InquisitiveScouter

Yeah, we could do a wiki and generate most of the materials coming out of National. Including the Scout Handbook.

I have no problem asking Eagle Scout candidates to demo Scout skills, or show some Scout knowledge. But, usually, it is a follow-on to a question about program and experiences. "Jenny, what are some things you liked about Scouting?" "I loved Pioneering Merit Badge, and learning to work with rope to build things." "That's great! Did you share some of these skills with the other Scouts in your Troop?" "Yes, I was our primary Troop Instructor for whipping, knots, and lashings!" "OK, right! I see on your Eagle Application that is one of the Positions of Responsibility you have cited for your rank requirements. Would you be willing to tie a bowline for me? Here's a piece of rope." "Sure!" <Ties the knot> etc etc etc It is not a test for the Scout, and, if the Scout cannot tie it, I would certainly not hold her up unless the candidate said something like "I never learned to tie a bowline." (Then it would be about not ever completing a requirement, versus not being able to remember how to do it.) It is a measure of the program and Troop culture, and not necessarily a measure of the Scout. "Its purpose is to determine the quality of the Scout’s experience and decide whether the requirements for the rank have been fulfilled."

Agreed! And I think we would do better if we set the expectation that adults will learn Scout skills as well. Most adults I know cannot tie the seven basic knots in the Scout Handbook (much less do any lashing), use a map and compass to find their way, sleep outside in less than 40 degree weather, go backpacking, or, more generally, know most of the things in the Scout Handbook that Scouts have to know (or know what "right" looks like). And they are afraid to admit it and then go learn. What happened to Be, Know, Do?

Somehow we need to cultivate a culture of the Pursuit of Excellence. I, too, meet scads of Scouters who are unwilling to admit that they need some changes to improve their Scouting. Good luck overcoming this psychological barrier.

This is what the Commissioner Corps is supposed to be for. And, in all the councils I have been in, it has been sorely lacking. I have some thoughts on the reasons for this. What are yours, and how could we fix?

Spot on! Nothing. You hit upon one of the bigger issues also... deconfliction. Council does not want CO's going to the same well to ask for funding. That's where I could see things going off the rails...

Yes, and this is why National tries to discourage incorporation of units or their "boosters". It is all about the money! For your average CO, their raison d'être is not Scouting. Take a church, for example... Your local church "uses" Scouting as a program to enhance their service to youth. If Scouting units under a CO fold, then the CO continues its other activities. Your local church may ask for donations for a new steeple, to replace their pews, or put a new coat of paint on everything. That is different from your local church asking for donations solely to support their Scout units. When they go down that road, their activity falls under the charter agreement. And, when they do have any money or property earmarked for Scouting, if the unit folds, the agreement is that they will keep all that money and property for the purposes of Scouting, should they start up a unit again. (Of course, council wants that money, so they sometimes pursue that purse.) For the "Friends of Troop XX", their entire purpose for existence (if you didn't yet look up what "raison d'être" means 😜 ) is to support the Scout units, so any and all monies and property they should be used solely for the purposes of Scouting. If the units fold, then the reason for the existence of the corporation ceases also. In everything I have read, nowhere does National "prohibit" units (or "Friends of") from incorporating (because they really cannot). BUT, they do put the threat of revoking your charter out there. "Units could lose their charter if they tried to get their own tax-exempt status and solicit tax deductible gifts." Here's an example (page 2, end of first paragraph): https://www.ciecbsa.org/document/tax-exempt-for-units/25798#:~:text=Units should not incorporate or,approved unit money-earning projects. And another https://lpcbsa.doubleknot.com/newsfeed/fiscal-policies-and-procedures-for-bsa-units/9007 And another https://michiganscouting.org/unit-resources/unit-finance/ You'll notice the verbiage is exactly the same, which means (to me) this comes out of National... I never heard of National denying someone's charter for this. YMMV I cannot see them doing it, especially these days, unless the money amounts get big, and they get jealous/greedy.

https://youtu.be/-9NMt42il4Q

Mass hysteria...

"Oh! And let's log it for more cash before we sell it!"

LOL, you farceur!

3x3 rule??

Almost 22,000 names. I would support BSA having a list like this for parents to see. Bolsters transparency. Although, I'm uncomfortable with them publishing the names of those with "Alleged Misconduct." They should keep those to themselves until the defendant goes through due process. Publishing them there makes them guilty in the court of public opinion.

Pretty sure these are they: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PsYfr1oVDc&ab_channel=TroopLeader https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxsjXWfkZIU&ab_channel=TroopLeader

Wondering if they were wearing helmets? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMp317MawbE Cannot believe BSA G2SS does not require helmets on PWCs. But, some literature does mention it... https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Handbook-of-Personal-Watercraft-Basics_HB.pdf or water skiing, for that matter. Once, as a Scout (back in the 20th century, lol) I was water skiing. Another Scout was driving the boat, with an experienced adult on board. They were probably going about 20-25 miles per hours, as I was pretty light, and a novice. The Scout went into a small-radius turn. I tried to stay on the skis while making the turn with the boat (and I was on a long rope), not really knowing my own limits and lack of skill... While whipping around the outside of the turn, I dug a tip into the water and went face first (with eyes open) ... at about 35 miles per hour by my estimation (and the math works..) Force of the water blinded me for a bit, gave me a bloody nose, and ripped my suit down to my ankles. Thank God for life jackets! Can you imagine traveling on a personal watercraft at even higher speeds, and taking a spill??

Fortunately, one Lenni Lenape word for "Fellowship" is Witauchsundowagan. So, also begins with W! No need to change logos!! "...that binds us in fellowship, Witauchsundowagan." Hmmm... have to add a few more notes to the song. Meh, we are changing everything else, why not!!??

https://substack.com/@seandietrich/p-148425885 No mention of affinity groups here, thank goodness...

"affinity outings"... gobbledygook "They bring us together; they don't divide."... LOL... more woke gobbledygook. I'm with you. We are ALL SCOUTS. That is what binds us together.

Ah, the good old days. OA is but a shadow of its former self...

Yes, and cash.

Yes, like a sort of Booster Club...

Old thread resurrected by @RememberSchiff, but still a good point to touch on... 1 . Only a legal person or incorporation (legal embodiment to create the same rights as a legal person, so same concept) may own property. 2. Never, ever, donate the land to a council (or national). The donor's intent will eventually be subverted to turn it into cash for the council. (see the ongoing row over Philmont https://themountainnewswa.net/2019/12/06/philmont-the-national-boy-scout-ranch-cherished-by-millions-of-americans-is-put-in-hock-to-pay-bsa-debts/) I have seen this about a dozen times over my 45+ years with the organization. If the the donor's intent is to have it used in perpetuity by Scouts, then a trust is perhaps the best way to achieve this. As mentioned above, spend the couple hundred bucks need to seek out local legal advice and set up the necessary arrangements. Some reversion of rights and ownership should be meticulously spelled out to ensure the donor's intent is followed for a long time in the future (or perpetuity). 3. Chartered Organizations come and go. They host troops over time, and then have times when they do not... I do not recommend donating the land to a Chartered Organization. The same thing can/will happen as in item 2 above. 4. Troops can, and do, become incorporated. It is possible to have a Troop form articles of incorporation in your state, so that they may own (receive legal title to) property. (BSA recommends against this, simply because they do not want any competition in the grab for funds. If anyone tells you anything different, run away fast and file them in your "do not have dealing with this person" category.) Again, if this Troop corporation dissolves, what will happen with the property? A trust could address this issue.

me, too... twenty or so emails today alone on updated topics

I often ask Scout leaders what they think "high adventure" means... I get lots of different answers. The real answer is, "high adventure" is whatever your Scouts say it is 😜

Should be posted here when available: https://www.scouting.org/about/annual-report/