http://scout-wire.org/2012/08/02/one-oath-and-law--for-all-bsa-programs/ Venturing awards aren't changing anytime soon. Boy scout advancement requirements are under review. It's part of their strategic plans which may be found here: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/stragegicplan/pdf/Strategic_Plan_Progress_Report.pdf

Each year we lean on the SM to put together a "capital spending plan" of sorts. Boils down to "how much do you need to spend on equipment". Treasurer is responsible for factoring in the costs of registration, awards, reserving camp sites, trailer registration/inspection, etc ... We also try to have a little margin for SM discretionary (camperships, boots for the unprepared, etc) ... All that is our "general fund goal". That get's filled first (usually by our spring spaghetti dinner). Then, any remaining profit (i.e. revenue minus cost of the fundraiser) is allocated to the boy's scout accounts according to their participation. That usually boils down to a commission (usually about 1/4 the ticket price) on individual sales + a share per shift worked at the dinner. We do not calculate the value of a share until we've accounted for expenses, allocation to the general fund, and commissions. If you've already promised the boys a percentage of popcorn sales will be allocated to their scout accounts, you're stuck for now. (That Trustworthy thing again.) So, in your case, I would talk to the treasurer to be sure you have your numbers right. Fess up to your boys that because of deficit spending, each scout account is currently about 1/3 it's face value. Ask them if they can hold off on drawing from their scout accounts until things are square. (You bet this will make some parent's angry. So you may want to delegate the announcement to the CC. ) Ask them if, on the next fundraiser, a larger slice can go to the troop general fund so that the treasurer will be able to honor everyone's individual request to draw on their accounts. Promise that in the future you will try have a more honest balance between how much troop spends collectively for its own good and how much the boys spend as individuals for the good of the troop. Get together with your SPL and QM and go over the troop gear to see if you can "run lean" for the next year. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt to have the SPL in on committee meetings to make sure you all keep that balance.

I don't think such churches will produce any astronauts, nor any cures for cancer. They've basically pulled themselves out of the gene pool for productive thought and instead decided to feel good about themselves. You're mistaken. I've met some quite competent creationists in some leading edge fields of science. They tend to be engineers. So the next respirator you need or the next time you stare out your airplane window, consider that at least a few of the parts were invented by young earth theorists. You really don't need to believe that this world has prattled on in this fashion for billions of years to be able to work with the laws it is subject to now. The problem as I see it is not one for fields of science but one for the churches. Folks who are confident in their faith because someone told them a contrarian world view supports it might not actually believe in the God of the natural world.

Think about it this way, the troop committee took it upon itself to spend $ that it had originally allocated to the stewardship of individual boys. So instead of spending it on dues, camp fees, boots, books, whatever ... you adults spent it on stuff y'all thought was more important. Meanwhile, you pretended to the boys that what they would spend to make their troop work was important. The sad part: if you had just asked the boys to pitch in a little each, they'd probably let you have the $2300. Now, if I were you, I'd ask the committee how much of those popcorn $ are going to guarantee the existing scout accounts how much to the troop general fund and how much to add to scout accounts. The other possibility is that that you all buy popcorn up front and collect money later. Still, it would be a good idea to make clear to the boys that their scout account $ are in play until the popcorn $ comes back in.

DS, I think 22 boys are in the appropriate age window for the trip.

Our secretary has seen me leave the office in full uniform on my way to the occasional meeting on the work end of town. They all know when I'm taking time off to haul kids into the back-country. Moreover, when Mazucca was SE here, he sent a letter to our chairman thanking him for allowing us the time off to volunteer as a scouter. My colleagues work with some really messed up kids. I haven't read all of their case histories (some go back to the '80s), but few of them involve direct abuse, and none of them involve a scout (or priest, for that matter). Long story short, there are so many ways that parents can jam up your mind, it's ridiculous. The BSA has a PR problem, it's our job to fix it in the long haul. That includes sticking to YPT guidelines and cranking out some kids who become thoughtful and caring adults.

It's more that the universe is the magic: it's so pervasive and frequent as to be taken for granted. Their ability to grasp it at this place and time is an act of grace by the creator. (The scientists I know use a singular reference, I suppose others may use plural. Haven't met one yet.) Moreover, they insist that their discoveries compelled them toward their creator. Not away.

Meyrl, many competent scientists proceed through their analyses under the assumption that the divine has granted a "window of stability" under which the laws of the universe may be within the grasp of the human mind. Why this is allowed, well that's a matter for theologians.

The pure naturalist would have you take the leap of of faith that, by producing an explanation that precludes divine intervention for the origin of all things, you should withhold credit to the divine for the origin of anything.(This message has been edited by Qwazse)

I don't see any rule stopping him from wearing his last rank held. Especially if he earned it as a venturer.

My first thought ... Treat him as any other boy who needs a place to have fun and not be a victim. Keep in mind that for every parent who would tell you such a thing, there may be another who would never give you the heads up. So confidentiality is important. With that in mind, when it comes time to discuss abuse (e.g., your pack might show the movie "A time to tell.") You'll want to give mom the heads up. It might rub salt into the wound, and the lad might be better off not being there. If anyone asks why he's absent your best reply is probably "They had a good reason, don't recall what it was at the moment." As far as program, you might want to be a stickler for YPT guidelines. Still be polite and everything, don't refer to this case, but remind parents regularly about one point or another and how accountability is an important part of the program.

GO: Our participation is 90% ... two troop meetings a month So, if we were to take averages to compare apples to oranges, your troop's weekly attendance is around 45%! Ken, I hope that makes you feel a little better! GO's program sounds a little bit more like a venturing crew with enough adult management to include jr. high boys. Not what I want for my kid (church youth group already does that), but whatever. Call me a throwback brainwashed by all those old GBB articles in Boy's Life. He does make a good point, however. Sometimes we set very high goals and are upset that we don't meet them. A 20% achievement in your very ambitious goal may be similar to an 80% achievement of my modest goal.

PD, I don't think by design, considering the whole cabinet (http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Venturing/About/NationalYouthCabinet.aspx) has kids from different regions. That said, central region runs a pretty tight program. (From my outsider's perspective.) They promote a lot of activities and encourage quality youth to pursue regional and national positions. Our council "steals a lot of plays" from their book. But, we haven't had kids wanting to climb that ladder for a long while. Stosh, This is where things get a little rocky. The sash is not a part of the "national" venturing uniform. But, it's within a crew's right to design their uniform to carry whatever elements they think is important. Although I never met a venturer plastered with regalia from tigers/brownies on up, there's nothing stopping it. The only thing I've seen in writing was the restriction on tan BSA shirts and red epaulets. It will be nice to hear from advisors who've covered a little more territory. What have y'all seen? Have their been issues among other scouters about it?

Brew, I'm going with your reference to n. 1. and say that if those rank patches are on the back, no one is going to confuse the sash with that of any other scouting organization. I'll suggest that to son #2 as soon as he gets that POR patch on his sleeve. (This message has been edited by qwazse)

I have a radio with a built in hand-crank dynamo and rechargeable batteries. It has preset tuning to national weather service channels.

The sash really clashes with that Kelly green! I think for examples of how "blinged out" you can get, refer to the national venturing cabinet: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Venturing/About/NationalYouthCabinet/2012-2013President.aspx But, since uniforming isn't a method of venturing, I'd say your crew president and his/her fellow officers need to decide what's appropriate for your crew's uniform. Even in our troop, we don't bust an 18-20 y.o.'s chops if he hasn't removed his rank patch. In general, I would talk to the boy about looking at his collection of MB's and seeing if the ones he's earned since joining the crew can count as requirements towards bronze awards. My take on the venturing system of recognition is that a bronze award should be equivalent to a star rank. Or, about 5 merit badges worth of work.

perhaps it's time to change that. It sure could prove messy. Have you seen the average boy's room when they are most happy with it? Neat does not come to mind. Anyway, start looking at the glass half full: You have about 45 scouts who run troop meetings nicely! Find a way to recognize the scouts for their efforts. It could be as simple as at the end of the year have the boys circle up and each say what the favorite meeting was and why. Or if one patrol did a bang-up job presenting a meeting topic, maybe you can award them a ribbon or ornament for their work. You have a PLC that compares notes! I envy you. Praise the patrols for their hard work. You got 4 patrols of boys going on outings! The ad-hoc for campout thing: fix it. I like the idea of each patrol planning their own. But, given how you've formed patrols, that might not boost attendance. The core of my crew is small -- effectively a patrol. But they are diverse and have a really hard time scheduling a meeting when more than a couple of them would be available. Have a heart-to-heart with your poorest performing patrols and ask if they think the could regroup in a way that works better. (E.g., if all the soccer addicts form one patrol maybe their open weekends would be synchronized.) You have 90% attendance at summer camp! Yippeee! You have 4 boys who want to go to the boundary waters! Support them. Find at least one adult who would like to go. Ask around other troops/crews in your council if they have a handful of youth who'd like to join you in forming a contingent. Ask the PLC to schedule one or two activities to help those boys shake down before their trip. Schedule a troop meeting for those boys to debrief after the trip. Within a month, circulate a sign-up sheet for your next big-ticket trip. Keep talking smack to the rest of us who are wishing we had your problems! Surveys? Well that's fine, but I don't think that will get you much further along the boy-led track.

Can't speak for other towns, but prolonged outages are routine around here. They may be isolated to a couple of blocks (sometimes more), but we can usually count on needed to check on elderly neighbors who are too stubborn to spend a couple of days outside of their home. Starting to hear of landslides now that the ground is saturated.

I did not know about the temporary insignia. I think that's a great use of the sash. It keeps the momento box from being cluttered. I got nothing against a boy choosing his favorite activities to promote on his uniform. I agree with Dean that it's a distraction on a lot of activities. But, I feel that the boys showing their tracks is definitely meaningful for CoH's. Moreover, the sash goes in the drawer when you're an adult, right? Make's it clear that we're talking about the boy's story. But, I'm still trying to get son #2 to sew his new POR patch on. Anybody got a video game simulation for that?

Have you done Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops with your leaders? Frankly, if you get a more complete calendar, you'll be way ahead of the game. This might also be a good time to fit in SM conferences. Rather than focus on advancement, focus on hobbies, academic interests, their favorite teacher, girlfriends, siblings. Stuff that doesn't always come up in "business" meetings. Maybe meet with two boys at a time for a change. I often ask the boys (and girls in my crew) "Two summers from now, where do you see yourself?" You can ask it in terms of what rank they will be. What trip you all will take. How many new boys will be in the troop. Ask what they might do differently about Courts of Honor, your meeting place, etc ... You might want to challenge them on one thing for the weekend. It might be a song the troop will sing at camporees and summer camp, a skit for new scouts about how to earn MB's, a sharper flag protocol, a design for a gateway the boys might like to build, be your council's fastest catapult builders, best BSA barbecuers. That will take up more than a day of your time.