ZScout5

Our unit commissioner brought this form to our last troop meeting. (it is their job to complete it) I (CC) helped provide the answers the best I could. It really helps if you have pulled the training reports from my.scouting and have your latest jte report along with your numbers/ calculations.

Merit badge counselor training is sometimes offered as a class, but is also available at my.scouting.org

BSA has just made available blue cub skorts for girls. http://www.scoutstuff.org/bsa/items/skort-cs-6-12.html#.Wk-Hd3VMHqA

October 2017 Update Adds in Eagles not yet 18 by August 1, 2017. https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org

There is more information at scouting.org/online registration The council decides if they want to accept adult applications. For now, my council is only taking youth, but the council next to us is taking both youth and adult. This may be useful for the many new cub apps in the fall, but will be almost useless for our troop due to the limited capability. --can only register new scouts, cannot use for cubs transferring at crossover, cannot change adult positions, cannot register mb counselors. My council is also only accepting credit card payment directly from the family, so we would have to ask for our unit dues separately.

You should check the newest requirements for this badge. I believe a troop mobilization is no longer needed, only a plan.

the coil bound version of the 2016 boy scout handbook arrived at our council scout shop yesterday.

The Only time a leader does Not have to fill out a new application to change positions is at Recharter. Since the Institution Head signs the charter, they are giving approval for all adult positions. I do not remember if it is stage 2 or 3, but you can edit a leader's information, including position.

The 2012 printing of the Blue Card changed the wording to: "I have discussed this merit badge with the Scout and recommended at least one merit badge counselor." However, under Instructions for Counselor section of the card it says: "Merit Badge applications MUST be signed in advance by the applicant's unit leader."

This may be used for Star and Life, but not Eagle.

Scouter99- actually, it only gives you the appendix of the new leader guide. We're still waiting on the full paper guide to arrive in the scout stores. I've heard end of July or August. CyberChip - there are two levels for cubs and two levels for boy scouts. Grade 1-3, Grade 4-5 Grade 6-8, Grade 9-12 It looks like the new BS requirements have the scouts earning twice. Be thankful, I believe the cubs now have to earn this for each rank. The new books are supposed to be issued in January, but if it goes like the Requirements Book, we won't see it until sometime in February.

The new Boy Scout requirements, transition guide, and other resources are now posted on the Program Updates page at scouting.org www.scouting.org/programupdates.aspx

"you've never had to hand in the blue card segment to the council..." Our council still requires that the Application for Merit Badge segment of the Blue Card be turned in with an advancement report or printout from Internet Advancement. The last few versions of the Guide to Advancement have stated that the official Blue Card is the record to use. Camps and special events may apply for a waiver to use a different format or computerized system. It will be interesting to see what happens when Scoutbook is implemented.

How old is your copy of the handbook? I work at a scout store and I have never heard of this trophy. However, we do carry Cub Scout Bronze, Gold, and Silver pin on medals that were originally for this program.

Check with your council registrar or training chair. They should have a list of all the codes.

Yes. BSA has considered it unacceptable for some time to use push ups/physical work as punishment. It really does not matter if the scouts voted for it and the troop approved. This practice should be discontinued immediately.

I found the following posted on Rainbow Council's website (IL). I have not seen anything similar anywhere else. [h=2]FAQ's - Individual Scout Accounts and Fundraising by BSA Units[/h] Below are frequently asked questions provided by BSA Legal Counsel regarding Individual Scout Accounts and the applicable IRS fundraising policies for non-profit organizations. Are individual Scout accounts permitted? Yes. These accounts are permitted when funded by the youth member through savings, a portion of a weekly allowance, and chores around the home and neighborhood. The youth member’s family may contribute, but no charitable deduction is allowed. What is private benefit, and why is it not allowed? Private benefit is when funds raised in the name of Scouting or another charity are directly allocated to the youth member or family doing the fundraising. Funds raised in the name of Scouting should benefit the entire unit. The tax laws do not permit private benefit, with the exception of an “insubstantial†benefit. How is an “insubstantial†benefit defined? The IRS has classified 30 percent of the money raised as “substantial,†and less than 2 percent as “insubstantial.†The burden of proof that the benefit is “insubstantial†is on the organization. Are incentives allowed for participation in fundraising or sales? The IRS has not ruled on this matter, but the “insubstantial†benefit restriction would apply. Can Scouting units use funds to assist youth members who have a financial need? The unit can allocate funds based on financial need, and may consider factors such as participation in the unit, advancement, and Scout spirit. Are there penalties for private benefit or other tax issues? Private benefit may result in the loss of tax-exempt status for the chartering organization, or the local council. Allocating funds raised in the name of Scouting directly to a youth member could result in self-employment tax liability.

The new Venture pants should be hitting your local scout shops now. Ours came in today ( men's only so far). They are also available on scoutstuff. Gray nylon with zipoff legs and split leg ends in 30 and 32 inch hem lengths. Unhemmed version available but no split leg ends. The split leg ends allow the legs to be taken off without removing shoes.

Adam, The Den Guides are handbooks for the den leaders. Right now we have a Cub Scout Leader Guide, a Webelos Leader Guide and a Den/Pack Resource Guide (this one has meeting plans for all levels). The new leader books will be rank-specific and have information from the current leader guide plus the den meeting / Adventure plans for that rank.

National has just released a bunch of new patrol patch designs, including a Phoenix, Knight, Alien, Zombie, Ninja and more.

After reading this post I believe that all of the ASMs need to get trained as they are not properly supporting the SM. Nearly everything that these ASMs are doing is the responsibility of the COMMITTEE.

Unfortunately, I was told that the project would need to be completed by the end of the year. That's only 1 month. I'm sure this stipulation is so that Lowe's can write it off on their 2012 taxes. I only found out about this program in August. Why did it take so long for the info to get to units? Our council hasn't given out a bunch. Too bad.(This message has been edited by zscout5)

When being towed, trailers are normally covered by the towing vehicles auto insurance. However, my question is what kind of insurance can a unit get (not attached to an individual's home or auto policy) that would cover damage or theft when the trailer is parked, and not hooked up to a vehicle? A few years ago, a troop in our area had their trailer stolen and another had a tree branch fall on their trailer during a storm. I would think the insurance cost would be reasonable, especially compared to replacing gear/ fixing damage.

Several years ago our school district started requiring all school volunteers and field trip chaperones to be fingerprinted.

Yeah, I agree with the others that this isn't a good idea nor do I think the council would approve it as a fundraiser. (all fundraisers except council run ones like camp cards and popcorn need to be approved). By the way, raffles are considered to be a form of gambling by BSA and are not allowed. There are a number of suggestions in scouting literature for fundraising and many are not product sales.