Eagle94-A1

I really do not care who is responsible. But if the data disappears and it needs to be manually recollected and inputted, that is a problem. And ithat is on National, not council, for creating a system that has no backup. It took over a year for me to collect records, transcribe the training codes for the council registrar, turn into council, and have them input the lost data into the system the first time. Thankfully I kept a copy of the records I turned into the council, so I was able to submit everything before the other districts, and it was done in 3 months. But it took my council almost 2 years to get the records straight.

I have been told mandatory training for position is a liability, especially since National keep changing what it courses need to be taken to be considered "trained." I was recently considered "untrained" because I had the old SM Fundamentals Course. For whatever reason, my SM Specific classes that I added myself to the rooster, for the reasons below, were not showing up. But the ITOLS class was. But the #1 problem is BSA's IT systems are unreliable. Not only have I encountered numerous errors on the scout side over the years, I have seen numerous errors on the adult side. Twice in a 5 year period, everyone in my district had their training records vanish. EVERY.SINGLE. PERSON. From the new Cub leader, to the veteran PTC Faculty member, their training records vanished. Even recently several MBs that I have been a MBC for decades were removed from my profile. And let's admit it, online sessions are horrible. It is very easy to stop paying attention. Plus there is no question and answer.

And training.

This is what happens when you have educators, not Scouters, creating program.

One of the reasons why they dropped Webelos from 5th grade to 4th & 5th grade circa 1989. Webelos was meant to be a transition, doing things more ont he order of Boy Scouts, and prepping them. When Webelos DLs no longer got separate training with an emphasis on transitioning from Cubs to Scouts, a lot was lost. Folks were not doing the 18-24 month Webelos properly, and it became a continuation of Cubs. And now that is the norm

Even moneymaker camps will get sold. We had a local Scout camp on the border of 2 additional councils. So folks from 3 councils used it. Heck one of those councils even held district events there because of proximity. Additionally it was about 15 minutes off the interstate, so units travelling would use it too. The small primitive camp made enough money to support itself, and subsidize some of the costs of the main camp. Someone decided to move as much infrastructure as possible to the main camp, sell it, and use the money to improve the main camp. Yeah, the main camp is still poorly run and only has 4 weeks of camp.

Disrespectful Pros has been the norm in my Scouting career. That has involved many years in 6 councils, and i cannot tell you the number of pros. Good ones leave because they also get abused and disrespected.

In my neck of the woods, the folks who know what to do at the district and council levels have been run off pros. Reason is they see the mistakes the council is making, and when they bring it to the pro's attention, the get ignored, yelled at, or cursed out. They either get removed by the pro, or quit out of frustration.

Not just units. Anyone remember when national made policy changes regarding Tiger Cubs and BB Guns, and didn't tell anyone teaching shooting sports directors at NCS? So folks were not aware of it until 6 months after it went into effect, after Cub Scout Day Camp and Resident Camp season. You would think any changes in Shooting Sports Range and Target Activities , the NCS Staff would be the first to find out and disseminate the info. The way National changes things, a staff couldn't keep up on a daily basis.

Sadly it is easier to keep up with social media postings on topics than do the above. Heck I have found out things before the pros find out. And I have been asked by my council to take down my reposts of national announcements because they ant to put their spin on it.

"There is always home, a fool's hope." We will see, but I am not holding my breath.

What I want to know is why would a council, knowing the refresher course would be coming shortly, require everyone to complete SYT by April 1?

As others have said, national won't change things because it hurts their bottom line. Heck they encourage. I remember one council in FL was given all kinds of praise in a NAM video on the number of MBs they awarded during COVID. Sadly this is the attitude of too many parents. Summer camp is supposed to be more than MBs. The attitude is why a camp will give Basketry away, when Scouts did 1/2 the requirements. That is why summer camps give away Canoeing to folks who spend 15 minutes on the water every day, and when the Scouts go on a canoe trek with the troop, cannot do basic maneuvers. And I can go on.

Maybe that is why national and council are in the situation they are in?

THAT. IS. IT! (caps for emphasis). One district had an MBU on the same weekend for decades. Well organized, experts for MBCs, etc. However council was not making any money off of it. They created their own, the same exact weekend, but at a much higher price. Original group followed NCAC, and raised costs a bit so the council could make $1/person profit. You think council would be happy? Council cancelled the event one month before it was to occur, and after the registration deadline to their MBU.

I was never asked back to one MBC because I sent a pre-requisites list, which didn't get sent, and didn't give away MBs. If it is a MBC with council affiliations, no. If it is a museum doing their own thing, doubtful. Sidenote, I ran an Indian Lore MB day as an OA fundraiser/promotions/equipment maker event. Yes, we charged at the time a steep amount, $35 in the early 2000s, but that included craft supplies, and lunch. Folks knew they would not be able to complete the MB in advance, unless they did the prerequisites. And guess what THE SCOUTS HAD FUN (emphasis), new OA chapter got publicity, and we got enough money to get some ceremonial regalia. My point is, if you make it fun, and let Scouts know in advance, they will still come.

Sadly You are right. Even my sons complained about folks getting awarded MBs. One Scout was so fed up with this, he almost gave up on Eagle, saying it is meaningless.

You ain't joking. It is in a horrible place.

I still cannot find siblings info

I am still not seeing it. This is what I am seeing.

Serious question, can you show me where the new rule is at? I can find the parent of the same gender, but not siblings. This is the info I am finding. https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss01/

Funny thing is this: if you scream and curse out that top level volunteer, he may stop donating. And he may tell his buddies what happened, and they stop giving too. That happened. District had to drop their FOS goal severely since they did this. The current goal is 10% of what is was when I first got here, and that is not adjusting for inflation. Worse part is the DC was actually doing something.

Or professionals ignoring, shouting at, or cursing out volunteers

Even before Trails Life, pros were trying to do away with long term volunteers. I cannot tell you how many good, extremely dedicated Scouters left because of treatment by pros. Some left district and council roles to focus ont heir units. Others just quit. And they left vacancies that to this day are still not filled.