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alobdell

alobdell
Member since : Oct-29-2008 (Verified)
8 Ideas, 2 Comments, 499 Votes

User Activity Stream

Ideas Posted

Many of the BSA Print Applications print blank paper at the end of a report. Eliminate the extra paper as most often it is discarded. We should be greener and save money.
Please consider adding a Training records report including all Training Types by Unit for all registered adults. This is a common request and pulling the information person by person is not an effiecient use of time.
Posted on behalf of Pack 277 Scotch Plains Adv Chair Domenick Iannaccone

When using the Internet Advancement Program there should be an error report generated for advancements not accepted by the system. This is common practice with other such programs. As it is now a comparison of the final report needs to be done by hand to compare to the preparers notes to find any inconsistencies.
Moderator Comments
10/8/2009

From: Tom Ritchey, Programmer Analyst, Information Systems Dept.

The request for this enhancement suggestion is a problem in our ISD data base. This suggestion has been identified as an enhancement to Internet Advancement that is under consideration. For more information, the following is the description of the proposed enhancement (identified as Problem 2955).

Enhance upload interface for Internet Advancement to upload Webelos Activity badges that do not load currently using all third party software upload files from software that is certified as ScoutNET compatible.

In addition, create a report to identify the youth members with records not matched as a result of the upload process. Customers have requested this feature so that when a large upload file is processed but a few members do not match and therefore have no data that the non-matched records are identified. This will save considerable time in manual reconciliation against the draft advancement report. It will be necessary to trap the member information in the unit-management software file that did not match and then display this information in the report. Matching may not occur because of differences in name spelling, date of birth, or other factors.
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To many of the volunteers and youth members who participate in our programs the membership card is a point of belonging and pride. For those that server in multiple programs allow them to be granted a membership card for all that they do for each position, even if it means adding a designator of "multiple" on the card. A corollary would be to add a toggle switch to allow printing of this type of card if requested.
Moderator Comments
8/10/09

Marty Walsh, Department Manager, Membership Impact Department

Youth and adults register with the BSA is a member only once each year. You may have multiple positions, but are only registered as a member (and therefore only pay a membership fee) once.

Those who wish to serve in more than one position or belong to multiple programs may do so but again the BSA card is a recognition of membership status not of all positions/programs.
Across the US community volunteers read to school children the first week of March each year. Why not consider mobilizing BSA volunteers and staff to serve our schools? This would serve to strengthen school relationships, create a positive media presence, create awareness of scouting to students and serve young people with a gift of service.

The reading celebration takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. (Many books are read not only Dr. Seuss works)Perhaps Scouting volunteers could read chapters or excerpts from the Jungle Book. For more information check http://www.nea.org/readacross/
All of the data has shown that Scouts attaining First Class in the first year have greater retention rates and stay in he program longer. These are facts we have understood for many years. Why not create an alternate First Class First Year Emblem. It could be as simple as changing a border or another minor change to the standard emblem. This would get the attention of the parents, the Scouting volunteer leaders and the young men in the program.
70
Include Scouting Heritage as a Merit Badge. Many of our Scouts do not know about the movement of Scouting. Requirements could include some of the following. 1. Write an essay about one of the Founders of Scouting 3. Make a presentation about the origin of Scouting to a non-Scout group such as a Church or civic organization. 2. Learn about Careers in Scouting. 3. Exchange letters with a Scout in another Scout Council. 4. Learn about the World Scouting Organization 5. Conduct an interview with a Veteran Scouter 6. Meet a Scouting Professional 7. Visit your Scout Council Headquarters 8. Learn about the BSA's Adventure Bases 9. Attend a District Rountable or District Meeting 10. Make a display of Scouting information and material for your community to be open to the public for at least one week
Moderator Comments
Merged with Idea #696

8/10/09
From: Bob Scott, Innovation Team Coordinator

A Scouting Heritage merit badge is currently in development and is timed for release in the first quarter of 2010.
Currently the net results are displayed on each idea submitted. Displaying the total number of votes AND net difference would give a better picture of support on a particular topic.
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Comments Posted

alobdell 5 months ago
Specifically youth members who participate in both the Boy
Scout and Venturing programs should be allowed both membership cards. Volunteers who may for example likewise participate in different levels should also be recognized. Do people not get recognized as volunteers who coach different sports or as leaders in different civic clubs as discrete accomplishments? (I firmly agree with the idea that the multiple hat situation in Districts, Councils or home Units needs to be eradicated)