UCEagle72

I have my 2010 UC patch as well - very nice. I always liked the "old patches" - of course the ADC who trained me was a "Neighborhood Commissioner" and wore the old patch, long after they had come out with the new ones (since he trained me in 1976, and the patches changed in 1972 or so). But I really like the old Neighborhood Commissioner patches. So I pick them up from time-to-time, and I use them as little 'gifts' when I hear of a Commissioner doing a great job - just a "me-to-you" thing, but when I witness a Commissioner really being dedicated to Commissioner Service - then I think they need a pat on the back -- because most of the time, it is not noticed. I hope we do keep these patches (less the 1910-2010) in the future -- it is a better connection to our past.

I became a Scouter in 1976 when I aged out of Scouting. Took WB in 1983 - all of 25 years old. I was glad I waited a few years, gave me a chance to get some perspective on being a Scout Leader (much like Tom Peters' saying that no one under 30 should be allowed in a MBA program). Fast forward to 2010, and I am contemplating taking WB21C ... why? Because I enjoyed the first class that much, and I want to see what else I can learn. Wait? I say yes, give yourself some time to learn what Scouting is about, have some successes, and some "lessons learned" ... but never, never, never stop learnin'.

As a Commissioner, when I attend one of my Troop's Meetings, I usually show up early, just so I can have some time to do a "mental" uniform inspection (and no, I do not belong to the Uniform Police ...). Sometimes I will ask Scouts about their badges, and one of my favorite questions is tied to the recruiter strip - since I normally ask them to tell me who they recruited into the Troop. I'm sure that a rather innocent comment like that from a UC, could probably throw the young man into a real loop if he was wearing a recruiter badge from Cubs and that young man was not in the same Troop. So I say, let him get the opportunity to be presented a new recruiter badge from his Troop.

Great Lakes Council (the old Detroit Area Council) would be a good place to check. We had a VERY large Polish community there (in fact, Shrove Tuesday is known as Pączki Day in Detroit ... mmmmmmmm, Pączki .... drool, drool, drool) and I would be will to guess they have some. 313.898.8920 (that is the Scout Shop in Detroit).

They are available on ScoutStuff: http://scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=UNIFORMS&C3=INSIGNIA&C4=&LV=3&item=INTERP&prodid=INTERP^8^01RTL& Just ask for Polish. (This message has been edited by UCEagle72)

How many "one hour per week" do you got? ;-)

Our District is varied. I handle 3 of the 4 units sponsored by the same organization (Pack, Troop, and Crew) - they have another Pack, but I just don't have the nights available to pick up a 4th unit. I think "experience" is the best factor for making this determination. I have been a Cubmaster, a Scoutmaster, and an Explorer advisor (and a UC or ADC for 16 years). I find no problem working with the three different programs. Not every UC can say that. Usually, it is best if a UC stays with one program, until "they" feel they are ready to branch out. At least that is my experience.

Amen!

Found I had to use a PC and Internet Explorer -- then I could register.