OaklandAndy

And go! https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2024/04/01/a-scout-is-human-bsa-introduces-13th-point-to-scout-law/

Because the world where that space is...doesn't exist. That doesn't mean we stop trying to make it so, however, it will probably never be 100% copacetic.

In this case...yes absolutely. I'm talking about putting the logo on pack shirts, not something egregious. When the action you take falls on deaf ears, what other actions are there? National is a mess right now and if that means I have to break a rule in order give youth some pride in what they are wearing, I can fall asleep just fine with that decision. If the BSA wants to come after me, much like the GSUSA did with one of their own, with something so trivial because it didn't have "their approval" or they don't get the credit, then there'll probably be a similar ending.

Technically...but that won't stop anyone, including myself.

Sold!

That is an amazing lesson for those young girls and being able to keep that history alive!

Not sure where your location is, but Daniel Boone Council is holding both IOLS and BALOO, same weekend, April 12-13/14, at Camp Daniel Boone. https://www.danielboonecouncil.org/BALOOspr24 https://www.danielboonecouncil.org/IOLSspr2024

I've always believed that if you address the little things, it typically prevents bigger issues from happening. I wouldn't have to be rude about it, but it should get addressed as long as you are comfortable with the possible pushback.

There's a mole among us...

@Gossmaaf...there was a lot of different variables that went into rebuilding the unit. I'd hate to say it, but I did EVERYTHING I could think of to keep the program alive. Especially since out of the 6 kids, 2 of them were mine and we only had 2 dens....lions and webelos. But we stuck with the foundation of the program, have fun, fundraise, and community service. Any time we had an event, I would submit an article to the paper. That turned into marketing on Facebook for our middle-aged parents, who would be looking for something for their kiddos. I would also post recruitment events on our local town's Facebook page. We use the fundraising to eventually build the bank account back up (we took a big hit with covid and membership so my wife and I were paying out of pocket for advancements/awards), Eventually, word of mouth got around and friends started inviting friends and now we are the biggest pack in our district. As we got bigger, I started delegating one or two things to different parents, some being registered positions and others being the one who hauls the trailer. EVERYONE had a task, whether it was a year-round thing or a "this is the one thing I need you to do all year". We led our Council in both popcorn and camp card fundraising in 2023 (hoping for a repeat) and we have been able to waive any pack dues and the pack pays for ALL program events at the unit, district, and council level, including food. Now this has taken a couple years to build and it took a lot of my own time because I wanted to see it succeed. The parent's also know that if we want to continue with making scouting as free as possible (which for most of them it is because of fundraising), they have to participate. It's also important to note that I took over the pack right before covid. All the "senior leadership" left me on my own except for one, thank God for Cubmaster Chad, but as a veteran Marine, I hate to lose so I found a way to make it work.

12 scouts is still a good number to build off of though. After covid, I was down to 6 scouts but built it up to 51 over the next couple years. Took a lot of work, but with the help of some volunteers who showed up at the right time, we were able to thrive. If they are not being "active", you might be in for more work than you bargained for.

Our Pack was recently awarded unit of the year for the 2nd year in a row at the District Banquet. The District Chair asked if I could share how we have become so successful in "all" aspects (fundraising, retention, advancement, recruiting, etc..) and I told everyone that I stuck with the basics. The program has been around for over 100 years and there is not a lot to change...the program itself works if you stick to it. That's my "secret". Keep them involved, active, and engaged and they will continue to have fun.

I'd imagine most rural counties have these kinds of "straight white folk" meetings and I haven't heard anything about racism, homophobia, or anything else. Especially at the scouting level. I vote to close this discussion before it turns into something that it doesn't need to.

100%

Our District has 4 packs and 3 troops left...barely holding on. We used to have double digits in both before the VID.

I didn't realize it was no longer available. I thought it was still an earnable award for all. I know it replaced the International Activity and Youth Exchange Award.

I thought everyone did the retired adventures anyways? We typically finish the required ones fairly quickly and we let them pick whichever ones that want, retired or not. If there is no loop, we make/give them a creative handmade craft in it's place.

KIS(S)

"allegedly failed to report financial statements."... An often heard reasoning from any government. "The assets of the banned organizations will be confiscated by the Nicaraguan government." I wonder how much will be left if these NGO's clear their name.

Not the worst thing in the world. It's not like it's too difficult to complete. I know it has been suggested to our council that all unregistered parents who attend C/P weekends must have YPT as well. Easy to say, harder to enforce.

I agree with this. There is a ton to the scouting program and you don't know what you don't know. On the other hand, when I was a new leader I took it upon myself to familiarize myself with Scoutbook, which led to me to all these awards, which led me to research. There HAS to be some type of proactivity on the volunteers side as well, or at the very least, show them where to look.

I was afraid the time would finally come when I wouldn't be considered a young adult anymore.

This is the answer to all these ridiculous changes right here. It's all about CYA with the BSA National nowadays. CYA and vague answers.

My direct supervisor tried doing this to me when I worked at the council and put it right back in her face after I showed her the factual timeline of how things actually played out. That in itself was catalyst for me to look for another career. She was the sweetest, hardest working lady in the whole office and if the office culture turned her into that, I knew that it would happen to me. That's why I left and work for a community college now.

Our SE has a good head on his shoulders, it's more the DE's that continue to drop the ball more than anything. I also noticed that "good ol' boy system with the council volunteer positions....they want the title but none of the work.