ItsBrian

In all honestly, the ASPL(s) and PLs should be the ones running the event. SPL is suppose to delegate and oversee. It can’t hurt to miss one event for personal matters. And I like your reasoning about if he got sick.

True, maybe the SM wasnt brought on religion and has no idea how much one can be dedicated or faithful to it.

@@ParkMan I completely agree with you, (I’m still a youth) but VOLUNTEERS (empathized) shouldn’t have to pay a fee to volunteer. If they can keep residing the youth dues now, why not just factor in adult dues instead of wasting it on the stuff @@Pale Horse has mentioned above.

@@Pale Horse Not a single thing you said in your post is wrong. Sad that it isn’t wrong, since they make up these unneeded reasons.

That’s just not right. This is my second time as SPL but that’s because I was elected nobody else wanted to be it. Junior patrol PL has been elected twice, because they know he’s the best choice.

@@qwazse We adjusted as well. Never have we once denied him being in a wheel chair preventing him from coming. Those fun trips of the four oldest scouts carrying the wheelchair with a 100pd 7th grade down/uphill on it was fun haha. The main issue we’ve had with some special needs is they don’t always take their medicine that day because they don’t want to. But, still great scouts and try their best.

@@qwazse I have two special needs in my troop, one in a wheel chair and one with another disorder (not saying for his sake). It is hard to adjust and learn what to do, what to say. It was annoying how Council didn’t have any info sessions or talked about it during round tables.

Honestly, this is a big issue for me. I don't think councils provide enough resources. Yes, they may give you some packets, but how helpful is that actually? As I said in other posts, I worked at a day camp for cub scouts. I received a good 5-minute training, the council rep only read it from a piece of paper. I ended up having at least four special needs kids in my groups over the summer. My council's roundtable voted about topics that they can present. Not a single one to provide information for troops about for special needs scouts. I see so many troops having issues with special needs kids since they have no idea what to do, half the time the parent isn't any help. How do you guys feel about this?

Yeah, he's talking about trying to have every First Class+ in a job, from what I understand.

Greatest summary ever.

I agree I would've handled it the same way. I would actually have him follow-up with parents saying that they can finish it with your council's merit badge counselors. Merit badges aren't the troop responsibility. Great if your troop does have times where they focus on a merit badge (mine does sometimes too). But, parents need to understand if they don't finish it it's the scout's responsibility, not the parents.

Correcting my post two ago: Yelling is still not the best but will get their attention. I would say the time to yell is IF it the scout is doing something dangerous to himself or others.. ex: kids injuring each other... I didn't mean if they are running for no reason yell at them. Sorry for the confusion!

Yelling is not always the best thing to do, yes. But, yelling does have its pro and cons. It doesn’t always mean you’re a poor example, it could just be the way you are. Yelling has kids understand because they know they are in trouble. FYI: this is all based on my experience this summer with a camp director of a day camp for cub scouts

@@vumbi I'm good with it too, not a big deal. Scouting is expensive but is a great time.

@@Snow Owl My troop has always collected dues the calendar year. I haven't heard of many troops around me that follow the academic year.

I’ve read this from other places, but maybe is a possibly that National has let councils decide on fees? Or that councils are just releasing it early.

@any mod How come it's not letting me upload a profile pic? The arrows keep loading in a circle for the past 5 minutes. Update: I created a gravatar instead.

Also, it is COMPLETELY okay to yell or raise your voice. The camp director had yelled at a good four-five kids daily for their behavior. It's how you have to get your point across to them.

Hi, welcome ( I'm new myself)! I worked with Cub Scouts at a day camp for the summer. They are honestly a pain, but fun. To have them listen, you should give a reward. When I was a cub scout, my den leaders would sometimes bring snacks in at the end of meetings for behaving, etc. Ex: Amount of something done rewarded with a snack. Who doesn't love food? Also what I learned this summer is that you're going to have to repeat yourself over and over and over again. The best thing you can do. Get parents involved! Host an information meeting explaining how X amount of parents are required to stay at each meeting. When I was a Den Chief, there were always four parents sitting in the back, even if they didn't do much, their kids knew "Wait, my mom is here, I can't do this". Maybe you can include some type of rewarding system? Ex: Helping an adult without asking, helping a scout with asking, etc. I have more help if you would like, just let me know!

Yeah, that's what I mean by like a holiday-themed breakfast. Unfortunately, due to health codes in my town, the adults are required to do the cooking. I actually like when the parents get involved, to provide more support. I usually ask two-three parents to help, alongside the SM and two ASMs.

@@qwazse Thanks!

There many positions in scouting. Here are a few. Senior Patrol Leader Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Patrol Leader Troop Guide Quartermaster Scribe Den Chief Chaplain Aide Historian Instructor Librarian Webmaster Order of the Arrow Representative Outdoor Ethics Guide Junior Assistant Scoutmaster Linked to descriptions of each. Den Chiefs - If you have a Pack that is with your Troop you can easily have them take a training, and place a scout in each den. I was a den chief for a few years, it's not difficult, it's just like being an instructor or guide. Asst. Senior Patrol Leaders - My troop doesn't personally do this, but an idea I've had, having the ASPLs have a certain job, such as one for training, fundraising, meetings, etc. Not sure if that's allowed, would check with your local council. Instructors, Guides, Historians, Webmasters, JASMS - You can easily have at least two-three each for these positions if you have a big troop.

I agree with SSScout, my Scoutmaster tells me it comes School, Religion, THEN Scouts. In my opinion, it is wrong to just leave without any notice, out of the blue. But, if you talk to the PLC, Scoutmaster, ASMs, etc. and have another plan and make sure the ASPL can take over I don't see what is wrong. I've had friends who joined religious youth groups too, my troop supported them. It depends on the Scoutmaster I guess as well.

Nobody's posted here for a little so... My troop has about 5 fundraisers a year. We are only a small group of 12, with 4 adult leaders. We have fundraisers that sound difficult but are extremely simple. We do two clothing drives, two craft shows/flea markets, and an easter bunny breakfast. The clothing drives are extremely simple to do. You schedule a meeting with a company who pays per pound of clothes. My Troop has made 1000+ from it once. It depends on how many donate, so advertise well. Invest in yard signs, papers in public business, etc. You unload their car, give them a tax receipt, and they're on their way. It is extremely easy, especially for a small troop. Flea Markets... not completely easy, but as long as you have a team of people with experience in fundraising. If you do have one, do not call it a flea market, call it like "Holiday Bazaar", "Craft Show / Flea Market", something to appeal to others. Flea Market means to some people garage sale junk. Breakfasts are really simple, have three-four parents in the kitchen (use your charters space if possible) and then buy in bulk pancake mix (you can make waffles with it too) and have scouts wait around the tables. Buffet style can cost you more money, offer two pancakes or one waffle, drink, and a piece of sausage. If you have any questions feel free to ask!

Good luck! Try not to stress about it!