RememberSchiff

I will not build what I do not need nor what I cannot afford. I have seen too many council construction projects go overboard and/or underfunded and they are in a deep hole - camp timber has to be cut and camps have to be sold. Here's an example Pine Tree Council, in Portland, Maine built a new council headquarters - the Alton E. Chuck Cianchette Scout Service Center and it is first rate and was done right but could we afford it? http://www.pinetreebsa.org/properties/servicecenter/ but the money ran out and council is short about a million. So timber was harvested from Camp Gustin and it will likely be sold too. http://www.sunjournal.com/city/story/933664 So why the high cost (it's already a wilderness, add an entrance road, some plumbing, gear, and base camp support buildings), and where's the money coming from? I fear nearby councils will be encouraged to sell existing (competing) camp properties to pay for the Summit. My $0.01

Our troop meetings look more like an adult drop-in center. They arrive early and setup tables and chairs. The problem is they won't shut-up, but the SM and Troop Committee say it's ok. Adult-run. Agree that the adventure is mostly gone from BSA and that other organizations have lured away boys who should have been scouts. Our loss. Even something a simple as swimming we no longer get right. Remember when all scouts were taught to swim at camp, just like 4-H and Y camps still do. Maybe if you teach an 8 yr old boy to swim, he will want to kayak next. Can't have that. Meanwhile the paddle boards remain stacked and unused in the camp cabana. My $0.02(This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

The so-called "legal" types did not read the Scout Oath - "help other people at all times". Scouting is about doing what's right, learning to make good judgments. This occasionally does not align with following the rules. Ring the bell. My $0.02

A million here, a million there, pretty soon you're talking real money. Maybe shy of the amount to build a Disneyworld or college campus, but still I wonder why the high cost for an outdoor camp and where all that money will come from, maybe the next Jambo will be even more expensive? So far, I think donations have totaled 100 million. 170 million to prepare site for Jambo 2013 300 million to further develop for high adventure camp and possible World Jambo bid ----- 1/2 billion? I read about this on NPR (includes audio interview with Bob Mazzuca) and other sources (hard to find the earlier articles that mentioned World Jambo bid). http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=17161 http://tinyurl.com/35j48vf A scout is thrifty.

Hurray for the Girl Scouts for supporting American Labor. "The owners of a family-run Passaic, New Jersey, factory that has been the main supplier of Girl Scout uniforms and sashes for years were told recently that the organization would be seeking bids for the job including from a company in China. Girl Scouts spokeswoman Michelle Tompkins said the organization, which has its national headquarters in New York City, had been contacted by parents, members and volunteers urging it to keep the uniforms American-made. She said the contract hadn't been awarded but the bid request had been modified to require that the uniforms be made domestically and that companies adhere to strict guidelines regarding worker age, treatment and safety." Read the rest at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39958626

BD - You betcha. We continue to ring the bell for Salvation Army. No secret, no problem, probably because we don't touch the kettle. Just ringing the bell and singing Christmas songs, helping others. Some get in knots about Boy Scouts wearing their uniform while helping their sisters sell Girl Scout cookies, or donating their own time and money to some good cause. Council has to approve each instance. National has to protect the brand while they short-sell it for a buck. Boy those Direct-TV ads in Scouting get me going, why are we associating with such....(unscoutlike words describing a company that has a F rating by Better Business Bureau deleted by RS) There was a big fundraiser with the Blue Angels up here. Many scouts and scouters helped out. We're still waiting to hear the financial results and what the money will be used for, hopefully not a new headquarters building. Counicl, FOS show us the details, alot of rubber chicken award banquets going on. Meanwhile we ring the bell for those Salvation Army helps. "The rules only impact those who chose to abide by them." Well said and true, a nod and a wink. My $0.01

Timing is everything... Next month, I had planned to see the exhibition "Norman Rockwell and the Boy Scouts of America" before it closes Nov 27. http://www.nrm.org/2010/06/norman-rockwell-and-the-boy-scouts-of-america/ I should have attended yesterday along with some 400 other scouts when an event was held with speakers Joe Csatari (the illustrator who succeeded Rockwell at Boy's Life) and his son Jeff! http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_16417985 Anyone go? Lost $0.02 and more (This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

This gave me a chuckle http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39793497/ns/world_news-europe/ I don't mean this as a slight to our British friends, we have had bigger goofs. Just a comment that no matter how advanced the technology all systems have an inherent weak link - us. Could some Boy Scouts row out and offer a tow? Maybe re-create that moment when a scout offered help on a foggy night My $0.01

Let the buyer beware, they may be under new management but there were many complaints of undelivered awards with this company not too long ago. circa 2007 http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=166463 circa 2008 http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=189850 My $0.02,

In my unit, the Troop Committee meets once a month on the same night as the troop meeting. The SM attends while an ASM(s) covers the troop meeting. The Troop Committee tried meeting on a separate night but attendance was poor.

Oh it has been discussed. I have not found the Search tool on scouter.com helpful though you will get a listing for searching "Scout bucks". I use Advanced Search on Google for domain scouter.com to search this forum, though that has occasional problems too. Google: "Individual Scout accounts" site:scouter.com Welcome troop1910. My $0.02

In keeping with making the world a better place...imagine if scouts had to re-certify (like Red Cross and WFA certificate holders) in first aid skills periodically. So the scout who got a speed-pass of T-SC-FC first aid and then first merit badge by age 12, now had to re-certify say at age 14 before he could advance or maybe complete WFA at age 14 and maintain current certification if he wanted to advance in rank. Of course, adult leaders could still be considered "Trained" and have no first aid training whatsoever. My $0.02

Yeah, I have heard others also speculate that a scout t-shirt and jeans would be the next uniform. So I asked what about all those badges, where would they go? 'Badges? They would probably get just cards (personalized Pokemon cards?). Parents want less work - no sewing or gluing.' Took 2 aspirin with that thought,

First, Safety and security. Safe storage of fuel. We store stove fuel off site from Charter Organization. Charcoal is stored in our troop shed. Food? We do not store any leftover food. Not looking for critter problems in our shed. Water jugs, coolers need to cleaned and stored DRY, closed! Storage area and trailer securely locked. Spare tire and registration folder in trailer. Trailer inspection? Insurance coverage? Depending on your storage area, consider smoke/fire detector. Good point about storing about floor level. Second, inventory and inspection. What serviceable equipment do we have? Make sure everyone has returned gear (yeah but how will I know ) before inventory. The troop likely stores more than just camping gear. We store badges, forms, troop library, ceremony stuff, and even a Pinewood Derby Track for our Pack. From here, it gets more involved. Deciding to repair or replace. How to store? We store gear by patrol (patrol signs out and is responsible for their gear). How to control access will be an issue. How to accept returned gear (dry, clean, in good condition) will be a bigger issue. As mentioned, you will guide the troop quartermaster and his assistants through this process. They will have problems handling the time-consuming details particularly after an outing. No quick and dirty. Take a particular interest in your first aid kits and lashing rope. My $0.02

"Do we have pictures of what the things look like to recognize bronze, silver, gold? How noticeable will a given level of accomplishment be?" Hopefully, National will put same team on this as is working on Geocaching Merit Badge. Teach your PLC to plan and execute the program and let whatever awards take care of themselves...eventually. Another $0.02

Patrol method = everyone has a job but all help. No sitting on your duff because it ain't in your job title description. In a newly formed patrol, the PL sees to this. As (if?) the patrol successfully gels, this occurs automatically. A thing of beauty! Often in a successful patrol, it will not be readily apparent who the PL is. Everyone knows their job and helps everyone else. My $0.02

While you are attending adult leader leader training courses, can your 15yr old scout son be a member of a provisional crew taking a trek during that time?(This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

Hmmm, So for a Venture Crew, the Crew President and Secretary must sign, but for a troop, naah we don't care for the SPL to sign for his "scout-run" troop. 1. Advancement - I would rather see 60%, 80%, 100% of those scouts who left (aged-out, quit) had earned the rank of First Class or higher. I'm not thrilled with encouraging mills for those who remain. Did we SM and ASM's help all those boys that joined? 2. Retention - Corrected any troop problems stated by departing and transferring scouts as verified by District Commissioner and departing scout parents. Retain 70%, 80%, 90% of Webelos crossover for 1 year. 5. Short term outings (hikes, camping, bike trip, Red Sox game...) - PLC plans and conducts outings (too often troop conducts = adult conducts) 6. Long term camping - PLC plans and conducts. 10. Budget - allow scout families an opt-out of fund-raising i.e. donate cash equivalent, return all monies in his account to scout when he leaves unit or scouting. No scout participation requirements except for summer camp? Maybe split form for troop performance: one section adult leader goals, one section scout goals. My $0.02

If I could only take 1 thing from Sports and apply it to Scouting, it would be the discipline, particularly taking away awards (even Heisman and Olympic gold) for rules violations. Runners-up: - physically strong (physical conditioning) - a local central authority ( league, conference) with enforcement powers over team programs and personnel. - scholarships - competitive spirit and sportsmanship - no sewing - membership would be nice too, far more involved in sports - Hollywood. There are many sports movies (Rudy, Remember the Titans, Hoosiers, Miracle on Ice,...) but only 1 boy scout movie. Say where is "Waiting for Green Bar Bill", the documentary that I am fabricating that Kudu is producing ? My $0.02

Give each helicopter parent an open can of root beer and see if the old adage is true that misery loves company.

'Eagle scouts join (pick a service) as E-3'. Maybe. My understanding is an Eagle scout is eligible for E-2 or E-3 upon successful completion of boot camp and recommendation. No guarantee. It would be interesting to see if this is writing in an enlistment contract. Also, why in 2010 is there still no mention of Venturing awards? I would think the Ranger Award and Silver Award would have value as well to the military. Maybe our Irving boys can contact the Secretary of Defense, an Eagle Scout himself. My $0.02

"My Pack is going to start requiring an application and background check for each parent with kids in the pack. Our COR stated this is the new national policy." While untrue for now, I think something like this is coming. My CO/unit is considering an "approved safe driver list" as there are parents who are known to be accident-prone, drive distracted, and worse. Nice people, just not safe drivers. I think part C of the new Health and Medical Form shows where we are heading: "Adults authorized to take youth to and from the event: (You must designate at least one adult. Please include a telephone number.) 1. ________________________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________________________ Adults NOT authorized to take youth to and from the event: 1. _______________________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________________" A side-effect of this Part C is some parents now feel empowered to ask up front who are the adult leaders for trips, especially the big $$$ trips and specify similar restrictions, e.g., 'My son has my permission to be on a backpack crew with ASM A and ASM B but not C and D.' "When we are spending that kind of money, we just want our son to be with those he likes. Not necessarily personal, we do the same when selecting a music teacher... " More hassle. My 2 aspirin,(This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

Sounds like the federal government!! Units should have job descriptions for each leadership position. Again so everyone is on the same page - another thing to add to your To-Do list. Googling, you can quickly find other units that have posted job descriptions. I found this list from http://www.roselletroop408.org/generic.aspx?PageType=Classifieds Treasurer Filled The Troop Treasurer maintains all troop finances, collects dues and fees, and pays troop bills. Appointed by the Committee Chair and serves at the satisfaction of the Committee Chair and the Troop Committee. Reports to: Committee Chair Duties: # Handles all troop funds. Pay all bills on recommendation of the Scoutmaster and authorization of the Troop Committee. # Help the Committee Chairman and the Scoutmaster establish a sound financial program for the Troop with a Troop budget plan. # Provides a treasurers report at each Troop Committee meeting. # Maintains a written budget for Troop expenses and provides account statements as requested. # Prepares financial records for annual audit. # Maintains the Troop savings and checking accounts, and keeps appropriate records related to troop funds. # Supervise Scout Accounts, tracks individual Scout camp fund accounts. # Work with Re-charter Coordinator to collect and record annual dues. # Work with Fund Raising Coordinator to account for monies earned during fund raisers and track scout account credits earned. # Work with Membership Coordinator to process registration of new scouts and adult leaders. # Work with Outdoor/Activity Coordinator to make necessary payments for camping/activity reservations. # Collect Summer Camp payments and remit funds to council office for camp reservations/payments in a timely manner. # Needs to attend most troop meetings. # Coordinates the payment of all bills. # Provides a list of Scouts who are delinquent in their camp fund or are behind in payment of dues at each committee meeting. # Works with the fundraising committee with respect to the placement of incoming funds. # Critiques Troop expenditures and purchases. # Works with the Troop Scribe to coordinate and compare Scout trip payment status. # Report to the chartered organization as needed on the financial condition of the Troop. # Support the policies of the BSA Other signers? Scout Master and Troop Committee chairperson, assuming as Eagle92 mentioned, that they are unrelated (excellent point). With your Troop Committee membership new and maybe a little unsure, your District Commissioner should be dropping-in to offer advice and training. But you can phone, e-mail, attend next District Round Table to jump start that process. Another $0.02(This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

Some thoughts 1. Go to the bank/credit union and get the troop's account statement, ASAP. 2. Change signature authorization card. Old treasurer off the list. Also it is good idea to require TWO authorization signatures. 3. Bring checkbook up to date. You may want new checks or transfer to a new account to get things under control. 4. Ask troop leadership questions, what fundraisers are there?, what troop dues?, what does rechartering cost?, how much do we spend on awards, how does the troop approve purchases (Sorry Scoutmaster cannot buy whatever he/she wants)? These questions are important as if the troop leadership is not on the same page regarding money, there will be trouble and if there is money trouble - the Treasurer is on the hot seat. Everyone is nice to you when they want a check, not so nice when you turn them down. Make the troop's money policies known - all on the same page. 5. Ask Troop Chairman for a budget-planning meeting. Your troop may have never operated under a budget rather just fund-raise, pay as you go. This is not recommended as program time is lost to numerous bake sales, car washes, yard sales... 6. Paper ledgers still work. Thanks for volunteering. Remember these tribulations when you hand over the troop books, in good order, to your "trained" successor in the distant future. My $0.02 (my authorization limit)

What a disappointment. The rumor I heard was that the requirements were dumbed-down to just one. 1. On a clear day, using a GPS unit of your choice, complete a course with the following waypoints: Mynose, Myelbow, and Myass. In April, professional scouters from National Headquarters field tested the new requirement. The bad news is they became lost on the third leg. The good news is they still have not been found. My $0.01