InquisitiveScouter

Also Owls...some public information that most SE's don't want to see the light of day...salary info. But, as 501 c 3's, they receive a public benefit of not having to pay taxes, so the IRS requires certain info to be made public in their IRS Form 990 filings...easily obtainable... For example, I see you live in Montana...a quick search yielded the 2018 IRS 990 for Montana Council, and, at the time, Interim Scout Executive was paid $150,208, while the retiring SE was paid $143,691...you can add up to total salary paid... that's where much of your council fees are going. If you dared, you could ask your council office for their current IRS 990, which they are required, by law, to provide to the public upon request. Fair warning...in doing so, you will quickly become persona non grata...

This is the dirty little secret... The other piece of this that many council professionals want to remain hidden, is that the Chartered Organization Reps are voting members of the Council Board, and a grass roots movement among them is the scariest thing in the world to the SE, as they hold a great deal of power that they never wield...

David CO, are you saying that the early guys saw a money-making opportunity in the Scouting movement, quickly incorporated, merchandised the operation, eliminated the competition, and used their influence to garner a Congressional Charter to seal their virtual monopoly? Say it wasn't so!!

Welcome to Scout camp! Well...most of them... I have said it before...DuctTape for National Commissioner!!! This is how it is supposed to be...a Scout reads the requirements and begins working on fulfilling them. When ready (and after a leader consult) , the Scout works with the Counselor to find a way to meet them. The Counselor can help fill in any knowledge gaps or skill deficiencies, or connects the Scout to other resources to learn. This process iterates until all requirements are complete... See above...

Owls... I have some incomplete info about how the SE is selected, but would love to have some of the actual pros here outline the process with more granularity... As for DE's, anyone who walks in the door with a college degree and no disqualifying criminal record will probably be hired. This is a Council decision, so, ultimately SE (??). The turnover rate for DE's is super high. Most come in with great intentions and dreams, and after they find out what it is really like, they leave. I have been offered a DE job in every council I have been a part of (except the overseas councils)...and turned them all down at the advice of my DE friends

Those who want to separate Scouting from the BSA migrate to a grass-roots, no-professionals-needed program. They use the original BP materials, http://www.thedump.scoutscan.com/yarns00-28.pdf and leverage modern information-based tools to wiki their knowledge together on how to run a successful program. They run locally autonomous Scouting programs out of their churches, schools, and civic organizations, which provide them spaces to meet. They camp at local, county, state, national parks and do outdoors activities accordingly. They use commercial off-the-shelf (and cheaper) clothing for "uniforms". They use the Congressional Award for Youth as their replacement for Eagle Scout. https://www.congressionalaward.org/ None of the other accouterments. Aren't the Scout Promise and the Scout Law enough?

And now services are being cut at National and pushed down to councils...with no resources to support. I spoke with our Registrar today, and she ain't happy... btw, I think Registrars are the most under-rated, under-paid, and under-appreciated positions in council service centers... https://scoutingwire.org/transitioning-member-care-to-serve-and-support-bsa-council-staff/

I have a Patrol Leader who has asked if his Patrol can have their own hat. There used to be a blurb (I think) in the G2AI similar to the current neckerchief guidance; "Scout neckerchiefs are optional. Troops choose their own official neckerchief. All members of a troop wear the same color. The troop decides by vote, and all members abide by the decision." The only place I can find a reference for hats is in the Uniform Inspection Sheet; "Headgear. All troop members must wear the headgear chosen by vote of the troop." Notice that the headgear entry does not say they have to be the same, as it does in the necker verbiage. I'm leaning towards saying "Yes", but only after the PLC agrees... Any sage advice?

Yes!

We did it, and the Scouts loved it! Older Scouts got to load and fire a flare gun, and the youngers got to light marine flares (30 Scouts in total). Most of these we acquired from out of date items that boaters in our unit had. Many had not checked their boat's gear for some time, and were happy to hand over the expired items for training. (Coast Guard could issue a citation for expired gear, and/or make you return to port to replace...) We put out a Notice to Airmen through the FAA, and called our county emergency dispatch, our neighboring county emergency dispatch, and the state forest fire service. All gave us a thumbs up and were glad we were giving training to young folks.

Here's a great essay on Orwell's 1984 and this concept... https://rorueso.blogs.uv.es/2010/10/28/manipulation-of-language-as-a-weapon-of-mind-control-and-abuse-of-power-in-1984/#:~:text=One%20of%20Orwell's%20most%20important,capable%20of%20formulating%20and%20expressing.&text=This%20idea%20manifests%20itself%20in,has%20introduced%20to%20replace%20English. Enjoy the think piece

It kind of sounds like something you'd make in a Dutch Oven, right? With biscuits 😏

I take flares on week-long canoe treks, especially in Adirondacks...and on every boat outing I've had in coastal waters...never been in the deep blue, but I'll bet they are on every boat at Sea Base...and as stated by others, Sea Scouts use 'em... As my OP said, a Scout asked if he could do the road flare to fulfill the requirement. I have already told him, "yes," and will gladly sign his blue card when he completes the other four ways to attract attention... If flare guns are part and parcel of your Scouts' lives, as they are around here, I see no harm in teaching them how to use them safely. https://www.allstate.com/resources/allstate/attachments/tools-and-resources/pz-auto-stranded-motorist-jan-2014.pdf

I'm willing to bet your definition of "wilderness" and mine are very different... Wilderness Survival Merit Badge 1983 Graduate - USAF Water Survival Training Course October 1990 (renewed every three years until 2014) Graduate - USAF Combat Survival Training Course November 1990 (renewed every three years until 2014) https://www.fairchild.af.mil/Information/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/238992/us-air-force-survival-school/ https://www.baseops.net/militarybooks/usafsurvival.html Wilderness First Aid Instructor since 2016

Sounds like a blast! I'll pitch it to the PLC...thanks!

If there is one type of boating safety equipment you are unlikely to use until you need it in an emergency, it's pyrotechnic visual distress signals - as in flares, rockets, smoke signals, and other attention getting devices that burn, sputter, smoke or explode. The Coast Guard requires most recreational boats 16 feet and larger to carry equipment to signal for assistance an approves two types. Non-pyrotechnic devices are straightforward and include a three-foot-square orange signal flag for day use and for night, an electric light that flashes the international SOS signal 50 to 70 times per minute. (Dye markers and signal mirrors, though useful to attract attention and often carried by boaters, are not Coast-Guard-approved). In the pyrotechnic category, the regulations are broad and how you fill the requirement for your particular type of boating is fairly flexible. The choices include a variety of red hand-held or aerial flares for day and/or night use, and devices that emit orange smoke for daytime use. The Coast Guard sets a 42-month service life and expiration dates are stamped on the devices. The International Maritime Organization approves signals for commercial use on the high seas with a SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea) rating. These devices far exceed Coast Guard standards for luminosity and many boaters use the more expensive SOLAS devices or the added margin of safety they provide. If you opt for pyrotechnics, you must carry three devices approved for day and/or night use but beyond that, you have to mix and match what you wish to carry. By far, pyrotechnics are the popular choice and the majority of boaters opt to meet minimum Coast Guard requirements with hand-held flares or gun-launched meteors that are approved for day/night use.

GLINT tape?

We live near Chesapeake Bay, and most families have some kind of boat...and most have flares. Very practical here...

You should consider it...see G2SS, vehicle checklist. Highly recommended... MotorVehicleChklst_Update.pdf You can be in a survival situation anywhere.

You can be in a "true wilderness setting" in your front yard. Flood waters rising? Tornado rip through your neighborhood and trees are down everywhere? No EMS response within 30 minutes of you? You are in a survival situation.... Concur

Will you marry me??

All right, Scouters! Weigh in on this one, please! Wilderness Survival Merit Badge has a requirement to "Show five different ways to attract attention when lost." A Scout who wishes to complete this badge has asked if he can light a flare, such as those carried in road vehicles, aircraft, and boats. I say, "Yes." These are not classified in our state laws as fireworks. As long as they are used in accordance with the safety instructions they are sold with, and under adult supervision (for the training and badge), with appropriate precautions to prevent a fire, I think they are fine. But that got me to thinking...what about a flare gun? Also not classified as a firearm. As long as emergency authorities (our local county emergency dispatch has said they are good with) are notified you will use them...and in accordance with manufacturer safety instructions / adult supervision / open area / fire protection / etc. I even called the FAA...they are cool with it as long as we issue a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) so Air Traffic Control knows if it is called in.... easily done... We have several people with extensive training on use of these, who will supervise. I think all the bases are covered...so now I just have to clear it with council... Road/marine flare? Marine/aircraft flare gun? Would you say "no"? And why? P.S. Also, wearing gloves, safety glasses, and hearing protection

A swifter justice system... "Justice delayed is justice denied"

Oh no I didn't!! I was drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic's!! But sadly, the perfect hair is long gone 😥

AAAAAOOOOoooooooooooooooooooo Man, that felt good 😜