Eagle94-A1

Right now, I'm willing to bet 75%+ of the folks at national became DEs in the Improved Scouting Program period. Maybe, just maybe, with the new generation of national leaders who became DEs in the 9th edition BSHB period, things will change. "There's always hope...a fool's hope." Gandalf the White.

As to the aside about the current BSHB not being interesting, I second that. When I got my BSHB, Green Bar Bill's writing got me hook, line, and sinker. I've tried to read the current one and it's blah. My son, got it, read a few pages, and now only looks at it when he has to. Going back to retention, and spinning advancement into the mix as well, When all the hoopla of NSPs and Operation First Class came out in August 1989, Read somewhere how this was based on those Scouts getting First Class within a year tend to saty longer and it's best to keep all the new scouts together workign on First Class. My initial thoughts were, "How many of the Scouts dropping are in "Hiking and Camping troops" that are doing outdoor activities every month?" That is what kept me active. As for the concept of NSPs, I am wondering if the concept came about from LDS units and their separation of 11 year old Boy Scouts from the rest of the troop? Again you never heard of a New Scout Patrol in any of the literature until 1989, and when my troop was being a guinea pig for it in 1987, we dropped it after a year as it did not work as well as what we had been doing, i.e. mixed age patrols.

One word: fear. Before the Dale decision in 1999, I had a CO tell me that when the charter expires, they will no longer charter the pack. Reason being they were afraid teh Dale decision would go aganist the BSA and their religious beliefs. No matter what I said, i.e. you (the CO) have the ultimate decision in who the leaders are within the pack, their concearn was that whil they could chose and trust their own leaders, they couldn't trust the leaders of other units when the units were involved in distirct and council level events. They were afraid that leaders in other untis would try to harm their Scouts.

What about Nitro-9? Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Yes I am. I liked the video at the time, but now I have a feeling I am going to get some ribbing. And I'm not in a red beret, which I don't have, or my gray British Air Scout beret either. But I do attract attention with the "piratical costume" I'm in.

An aside, that was the Centennial Parade in DC back in 2010. And I get another 3 seconds of fame

As someone mentioned the concept of a New Scout Patrol where all the new scouts are in one patrol, is concept that came out in 1989. When Scouts joined a patrol, they joined with folks they knew or met in Scouts. None of the guys in my patrol were in my neighborhood or school. One patrol welcomed me and I was with them until my troop attempted a NSP which didn't work for us. This was in 1987. When the NSP cxoncept cam out in '89, we were rather surprised. Yes we split up Webelos dens. We had them buddy up with one of the scouts for a meeting and a camp out. they were part of that patrol for the night and campout. And when the time came, they would go with their new buddy into the patrol.

I've seen the pogey cords on NYLT folks in my council too. Different colors though on one guy: orange and blue. It was suppose to designate NYLT course and their patrol. I know when I did BA22, we had a pin with yarn attached to it in lieu of patrol medallions. When I staffed JLT, we ribbon and pins. Except for the youth staff. We wore a blueon white poka dotted ribbon around our Smokeys. Old fogeys on staff didn't need no stinking ribbons

I was placed in the middle of s situation like this as a DE way back when. To this day I do not know the entire story as it happened before I got the position. I just had to deal with it, and unfortunately get the blame by some for the matter. One story I heard is that one long term volunteer didn't like the SE and confronted him about some policies regarding the local camp, and got his membership revoked by national. Another story was an accident happened at camp, and when the long term scouter went to find out what's going on in regards to accident insurance and claim, for whatever reason it would not be paid ( One version was the council didn't pay accident insurance for the event, another twas the leader was violating G2SS and insurance would not pay, AGAIN I DO NOT KNOW (emphasis), and the scouter confronted him and got his membership revoked. Like I said, I was kept out of the loop. Heck I didn't find out the Scouter had a restraining order allowing him to continue as a leader until the court case was resolved until he showed up at RT. When I made the call to the SE, that is when he told me about him being a member temporarily. Anyway becasue the BSA is a private organization, it can accept and reject members and leaders was how the court decided.

Not so long ago, one of the recruiting posters for Cub Scouts was... ... A "Personal Water Soaking Device" fight. And I know NRA officials who have no problems with water guns.

Good luck!

I never saw the needs until I looked at JTE. 4 camp outs and summer camp get Bronze?!?!?!?!?!?!

We too do not have waterguns at our day camp. We have "Personal Water Soaking Devices." I have to say it's the most idiotic policy. Even more stupid than the 6 foot rule on pioneering projects, which gets violated at every camporee.

Great, they are using Ethan to promote this MB as well. At least he's in a vintage cap.

That's one of my concerns: ticket items. They are suppose to be something related to goals and something you've never done before. I'm super involved on the district level, and not as involved on the council level do to A) lots of family issues of late, B) work C) I'm involved with 2 units, and D) all the district stuff I do. I know I'm already stretched thin, and see the tickets stretching it even further.

We had a patrol of the year recognition, and the weekly uniform inspection was part of it. We had guys showing up from games and practices in their sports uniform, and their scout uniform on a hanger to change into. And you already heard my stories about the Winter Formal/COH night and Ring Ceremony/ECOH/Ring Dance night.

One or two didn't' but most did and harassed me.

The one time I showed up to a Scouting event not in uniform was RT. I needed to drop something off before I left town, and I was literally all packed up with the family on my way to Atlanta and the church was on the way to the interstate. BOY WAS I RIBBED!

Forgot to add, sometimes you get G.A.S.er Vigils, who you don't see for years. And then when they come back, it's full throttle. We had a number of those in the lodges I've been in. And a good friend of mine who went through the Vigil with me hasn't been active in Scouting since. Between college and the Marines, he doesn't have the time. And it was iffy if was going to get leave to attend his Vigil. As it was, we were late due to his flight.

Question as I'm not as active in the OA as I used to be. Is there still a formula for determining the number and type of Vigils? I remember a few years ago, it use to be 2 Vigil candidates for a lodge with 0-100 members, then an additional Vigil candidate for each 50 additional members, i.e. 150 members= 3 Vigil candidate, 500 members equals 10 candidates etc. Aldo the formula included a minimum of 50% of the candidates had to be youth. So a lodge there is a possibility that a lodge would have 10 spots for candidates, but fewer would get elected. Forgot, while a professional did NOT count in the limit, they DID count in the percentage. Old fogey's should not be outnumbering the youth.

IMHO, one reason why old fogey Vigils outnumber youth Vigils is that we all get older. I know I got Vigil as an OA youth, but a Boy Scout Adult. Yep I was a "G.A.S.er " (Gray Area Scouter) once. Now I'm just an old fogey.

My kind of scout.

I gotta third this sentiment. The troop I first joined wasn't a good match for me and I quit. I ended up joining a cousin's troop, and had a blast. Also two of my son's friends joined the troop I and others have issues with. They are now with us. But unfortunately 2 other friends of his got so discouraged and frustrated, they quit.

In regards to recognition for adults at COHs, there's a time and a place IMHO. If it's something the troop is giving to an adult. no problem. If it's WB beads, training knots, etc. not so much. If the troop gave an outgoing SM or other leader a West Fellowship, I'm cool

1) You may need to "tag team" on recruiting a CM. By that I mean have the committee come up with a list of names, and 2 folks go and have a chat. 2) START RECRUITING NOW!!!! (emphasis) It can take some time to make the transition. GOOD LUCK!