RememberSchiff

Where do we draw the line in the sand? Cub Scout outing at a nudist beach!! What next, boy scouts giving breast exams? And who will judge in California? If the soul is darkened By a fear it cannot name, If the mind is baffled When the rules don't fit the game, Who will answer? Who will answer? Who will answer? Alleluyah! Alleluyah! Alleluyah! Jimmy Fallon or Jon Stewart?

“During a planned hiking trip at Torrey Pines State Beach, a local Cub Scout Pack encountered some individuals who were inappropriately dressed. This outing, involving both parents and adult volunteer leaders, was quickly rerouted to protect the youth. Following the trip, both San Diego-Imperial Council and Pack leadership met with parents to discuss the events and determine if further action was needed. Together we concluded that proper protocol had been observed and appropriate steps were taken in this matter.†Karl Shelton, San Diego Imperial Council spokesman So did the Cubmaster have an approved Tour Permit? Isn't this "covered" in YP training? http://www.cbs8.com/story/28006852/p...o-blacks-beach And I wonder why National doesn't trust the judgment of unit leaders...

Same state, Massachusetts, and another council, Annawon, is currently being pressured to merge. There is less transparency in this case, e.g., is National denying a charter to Annawon Council due to ...? Anyone have more info? Annawon does have a symbiotic relationship with Narragansett Council regarding summer camps. Annawon runs a resident Cub Scout Camp Norse for both councils while Narragansett runs a boy scout camp for both. Seems practical but some pro's see it as a reason to merge. I don't necessarily agree. Boston Minuteman gets into similar resource and activity relationships with neighboring councils and then a year or two later there are merger talks, e.g., Yankee Clipper Council. In my experience, merger talks seem an irresistible force that rarely meets any object (transparency and informed, engaged CO's), sort of like an IRS audit. Suddenly everything is about merger, resistance is futile, you will be absorbed. Meanwhile the program is sidelined and we have MBA-bobblehead talk - "establish a dialog with stakeholders to establish best practices..." http://www.annawonbsa.org/annawon-co...ansition/57228 The Annawon Council finds itself facing an unforeseen situation, having been told by BSA National that we must merge with a nearby council. So far, the Annawon Council's Study Committee has met with both of our neighboring councils -- Narragansett Council to our south and Old Colony Council to our north. Each council presents a variety of opportunities for our scouts, staff, and volunteers. Both councils provide rich programs and training for youth and adults. Both councils have excellent facilities. Both councils have great leadership to continue the Scouting experience that we know and love. And we have much to offer them too.

I remember a swine flu outbreak at summer camp. http://www.scouter.com/forum/summer-camp/15517-swine-flue-at-summer-camp

This merger study lasted 18 months - time and money! After this stunning merger rejection, some "spinning" is going on- "Well hrrrump, this study did identify areas where... and was hence worthwhile", but 90% of these issues were already known before the study. May the pro's with just MERGER on the mind leave both councils. For those pro's remaining, this paradox, Recruiting does not increase membership, program does. If we build it, they will come - quality units (not Excellence nonsense) and local camps both with cool scout adventure programs. Another $0.02

A scout is CLEAN, in part meaning he does not spread disease. Communicate this year round and before food handling. Quarantine the infected. If a person is sick - coughing, running nose, nauseous, achy, running a temp - the early stages of just about everything. SICK? STAY HOME. Don't go to work, school, scouts, travel, or Disneyland. Common sense but not money sense, as there may be no one or way for a parent to stay home with a sick child. Got hotel and plane reservations to Disneyworld and sick kids, they're going. My $0.01

NASHUA VALLEY TURNED DOWN THE MERGER! Mohegan Council had been pushing for a merger, which many in Nashua Valley Council saw as having zero or negative benefit. It was not stated (very disingenuous) which Council office and store would close but it was likely NVC. http://www.mohegancouncilbsa.org/201...wn-the-merger/ "Well, got some surprising news last night from the Nashua Valley Council. At their Council meeting by a vote of 31 to 26 the merger resolution was defeated." Great getting the COR's out to vote as unit leaders or committee chairs had NO vote in this.Though their input on a new Council name was welcomed! The Nashua Valley Council executive board had voted previously 20-8 in favor of the recommendation. Q: What is the total number of active members, and what is the quorum requirement? What type of vote is required? A: The total number of active members as of January 9, 2015 is 118. The council bylaws specify that a quorum for all special meetings of the council shall be 10% so the quorum for the meeting on the 28th will be 12 people. A simple majority is required for all votes at meetings of the council. The above came from a FAQ from Nashual Valley, very revealing (meaning it may disappear) http://www.nashuavalleybsa.org/cm/in...swers#finances Hooray! Now both councils can focus on program which as they are suppose to do and not the following %$#& nonsense: [TABLE] [TR] [TD]February - March 2015[/TD] [TD]Nominating Committee recommends new board of directors and officers Implementation committee develops new bylaws Selection committee interviews and hires new Scout Executive Recommendations accepted for new council name[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Early April 2015[/TD] [TD]Council members approve new name, bylaws, board of directors and officers[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]April - August 2015[/TD] [TD]Committee chairs appointed and committee integration work begins[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]September 1, 2015[/TD] [TD]New council formally launched[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

Ed Whelan in the National Review writes http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/397444/california-supreme-court-versus-boy-scouts-ed-whelan "I wonder how long it will be before the California supreme court prohibits judges from allowing their sons to belong to the Boy Scouts, from taking part as non-members in Boy Scout events, or from providing any material support to the Boy Scouts."

Boy Scouts donate new wheelchair to 5-year-old student on Scoutmaster's bus route "...the scoutmaster ... suggested that his scouts use part of their Christmas tree stand proceeds to buy Ayden a new, larger wheelchair. The scouts have been selling Christmas trees outside of the Forest Grove Safeway as a troop fundraiser for about 30 years, said Jef Dalin, an adult leader with the troop (and mayor of Cornelius.) Each year, 10 percent of the proceeds are reserved for a community donation. In prior years, the money has gone to breast cancer research or the local animal shelter. This was a chance for the boys to see the direct impact their donation could make..." Full story at this link http://www.oregonlive.com/forest-gro..._wheelcha.html Good job.

Agreed. Add Den Chief cords too if the scout is no longer a den chief.

Honor guard is a temporary,as in one day, duty assignment, so if this is needed, it should be a removable armband or perhaps some Velcro attachment. I understand this was a scout suggestion and will leave it at that.

Frederick Burnham rarely gets credit either.

The fault is not in our wiki but in ourselves. Didn't we have a scouting museum somewhere in the US that made no mention of the contributions to scouting of Bill "Green Bar" Hillcourt?

http://www.threeharborscamps.org/#!about1/c6wa "The task force found that each of the four properties is in need of significant capital investments at a time when camping participation is declining, leading to excess capacity at northern Wisconsin Boy Scout camps. “The need to maintain a dedicated council-run camp in the Northwoods of Wisconsin is minimized due to the heavy concentration of well-funded, well-run camps in the area with excess capacity,†the task force reported. “To offer a summer camp experience of similar quality would require more capital than can be justified.†In addition to $1 million in deferred maintenance that would be required for accredited camp programs at the northern camps, another $12 million would need be to be invested to achieve a “Blue Ribbon†status based on new national standards for Scout camps." ?? Not all camps need to be "upgraded" , why not leave them primitive and limit program to scoutcraft. Never hear of a "Blue Ribbon" status is that a 4-H cow camp with heated barns?

Some California judges are not happy about this. http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0125-boy-scouts-judges-20150125-story.html#page=1 San Joaquin County Superior Court Barbara Kronlund, said the policy would violate her religious rights under the First Amendment. Riverside County Superior Court Judge John Vineyard stated that being an Eagle Scout and Scoutmaster was in no way incompatible with serving on the bench.

I looked at the Canons of Ethics for US Judges, in particular,Canon 4 http://www.uscourts.gov/RulesAndPoli...tesJudges.aspx "Complete separation of a judge from extrajudicial activities is neither possible nor wise; a judge should not become isolated from the society in which the judge lives. As a judicial officer and a person specially learned in the law, a judge is in a unique position to contribute to the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice, including revising substantive and procedural law and improving criminal and juvenile justice. " Food for thought? Maybe judges should have a mixed social association, a little less PC isolation and more community involvement. Another $0.02

Discrimination against women in the military remains an issue, so IMO the military exemption is still needed for judges to serve at least according to the intent here. Before a judge joins a group must membership be pre-approved by a judicial committee? I take it judges are appointed in CA?

In my internet travels, I read this disturbing story about a recruited Colorado woman who had a Scouting background. "Colorado teenager, Shannon Conley, was sentenced Friday to four years in federal prison for conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The 19-year-old who now uses the name, Amatullah, which means “Female Servant of God,†was apprehended by federal authorities at Denver International Airport on April 8, 2014, after her father alerted the FBI to her plans. She was arrested as she was boarding a flight to Frankfurt, Germany where she planned to make connections to Istanbul and then on to Syria where she intended to marry a Tunisian jihadist she had “met†on the internet. ... Over the next five months, federal agents conducted a series of open and candid interviews with Conley and her parents during which the teenager told them about her plans saying she believed “jihad must be waged to protect Muslim nations.†She revealed that she had joined the U.S. Army Explorers, a career exploration program under the auspices of the Boy Scouts, to gain first-hand knowledge and experience in military skills, such as field first aid and marksmanship, and intended to use the firearm experience to wage jihad with ISIS. Conley, a certified nurse’s aide, said she also hoped to help the ISIS cause as a camp nurse in Syria." http://natmonitor.com/2015/01/24/teenaged-would-be-jihadist-sentenced-to-four-years-in-federal-prison/

Thanks for including the link Merlyn. The strikeout areas clearly stated the previous reason for exemption, as quoted below These exemptions are necessary because membership in United States military organizations is subject to current valid military regulations, and religious beliefs are constitutionally protected. Membership in nonprofit youth organizations is not barred to accommodate individual rights of intimate association and free expression. Both are gone despite the stated constitutiional reasons! However the religious exemption is still in effect. A California judge could still be a member of a religious group that preached/practiced discrimination! ??So is there a judge and common sense shortage in California?? Are they looking to hire foreign judges from the Middle East via a H1-B program?

Same way THEY know for the Don't Fly List ...what's good for the goose is good for the gander As you mentioned, the answer was suppose to be biometric data.

I wish there was some reciprocity agreement or maybe a national known good guy list. Some way without having to go through yet another background check and revealing your SS# and other critical ID info each time you volunteer. BTW, it can be a PITA for us old farts as some background checks are required to go back your whole adult life where record storage pre-dates computer, i.e., microfiche, okay and maybe stone tablets too.

A group of scouters and camp alumni are not going quietly into the night - the Save Camp Russell campaign http://watertown.twcnews.com/content/news/all_news/801988/residents-fight-to-save-boy-scout-camp/ Some interesting points are made "They (Council ) didn't go about notifying the proper people for financial assistance," said Stephens. "There's many scouters out there that are willing to donate or willing to help financially, but they just haven't bothered to contact them." "Considering they're selling two camps, Cedarlands and Russell, maybe only get rid of one of the camps and see how that goes," said Tomm Meininger, a former camper. "And maybe see how it goes and if they need to get rid of the other one in the future." Seems some holes in the process used to close/sell camp. I wonder how many former scout camps have been sold/taken over by alumni associations?

Your luck has been better. Have not heard the SM's side. I agree there should be a SM conference. When we get a District Advancement Chair, I will ask him about that. In this matter, SM's are not trusted by the BSA so they are not empowered. If the BSA wants it that way, let's drop the signature as it implies approval which may not be the case or should a SM sign and add "Discussed. Approval should not be implied"? Mid 60's. Our Neighborhood Commissioner did. Did Councils empower differently? Maybe. He did unit full inspections and was a major presence at camporees. He graded each scout right down to the dime and hankerchief in their pocket, then it was the SM's turn and we wondered if our SM remembered to hide his Winston's. The NC reviewed membership and advancement records, each active scout had one double side sheet in the SM's notebook - simple. This didn't take long, nor did reviewing the program calendar (we went month by month). Most of his time was spent reviewing the troop bank ledger and checkbook. At the time, some units had some discrepancies and committeemen were removed. Quick and quiet - 'Thank you, we need someone else now.' Our council and the NC had zero tolerance for booze, another unit SM had a problem there and he was dismissed. Again quick and quiet. He spoke with SPL and ASPL, also asked Quartermaster for equipment list not to check inventory himself but to see if the QM was on top of it. NC was a WW2 vet and could turn from Friendly to stern with a snap of his finger. Back then, National had at least some of the common sense rules in place that some SM's want now. - Work on ranks in order, one at a time and tenure in rank required - Had to be FC to work on merit badges - No immediate recognition, you waited until COH Anyway his inspections were usually once a year. If the troop did well it received a flag ribbon in Feb, if not follow-up inspections were held. Sorry to ramble, Council did have quality control back then, scouting was more visible in the community. Our appearance in public and our public reputation were taken seriously. Scouts wore their uniforms as they walked to meetings (it was okay then). Downtown business windows were decorated by scouts for Feb Scout Week. Some wore their uniforms to junior high and on a dare, to high school. Sorry for the memory lane rambling. Well we have not heard from the OP SM and TC so that may not be true. Yes I have written Irving over the years, so far no response. Well maybe I influenced a change allowing scouts to help other organizations (in particular Salvation Army) raise money. I have felt that pain and did not win. This SM draws his political strength from his local Union of Wannabee Eagle Families. I contend that we scouters cannot fix any problems such as these with a troop, we can only move to another troop. Where's a good NC to enforce a quality troop program when you need one? Agreed. But for every dumb SM-made rule, I can find an even dumber National rule.