UCEagle72

Magic -- Did my WB in 1983 - so I am in the same boat. I have considered the refresher course, but would not consider taking the new course. Done all the MBA stuff - can't really see a reason to do it again. Actually, the course I want to take at PTC is District Key 3 -- just trying to convince our District Chair to attend!

819 -- Absolutely! Contact your District Commissioner and let him know. I told ASMs and SMs this just this weekend at training -- if you don't see or know your UC, please, contact me!

Here is a photo of the wide-game patch. It is two hands shaking (the word you spelled out was Friendship). http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/~jgz8g/jambopics/1973/73handsseg.jpg

Unit Commissioners *should* contact a unit at least once a month. Now, "contact" can come in lots of forms - 1-on-1 meetings at Roundtable, visiting a unit meeting or a unit activity like a CoH or Campout. Seeing them at a Camporee. Phone calls, emails, etc. Last Saturday, I was at our District Training Day, and had a great opportunity to meet and speak with a number of units and leaders (especially the new LDS leaders who had just received their callings) and, as a District Commissioner, that was a great opportunity. BTW - I actually will call the unit commissioners in my area if I do not see entries in the "Unit Visit Tracking System" or get emails from them letting me know that they have been in contact with their units.

Excellent! Congratulations to your young men. Maybe this will encourage them to work on the additional religious awards as they progress in Scouting.

The new Venturing Handbook *is* out (just not on Scoutstuff) - but we have had copies in at the scout shop in Apopka for a while. No Math & Science Bronze listed though ...

My goodness ... not much further than Camp LaNoChe for me!

Welcome to the virtual campfire! Put your feet up, sit back, and relax. The weather is always perfect, the fire not too warm, and the Scouts are all above average ... ;-) (This message has been edited by UCEagle72)

OGE - I am certainly glad my monitor has a protective screen on it, as it was just doused in water from my spit take! LOL

If it gets dropped at the post office, and postmarked tomorrow (1/31), you'll be fine.

Welcome to the virtual campfire! You have survived your first year as SM, and that, initself, it a real accomplishment. Kick your shoes off, put up your feet, and don't worry about skeeters, but there are the occasional horse flies ... ;-)

bsafl -- No argument - it is indeed a "goal" and not a "rule" -- it was just the only reference I knew of, or could find, that indicated that the District Chair should not be registered with a unit.

Another Floridian -- welcome! One think I might mention to you is the Journey to Excellence program -- check out item #10 -- "Nominating Committee" -- in order for your District to qualify in this category at the "Gold" level, neither the District Chair, nor the District Commissioner can be registered with a local unit, in the District. (yes, I emphasized that last part on purpose.) That could well be the rule they are referring to ... just a guess.

Using Troop Program Features, and some of the other resources are covered during SM/ASM Position Specific Training.

Originally, I heard it was a patch as well -- however, we tasked our DE to find out, and it turns out it is a lapel pin.

While this is a "story" today - until 1955 adult scout leaders could earn the Eagle Scout Award -- as adults. (I have heard of some granted after 1955, but that was when the BSA basically stopped the practice.)

Kamelian -- Check eBay and your local used book stores. 7th and 8th editions are easy enough to find - the old Poultry Keeping MB book may be more difficult (we had 75 chickens and 25 ducks when I was a kid ... and had lots of strange looks when I earned the Poultry Keeping MB 'cause to most of the kids in our troop we were in the "city" [My family lived in the town before it because a large suburb of Detroit]).

Have your quarterdeck meet with the Skipper and the Committee Chair (no other adults). Explain the planning problems, explain the "alternative plans." Be concise, but keep the personalities out of it. Facts, and problems, and be prepared to present your own solutions to the problem (like your completed calendar).

'83 -- COR is a "charged for" position -- I happen to be looking at a re-charter packet right this moment.

As I served as a CM in the old Detroit Area Council - and had a pack composed largely of cubs whose dads worked at the GM Tech Center -- you have no idea on how crazy the competition can get between those dads ... Enjoy ... and stick to your guns!

And the whole "Marketing Toolbox" -- http://goo.gl/FGgWr

Ryan -- I know Sea Scout Ships that don't have an actual "ship" (some focus on diving, some on other water based activities), and I know some who simply have a skiff. So there is no "requirement" to have an actual ship.

I double checked with our registrar, just to make sure I had this right. If a registered Scout registers as a Venturer, then that is a "transfer" and is $1. If a registered Scout registers as an Adult, then that is a new registration and is $15 (for the background check fee).

JM -- Check the BSA Marketing site, they have new images there each month - called their "Top 5" http://marketing.scouting.org/Downloads/Top5Photos.aspx

Tex - I believe we will see these things implemented shortly. Keep in mind, while the requirements have been posted on the USSP web site, they have not yet been posted on Scouting dot org - so they could change.