Eagle94-A1

Not just the shirts either. I got 2 pairs of gen 1 Switchbacks, the ones with the zipper at the ankle. I was told they were sized big, so I ordered 2 pairs of the XL, my normal size, and the L, one size smaller. Not only were the XLs way too big, but if it wasn't for the built in belt the Ls would be to big too. Because I bought them at the local distributor on clearance, I could not return them. Thankfully I sold the XLs. I have one of the current Venturing Shirts in Medium, and it fits perfectly.

Here's the deal, even if you use your own culture, people will protest. Best example of that is the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club of New Orleans. Formed in 1909 by members of several all black aid societies and clubs, it is a historically African American crew. Whites were not allowed to join until circa 1993/94 when the city of New Orleans created laws that mandated integrations in the krewes that paraded in city limits... Traditionally their members wear grass skirts and black face. Blackface was used because at the time of club's creation, it was illegal for blacks to wear masks, but not wear makeup. Members of the club include former black mayors of New Orleans, black businessmen, politicians, sports figures, and other entertainers. One famous member and Zulu King was Louis Armstrong. Their charity work not only supports members in need, but also Toys for Tots, college scholarships, the local school system, and the NOPD's Night Out Against Crime. Yet people who do not care about that historically black krewe do not care about it's customs and traditions and are demanding change. in 2019 CNN even did an article on the controversy. https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/16/us/zulu-new-orleans-blackface/index.html

@InquisitiveScouter, thanks for the webinar. Very interesting in that there will be no pamphlet, just a digital guide for the counselor. My concerns are A) will it be maintained and B) will there be an archive of previous directives, guides, etc. I have personally seen how BSA has attempted to change history by ignoring facts. Best example was Dodgeball. At one point BSA was saying Dodgeball has never been an approved activity, despite it being an approved activity since at least 1922. Thankfully they removed that untruth from the FAQ.

One of the Scouting FB groups that had these requirements posted, took down the post and 153 (last time I looked) comments down and is asking folks to report anyone who does post them. Sounds Orwellian to me. I think that they did not like the negative feedback they were receivint about this MB. One poster pointed out that Disabilities Awareness covered a lot of the topics in DEI, yet it was never Eagle required. He stated it is purely a political MB in his opinion. And considering that the requirements have not been approved 11 days before go live and no MB pamphlets for this MB will be available for some time, i believe this is may be true. I just hope they push back the deadline to Jan. 1, 2022.

Understatement. And it is not just racists who have issues with the DEI MB. We have lost some Scouts who families are LEOs because of national's BLM statement. And from posts on FB, it appears BSA is coordinating with BLM on this MB. I wonder how many Explorer posts have been lost as a result. I found out the local one is ceasing to exist. Do not know why, but they were extremely active. Now when I go to their site, it is all a different youth program. As for "most scouts, will keep their mouths shut," it is already happening in academia and business. I was diversity trainer, sat on the diversity committee, organized diversity activities, etc. But I soon was replaced because instead of teaching about differences, I was teaching about how we are all the same. I talked about building relationships with those who were not like us through communication. sadly some folks believe if you do not agree 100% with them, you are the enemy, and will treat you like such.

That is what BSA has historically done, and several units will continue to do. As others have posted, this is such a landmine, that even public school systems do not officially do this. DON'T GO THERE!

I have been told that 2 units in my district will NOT have a counselor doing these discussions for the very reasons you cite. Instead they will be covered by the parents.

I say keep Cooking, but get rid of some of the tailgaiting requirements and add more backpacking meals

My concern is durability. The new uniform shirts are OK. Pants on the other hand, not so much. I had to return a pair of 3 month old pants, and with some difficulty. I had to remind the clerk of the lifetime warranty on them, and then that I had no issues contacting Charlotte about the issue. Second pair lasted a bit longer, 5 years. I am still wearing pants and shorts from the 1990s from when I worked in supply and had to wear the uniform 5-7 days a week, depending upon the time of year.

It has already started. OA can no longer do Native American themen AOL or Cross Over Ceremonies. Ceremony teams currently have 3 options for Pre Ordeal, Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil Ceremonies: regalia approved by the Nation you researched, uniform, or all black shirt and pants. And there is talk that they are in the process of changing things in 2021.

When I have taught it, there has been Q&A, discussions, etc. We want people informed. We want people asking questions. We want people to get more out of it than just watching the videos.

You need to look at the bulk of those lawsuits. They happened as far back as 1937. This was before Mandatory Reporting Laws. California circa 1968 was the first, and then it only applied to medical personnel. Youth group volunteers would not become mandatory reporters until the 1980s to 1990s depending upon jurisdiction. Prior to that time, the law required the victims to report it. If BSA reported it without the support of the victim, or more specifically the victim's parents, then the BSA would be legally liable for slander and defamation of character. BSA, as well as every school and youth organization at the time, had their hands tied. Me personally I think YPT is extremely important. So you cannot say I hate it. I know several victims, and had to deal with and report YP violations. My problem with YPT is the following the online format. I honestly believe that YPT is so important, it needs to be in a class with certified instructors. Watching videos is fine, but there needs to be discussion as well. And you can read elsewhere about online connectivity issues many volunteers in my neck of the woods have.

You are NOT the only one with this issue. My wife did YPT 3 times one day to get the certificate to finally show up. That was 4.5 hours of her life wasted. And we are lucky, we are in a small town with highspeed internet. That is another reason why the live class my district does is popular. And I agree, a lot of people do not see the issues with BSA IT systems. They say I am not tech savvy, etc. Yet I did tech support with my old job, and do minor tech support with the new one.

Sadly I think you are right. On of the duties of an advancement committee is to "See to an effective merit badge program administered at a council or district level that functions according to national procedures and recruits, approves, trains, and makes known sufficient counselors to meet the needs of the council." (emphasis added) But summer camps started the process of of degradation by allowing non-MBCs to teach. MBUs further the degradation. We are now at the point of online MBUs, and parents asking for and MBC to contact them for their child.

Yes the MBC system is screwed up on a variety of levels. First and foremost is that MBC is a district/council POR with the MBC having the option to limit to a unit. Units should NOT be having folks in their system a Second if you had a working advancement committee, they should be the ones tacking down the MBCs, making sure they are registered, keeping accurate lists, etc It was only when my wife was adding a MB with council that she discovered she was not registered again. Also they are the ones that are the to make sure folks have the credentials to do the MB instead of anyone with a pulse. Third, BSA;s IT systems have a history of being useless. Look at all the problems currently going on. Add to the fact that some areas of the country do nothave reliable internet, and you got units who won't or cannot use BSA's systems.

@CynicalScouter Reviewed the power point. My comments are the following 1. Why is the goal 98% and not 100% since you cannot register without current YPT? 2. Are you not supposed to be notified when YPT via email is about to expire? That is what I have been told, although I have been told a lot about BSA's IT structure that I am still waiting on. When I teach the live YPT, I add my name to the list for renewal, so I do not know. Or does the 98% mean CURRENT YPT certification.? 3. Did not see in the slides where anything about "off the books volunteers." Where are you seeing that as I cannot find it? 4. What is the actual % of adults who never took YPT and are registered? What is the actual % of adults who have expired YPT? And what is the number of adults with current YPT that are not registered? Please do not think I am attacking you. Rather I want information. What I have been told and taught over the years is being contradicted, and i want the truth. I have had issues with the BSA saying one thing, and doing something else in the past. And it is getting frustrating.

Well, BSA use to promote "Hiking and Camping Troops" and getting into the outdoors every month. Now the minimum is 4 times a year plus summer camp. And for JTE purposes, lock ins at the CO, museum, indoor stadium, etc count towards camping.

That is a VERY good question. @CynicalScouter do you know how BSA keeps tracks of unregistered volunteers if they do not register?

Thank you. I will look at the info when I get off work. Regarding Could this be national's way of recognizing that volunteer's applications get lost, are delayed in processing, etc? I know I submitted an application for a POR in May one year, and it was not processed until August or September. A friend had his app submitted in August or September, and had to resubmit at recharter. And my wife submitted 6 applications with current YPT certificate over a 5 year period, and was never registered until I emailed everything saying this needed to stop. She had served as an AWDL, WDL, day camp staffer, and MBC, all the while she was not registered because the council lost the applications. I even hand delivered one of them, and they still lost it. And it was not as if she was never registered in the council. She was a member of the summer camp crew as an AA ten years prior. Sad thing is, she was "inelligble" for any of the lifesaving awards because she was unregistered, when she pulled a guy out of a lake when on a Webelos activity at a local park. And those who helped her once she got the guy on land did not want their applications forwarded since my wife did the hard stuff.

Could you please share this stat, it's source, and methodology used for creating it as it is impossible to be registered without YPT. I know volunteers who have not had their applications processed because they did not provide the YPT certificate. I also know of Scouters who were removed from charters because their YPT had lapsed, which is a completely different category IMHO.

My question is will the pros listen to and respect the volunteers? I know I am very pessimistic of late. But I was not always this way. I served on district and council committees. I helped organize and run district and council events. I did FOS presentations. I was a council Flavor Aid drinker for a long time. Then things changed in the council regarding the pros and their attitudes to the volunteers. A lot of folks quit their district and council posts altogether, and a few left Scouting altogether. Again the challenge is how will the volunteers treated? Will they be trusted to do things as they should be done, or be told exactly what and how to do things, and then removed if they do not do what the pros want? Or could the volunteers be tired of the pro's interference and mistreatment, and thus no one wants to support the task? Communication is vital.

I do not think you can assume this for every council. I have no idea who my YPT Chair nor who any of the other YPT trainers are except for the one I teach with since 2 are required to do the live course IF you can pry it from the SE's hands. This is very similar to our situation. Except we lost volunteers when they were yelled and cursed at by the pros.

This is what happens when folks in charge have no true experience in the program as a youth or volunteer,.

OH YEAH! and also a lot of other conservation uses, irregardless of the tinsel. @Greeneagle5, could your friend be cool to the idea because it will take a lot of planning and there is not enough time for it this year? Or maybe COVID is messing up things? I am quite surprised this is not happening already. I have seen those trees used for conservations projects on trails and int he waterways. Especially in swamp conservation projects.

Depends upon the skills being taught. First aid will be a big deal. Lifesaving and BSA Lifeguard will be major deal as you will not be able to do several of the requirements, and if they do not know those skills, it could kill them.