OldGreyEagle

I can see that the art of hyperbole is unappreciated I apologize to anyone I have or ever will offend, there blank check to move on

Gee, when a moderator removes what he perceives is an attack, there is a hue and cry about the land calling for the skin of the censors, that people need to see the offending post and judge for themselves and that we are all just a bunch of whatevers guiding the discussions along the paths we deem correct to accomplish some agenda. Then, when a post is allowed to exist, the moderators are the scum sucking slime of the earth for allowing such a morass to exist. Makes it hard to do the right thing, doesnt it?

Being from Chicago, I remember the 1960 election when all the graves of every cemetary opened and the undead voted for Kennedy, 2-3 times at least...

You know the Scouter who started this thread was asking for advice on how to clean his item, not to be skewered by those who hold his choice of equipment in disdain

We had a scouter in the District who was a Cub Commissioner, a Boy Scout ASM and a Committee CHair for a Venture Crew, he routinely wore all three colors at District Meetings as he said he was representing portions of all three programs. When questioned on the "accuracy" of what he was doing, he said show me in printing where it says I cant wear all three. His Crew dropped so now he only wears two tabs, maybe we should go to neckers only

If the topic is courtesy, I do not see how calling a parent who is requesting information gets termed "griping" as opposed to inquesitive. If the posters here responded too vehemently on the side of the parent and scout without knowing the whole story, then labelling the parent who made the inquiry griping and a helicopter parent is discourteous as well

Actually Joni, had you reported what you heard, and only what you heard and it turned out to be real, you would not have been the one throwing the boy out of scouts, it would have been the consequences of the boys. not your, actions

Excuse me if I am wrong, but are you advertising in the forums for a service you offer and make money on?

I checked the BSA publication 33088, Advancement Committee Guide Policies and Procedures. In the Section on the responsibilities of the District Advancement and Recognition Committee it lists that Districts recruit, and Train merit badge counselors and maintain a current list of merit badge counselors. The third paragraph starts: "The district or council list of counselors should be reproduced for distribution to troops and teams. When changes are made, these should be sent promptly to the units (or listed in the council bulletin) so that all units have readily available the names, addresses, and phone numbers of counselors. Lists are updated at least once a year, usually when councils and districts reregister." Doesnt say these are to be restricted. As keeper of the merit badge list for the District I serve, I need to know where this is stated as I am letting anybody who asks see the list

Well Beavah I disagree with you Not every parent who questions a "questionable" troop policy should be labeled as a "Griping" or helicopter parent. Perhaps they just want to know.

I know Ohio Scouter mentioned it, but I thought it deserved a thread/mention on its own, check out http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=local&id=5718996 and watch the video, ok, so she is identified as a Venturer Scout, but still, makes me proud

May I add that if a Troop identifies a counselor who is lax, then that troop should tell the District Advancement Chair of the problem, just not sending the counselor boys "from the troop" is not enough.

Ron Paul or RuPaul? I remember I lived in Illinois when several of the followers of Lyndon LaRouche won the Democratic Primary, that was fun

And at this point, I think it incumbent to reiterate that while merit badges may be taught in a group, testing or "sign off" of requirements is to be done individually

I have a couple a questions, for either Fox Patrol or any one else who feels so motivated. You said your son went to Summer Camp and worked on merit badges, and then you found out that "Troop Policy" is such and such. Was this policy mentioned before the Troop went to summer camp? I understand if the Camp has a lousy merit badge program why a unit would want to do this (hold on, more on this later), but I do think it would be a good idea if the unit also made sure every scout and parent/guardian knew the "rules". Now, I could see asking either the Scoutmaster or COmmittee chair why this policy exists and how was this information communicated to the scouts and parents, because obviously you missed it. It may also be a good time to find out if there are other little unique things about the troop you dont know. You may want to find out how the in Troop counselors check out what the scout knows. It may be done quickly, or it may amount to a redo, at this point we/you dont know. I would also ask if the summer camp has such a lousy merit badge program, why the troop went there? And if the explanation is because of past history, I would also inquire as to what has been done in the past by the troop to address the situation. If the troop has made its concerns over the teaching effectiveness of the merit badge program to the Camp Management and Council. Then again since this is troop policy, what is its history, it has to be a good story It may do us all well to view the program from the youth viewpoint. That which we consider a few bits of cloth may be a very important part of the youth's life. The thought of having that bit of cloth may be very motivating to the scout, and then being told after the fact, sorry we wont give it to you is, well not nice, just reinforces the adult-youth model, I am bigger, stronger, more powerful than you are. I beleive what the Troop did was wrong, but since this is so "wrong" it deserves an explanation in a polite atmosphere and then based on the answers you will have decisions and choices to make. One thing for sure, dont be surprised if you are asked to be an adult leader, you may want to volunteer in the opening of the covnersation or have you reasons why you can't well thought out and ready

And I thoght that "X" meant pretty much whatever the group making up the abbreviation wanted it to mean. In medicine a Physician may abbreviate history as "Hx" of course a prescription is "Rx" while trauma is "Tx" Antibiotics maybe "ABX" Asymptomatic is "Asx" Blood Culture is "BCX" and I could go on. Personally I have never felt insulted by Atheists, but then again I cant say I have personally faced a whole bunch of them either

Lets review a few things here. First off Hops implies he is the one who edited the comments, then the discussion on how the moderators (plural) are controlling what can or cannot be debated. I didnt see the comments Hops edited, I dont know if I would have edited it or not but I respect his right to do so. I would also expect the forum members to realize the moderators are a disparate group of individuals doing their best and not immediately assume we are some organized cabal out to control discussion on the board. When someone says a moderator did a good thing, there usually follows a host of comments on how much people appreciate what the moderators do, but if a moderator does something someone doesnt like, and posts a negative comments, then it's like we have become editors in Pravda I dont think the moderators are as good as we are sometimes told we are nor are we as bad as presented either. And as far as pushing an agenda, I doubt if we were ever together we could handle ordering lunch

At first I was going to move this to the fundraising section, then again, its more policy related and perhaps should go under the Council Relations section, then again, I think I will leave it here unless I get strenous objections

bump

Pack, in Middle Schools?

Joni, there is nothing wrong with calling the SE and introducing yourself and telling what you know and that you thought he should know as well. Dont elaborate where you are not certain. You have heard rumors of sexual activity at a Troop Campout and you wanted to let him know. Thats it, he takes it from there

And to think I thought the best thing to come out of State College was that funky honey mustard stuff...

So Joni, what about the middle school in Maine that will provide birth control to its students. That will be paid for by public money

and grilled stickies are???

I will try to be gentle, but it might be, not that it is, but just maybe not all scouters suscribe to the National Policy against gays and Atheists. I don't know whether or not that is true, I know I have never been asked my opinion on the matter nor do I know anyone who has been asked.