David CO

I disagree. At least on this forum, the comments about OA being the "best of the best" are not coming from outsiders looking at the actions of arrowmen. They are coming from the arrowmen themselves.

I really don't see the difference between saying "I am the best of the best" and saying "I am better than all of you." It sounds pretty much the same to me. Most of the youth OA members I meet are the "sash and dash" types who only join the order so they can wear the pocket patch. Are they really a small minority of the youth membership of the OA? I don't think so. Even with the boys who stay active in the OA, I think the numbers would drop off dramatically if they couldn't wear a pocket patch. I do think OA is basically a mutual admiration society.

If you only want to hear the opinions of OA members, why did you post this topic in the Open Discussion forum? Perhaps you should move this topic over to the OA forum where you guys can slap each other on the back and tell yourselves how special you are.

I find it interesting that you would describe my Chartered Organization's decision to not participate in cultural appropriation as adult bias and prejudices.

Who considered arrowmen to be the "special forces of scouts" or "the best of the best" and carrying more clout than eagles? My unit never participated in the OA because of the cultural appropriation thing. We certainly didn't feel that arrowmen were better scouts. I think this self-congratulatory thing that many arrowmen do is a real turn-off. If the OA wants to have a future in scouting, I think it needs to see itself as a vehicle for cheerful service, and not as an honor society with bragging rights.

Those of us who were around during the Owasippe struggle might laugh at the suggestion that councils are independent.

This is just another instance of our activities being turned into Baby Sitters of America. When my unit leaders volunteer to lead and supervise a group of scouts, they are not committing themselves to baby sit the scouts' siblings. It is not just scouting. It also happens in sports. Some parents will try to drop off a non-participating sibling with the youth athlete, and ask the coaches to keep an eye on them. My Chartered Organization is very clear on this. We will not assume any responsibility for children who are not registered with our program.

I think we are going to see more of this, with BSA councils looking for more ways to raise funds independently of the scouts and scout units. The purpose of BSA councils is to pay their own salaries. If they can't do this with the voluntary support of scouts and scout units, they will look elsewhere.

It is a big deal for some of our scouts to see the athletes applauding their scouting achievements.

We have our scouts recognized at a school awards night, which takes place at the end of the school year, so we don't do ECOH. Our emphasis is on school unity. We want our students' scouting achievements to be recognized along with those of our athletic and academic programs. My feeling is that a scout has achieved his rank as soon as he has earned it.

Fortunately, no part of our units' success is dependent on the DE.

Are they illegal eagles?

It is really not a win all around. Many people, like myself, don't wish to make a donation to the council.

I have no idea who he is. Should I have heard of him?

I would point out that many of my older scouts are already working to save up some money for their college education. I worked my way through college, paying my own way. I think this was a good experience, teaching me responsibility and character. But this was a long time ago. Back then, it was possible for a young man to work his way through college. College costs have gone up astronomically. The entry level positions that allowed me to pay for my education wouldn't even come close to covering the costs of college today. I think the same is true of scouting. The costs of scouting have increased at a much faster rate than what today's kids can be reasonably expected to earn for themselves. This is particularly true when the boy is already trying to save up for college. I think quite a few 16 and 17 year old scouts drop out of scouting because they and their parents are budgeting for college.

There is no "if" about it. These products are illegal. This is not an opinion. It is a fact. The product is illegal, and the planning commission is considering the request for a permit. That's why there is a controversy.

The fact that an administration, for partisan political reasons, chooses to not enforce a properly enacted law, does not change the validity of the law. These products are still illegal. The directorship of the FBI, like that of the IRS, has become a partisan political office. I wouldn't want the office.

I would disagree with your statement that this activity is legal. I would also disagree that there is any such a thing as a valid prescription for these products.

No. I would have no interest in this story. Good luck with your writing/producing career.

I don't know of any year-round schools in my area. If we had year-round schools, I should think it would have no negative effect on the viability of campgrounds. It might even help them. There are a lot of people who don't like camping on hot summer days, but would love to do a week of scout camping in the fall. I have directed Outdoor Education programs during the regular school year, in the spring and fall, and I think it is every bit as much fun as summer camp.

No, Frank, when that happens you should just learn to play music. Because it really doesn't matter where you put the violin.

In the spirit of honesty and full disclosure, I wish to admit to the other members of this forum that I am, at times, a vial person. Many of the Science classes that I have taught, including Biology and Physical Science, have been vial classes, and I have taught some vial lessons. If BSA continues to promote STEM, I am very much afraid that this may become a vial activity. Please excuse me for my vial language.

If it turns out that someone from the unit has possession of the missing equipment or funds, I would strongly advise against trying to take them to a new unit. It is understandable that the people who raised the funds might feel that they should be portable, from the current unit to a new unit, as the scouts switch units, but this is not so. Taking them without permission would be stealing, and that would not be setting a good example for the boys. Yes, any remaining equipment and funds should be used to promote scouting.

The equipment and funds of a unit belong to the Chartered Organization. It is the duty of the SM, CC, and unit treasurer to keep an accurate accounting of all equipment and funds. If this is not done properly, the CO is justified in removing volunteers from these positions.

No charge.