RememberSchiff

What was the "Official" explanation? Will a virtual meeting be held in its place? IMHO, if ever there was a need for meeting of the 70+ members of the National Executive Board, this spring is the time. Now there's a fundraiser idea! My $0.02,

“The call originally came from the United Way to our chartered organization, First United Methodist Church. They were asking for help with unloading the trucks,” said Greg Amstutz, Committee Chairman for Scouts BSA Troop 31. Once Greg received the request from his church he knew exactly how to help. “I thought this would be a perfect way for my Scouts to help and we volunteered our services right away.” So, Greg mobilized his unit, deploying them on every Tuesday to unload food from the trucks and build the pallets back up in the gymnasium. Both Scouts BSA Troops, consisting of both male and female Scouts respectively, have unloaded four trucks, helped make food bags, and totaled 141 hours of service thus far. Director Smith acknowledged the help is appreciated and is a great service, “This is manual labor, physically unloading food, moving pallets, and then reassembling this food for packing and distribution to residents.” More including photos at source: Servitude, Selflessness, Scouting in Van Wert County (OH) https://timesbulletin.com/Content/News/Community-News/Article/Servitude-Selflessness-Scouting-in-Van-Wert-County/2/1170/224012

To paraphrase Terrence Mann (played by James Earl Jones) words from “People Will Come” speech in Field of Dreams. "The one constant through all the years has been Scouting. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But Scouting has served all the time. These scouts, this program: it's a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good and that could be again. Oh...families will come. Families will most definitely come.”

From link above. IMHO, if your WFA or CPR re-certification class was cancelled, an accommodation should be made regarding "current". My $0.02, Q. My Wilderness First Aid Course has been cancelled; can I still go on my trek?Current WFA certification will continue to be required for all backcountry and remoteadventures. As a reminder, a current CPR/AED certification is a pre-requisite for a WFA course. In addition, we are closely monitoring the status of instructor-led courses and working with our partners at the American Red Cross and Emergency Care and Safety Institute for acceptable alternatives in the event courses are not available in your community. We will post further information in the next update.

FYI from Chapter 11 case: https://casedocs.omniagentsolutions.com/cmsvol2/pub_47373/810634_321.pdf In addition, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the strain on the BSA’s senior management and other organizational resources. In light of the social distancing measures adopted throughout the country and the drain those measures have had on the organization’s revenues, the BSA was forced to furlough a large portion of its workforce effective April 1, 2020. The BSA’s senior leadership is also preparing a revised 2020 business plan and cash flow forecast that will better account for the increased financial and operational uncertainty arising from the pandemic. Those efforts include modeling new revenue projections and exploring various cost-reduction levers. The BSA’s senior management is also engaged in efforts to continue alternative programming to its members when most traditional BSA programming is suspended. The substantial reduction in staff, together with the additional work associated with adapting to the new realities of this pandemic, will impose significant additional burdens on the employees who remain. signed Brian Whittman, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal North America, LLC (“A&M”), a limited liability corporation, which has served as a restructuring advisor to the Boy Scouts of America (the “BSA”) and Delaware BSA, LLC, the non-profit corporations that are debtors and debtors in possession in the above-captioned Chapter 11 Cases (together, the “Debtors”), since October 2018

Speaking of which, what a long road this has been. DECLARATION OF RACHEL KASSABIAN IN SUPPORT OF DEBTORS’ OBJECTION TO GIRL SCOUTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’S MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY TO RESUME TRADEMARK ACTION https://casedocs.omniagentsolutions.com/cmsvol2/pub_47373/810638_322.pdf DEBTORS’ OBJECTION TO GIRL SCOUTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’S MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY TO RESUME TRADEMARK ACTION https://casedocs.omniagentsolutions.com/cmsvol2/pub_47373/810632_320.pdf ^---- IMHO, the latter (6 pages) was well argued, particularly, items 6 and 7. 6. The BSA is currently devoting significant managerial, financial, legal, and other resources toward its restructuring efforts. Specifically, the BSA’s leadership is presently undertaking the following tasks related to the bankruptcy: (i) the preparation of statements and schedules for the U.S. Trustee and other constituencies; (ii) the identification and assembly of materials responsive to numerous document requests propounded by the TCC’s and UCC’s counsels and advisors; (iii) engaging with and fielding requests from various media organizations regarding the BSA’s restructuring and its ability to continue Scouting activities while these Chapter 11 Cases are pending; (iv) engaging in preparations for the upcoming meeting of creditors to be held pursuant to Section 341 of the Bankruptcy Code, which is currently scheduled for April 15; (v) assisting in the preparation of periodic presentations to various constituencies regarding the BSA’s financial position, forecasts, and restructuring plan; and (vi) implementing expense reductions and other organizational improvements necessary to meet the Debtors’ 2020 budget. The “breathing spell” afforded by the automatic stay has been essential to the BSA’s ability to continue to proceed as expeditiously as it has in these early stages of the bankruptcy. 7. In addition, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the strain on the BSA’s senior management and other organizational resources. In light of the social distancing measures adopted throughout the country and the drain those measures have had on the organization’s revenues, the BSA was forced to furlough a large portion of its workforce effective April 1, 2020. The BSA’s senior leadership is also preparing a revised 2020 business plan and cash flow forecast that will better account for the increased financial and operational uncertainty arising from the pandemic. Those efforts include modeling new revenue projections and exploring various cost-reduction levers. The BSA’s senior management is also engaged in efforts to continue alternative programming to its members when most traditional BSA programming is suspended. The substantial reduction in staff, together with the additional work associated with adapting to the new realities of this pandemic, will impose significant additional burdens on the employees who remain. ... signed Brian Whittman, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal North America, LLC (“A&M”), a limited liability corporation, which has served as a restructuring advisor to the Boy Scouts of America (the “BSA”) and Delaware BSA, LLC, the non-profit corporations that are debtors and debtors in possession in the above-captioned Chapter 11 Cases (together, the “Debtors”), since October 2018

The official source. https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/merit-badges/ Scroll down the long page and click on MB of interest to get current requirements. Hopefully other members will reply with more detailed advice.

@DLikens on behalf of moderators, welcome to scouter.com.

Worked for Steve McQueen...

In keeping with the day may I suggest an interactive over-air solution from back in the day...Winky Dink and You. National gains a revenue stream simply by making the viewer kit part of the uniform. The BSA official viewer kit, only sold through Scout Shop, contains official BSA trademarked Magic Window, erase cloth (unsold neckers), and Magic crayons. My $0.02,

2020 West Point Scoutmaster's Council Camporee cancelled. Facebook link: Dear Friends and Family of Scouting, It is with great sadness to inform all of you that the 2020 Scoutmaster’s Council Camporee has been cancelled due to health concerns of COVID-19. Our staff had been working hard to make this the best Camporee yet and we were excited for all of you to be able to experience it. We will be sending out further guidance on the refund process and other matters in the coming weeks via email. For those who were accepted this year, we would also like to extend an invitation to attend the 2021 Camporee since we know many of you were looking forward to this event. Please bear with us as we navigate through these issues during this uncertain time. We hope that you all are staying safe and healthy and we will get through this together. Thank you for your patience and we hope to see you next year! - The SMC Command Team

"inextricably intertwined"...You may be correct. In the 3/30/2020 consent order, the Court labels local councils and charter organizations as "BSA Related Parties" and not "separate entities" as these councils and charter organization are also defendants (Schedule 2) with the debtor, the BSA in the Pending Abuse Actions" listed in Schedule 1. Here's the 3/30/2020 consent order link: https://casedocs.omniagentsolutions.com/cmsvol2/pub_47373/810262_54.pdf On Pages 5-6, after the Whereas's After due deliberation and sufficient cause appearing therefor; THE COURT FINDS AND CONCLUDES THAT: A.The Plaintiff in this adversary proceeding is the debtor, the BSA. Attached hereto as Schedule 1 is a list of lawsuits or claims (collectively, the “Pending Abuse Actions”) against the BSA and/or the BSA Related Parties set forth on Schedule 2 attached hereto (the “BSA Related Parties”). The BSA Related Parties consist of (i) non-debtor Learning for Life, a non-stock organization affiliated with the BSA, (ii) local councils, which the BSA represents are independently incorporated under the non-profit laws of their respective states (the “Local Councils”), and (iii) community and religious organizations, businesses, and groups of citizens that organize Scouting units under the BSA charter and are named defendants in the Pending Abuse Actions (and no others). The Pending Abuse Actions include the (a) Pending Abuse Actions, as defined in the Motion, that were pending as of the Petition Date, and (b) actions that have been filed or otherwise asserted against the BSA and/or the named BSA Related Parties on or after the Petition Date, alleging that the BSA and/or the BSA Related Parties are liable to the applicable plaintiff on account of abuse perpetrated against such plaintiff. The Defendants in this adversary proceeding are those parties listed in the “Underlying Plaintiffs” column of Exhibit A to the Complaint. The Defendants in the adversary proceeding are all plaintiffs in lawsuits that seek to hold the BSA and/or the BSA Related Parties liable in actions that include claims and/or causes of action allegedly arising out of the plaintiffs’ involvement or connection with the BSA.

Update 3/30/2020: Judge halts lawsuits against local Boy Scout Councils Federal Bankruptcy Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein has granted a request by the Boy Scouts of America to halt lawsuits against local Scout councils as the BSA works on its bankruptcy plan to set up a compensation fund for thousands of men who were molested as boys by Scout leaders. The Boy Scouts initially sought to halt all litigation against local councils for six months from the date of its Feb. 18 bankruptcy filing. The agreement forged with the creditors committees calls for the lawsuits to be put on hold through May 18, with the possibility of an extension. "In the scheme of litigation, a stay of 55 days is not a long time, or for that matter, even unusual," Silverstein said. In granting the BSA's request for a preliminary injunction, Silverstein said the interests and missions of the BSA and its local councils are "inextricably intertwined." The judge noted that the BSA and local councils also are covered under a single excess insurance policy, and that BSA has played a key role in defending lawsuits by abuse survivors. The insurance policy in question once had a $25 million limit but now stands at about $18 million because of previous settlements. More at Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2020-03-30/judge-halts-lawsuits-against-local-boy-scout-councils

These scouts put together a Discord and Zoom solution which was monitored by SM and ASM's. https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/coronavirus-blog/2020/03/27/how-the-coronavirus-forced-a-boy-scout-troop-to-go-virtual

We hope and pray for your grandson's safe recovery. Maybe "home range" for us may be considered the area bounded by the Mrs. honey-do-list.

Home range is the term used to describe the space in which an individual animal spends its time and finds all the resources needed for survival. The term was coined by 20th-century American zoologist William Henry Burt, who was noted for his books on mammals and his collection of their baculums. ... Author, wildlife artist and chairman of the founding committee of Boy Scouts of America, Ernest Thompson Seton, explains, “No wild animal roams at random over the country; each has a home-region, even if it has not an actual home.” ... The concept of territory is different from home range and includes the defense of an area against other animals. Territories are well-defined and often physically marked by the dominant animal. A territory is usually smaller than the animal’s home range. ... My home range has decreased dramatically in the last week and I hope that yours has as well. Aspire to reduce it even more, since the smaller our home ranges, the better our chances for reducing the range of humanity’s newest predator. An interesting essay on Nature and these times by Suzan Bellincampi, director of the Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Edgartown, and author of Martha’s Vineyard: A Field Guide to Island Nature and The Nature of Martha’s Vineyard. https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2020/03/26/home-range

With this uncertainty, why not modify the summer camp business model to reduce financial risk, e.g., a rustic, patrol method camp (like a state park) . Minimum staff - just camp director and lifeguards. Better yet have troops provide water safety plan with their own lifeguards. Mess hall closed. Patrol cooking. No camp store, no nurse. Troop does its own program. Interactions, e.g. competitions, campfires with other troops lead by SPL's. Flexible schedule. Troop can register campsite for weekend, 4 days, whatever. My $0.02,

Found these after reading about USC remote learning incident - some Zoom security measures to prevent Zoom bombing - unwanted trolls injecting their audio and video: https://www.cmu.edu/iso/news/zoom-bombing.html https://blog.zoom.us/wordpress/2020/03/20/keep-the-party-crashers-from-crashing-your-zoom-event/

BSA National Annual Meeting (NAM) May 20-22, in Washington, D.C. ?

From Scouts Australia : https://www.nsw.scouts.com.au/members-services/health-and-safety/scouting-guide-to-coronavirus/ The Federal and State Governments have now announced a series of new measures and recommendations to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19. They both share the view that only the most essential face-to-face interactions should continue at this time. This means Scouts NSW will no longer continue any face to face Scouting. Instead, we are activating a series of new channels to enable adults and young people to stay connected to Scouting over the coming months. We are creating Virtual groups through our Microsoft Teams platform to allow Groups and Sections to meet. The Youth program team is launching some alternative program suggestions, which will be regularly updated. They include a range of activities delivered through Project Patrols and aligned to the Special Interest Areas of our program. We are encouraging members to participate in the World Organisation of Scouting (WOSM) events including Scouts Earth Hour on 28 March and Jamboree on the Internet on 3-5 April. Our NSW Scouts Lones Group will be making some of their programs, activities and worksheets available. A series of weekly challenges will be launched, which young people can complete together with family or friends, thereby introducing new people to Scouting activities. At all times, we are guided by our priority to protect the health and safety of all our members.

From: https://www.scout.org/covid-19-advisory Suspension of WOSM Meetings, Workshops and Events At the World and Regional levels, all non-critical meetings, workshops and events for March and April have been suspended or postponed to reduce the risk of spreading the illness. Among these events include the Africa Scout Day celebrations, 6th World Scout Interreligious Symposium, APR Scout Leaders Summit and others. Where possible, we strongly recommend that NSOs consider virtual participation for Scout meetings or events instead of traveling or meeting in-person, or suspending meetings altogether. Please also continue to monitor the situation in your respective countries closely, and make informed decisions that prioritise the health, safety and well-being of all members. We are aware that these are extraordinary times, and that the cancellation of events and Scout gatherings is very disappointing. However, keeping young people, volunteers and staff safe will always be our priority. We will continue to keep our Member Organizations informed of further developments.

Yes. I remember when forms were 1 page and a scout responsibility. We brought our medical form to camp and stood in line at nurse's cabin. If you forgot, no problem, you hiked up to ranger station and phoned your parents who either brought your form or took you home. At the end of the week, the camp nurse returned forms to scoutmaster who returned to scouts for reuse next summer. Rewind anyone?

Ads I would like to see

To our Scouting community, In Scouting, we vow to help other people at all times. Now, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Scouting community must do its part to slow the spread of the virus, which will save lives and avoid overwhelming our local healthcare infrastructure. The safety of Scouts, volunteers, employees and our communities is our top priority. With safety in mind and based on guidance from national health officials, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is strongly advising that in-person meetings, activities, events and gatherings of 10 or more people be suspended through the end of March. Please also follow any restrictions outlined by your state and local health department or other state and local authorities. This applies to youth and adults out of an abundance of caution. In accordance with national guidelines, please focus on the following through the end of March: Avoid in-person gatherings; instead, utilize available digital and online resources, such as video conferencing, to continue Scouting meetings, projects and advancement, adhering to the current youth protection guidelines already in place for digital communications. If you must meet, limit participants to fewer than 10 people and remain at least six feet apart. Follow BSA blogs and social channels, as well as #ScoutingAtHome, for great examples and ideas of how to continue Scouting. If you or any member of your family feels sick, DO NOT go into the office or attend any gatherings. Contact your health professional to get care and notify your supervisor so they can take the appropriate measures while you focus on recuperating. We will continue to evaluate the ongoing situation and prioritize the safety of everyone involved in Scouting – youth, families, volunteers, employees and our communities – is our number one priority. We realize these decisions are not without their challenges, and we thank you for helping meet the needs of our communities in difficult times. The steps we are taking reinforce the many ways – big and small – that Scouting empowers character and leadership today and for generations to come. Yours in Scouting, Roger C. Mosby President and CEO Source link: https://www.scouting.org/coronavirus/ Also thanks to @RichardB for notice.

Confirmed telephone appearances (name, law firm, client) at Thurs March 19 conference. Some 75 attorneys. Updated status reports due to court today March 20, 4pm and again March 23, noon. https://casedocs.omniagentsolutions.com/cmsvol2/pub_47373/807366_240.pdf