David CO

I hope not. If there is any justice in the bankruptcy process, the Summit will be the very first thing to go.

The rioters seem to have no problem in identifying the officers (targeting them with dangerous projectiles and lasers).

I wouldn't bet on it. BSA may or may not survive the bankruptcy. We just don't know. Unit scouters who plug along everyday in this climate of uncertainty deserve a lot of credit for doing what they do. I suppose we should hope for the best, but plan for the worst. Be Prepared.

You're right. Nobody deserves to be compared to Planned Parenthood.

In Chicago, you're happy just to have survived the day without having been the victim of a drive-by shooting.

Oh no! Not that! Anything but that! The HORROR of it! 😮 Not being allowed to spend our evenings on BOR's! [Sobs, wailing, gnashing of teeth] 😬

Two wrongs don't make a right.

I disagree. Individual parents do not have the authority to represent the unit. The COR is appointed by the Chartered Organization to represent the unit on all matters of unit-council relations. If the unit is going to ask the council to replace the commissioner assigned to their unit, it should be the COR who makes the complaint. If the parent wants a complaint made to the council, then the parent should ask the COR to make the complaint. It is important to remember that the complaint is about a commissioner whose actions exceeded his authority. It doesn't make sense for the parent to exceed his/her authority by speaking for the unit. Let the COR do his job.

That's not always the reason. As an IH, I wouldn't have hesitated to use my authority if I thought the issue was important. I just didn't think boy scout ranks, and advancement issues in general, were very important. If there is one thing I have learned on this forum, it is that many people feel that ranks and advancement are all-important. Some people join scouting for the sole purpose of making eagle. I find this very odd.

Thanks. My Chartered Organization was definitely in charge. The CO owned the unit. Even so, it never involved itself it matters relating to advancement.

No matter how unfair and arbitrary the circumstances in a particular case may be, I think it's a bit of an exaggeration to say that leaders "destroy youth" when they deny advancement.

Yes, it has been long time. It didn't surprise me (back then) that a SM might get miffed at a scout. It does surprise me (now) that he would still be holding a grudge 3 years later.

Scouting will survive, even if BSA doesn't. Hopefully, whatever organization(s) take over the function of providing a scouting program for our boys, a practical, functional, comfortable, and affordable uniform should be a high priority. The scouting movement should learn from BSA's mistakes.

So I'm told. Someone should have informed Norman Rockwell.

It's beginning to look like isolation suits are the future.

I'm not sure if you glean anything from any of our discussions, but that is for you to determine.

We probably cannot have an intellectual discussion today if you continue to imply that those who disagree with you suffer from a lack of experience and maturity.

Probably because you didn't propose that uniforms should be required. You propose that uniforms are required. There is a big difference. If you acknowledge the clear fact that uniforms aren't required, and never have been required, I think people would be far more receptive to having a calm and rational discussion with you about whether or not a rule change (to make uniforms mandatory) would be a good idea.

Why is it that when someone likes a BSA policy, it's a hard-and-fast rule, but when someone dislikes a BSA policy, it is a loophole?

More nonsense. A scout who doesn't buy a uniform isn't being selfish. You can insult the scouts all you want, they still don't have to buy the uniforms. That's the bottom line.

Nonsense. Some people can't get past the idea that scouting is a voluntary activity. It's not like school. Kids don't have to do it if they don't enjoy it. It's not supposed to be a chore. Advancement is voluntary. Uniforms are voluntary. I can't stand it when adults say that kids are making a wrong decision by not pursuing a rank, not joining OA, or not buying/wearing a uniform. That's their decision. Let them decide for themselves what is a right decision for them. The worst decision a boy can make in scouting is to do things (they don't like doing) just to please the adults.

Scouts don't need an excuse for not buying a uniform, and they certainly don't owe me any explanation. If they don't want to buy a uniform, don't buy it. It's not required. In any case, it might seem foolish, to many people, to buy a uniform while BSA is in bankruptcy proceedings. We don't even know if BSA will exist a year from now. We are in uncertain times. Best to put off purchases until we know a little more. Same goes for unit equipment. Wait and see.

I'm just surprised this didn't happen earlier. You are absolutely right. It was not unexpected. Membership is dropping. BSA is in bankruptcy. What else would we expect to happen? Bankruptcy has consequences.

I think we sometimes forget that layoffs can also be stressful on the employees who remain.

Smart? I can't think of anything I have said in any of my 2344 posts that might lead you to that conclusion. But I'll thank you anyway.