RememberSchiff

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.

And that would be what...just talk. No authority to "do the right thing", in delivering on the promise. So Tommy Scout asks SM for a MB card. He plans to work on yet another merit badge with his Uncle Miltie, Aunt Bee, Mr. Easy, or Mrs. Alldone. The SM says he has already earn 3 from that MBC why not try another person (Adult association method). No thanks I will stick what works for me. Hrrrumph. Against his/her better judgment, the SM is required to sign the card. Hands are tied. So Tommy Scout asks SM for a MB card. He plans to work on several/all Eagle MB's with his Dad. Against his/her better judgment, the SM is required to sign the card. Hands are tied. Back in the day, my SM asked about my grades before issuing a card. And yes he said NO a couple of times. I guess that would be considered child abuse now. Around here the District Advancement Chair is often unfilled. Perhaps because they have no real authority to fix problems? BINGO. The SM is the one person who sees the whole picture - the SCOUT, the TROOP, the PROGRAM, and COUNCIL/NATIONAL. TRAIN him/her and TRUST his/her judgment. If not, go with my proposal. If the SM's reasons are sound (not just this is the way I have always done it) but the scout/family still disagree, find another troop. Got a SM who cannot explain his/her reasons, give the Unit Commissioner authority to talk and REMOVE that person if necessary, just like the old days. You are right, but they were in the OP. Another $0.01 P.S. The Merit Badge Program was already broken.

Scoutmasters are mentors to scouts - merit badges or not, signature or not. A scout can ask advice or not. So a proposal, I see no need for a SM signature if he/she has no authority in the process. For those who complain about SM's not performing or exceeding a responsibility, you get your wish. SM's are out of the loop. For all others who are allowed by council/National to change requirements for "good reasons" or not, they are not affected. Council is the sole gatekeeper (quality control) of the merit badge program. Prospective MBC's are vetted (really). Council maintains a current list of MBC's. Scouts select a MBC from a Council list. MBC's can carry a deck of blank blue cards or maybe scouts buy a deck of 21 cards from scoutstuff.org at crossover. Ka-ching. Parents and scouts can send praise and complaints regarding MBC's and any Council MB programs (summer camp, MB colleges) straight to Council. MB's are no longer the SM's or Troop Committee's problem other than awarding the badge. I think I like it.

If National does not trust the SM's judgment, then remove the SM from the process. Seems strange since National still unilaterally allows MBC's, camps, and MB colleges to make such decisions/restrictions. Read MB college and summer camp pamphlets and you will often see *footnotes, "MBC requires scout be FC", "Scout must be 13", "Scout must be at least 80lbs for shotgun..." Ok for them but not the SM, got it. So take the SM completely out the process. Council is the sole gatekeeper (quality control) and maintains the MBC list. Scouts select a MBC from a Council list. MBC's can carry a deck of blank blue cards. Parents and scouts can send praise and complaints regarding MBC's and any Council MB programs to Council. Not the SM's or Troop Committee's problem other than awarding the badge. Hmmm...

Maybe...sounding more troll than true. Good luck either way.

Responding to Tahawk. This is somewhat hypothetical as I am not a SM or this particular SM. 1. Everyday and twice as much on Sunday. 2. Not as much these days. The dark forces of parental or peer pressure are growing stronger. 3. So the end justifies the means? The scout did not have a signed card, the 18 yr MBC proceeded anyway. Two wrongs make a right and that's okay. If I was SM, I would have a conference with the scout about what it means to be Trustworthy. What happens the next time when an activity that he is interested requires SM approval, will he do another end around? But as the rules have changed (eroded the traditional MB process), I see no point requiring a SM to sign the blue card. If the scout wants advice then ask, if not fine. He's got an automatic green light no matter what. 4. The collateral damage is that scouters leave the BSA. Adults are harder to recruit if they know their judgment is not trusted and their decisions are not supported. My $0.02

Wow these responses woke me up faster than my coffee. Chapter and verse, it looks like I was wrong, wish I wasn't though. What I am reading is there is no longer any real need for the Scoutmaster or a "signed blue card" in the current merit badge process. A scout can just go take a merit badge any time, place, or counselor. Next up: Scout motto "Be Prepared" replaced with "Ready or Not" Refund $0.02 but not Cheerfully

What should I do? Encourage your son to learn from this and continue. You should step back and watch. This is scouting, boys learn from their mistakes and move forward. He will earn Lifesaving MB the right way. 1. The scout talks to his Scoutmaster first and seeks his/her approval to start work on a MB. Sometimes I do not return calls/email if I am traveling on business, particularly if the issue is better discussed in detail at the next scout meeting. For the scout, if a call/email is not returned, call/email again or seek a face-to-face meeting. 2. Approval is not automatic. A SM may reject the idea and deny a card but he/she will state the reasons. For Lifesaving, I think scouts need more upper body strength and maturity than the average 11 yr old. If your SM have been given the opportunity, he/she would likely have directed your scout to other scout activities or merit badges. 3. The 18yr MBC was wrong in allowing your son to take the class without a SM signed blue card. 4. This was the SM's call, the Troop Committee supports the SM decision not approves it. I think you misunderstood or were misinformed of their involvement. Usually troops have a new parent meeting early on where advancement and a myriad of other program specifics are explained so everyone is on the same page. Hopefully lessons learned for the next merit badge. My $0.02,