InquisitiveScouter

Another random thought... When we offer the option of fully coed Troops, will there be an ongoing need for Venturing?

In his soul, every young man longs to know he is worthy... that he has "the right stuff". And he seeks this approval from other men whom he admires. (It is a profound evil that some men use this trait against a youth.) Unfortunately, all men are fallible. One day, the young man is mature enough to realize his approval of himself is what he ultimately needs. He is his own measurer, and harshest critic, because only he and his God know the whole, true story of himself. (And that realization will hopefully lead him on to a deeper truth.) The sooner I can help a youth to realize this, the healthier and happier that young man, and therefore, our society, will be. Even without the trappings of Native American lore, the messages and symbols of the Order of the Arrow have deep meaning. My perception is that, even more than in former times, that meaning is missed by most. I remember when the OA was (generally) for those Scouts who were the finest examples of Scouting. Today, everyone eligible with nights camped and rank gets in... (with a very few exceptions). We use the OA program at our unit level to recognize our Scouts. Even under the current rules, over the past seven years, there were two who were not elected from our Troop on their first go. They took it hard, but when I counseled them, they understood. For both, thankfully, it was a wake up call, and they changed their behavior for the better. This is the (current) way. Under the former way, Scouts were more dedicated to the unit, and performed better, if they wanted the recognition of the Arrow. When their efforts were rewarded, it inspired others to perform better, as well. Placing more of a limit on admission meant that there was, in effect, competition. If you remove all standards, and everyone gets the trophy, the trophy becomes meaningless, and competition (or change of your behavior and performance in order to be selected) dies.

@Armymutt, I empathize, brother... And I want to encourage you. As a veteran, I know you grok what servant leadership is and means... and I know it is frustrating to see, hear, and have others around you who do not. (and to have to live through the consequences of their questionable decisions.) The ideals and values we espouse are best transmitted (and maybe ONLY transmitted) through your example and presence. Without the likes of you, we are lost. Thanks for putting on the uniform... both of them 🦾 Continue to stand in the gap.

Also unveiled was new Distinguished Conservation Service Award. Procurement order for National Supply is already in. Guess no one told that committee about the brand change... Or will they play this rebranding like Scouting/USA? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scouting/USA

Just had a conversation with someone connected... his explanation was to this effect: The corporation named the "Boy Scouts of America" will Do Business As "Scouting America", and there is ongoing discussion as to what the various program names will be. Cub Scouts, Scouting America Scouts, Scouting America Venturing, Scouting America etc.

"They also agreed to cooperate on the commercial terms of scouting trademarks in the future, according to the court filing." https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/boy-scouts-america-girl-scouts-settle-trademark-dispute-over-co-ed-scouting-2022-07-23/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scouting/USA "...quietly abandoned..." And, I am waiting with bated breath to hear the GSUSA reaction to this. I would be surprised if they accept it without objection. See the Lapp Test https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/lapp_test "A likelihood of confusion exists when an allegedly infringing trademark is likely to cause an appreciable number of reasonably prudent purchasers to be confused as to the source or origin of the products or services it is used to identify."

Yes, won't that be a hoot if the name change efforts crash and burn? I'll be having a tall glass of Schadenfreude if that happens...

Yeah, and think of all the churn, time, and money it will take to transition EVERY piece of literature the BSA (sorry... the SA... wait that doesn't sound right... "the Scouting America" hmmm... ) has currently published to bring in the new name. And programming/editing time for websites, web pages, posting new logos and name changes... Printing of business cards... new clothing... design/production/procurement/of new gear... and disposition of old unsold BSA items in the supply warehouses... Criminy... talk about waste... We are talking millions of dollars here. Sometimes, taking no action is the best course of action.

Here're some additional random thoughts... - The Congressional Charter is for the "Boy Scouts of America." (Congressional Charters do not mean much, anyway, but BSA likes to ride that hobby horse.) Will this "charter" now be defunct? Probably not, due to some legalese... - What will the new Eagle rank patch look like? - Will there, for the next few decades, be a bunch of "cool kids" with "BSA" on their uniforms versus "Scouting America"?? Will there be a run on buying up old logo uniforms? - What will we change the words to one of our favorites camp songs to?? http://usscouts.org/songs/ifiwerent.asp - Will there be a re-boot of the Fred McMurray classic, Follow Me, Boys! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060420/ Will Kurt Russell reprise his role as Whitey, and now be the Scoutmaster in Follow Me, Kids! - Does my BSA memorabilia collection now increase in value? (At least, the items that say "BSA" on them...) Is it time to insure my collection?? 😜 Especially stamps and coins: - Will we have an "Auld Lang Syne" party to say goodbye to 115 years of tradition?

If you wanna get away from cookies, this is a good place to do it 😜 As long as you stay away from popcorn 😛

SA = Sturmabteilung Wait till that one hits... Those who cannot remember the past... https://www.britannica.com/topic/SA-Nazi-organization smh

https://m.email.scouting.org/rest/head/mirrorPage/@ioWh-yEhFvF8L2A1kdKKSgVPNuz-_mvo6HpmpCzhyhs3z5ZNbYL1mtzBJBC3ZntkMBuT3abs4KF_BG9qmx7Bxyhnzgmyldo5H4CtUMeCuxc5vGFA.html

And the barrage continues: https://m.email.scouting.org/rest/head/mirrorPage/@JAZoPn36nBGBwnSUwO9VYxp-uHhpwWPo3y6pE3GABf3-FGCOpsM-PFMe2BwqlMkxmXgNjOeyH0nzZ-YXNBXB1D9e_GIOmayLB-o7V-Xm_-tVOCZ7.html

Hey, got any official pronouncements for this pilot?

https://m.email.scouting.org/rest/head/mirrorPage/@JAZoPn36nBGBwnSUwO9VY6VgCN2Wl28EE7uPz5nsncSawHDh8yNO6LsXeesTuHbFn6mfjMbcKsZLvm8HhvAs7ybQwnt71C3wgYjdxrz2PNY4hBPH.html Imagine all the resources of staff time, effort, money, communication, etc. that went into this... and now imagine all the money and time that will go into changing tens of thousands of instances of the "old brand" across the country. Shaking my head... Nero fiddled while Rome burned Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic or your metaphor of choice...

Yes, see the Inspection Sheet... And, when you point it out, Be Prepared to learn about a cognitive bias we humans have: https://online.wharton.upenn.edu/blog/status-quo-bias/ After you let them know, and show the evidence, please report back, and let us know if the culture of your unit is one of following the Scout Law (A Scout is Obedient), or one of defiance

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Sa ??? Salvation Army??

Rebranding notice splashing on National's webpages:

The Adventure Plan is an online planning tool to help units reach the pinnacle of Scouting: a unit planned and executed high adventure trek. https://tap.scouting.org/ Strangely, this is now password protected. (You cannot make this stuff up... check it out...) Anyone have a contact at National, either Program, IT, or other, who can help us?

No. Undershirts are not required. Want an official source for this? The uniform inspection sheet... https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/510-784(23)-Scouts-Uniform-Inspection-Sheet.pdf Did you know that "In any case, the top button of the collar should be unbuttoned."?? I see this one a lot...

My sources say talks are ongoing... Basically, each Board involved must vote to agree to a merger. Financially unsound councils won't have much choice, and will face pressure from National. My guess is that National's stick is denial of a charter to a council. Financially strong councils kind of call their own shots. How is your council doing? Ours is not doing well... Here is an historical example: https://web.archive.org/web/20131213125856/http://www.cnjcscouting.org/index.php/download_file/view/801/1/

Actually @SSScout, it is not communicated well, but BSA requires all drivers check their vehicles prior to departure: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/680-696(21)-SAFE-Transportation-Checklist-FPO3-5172021.pdf "Motor vehicles used to transport Scouts must complete Pre-Trip Transportation Inspection before travel for each driver and vehicle. This includes correcting all deficiencies." btw, @RichardB, "Motor vehicles" don't complete checklists... people do. Would recommend re-wording this statement on the form.

@RichardB, thanks! IMO, we are in a good place with the driver policies we have now. No need to revisit "convoy" or "caravan." Are you still seeing a trend of convoying being a causal/contributing factor in vehicle incidents? I do have some recommendations on improving the Transportation checklist. How do we plug into the apparatus to suggest those changes? For example, "Windshield Wipers" are not on the checklist, and darn well should be 😜 Several other things should be considered for inclusion, particularly for trailers... happy to provide input. Also, do you have insight into BSA incident rates while towing a trailer? https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/680-696(21)-SAFE-Transportation-Checklist-FPO3-5172021.pdf

Haven't heard this one... but am getting intel on potential council mergers. Of course, that scuttlebutt has been flying around for years... As for the name change, looks like someone wants to "leave a legacy"... smh