Eagle94-A1

DDDDDUUUUUUHHHHHH! Yep, I need to think outside the box. Now I gotta practice doing that.

One of the reasons why national has not made training mandatory yet is that the SCOUTNET training records are a mess. For whatever reason,some councils like mine were not recording training in their records, just storing the paperwork. When national started tracking training, then they started keeping records. BUT all the old timers who have "been there, taught that, have the beads" were listed as "Untrained" For example, my district commissioner, who not only taught commissioner training on the local level, but was PTC staff on the topic was "untrained." (Remind me never to approach him ever again with computer errors ) My son's SM, who was the training chair when I was a DE and I helped staff some of his courses was "untrained" You get the picture? To make matters even more interesting, whomever at national that was creating the training codes at the time, only created codes for the current courses. For example, my SM Fundamentals course from '94 was not listed. And don't even mention some of the 1960s and 70s training courses that some of our leaders had taken. So I created a "training inventory" form that I gave to every leader that had all the current training with codes, older training I knew about, and left spaces for some of the additional training through the years. Once that was done I created a spreadsheet with the names, IDs, and training codes with dates. Here is where it got interesting, and it is coming back to bite us again. I was told by my DE after he consulted with the powers that be, to use the current training codes, but the original dates of the training. So my SMF became Intro to Scouting, SM Specific, and IOLS with a 1994 date. At the time, SCOUTNET accepted that, and people were "trained" once again. But now the issue has been fixed, and the original solution is causing issues. My Intro to Scouting, SM Specific, and IOLS with a 1994 date is no longer valid, hence I am "untrained" once again. SOOOOO the process is being repeated with an updated inventory with codes. However some older trainings are still not listed. However we have adapted and overcame. One thing my DE recommended, and I have done ever since ESPECIALLY since some at national want folks to redo training every time the course name changes, is whenever I teach a course, I put my name as a student as well as instructor. That way if national ever decides to make people redo training every time the course name changes, I will be showing up as current. Thankfully at the moment national is allowing council and/or district training chairs to decide whether to accept the older training or not.

I've sat on BORs of Scouts I've worked with via the OA when I was OA chapter advisor. Long story short, we had some troops with weak committees. SM of the troops asked, and the district advancement chair said OK for BORs for these 4 troops. We had a "tough" panel: DE, DAC, me, and 2 SMs from another troop. Most were going for the T-2-1 requirements, but 2 were going for Star. Why we did it? The troop committees were "weak," in that they were pretty much in name only. We were not going to penalize the Scouts, especially SCOUTREACH Scouts,

One "trick" I've used to get people to training is have them teach part of the class. For example, the Eagle Scout who served multiple years on camp staff, served in the Army, and is a 3 beader, I got him to teach cooking skills in IOLs so he could be "trained." Another Eagle, who worked multiple years on camp staff, did 3 treks at Philmont, I had teach orienteering at IOLS. A third Eagle, who also worked summer camp, was a combat medic in Iraq and Afghanistan, is currently an EMT and has been to Philmont once, yep taught First Aid at IOLS. Adapt, improvise, and overcome.

Couple of comments, 1) Definitely do not want to throw him out like dirty laundry. He got the troop restarted, and essentially singlehandedly worked with the Scouts for 4-5 years. When I talked to him about me taking over a few months back, he said point blank he wanted to stay on. I told him no problem, but I did NOT want him to feel obligated to do anything. I think he knows the time is coming, but he's is a true Scouting addict. 2) When you're a Scouting addict, it is sometimes hard to step away. My wife has commented that I am going to be like the SM when I get to his age. 3) We are definitely planning on keeping him involved. BUT we don't want him to feel obligated to attend when he is having challenges. Last night was an example. Wife had to drive him to and from the meeting. And during the meeting he had to sit back and let other adults do some things for him. He was having breathing issues again. 4) Legacy event would probably be survival camping on his property. Last time we did it, he staid in his house overnight. 5) We got a COH coming up in April. If we could get him to step down then, we could make a big shindig. While he may not like it, a good roast never hurt anyone. And since the COR is the former SM, they got some stories

Growing up, we didn't have a feeder pack for a while. So a new scout would not get anything until A) Registration fee was paid, B) current with the troop's monthly dues and C) He earned his Scout Badge. As soon as he earned his Scout badge, we invested him in our troop in a formal ceremony. He received a troop neckerchief which was custom made, a woggle or slide, a troop totem, and his Scout Badge. Transfers into the troop would be invested as soon as the transfer fee and monthly dues were paid. I got invested on my 3rd meeting (they had to make some more neckers, hence the wait). When we finally got a feeder pack, we told the Cubs upfront we need everything back. But we symbolically gave them a necker, slide, and totem at Cross Over if other troops were present. If no other troops were present, we would accept them into the troop, but withhold everything until the investiture ceremony. Currently, my troop is in the process of getting new, custom neckers made since National is going out of the necker business. This will be the 4th necker design in 5 years as national keeps stopping the production of our picks. The custom neckers will be OD military triangle bandages, hemmed and with a green number on tan background with city and state underneath. The slides may be a slight issue. Last night they voted on red, paracord Turk's Head woggles. Then after everything was said and done, and the meeting was over, someone suggested each patrol choose their own color. My only problem with each patrol with their own color is keeping a supply of 3, and possibly up to 5 if next year happens as it is looking, colors of paracord on hand AND two patrols wanting the same color Red. Third patrol wanted the red and black paracord.

Most of you know the situation. For those who don't brief recap. We have a "Lem Siddons situation" in that the SM is in his 70s, has major medical conditions that require him to have oxygen. He'll bring 2 tanks with him when he camps, and I found out that one of the reasons the Scouts decided on a bunch of local camp outs is because of his health. When he restarted the troop, the SM was the only adult who was there all the time as the primary ASM was also CM Today the primary ASM, who is a church member, is willing to step up since he is no longer involved with Cubs. I've switched to ASM to help out with the Scouts, and attend just about everything now. We have two ASMs and an MC who attend almost every meeting as well now. So the base of adults helping has grown in the past year exponentially. He is no longer needed to provide stability to the troop. We know he is a Scouting addict. We want him to continue being involved with the troop. BUT we don't want him to continue as SM, feeling obligated to do everything and attend everything and dying on us. And by "we" I mean the ASMs, which includes the IH. I've talked to the COR a few months back, and they want a church member to take over. No problem there for me. But we have one willing to step up now that he has stepped back from Cub Scouts. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

To answer your question, no ADL as no other tiger parents would step out to help. Quite different form other two experiences where all of the parents helped in some shape or form. Heck the parents from the two previous dens ended up as CM, CCs, MCs etc. But trying to get the parents and grandparents involved was like pulling teeth. As to why, lots of reasons, but I'll need to go into details later.

Funny thing with the trespassing call. It was an ECOH, and we had our congress critter at the COH. One reason why it went over ( you know how long winded politicians can be, especially in an election year ). And the officer that responded to the call was an ASM in the troop. He actually asked two of us if we saw anyone fooling around the property that didn't belong.

In the situation I mentioned, it was not a struggling CO; it was one of the local social groups that was the CO. New leadership wanted to have nothing to do with the Scouts. If memory serves the IH gave the unit a time limit to remove everything from the meeting space and shed. Someone from council, I am assuming the DE, tried to intervene and save the unit. When it didn't work, the pro asked for the equipment as a donation. That's when the IH realized the CO owned the equipment. One of the CO's officers was involved in a different troop. When he found what the new IH planned to do, he informed the troop's adults. He worked with the unit to get stuff paid for the scouts, and got some Scouts and tents for my troop. Don't what the deal with anti Scouting bias was in my area. But Not only did a troop fold due to it, my troop had to switch COs because the new IH also had an anti-Scouting bias. Heck she called the police on us for trespassing because we were late leaving a COH!

My understanding is that Scouts on BORs was part of the Improved Scouting Program that came about in 1972, and is one of the 3 things I think ISP got right ( Skill Awards and the Leadership Corps being the other two). Scouts on BORs went away in 1989, but some troops didn't get the memo. I was sitting on BORs up until 18. I don't know how it was suppose to work, but with my troop you had to be either a member of the PLC or Leadership Corps to sit on a BOR for the T-2-1 ranks. PLs could not sit on a BOR from a member of their own patrol. SPL would sit in on PLs BORs. I know some think this would be unfair, Scouts would go easy, or the opposite extreme, scouts would be extremely hard. AllI can say is that the first time I sat on a BOR, it was completely unexpected. I asked only 1 question because I didn't know what the heck I was doing. Afterwards, I talked to the CC who also was on the BOR with me and the SPL. Nop problems afterwards.

OK I' wasn't able to finish last night what I started with the "Run For Your Life!" quote. That was meant as a joke. In all seriousness, there is a publication that national created for weekend Webelos camp outs. I believe it's called Webelos Woods. I know that when my friend started doing Webeloree, he was given a copy and used it. I'd ask your DE for one. 1 thing I've done when planning events is get ideas from others. "Ripoff and Duplicate" or "R&D" as one friend of mine calls the following: do google searches, in your case Webeloree or Webelos-ree or Webelos Woods, gather the various materials other uses, and use the best ideas.

There was a CO that, for whatever reason, was going to get rid of their troop. Despite being a hands off CO, when they discovered they legally owned the troop money and gear, they got dollar signs in their eyes. SM and troop committee did the following: 1) found new troops for their scouts to join. 2) Sold troop equipment for pennies on the dollar. My troop was able to get 2 tents and other gear out of it. Wish we could have gotten more, but the sale was offered to only those troops getting the Scouts, and amount of gear was based upon numbers joining the troops. 3) Paid off any bills they owed 4) Paid for summer camp for everyone in the troop, and I think part of jamboree for 1 or 2 scouts interested. 5) Had a massive going away Court of Honor. 6) Gave the CO <$100 that was in their account.

I admit, I got burned out on Cubs after 6 years. It was no longer fun, parents or grandparents didn't help, and I was doing a lot more than being a DL for the pack. I was also their temporary UC, but that has been protracted for a few years now. Being the CS RT commissioner as well as CSDC PD have not helped either. Also othe r district level stuff have hurt as well. My son's troop needed more adults attending meetings and working with the Boy Scouts. It gave me a reason for changing from DL to MC in the pack. I still see my guys at major functions, and am looking forward to Webeloree in a few weeks b/c I'm camping with middle son and my old den instead of the troop. I've given notice as CSRTC. May or June will be my last month, depending upon when the bulk of the packs stop meeting for the summer. I'll still be active on the district level as there are NO CS folks active on the district level and they meet an hour before RT. Since both meetings occu where it's my pack's meeting place. I'm responsible for getting doors open, even though I don't have a key. If doors aren't open I usually call my CM. Troop, which got RTs moved the the CO, no longer attends RT, despite begging and pleading. IMHO based upon almost 24 years as a Scouter, the roughest, most time consuming, the most demanding volunteer POR is Den Leader hands down.

To quote the 9th Doctor: "RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!"

Yeah, I never heard of an "Eagle Advisor" until the past few years. It was always up to the Eagle candidate to find out what needed to be done and make sure the i's were dotted and t's crossed. If he had questions, the SM was the man to go to. IMHO, the EBOR is a big deal. It is not something that should be slapped together last minute. As to how it's done, I've got mixed emotions, at least in my neck of the woods. On one hand, it is nice to know that the district EBORs are on the 4th Thursday of every month. But I don't like that they limit the number of EBORs they will do on a night. Most of the year it's not a problem, but October through December it gets challenging. We have one unit that does ECOHs once a year, on Scout Sunday. And that troop's candidates are a flood. EDITED: they limit the number of EBORs due to time restraints. I wish they would hold the EBORs twice a month, and I wish they had more EBOR members so that two EBORs could be held at one time. Argument against multiple EBORs is to have consistancy. On the opposite end is on demand and coordinating with everyone. As mentioned I got Eagle after 18 due to the EBOR, and my friend couldn't get one scheduled before basic, and had to get a waiver.

Growing up, it was done as needed and based upon the EBOR and the Eagle candidate's schedules. Between the night I finished my last requirements for Eagle, and the actual EBOR, it was 1 month and 12 days. Between my school schedule and the district advancement chair's, that was the earliest it could be done. One of my friends had it worse. Between completing and the night his EBOR was scheduled it was almost 4 months. He actually missed the 3 months after turning 18 deadline, and had to appeal for an EBOR, I believe to council. I think he had a good excuse. He had to go to basic training.

Like I keep saying, I gotta "knock it off with them negative waves."

I haven't mentioned it at all to the CC. He only comes around for BORs, and the last time I talked to him, it was about another issue. As for the SM, I've mentioned it to him and others, but with no emphasis on youth signing off. I've been focusing on other issues, specifically getting the troop to be more youth run, and riding herd on the NSP. I've been focusing on getting the SPL to plan and organize meetings, and getting him to find Scouts with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to lead instruction. While we got along way to go, at least we don't have an adult lecturing at all the meetings. To "knock it off with them negative waves," while the troop has a ways to go to be fully Scout-led, we actually have made a lot of progress from a year ago. SPL, 2/3 PLs and the TGs are taking on more of the responibility they should have. Scouts in the patrols are learning, and those with the KSAs are teaching.

I was in one of the troops testing NSPs in 1986, and it was a complete and total disaster. We went back to mixed aged patrols. We essentially tried NSP again when a brand new troop asked to tag along with us until they could get started on their own. That troop was a one patrol troop, essentially an NSP, and it was a disaster again. the two troops ended up merging., and the NSP was disbanded. Again my experience with NSPs has been negative, especially this last go around. As for troop guides signing off on rank, that is a personal comment on the situation in my troop. Adults sign off on advancement. I don't like it, but I'm not the SM.

WOW!

One reason why I don't like the NSP concept. Also why i like youth signing off on the S-T-2-1 requirements.

Maybe I'm old school, or maybe I'm just heavily influenced by my troop growing up. Only elected POR that had specific requirements was SPL: First Class Scout and had served as a PL. ASPL had the same requirements. PLs and APLs could be any rank. While the troop level PORs: QM, Scribe etc didn't have rank requirements, usually the Scouts in those positions were members of the Leadership Corps, and they were usually First Class or higher.

@@meyerc13 You'd be surprised what the Webelos want to do. My troop used Wilderness Survival as a recruiting tool. The first time we did it was a complete fluke; most of our gear was destroyed and we had to come up with something the night before the campout. Wilderness Survival it was, and so successful was the campout, it became an annual event. Also my son saw a video his den chief made of survival shelters and snow. HE ATE IT UP! He started building shelters in the yard, and his first campout as a Webelos, he did a shelter.

Actually they are planing steak dinner for the next camp out. to paraphrase the 2nd ed BS FB: Cooking a steak over an open grill? Now that's perfection !