Instead of sewing on the strip, would it be better to just embroider it on in the first place?
Most of the leaders and volunteers I work with that are using the new uniform (as well as my own) put it through the same abuse as the old one and they seem to be holding up fine.
Haven't heard from the parents or the Scouts who can really put the uniform through the ringer...
Although it may add more time to the training, the leaders will get to see specifically how the program progresses from Tiger through Webelos; and they won't have to come back to training every year.
Many of the units in the district I serve are already doing this in one form or another. Another idea that is popular is that Scout Stuff makes a great birthday/Christmas/Holiday/special occasion/back to school/etc. gift.
The Cub Scout Uniform is able to withstand the use and abuse of the kids. Ease of adding patches has been increased with the introduction of badge magic, and/or the use of the plastic patch holder. National Supply has them in the Cub Scout Diamond, and they work well. Keeping the color scheme for the Cub Program helps larger packs identify the dens. If cost gets to be an issue, one option is to pass them on to the next den at a graduation ceremony.
The Uniform is one of our methods. It sets us apart from other organizations. Just as sports teams have specific uniforming and equipment requirements, the Scouts have them as well.
Also, Scout Stuff makes great gifts at Christmas and birthdays...
I disagree with adding both of those badges to the list of Eagle Required badges.
Although it would be beneficial to add a component for continuing education, as it is written now, the Scholarship merit badge doesn't apply.
Public Speaking is a component of the Communications Merit Badge. It is also part of the Scoutmaster Conference, and a part of the Board of Review. I never earned the Public Speaking Merit Badge, but frequently spoke infront of groups both Scouting and non-Scouting as a youth.
There are also opportunities for the youth to learn public speaking skills at the National Youth Leadership Training, Order of the Arrow National Leadership Seminar, even at Den Chief Training. There are people who can speak infront of groups, there are people who cannot. We can train and teach them to do the best they can, but not all are going to be eloquent orators.
The Eagle award is for demonstration of Leadership. Not all leaders are public speakers. Not all Leaders were honor roll students. As long as there is a value for continuing education, and personal growth, even in public speaking, that helps to qualify for the Eagle Award.
I will agree that by the time they're receiving their Eagle award, their first remarks shouldn't be "Ahhhh...... I didn't write anything..."
Although it's not web based, in the back of the District Growth Plan Workbook, there is a list of chartered organizations and the ranking of how many are involved in the program.
The Masons' Daniel Carter Beard award list is available from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania's website. If you're outside PA, http://www.pmyf.org/pgm/scouter/recipientsoos.html. If you're in PA http://www.pmyf.org/pgm/scouter/recipientspa.html. The list is alphabetical by last name. You will have to search by the lodges in your district. It will be time consuming, but could prove to be useful. Keep in mind though, not all Grand Lodges participate.
The same would apply to all of the other fraternal and social organizations with a Community Scouting award. You will have to check around.
Another reason they may extend the year is because of when the Holidays fall this year. With Christmas being on a Thursday, many local businesses are closing early Wed. and staying closed Thursday and Friday. Then the weekend, and reopen on Monday the 29th. Only to close again on Jan. 01, and then Friday the 2nd. Not much is going to be accomplished in that week and a half time period. Just because we're working, doesn't mean that everyone else is. Although we aren't scrambling to try to make membership, there are some who are. This gives them an opportunity to get signatures, applications, and money to make the year end.
It sounds like a great idea, and if the schools are on board, that would be great. But with having trouble getting into schools even to pass out flyers, it would be next to impossible for the schools to use their phone system for something non-school related, unless they already do. IE if the system was for emergencies only, then a message about sign-up night is inappropriate. If they do a weekly school update, that would be different.
While on the topic of the mass phone, what if we were to adopt something like that to get the word out to the leaders, youth, and other registrants about upcoming district/council events.
Allowing the Kindergarten boys to join would give them an introduction to the Scouting program. In another comment, the remark was made that we're starting them in a structured academic environment too early. Why not gear the K program to fun and play. Scouting is supposed to be a game with a purpose. For the K boys, the purpose is just to get out and have fun while learning rules and how to play well with others. Include the oath and law, recognize them with advancements, but set the requirements at a K level.
The Webelos II's should only be there for 1/2 a year before bridging in February at the Blue and Gold banquets. The district I serve has a great transition rate because we call all of the Webelos IIs that didn't bridge over. We ask the ones leaving why they are leaving, invite them to see a Troop (many never made it to that patrol meeting) and they join up. Or they learn that they can join a troop that doesn't meet on the same night that their sport does, or they can come back when that sport is no longer in season. Train the leaders, Pack and Troop, and get your commissioners on board to help the transition.
I agree that the web meeting is a great way to further the training. The problem that we would run into is that not all local councils are technologically savy, or have the resources to become savy. If your presenter can't present, then the training is useless.
Then we also run into the same problem that the leaders may not be able to attend on a weekend, it will probably be that much harder to get them to participate during a weeknight. Maybe the districts/councils that have a huge territory with small population centers could set up satelite training sites and use the webmeeting.
Instead of a webmeeting, arrange it so they can take the National trainings "on demand." But some trainings need to be done in a group setting so the trainees can get the group experience and share ideas. It's hard to do that at midnight at your computer.
It's also difficult to replace roundtable since that's where all local council and district information is passed out. There could be a National generic podcast roundtable available, but it shouldn't replace the district roundtable.
As an Eagle Scout, I'm quite happy with wearing only the knot. Occaionally, when attending an Eagle Court of Honor, or another appropriate event, I'll wear the ribbon under the knot. Or, when in the dress uniform, I'll wear my NESA lapel pin.
I'm proud of my achievement; but I've already had my recognition for it. Let the youth have the badge, and the adults keep the knot. I've already had plenty of people ask what the knots on my uniform mean.
It's also a great way to talk about the knots that only adults can earn by doing what they should be doing anyway.
The adult application should definately be reduced to one page again. There has to be a way to do this and still cover ourselves legally.
The youth application is only one page. Even though there are two copies, it's carbon paper, and only needs filled out once.
We need to keep the references and other background history on the application. That space is primarily for the unit Committee Chair and the Charter Rep/Inst. Head to check the background of a leader that wants to join. Although they are more than likely parents of Scouts in the unit, it's still necessary to have. If someone wants to join the committee and I don't know them, and my commissioners/committee don't know them, references are a great way to find out more about that person.
I agree with Pete. Post what you feel on the site. Be ready to defend your views with reason and logic. If it's able to be done, great. If not, life will go on.
We should all be professional enough to put out our thoughts and opinions, and be open to criticism. What works in this council may not work in another.
It's a place to share ideas, build on them, put in words of caution, and otherwise support each other.
If it will impact your local office, maybe work it out in person, rather than in a national on-line forum.
I agree that latrine cleaning shouldn't be a bit part of the show. Having also worked at the Jamboree, there are so many different parts of putting on that event that are dirty. It may also be a good way for us to work with the military to show what they do to help support us, and what we do to help support them, to show the positive aspects of our relationship.
Although moving the date sounds like a great idea, it really shouldn't be necessary. If you get off to an early start with Spring recruiting; work on "open houses" and "selling the sizzle" during the summer (promote just before school lets out) Fall membership shouldn't be too daunting of a challenge.
Follow up with retention; are the units keeping the Scouts they sign up. If Scouts are quitting, the commissioner staff should know why, and work with the unit leaders to come up with a solution.
I've also heard of councils that will tell their pros to not show up between Christmas and New Years if they make Quality District before Christmas. If the date does move, that's all well and good, and I'll adjust accordingly. But it doesn't need to move.
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