sherminator505

Go ahead and wear it, and watch the patch collectors cringe!

I don't think that the existence of these files in and of itself, constitutes a cover-up. The explanation of these files as I understand it is that they are there for the BSA's reference and protection. If that is indeed the case, and I have no reason to doubt it, then that wouldn't amount to a hill of beans. It just gives reporters something to write. Now IF the files should happen to contain information about incidents that were not reported to local law enforcement or were not otherwise legally settled, THEN you'd be looking at a cover up, and the BSA would deserve everything that came its way as a result, and I would expect some major internal reforms to come from that.(This message has been edited by sherminator505)

"What happened to YANN the thread originator?" Long gone, I'm afraid. Probably came in to stir the pot, just as he said, then left knowing that the buzzsaw known as Merlyn was bound to take over. What, did you really think he would stay to answer OUR questions?!

pjwalden, You mentioned some drama without getting into specifics. I don't mean to pry, but perhaps understanding what happened with the drama may help to remedy the situation, if it is at all related.

"No, I actually change things, Ed. Complaining without action is whining." Interesting thesis. I'd be interested to learn how one of my posts, or Merlyn's, or Ed's, or anyone else's, has really changed anything. We seem to be taking ourselves way too seriously here!(This message has been edited by sherminator505)

I am still wondering why this is a requirement for advancement. If the end goal is to get more Scouts to join, then we already have a recognition for this. It is called the recruiter strip. Now, are we ready to require the Scouts to earn the recruiter strip in order to make First Class, or are we better served by making the recruiter recognition a bit more meaningful?

I am not aware of any rule that states that a Scout cannot have an e-mail address, nor am I aware of any mechanism that could prevent a Scout from obtaining one. Now maybe your unit's policy is to route e-mail communications through the parents to keep them in the loop, but that is an entirely different question.

Ed is exactly right in stating that imposing the expectation that the invitee attend a meeting adds to the requirement. Personally, I question the value of this requirement. I think that the selling points of the program being offered should be what draws boys in. To blatently rip off a movie line, "if you build it, they will come." If you have a properly functioning troop and your Scouts are having fun, then you will have boys wanting to join and participate. Otherwise not. If you have Scouts who invite their friends to join and their friends are not coming in, that says more about the quality of the program than the sufficiency or persuasiveness of the invitation.

I originally posted this in another thread, but it directly addresses the question at hand, so I'll repeat it here: There is no such thing as the "troop method" in Scouting. If that is what this "Scoutmaster" wishes to do, then he is giving the boys something other than Scouting, and you should find another troop immediately.

I was reading the latest "uniform police" thread, and I was reminded of the regulations that often go unenforced. Consider the following concerning district insignia: "Districts are operational arms of the local council. Individuals are not identified as residents of a district, but of the local council and the Boy Scouts of America. For this reason district insignia is not authorized for wear on the uniform. Where it seems desirable to identify district participation in council activities, district flags or banners may be authorized. They are described in the flag portion of this book." I was a Scout, and later a Scouter, in a district that has been an identifiable entity in no less than four local councils in its history (that I'm aware of). The district has retained its name and identity through each transition, and there has always been a district patch. I was actually asked to produce a re-design for this patch, which I did, and this patch remains in use to this day. I was wondering, what is the general feeling toward district insignia?

It's not a trick question, but let's address your point. Let's assume that we're talking about a hypothetical athiest Scouter that, say, Merlyn might envision. How might that hypothetical athiest Scouter evaluate a Scout's answer to the question "What does duty to God mean to you?"

"How might an athiest Scouter evaluate a Scout's answer to the question "What does duty to God mean to you?" Or how about "What does 'a Scout is reverent?' mean?" What frame of reference would an athiest Scouter draw upon?" I'm gonna throw this out once more, and I just KNOW someone will have a good answer this time!

First of all, Scoutfish, I love your enthusiasm. If we had more leaders like you in Scouting, I'm sure we'd have a much stronger program overall. Second, I would recommend caution. A campout every month is an admirable goal, but burnout could be a concern. My suggestion is to start out with the idea of having frequent outings, but be careful not to outrun your support. As for the WB21 invitation, consider it an honor. It is an indication that someone has noticed your work in Scouting and expects that you will stick around a while.

Here are mine - 1) Chocolate creme 2) Chocolate pudding 3) Chocolate meringue 4) Cherry 5) Apple Please note that the appeal of any of the above is dramatically improved when it is served "al a mode."(This message has been edited by sherminator505)

I also agree with Lisabob. For a group of Scouters, this is clearly out of line.

"How might an athiest Scouter evaluate a Scout's answer to the question "What does duty to God mean to you?" Or how about "What does 'a Scout is reverent?' mean?" What frame of reference would an athiest Scouter draw upon?" Are there really no takers on this one, because I am really interested in whatever responses might be forthcoming... ?(This message has been edited by sherminator505)

What exactly is an "official" patch blanket? And is it considered a uniform item?

I find it interesting that the red and white unit numerals originated with the Boy Scouts, and now everybody BUT Boy Scouts wears them. So much for tradition...

OK - what color of unit numerals should those in Venturing wear?

Hello... Is this thing on?

"a boy must write into his plans, work for other boys in the troop, who are not directly involved in the Eagle project, to be done at the place of the Eagle project while the Eagle project is going on." What?! The point of leadership in an Eagle Scout project is to lead the Scouts (and perhaps others) in the work. Why on Earth would you have Scouts showing up to an Eagle Scout project and not be involved in the work? And why would it be the Eagle Scout candidate's job to keep those Scouts occupied? This makes no sense whatsoever.

These are good signs! It looks like you're off to a good start. Best of luck!

Thanks' skeptic. This particular dead horse has been reduced to a fine, off-white powder.

I think I stayed on topic. But OGE, you know how these I/P threads get.

"I would say that people who are part of the BSA, who disagree with the BSA's exclusionary policies, are often pragmatists but not cowards. When there is critical mass of people WITHIN the BSA who do not like BSA policy, then BSA policy will inevitably change. Outside pressure is valuable too, but I do not think the BSA will alter its policies due to disagreement from non-members." I wholeheartedly agree. I am troubled by some of the BSA's membership policies, and that probably made my recent hiatus from Scouting a bit longer than it would have been otherwise. But I came to realize that there is nothing to be gained from picking up my marbles and going home in a snit. I have also come to realize that Scouting does do good, and that in a very real spiritual sense Scouting is a calling for me. So what do I do? I don't shy away from sharing my opinions on the matter. Here is a good place to do that, although I have had conversations with other Scouters on the matter where and when it has been appropriate to do so. I also no longer indulge in self-segregation the way that Michael Moore, Steven Spielberg, and the Scouting for All crowd have. That approach is not helpful, and only makes needed change take longer.