click23

From the Guide to Advancement 7.0.0.2 Unit Leader Signs Application for Merit Badge (Blue Card) Though a few merit badges may have certain restrictions; short of them, any registered Scout may work on any of them at any time, as long as he has the approval of his unit leader. This is indicated by his or her signature on the Application for Merit Badge, No. 34124, commonly called the blue card.

--I have yet to meet a Venturer in my Council who could recite the Venturer Oath.-- The Oath isn't bad at all, now the Code, it is just a train wreck trying to recite. In the last Venturer handbook the Code was replaced in the front of the book with the Scout Law, the code was put in the very back of the book. I see the Sea Scouts having the hardest time with this.(This message has been edited by click23)

The online Tour and Activity Plan seems to have a max ratio of 1:10. This is not on the printed form, nor in any other scout material that I have seen. Just as a reference, Jamboree troops have 36 youth and 4 adults.

I see a major rewrite of the cub scout rank requirements. While some of the cub scout core values line up with the points of the scout law, most do not, and cub scout requirements are driven by the 12 core values.

First question, and I am not trying to be a smart butt, but have you read the Scoutmasters Handbook from cover to cover? If troop is not following what it has states about troop elections and appointments, then it is taking away from the boys and their program. If the current SPL had been allowed to appoint his ASPL then I doubt you would be in the situation that you are int. As far as the current situation, if a boy is not living up to the job description, and that can include following the Scout Law and Oath in his duties, and being respectful of the troops leadership, youth and adults, then you need to have a heart to heart with him. Give it a few week, and if things do not improve then it is time for him to be replaced.

Sasha, from the Guide to Safe Scouting, http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/gss05.aspx (every unit needs a copy, and every leader should read through it at least once) In order to provide better care for its members and to assist them in better understanding their own physical capabilities, the Boy Scouts of America recommends that everyone who participates in a Scouting event have an annual medical evaluation by a certified and licensed health care provider a physician (M.D. or D.O.), nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Providing this medical information on the four-part medical record, the Annual Health and Medical Record (found under forms on Scouting Safely at www.scouting.org), will help ensure that the minimum standards for participation in various activities are met. Note that unit leaders must always protect the privacy of unit participants by protecting their medical information. Do not transmit medical information through unsecured devices or programs, such as e-mail or the Web. Parts A and B are to be completed at least annually by participants in all Scouting events. This health history, parent or guardian informed consent and hold harmless/ release agreement, and talent release statement are to be completed by the participant and parents or guardians. Adult unit leaders should review participants health history and become knowledgeable about the medical needs of the youth members in their unit. This form is to be filled out by participants and parents or guardians, and kept on file for easy reference. Part C is the physical exam that is required for participants in any event that exceeds 72 consecutive hours, for all high-adventure base participants, or when the nature of the activity is strenuous and demanding. Service projects or work weekends may fit this description. Part C is to be completed and signed by a certified and licensed health care providerphysician (M.D. or D.O.), nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. It is important to note that the height-to-weight limits must be strictly adhered to when the event will take the unit more than 30 minutes away from an emergency vehicle-accessible roadway, or when the program requires it, such as backpacking trips, high-adventure activities, and conservation projects in remote areas. Part D is required to be reviewed by all participants of a high-adventure program at one of the national high-adventure bases and shared with the examining health care provider before completing Part C.

Many, many, many people get the two deep leadership and no one on one contact rules confused. Two-deep leadership on all outings required: Two registered adult leaders, or one registered leader and a parent of a participating Scout or other adult, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are required for all trips and outings. One-on-one contact between adults and Scouts prohibited: One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is not permitted. As a note two deep does not apply to unit meetings by BSA policy, however I would not conduct one without another leader or adult present.

Well at least a start! Lets hope the role out is better than the commissioner Unit Visit Tracking System, crashed within a few hours of launch. And hope it works better than the discussion group that was on myscouting.org, it was so bad they complete abandoned it. From the Fall 2012 Training Times http://www.scouting.org/filestore/training/pdf/TrainingTimesFall.pdf Unit and District Tools Adding Unit and District Tools to MyScouting.org is the next step in moving toward a more user-friendly, self-service oriented BSA member web site - and to provide tools that will help trainers (and others) manage the process by having access to the data they need. These new tools will be the first piece in a new BSA membership database that is currently being built. Unit Tools will eventually give unit leaders, volunteers, parents, and Scouts the opportunity to take and track training, perform rechartering, maintain advancement, plan activities, and more. The new Unit and District Tools application will also give the unit Key 3 the ability to access their rosters and update contact information for unit members. Unit Tools will be released in multiple phases. Phase I (set for release this fall) will include the basic items, while Phase II is set for release later this year and will include additional tools. The new features that will be introduced in Phase 1 for units are the following: Security Administration: The unit Key 3 (unit leader, committee chairman, chartered organization representative) will have full administration on all unit-modifiable fields Person Profile: Allows updating of contact fields in membership record (excluding name and birth date) Unit Access: Unit registered adults will have read-only access to rosters, calendars, announcements, etc. Unit and District Calendar: Ability to publish calendar events for respective viewing by organization-specific adult leaders/volunteers Unit and District Announcements: Ability to publish important information for respective viewing by organization-specific adult leaders/volunteers Unit Roster: Unit roster will be made available and exportable The new features that will be introduced in Phase 1 for districts are the following: Person Profile: Allows updating of contact fields in membership record (excluding name and birth date) Security AdministrationDistrict: The Key 3 (district chairman, district commissioner, district executive and professional management staff) will have full administration on all district modifiable fields. Unit and District Calendars: Ability to publish calendar events for respective viewing by organization-specific adult leaders/volunteers Unit and District Announcements: Ability to publish important information for respective viewing by organization-specific adult leaders/volunteers District Roster: Unit and District rosters will be made available and exportable. Phase II is scheduled to include more detailed, position oriented items including the first of many training report and entry functions. Also as part of this effort a new training report feature will soon be available (depending on registered role) in MyScouting. Unit Training Detail The Unit Training Detail report will be provided to unit adults holding the Unit Leader, Committee Chair, and Chartered Organization Representative positions in their units. Unit Training Detail will provide each unit with a listing of adults and display all BSA training courses shown as completed in the persons record. Key unit adults who are affiliated with several units will be able to select each unit individually for viewing. For example, a chartered organization representative for a pack, troop, team, and crew will be able to view all units. The adult training information may be printed in a report or exported for the use of the unit to provide an inventory of training courses completed by all to the units adult leaders. Unit Training Tracking Report The Unit Training Tracking report will be provided to council and district-level volunteers. Unit Training Tracking will allow volunteers to view each unit in their service area and will list adults with BSA training courses completed by unit. The adult training information report may be printed by unit, or exported to provide an inventory of training courses completed. These new reports are scheduled to be released before the end of 2012. The release of the other phases will follow as they are ready.

http://scout-wire.org/2012/09/27/unit-religious-emblems-coordinator-position-officially-approved/ I think this is a great, but the part that I am scratching my head over is "Of course there is a new patch being developed to accompany the position." Other than the Committee Chair and ScoutParent Unit Cooridantor no one else gets position specific patch, same thing that goes with the District and Council Religious Emblems Coordinator, they both have a patch. I never understood why the ScoutParent Unit Cooridantor got a patch other than someone dump a chunk of change into the study behind it and they wanted a patch to go along with it. This might be the case behind the Religious Emblems Coordinators too. http://www.scoutstuff.org/emb-dist-religious-coordr.html http://www.scoutstuff.org/emb-cncl-religious-coordr.html

Has anyone else noticed in the new Guide to Awards and Insignia all references to Venture Patrols have been removed that were shown in the old Insignia Guide? I know I have heard rumors of killing off the the Venture Patrols, just wondering if this is the first step.

I feel sorry for the boys in some of these troops. I can quote multiple sections from the G2A that should set everyone straight, but I know I would be wasting my time. There are just some people that are so set in their ways that nothing will make them change their minds. The issue is very simple, no matter how high we prop the Eagle rank up, it is no more than a set of requirements that are clearly spelled out in the boy scout handbook, and no one has the authority add anything to these requirements.

This is what is stated in the insignia guide "This insignia is reserved for regional officers, regional committee members, local council professional Scouters, and national staff with a regional responsibility and is worn on the right sleeve in position 2. Adult regional world and national jamboree contingent staff and leaders may wear the insignia only during their assignment at the jamboree. The same rule applies to specifically designed regional insignia for a national event."

Just thought I would revive a long dead thread. #1 - Air Scouting/Air Exploring ACE Award Knot #2 - Explorer Silver Award Knot, used for * Explorer/Air Explorer Silver Award * Explorer Achievement Award * Explorer G.O.L.D. Award * Explorer Scout Ranger Award (when its unique knot was dropped early on) * Air Scout/Air Explorer Ace Award (again, when its unique knot was dropped early on) #3 Arrow of Light Knot #4 - Silver World Award Knot #5 - Scoutmaster Award of Merit Knot (also used as or known as) * Varsity Scout Coach Award of Merit * Venturing Advisor Award of Merit * NESA Outstanding Scoutmaster #6 - Eagle Scout Knot #7 - Cubmaster Award Knot #8 - William D. Boyce New-Unit Organizer Award Knot #9 - Tiger Cub Den Leader Knot #10 - Pack Trainer Award Knot #11 - Scouters Key Award Knot #12 - Silver Beaver Award Knot (Also used for the Silver Fawn Award) #13 Scouters Training Award Knot #14 - International Scouter Award #15 - "Youth" Religious Award Knot #16 - Distinguished Commissioner Service Award #17 - Cub Scouter Award Knot #18 - Community Organization Award Knot #19 - William T. Hornaday Award Knot #20 - Heroism Award Knot #21 - George Meaney AFL-CIO Award Knot #22 - Professional Scouter Training Award Knot (Also known as the Professional Circle or Fellowship Honor Knot) #23 - Medal of Merit Knot #24 - Honor Medal Knot (also with Crossed Palms (Very Rare)) #25 - District Award of Merit Knot #26 - Cub Scout Den Leader Award Knot, now known as Den Leader Award Knot #27 - Venturing Silver Award Knot #28 - Silver Antelope Knot #29 - Silver Buffalo Knot #30 - Vale La Pena Award Knot (or Premio por Servicio ScoutingVale la Pena! Service Award Knot) #31 - Asian American Spirit of Scouting Award Knot #32 - William H. Spurgeon Award Knot #33 - Adult religious award Knot #34 - Sea Badge Award Knot (Participant 1 trident, Staff 2 Tridents, Course Director 3 Tridents) #35 - Quartermaster Award Knot #36 - James West Award Knot #37 - Webelos Den Leader Award Knot #38 - OA Distinguished service Award Knot #39 - Whitney Young Service Award Knot #40 - Venturing Leadership Award Knot #41 - Explorer Scout Ranger Award Knot #42 Den Leader Coach Award Knot #43 Skippers Key Award Knot #44 Antarctica Award Knot (Not sure if that was ever official though) #45 - Eagles Scout Knot (NESA Lifetime Member) #46 - Speaker Bank Award Knot #47 - Philmont Training Center Master Track AwardKnot #48 - Doctorate of Commissioner Science Award Knot #49 - Unit Leader Award Knot #50 - Commissioners Award of Excellence Knot(This message has been edited by click23)

The official announcement is in the latest issue of the Training Times http://scouting.org/training/trainingupdates.aspx Training Awards for Adult Leaders in Units Update In 2011 the National Council's awards committee conducted a review of the hundreds of awards presented to Scouts and adults in the BSA. Many recommendations were made to update procedures and the awards themselves. Among the recommendations was the update of the unit leader training awards requirements and a review of the Cub Scout Leader Recognition Awards. These recommendations have been reviewed by the national volunteer training committee and a task force of unit-level leaders. Some awards have been eliminated and all of the requirements for the remaining awards have been updated. The forms and requirements have been simplified, but the committees do not believe that means easier. They are along the same lines and Adegree of difficulty as the previous requirements, but will be less complicated and consistent across the awards and the phases of the Scouting program. The Cubmaster Award has been discontinued. Cubmasters may now earn the Scouter's Key Award and may wear the Scouter's Key knot with a Cub Scouting device. The Cub Scouter and Pack Trainer Awards have been discontinued. Cub Scout pack leaders may earn the Scouter's Training Award and may wear the Scouter's Training Award knot with a Cub Scouting device. The Tiger Cub and Webelos Den Leader's Awards have been discontinued. All den leaders may earn a new Den Leader's Training Award medal that is being created, and may wear the Den Leader's Training Award knot (identical to the previous Cub Scout Den Leader Award knot) with the appropriate device. A Tiger Cub den leader device is also being developed. Scouters who have earned the discontinued awards will still be able to wear these awards and knots. Scouters who have begun to work on the Cub Scout Leader Recognition Awards will still be able to earn them as long as they are completed by the following dates: Tiger Cub Den Leader Award - December 31, 2012 Webelos Den Leader Award - December 31, 2012 Cubmaster Award - December 31, 2013 Pack Trainer Award - December 31, 2013 Cub Scouter Award - December 31, 2013 Cub Scouters who have not started to work on an award may only earn the new awards and must use the new requirements. Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing awards, knots, and devices have not been changed. Only the requirements have been updated. Leaders who have started to earn these awards may use either set of requirements, but Scouters who have not started to work on an award may only use the new requirements. The training awards and keys are designed to recognize unit Scouters for tenure, basic and continuing training, and successful performance in their leadership role. Progress record forms with the new requirements for these awards can be found at www.Scouting.org/training.

The first thing I would do is sit down with the Cubmaster and the Pack Committee Chair and explain the situation. If they still want you to become a Den Leader, I would see if the Committee Chair could schedule a meeting with the two of you and the Charted Organization Representative or the head of the chartering organization to explain the situation of the chartering organization. The BSA has what is called the "Procedures for Maintaining Standards of Membership and Leadership" This is from the 2008 revision, the newest one that I can find online. So take what I list below as just for reference, this could have changed in four years. Handling Criminal Background Checks That Reflect Driving-Under-the- Influence/Driving-While-Intoxicated Incidents The Scout executive, in communication with the chartered organization, may determine an applicant can be accepted as a member in the BSA after taking into account the following: 1. The age of the individual at the time of the incident and how long ago it occurred. 2. The nature and seriousness of the offense. 3. Has this type of incident been repeated, or is it a one-time occurrence? 4. Has the drivers license been revoked or suspended? 5. Did the applicant disclose all of the relevant information on the application? 6. Is this individual a high-risk driver? Mothers Against Drunk Driving defines the higher-risk driver as 1) Repeat offenders convicted of a second driving-under-the-influence offense within a five-year period. A conviction is defined as receiving a court-imposed sanction; 2)High-blood-alcohol-content offenders convicted of a driving-under-the influence offense with a blood-alcohol content of .15 percent or higher; and/or 3) Driving-while-suspended offenders whose suspension was the result of a conviction for driving under the influence. The Scout executive may decide that the individual may not be a member but may be permitted to attend unit functions as a parent, although he or she may not be permitted to be a driver on any outing or tour. The action taken must be communicated to the individual and the chartered organization.

If your course is anything like mine was, be prepared to be bring back a lot more than you took, flyers, handouts, souvenirs, book, manuals, etc. This was just posted on PTCs facebook page today, "The new cell tower at Philmont is up and working. 3G service at the Training Center. Thanks AT&T!" "The service is mostly for the Base Camp and PTC operations. Strong connectivity enhances the safety aspects and business operations of Philmont, and helps the conferences at PTC. A great Scouter, who works for AT&T made this and the coverage at the Summit possible, and we are very appreciative."

Per the insignia guide(of all of the places for this reference to be) the Chaplain is an "ordained or church-appointed clergy"

While I do not have any experiance with this, here are a couple resources for you Scouting for Youth With Disabilities Manual, http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34059.pdf Guide to Advancement, Section 10. Advancement for Members With Special Needs, http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33088.pdf

This information is Commissioner Fieldbook for Unit Service, http://scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33621.pdf Chapter 09How to Remove a Volunteer The chapter discusses what else can be done besides "firing" the volunteer, but when all else fails it states: "Who has the authority to remove a volunteer? A good rule of thumb is this: The person or group with the authority to appoint a volunteer has the authority to remove and replace that volunteer.... In the case of unit Scouters, commissioners must remember that it is the chartered organization that has made the appointment. The commissioner role is to help the head of the chartered organization or the unit committee to make the change" It perplexes me why this states "or unit committees" because unit committees do not have the"authority to appoint a volunteer". At the unit level that is the committee chair, and the COR. The committee can recommend such action, but cannot act on it.

The new Guide to Advancement lays out the procedures to receive a belated Eagle. 8.0.3.1 Eagle Scout Board of Review Beyond the 18th Birthday ... 3. It is possible for those who completed the requirements for the Eagle Scout rank in their youth, but never received it, to obtain credentials necessary for acquiring it. If a board of review was not held, one may be requested. In any case, all requirements must have been completed before age 18. Using the Belated Eagle Scout application, No. 512-076 (see 11.3.0.0), evidence of completion must be submitted to the national Advancement Team through the local council where the individual resides. An Eagle Scout Rank application signed at the time work was finished can serve as evidence of requirements such as active participation, Scout spirit, or positions of responsibility. Blue cards, advancement reports, or troop records may be used for merit badges. Because of their availability on the Internet, actual merit badges or sashes are not normally accepted. Once documentation is verified as complete and compelling, credentials can be released or permission granted for a board of review. Requirements in effect at the time of membership are used, but regardless the practices of the day, all must have been accomplished by age 18. On page 71 of the G2A you will find the Belated Eagle Scout Rank Application.

This is a meeting that your council commissioner should hold annually. We use it as planning, informal training, exchange of ideas, and fellowship day, plus some good food. An offical description can be found here, http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Commissioners/Manuals/33615.aspx(This message has been edited by click23)

Cross, the procedures you have linked to are no longer valid. The one Eagle92 posted is what is now being used, starting on page 48. The way it works now is you would have what is called a "board of review under disputed circumstances". But this is only for Eagle, and not for any other rank. I questioned the National Advancment Team about this, and below is their response: "There is no allowance for a board of review under disputed circumstances for ranks other than Eagle. This is because a Scout, once he believes he has completed all the requirements for any rank, must be granted a board of review. See GTA, topic 8.0.0.2. Scout leaders do not have the authority to deny a board of review. There is no application, for ranks other than Eagle, that a Scoutmaster or unit leader must sign. It is instead, their responsibility to see that a board of review is scheduled and held. You can also see in GTA topic 4.2.3.5, that Scoutmaster conferences are not to be established as "pass/fail." A Scout simply must participate in one. The SM must not use the conference as a forum upon which to deny the boy advancement, or to deny a board of review. He does not get to be the gate keeper in this sense." 8.0.0.2 Boards of Review Must Be Granted When Requirements Are Met A Scout cannot be denied this opportunity. When he believes he has completed all the requirements, including a Scoutmaster conference, it is up to the unit leader and committee to assure a board of review is held. Scoutmasters, for example, do not have authority to expect a boy to request one, or to defer him, or to ask him to perform beyond the requirements in order to be granted one So in this case the Scoutmaster does not have the authority to not recommend the boy for a BOR. The Scoutmaster can tell the scout why he thinks he is not ready, which requirements he has not met, etc, but if the boy believes he has completed all of the requirements a BOR one must be convened.

1 new tan district commissioner 1 green district commissioner 1 new tan troop committee 1 green council venturing committee(yes there is a patch for this http://www.scoutstuff.org/bsa/special-collections/venturing/council-venturing-committee-emblem.html 1 new tan wood badge staff, my council refuses to comply with nationals rules with this one.(This message has been edited by click23)

This does not surprise me, as this would be the correct thing to do. From http://councils.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Council440/Volunteer/Boy%20Scouts/Advancement%20Resources "Starting Jan. 1, 2012, Eagle Scout candidatesunless they have already submitted a plan for approval by the council or district under the former requirementwill be expected to fulfill the revised service project requirement 5 using the new workbook."

New Tour and Activity Plan to Be Unveiled http://scout-wire.org/2012/02/29/new-tour-and-activity-plan-to-be-unveiled/ The new online tour and activity plan has been developed and will soon be ready for use. When compared to the former tour permit process, the new plan will no longer require signatures or approvals. Rather, as the plan is completed online, the required prerequisites for that type of trip or activity will be displayed. For any prerequisites that have not been met (for example, not having someone on a trip who has Hazardous Weather training where this training is required), and before being allowed to submit the form, the person completing the form will have to certify that all prerequisites will be met prior to conducting the trip or activity. Once submitted, an email notification will be sent to your council, chartered organization, committee chair, unit leader, and emergency contact to let them know that a plan has been submitted. Receivers of this notification can log in to MyScouting and review the plan. Other tour and activity plan enhancements include the following: Because email notifications will be sent once a plan has been submitted, it is important to maintain current leadership information in the system. Links are provided to current program-required training and education. System prompts and warnings are included. You will be able to review and fix any deficiencies flagged by the system prior to submitting the plan. You can store, retrieve, copy, and reuse completed tour and activity plans. Files such as trekking plans and flight plans may be uploaded. Unit volunteers who currently have access to the tour and activity plan will be able to view and update all plans submitted for their unit up to the day before the scheduled tour date. There will be leader certification of the plan prior to submission. For those who do not have Internet access or simply prefer paper over an electronic version, a PDF version can be found on the tour and activity plan FAQ page.