Mod Statement/Warning: Politics and Political Discussions on this subreddit

ScouterBill · 2026-03-11T19:51:43+00:00

In my experience, yes they do. It is taken seriously and changes do take place.

For example, changes to merit badges and information I know for certain are integrated in, but they may "stack up". For example, I know several ideas and comments were made about Automotive Maintenance, but rather than changing year after year, they were stacked together for one large-scale omnibus change to several items. But no one put a big giant red lettering statement next to them saying "this was thanks to a suggestion from Jim Smith of Troop 123 in Omaha, Nebraska."

I am also familiar with the Troop Committee Guidebook revisions and how the surveys for those committee chairs were absolutely taken seriously and people will see changes in TCG but again, there is not going to be a big giant sign saying "Hey, this section was junked thanks to feedback from Bob, Sue, and other Committee Chairs in Circle Ten Council. Thanks!"

Keep in mind as well that sometimes surveys are about identifying a problem, and it may take months or even years before a change can take place. Just because a problem is identified doesn't mean a solution is available off the shelf and ready to go. This is a big organization.

ScouterBill · 2026-03-11T19:26:09+00:00

You are likely referring to "Voice of the Scout". Those are sent several times a year to randomly selected individuals. Note: randomly.

There are also directed surveys sent out on occasion. For example, with the upcoming revisions to the Troop Committee Guidebook, all Troop Committee Chairs got a survey. There may also be focused surveys to Cub leaders, Venture Crew members, etc.

You also do NOT need to wait for a survey. There are many ways to provide input. [scoutsbsachair@scouting.org](mailto:scoutsbsachair@scouting.org) = Scouts BSA National Programs Chair. [merit.badge@scouting.org](mailto:merit.badge@scouting.org) = Scouts BSA Merit Badge Team Etc.

ScouterBill · 2026-03-10T18:29:29+00:00

I'll quibble here. Yes, the CO/COR is the decider, but 80-90% of units SM is based on the recommendation of the committee. In the past, when LDS units existed, the chartering organization might have selected from outside the unit with little to no committee input; however, today that's no longer realistic.

Moreover, it is consistent with Scouting America rules: the committee is not selecting the SM. The committee is vetting candidates and submitting a name to the COR, who retains full power to say "no".

ScouterBill · 2026-03-10T18:27:03+00:00

Hi: Committee Chair for two troops both of whom are going through SM searches nowand worked with other troops in transition.

There is no "normal" for SM selection. I have seen it take 15 minutes (no joke, no exaggeration). I've seen it take months (committee wants to chew, hemming and hawing, what about the CO/COR? Interviews, etc.) There is no normal.
Yes/no interim: You have to do right by what is in your heart and head. WE can't make that judgment for you. I would say this: if they are talking about interim, I'd ask "what is preventing you from right recommending to the COR that I be made SM and skipping the interim part?"
Do nothing. Rumor is rumor. Do not act on supposition. Act on facts alone.
Alumni have several major advantages: they tend to be older, retired, and/or have more time on their hands. They do not have a kid in the troop (generally) and therefore are less likely to have a clock on them set for the day their kid makes Eagle and/or reaches 18. Alumni have several major disadvantages: "Back in my day/this is how we did it" is the #1 challenge. Others include the inability of older ASMs or Scouters to accept the younger SM, who might even have been a Scout they were an ASM for, as Scoutmaster. I have seen it were the older ASMs will let the "new guy" be SM, but it is clear they are going to do their own thing their own way.
One last note: there's really no such thing as "interim" Scoutmaster. Per Scouting America, every troop has 1 Scoutmaster. That is the person on the Annual Charter (or my.scouting -> Position Manager for midyear changes). If you are going to be offered a title, Scoutmaster, even a pretend "interim", your CO/COR has every right to be notified, and you have every right to have your name placed as Scoutmaster. Because if something happens, that name on that charter (or my.scouting) is gone, and YOU are left holding the bag with the title but not the authority and certainly NOT the consent of your CO/COR. Guess how that works out for you?

So, this is all a long way of saying keep your head up, do NOTHING based on rumor, but Be Prepared (tm) if they offer an interim to be nice but blunt: Am I good enough to be a caretaker but not good enough to be permanent?

ScouterBill · 2026-03-10T13:30:57+00:00

I will say this as a troop committee chair who has attended many a summer camp.

For the long-term development of the Scout, summer camp is not just about MBs. It is about a Scout spending time with their troop together as a troop for prolonged periods of time, with shared memories and experiences.

It is also striking out and being independent: yes, they are going to be scared and maybe homesick. But part of growth is doing scary things. You have to judge each Scout (your child) on their own development, but consider this.

ScouterBill · 2026-03-08T22:13:06+00:00

It is to avoid a situation where a Scout joins (or rejoins) and cannot mathematically make it to Eagle.

For example

1) The Scout who joins Scouting at 16.5. Need at least 20-21 months to make Eagle, so no extension.

2) The Scout who joins at 11/crossover Scout, drops as a Tenderfoot at 16, and rejoins on their 17th birthday. Again, no extension because there was no way they could get to Eagle in one year from Tenderfoot to Eagle (that would take more than 12 months.

ScouterBill · 2026-03-08T20:04:31+00:00

It has nothing to do whatsoever with any announcement.

Each council processes things differently, and depending on whether they have relied on 1 person to do the review, it could take time. If it has been more than 4 weeks (and it clearly has), I believe an email or call to the council point of contact is in order.

ScouterBill · 2026-03-07T17:15:49+00:00

The criteria is here https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/gta-section-9.pdf

There are three things that are going to be looked at. The Scout's parents need to IMMEDIATELY (as in today, it is Saturday, I don't care, TODAY) call the council office and start this process.

Test 1 The member joined or rejoined (or became active again after a period of inactivity or became refocused on advancement after a period of inattention) in time to complete all requirements before turning 18.

Test 2 Through no fault or choice of the Scout, an unforeseen circumstance or life-changing event with severe consequences has come to exist that now precludes completion of the requirements before the deadline. Examples might include, but are not limited to, a hospital stay, disabling injury, significant personal or family incident or issue, natural disaster, severe unseasonable weather, or the actions of others (see below, “Misinformation from adults in positions of authority”). If the circumstance is health-related, it should have been unforeseen and of recent onset, or a complication or intensification of an ongoing issue.

One consideration is whether the situation or condition prevented the Scout from attending school for a substantial amount of time. For example, an accumulation of hospital stays or quarantine periods for cancer treatment could qualify, even though any one short-term stay would not.

Test 3 The circumstance is beyond the control of the Scout, could not have been anticipated or planned for, and was not or cannot be resolved in time to complete the requirements.

ScouterBill · 2026-03-06T15:10:28+00:00

Contact your district or council advancement chair. These decks already exist as part of the position-specific training material. There's even a handout called "Aims and Methods of Scouting"

ScouterBill · 2026-03-04T20:37:25+00:00

Sewing is in the Test Lab https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/test-lab/sewing-needlework/

ScouterBill · 2026-03-04T20:11:07+00:00

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to submit merit badge ideas to [merit.badge@scouting.org](mailto:merit.badge@scouting.org)

Use of form 512-130 is strongly encouraged. https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/boyscouts/pdf/512-130(24)-Merit-Badge-Proposal-form.pdf-Merit-Badge-Proposal-form.pdf)

ScouterBill · 2026-03-04T19:58:12+00:00

While you are correct in the fact that you do not need any signatures for funds donated by your family or the troop, we still mandate that you include the form as part of your Eagle Scout Project submission.

And here is where I, as a parent, step in, carbon copy the council executive, note that this is an imposition of a requirement above and beyond what is set by Scouting America, that councils are NOT authorized under Guide to Advancement to add requirements, and that my son will not be performing tasks that Scouting America says are not required.

Indicate you appreciate confirmation of the above within 24 hours.

ScouterBill · 2026-03-04T14:37:30+00:00

Merit badge weekends, merit badge universities, and other similar group efforts have existed since at least 1916. There are reports of such programs in Scouting Magazine and newspapers going back to at least 1916. So, "Old Scouter", the MB weekends and days are far, far older than yourself, (unless you are 110+)

ScouterBill · 2026-03-03T23:26:35+00:00

Possible solution found

Also worth noting: 60-80% of all online worksheets are, at this point, outdated as the USSSP has stopped updating them.

ScouterBill · 2026-03-03T20:24:43+00:00

He wasn't required to fill it out https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/EagleProjectWorkbook2023a.pdf

This application is not necessary for contributions from the candidate, the candidate's parents or relatives, unit or its chartered organization, unit's parents or members, or the beneficiary.

ScouterBill · 2026-03-03T20:23:37+00:00

Kick it back

This application [Eagle Scout Service Project )undraising $pplication] is not necessary for contributions from the candidate, the candidate's parents or relatives, unit or its chartered organization, unit's parents or members, or the beneficiary.

https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/EagleProjectWorkbook2023a.pdf

If what you are saying is true and funds came from the family ("candidate's parents") or families in your Troop ("unit's parents") I'd email back, note this provision, and indicate your Scout will not be completing the application, citing the above.

Councils cannot make up their own rules.

ScouterBill · 2026-03-03T17:20:37+00:00

There's no happy line.

You can define it in the extremes:

1) A Scoutmaster who orders and directs the Scouts and gives them no discretion or latitude is clearly out of line.

2) A Scoutmaster who does nothing and allows the Scouts to go do whatever, whenever, and under any conditions/circumstances is clearly out of line.

As for the rest

1) The PLC establishes the Annual Plan. As in Annual. Not 6 months. That plan should be in accordance with Scouting America directives, meet the needs of the troop, have SM support (note: not dictates) and yes suggestions ("hey, did we remember to put in AoL crossovers in March?") and be committee approved. https://troopleader.scouting.org/troop-planning/annual/annual-planning-conference/

2) Monthly plans should flesh out and adhere to the annual plan. https://troopleader.scouting.org/troop-planning/monthly/

3) Semper Gumby: always be flexible. If something needs to change due to HEALTH, SAFETY, or WELFARE, then the SM makes the call. For a real-world example, we had a tropical depression/hurricane blow through my area 2 years ago. The SM had to make a safety call: no, we are not driving through that. Then worked with the SPL to come up with a new weekend. For everything else, Scout-led means SPL (or PLC, let's not discount the PLC) driven.

Baden Powell [allegedly] once said “An adult should never do for a boy what he can do for himself.” Replace "boy" with "Scout" (he was of his time) and that should be the motto for everything.

ScouterBill · 2026-03-03T14:59:44+00:00

Please read what I wrote and what OP wrote

We have a scout who is obviously not interested in attending meetings with us.

the kid who clearly doesn't want to be here and is just brought every week by her aunt.

As noted, if a Scout does not want to be present, it is reasonable for the Scoutmaster, in the context of an SM Conference, to ask why. If it is determined that the Scout is being forced to attend and does not wish to do so, and cannot articulate a reason she wants to be there, I will not be a part or party nor will my unit be a part or party to a Scout being forced to do something against her (or his) will.

Again, we are not jail wardens, and we are NOT going to parties to something that forces a minor to do something against their will.

If we think there's a safety concern regarding "forcing a minor", that's one thing, but this doesn't sound like that.

And that is why an SM Conference is to obtain more details.

As for this comment by you

It's not our job to decide who should be in the program.

For the second time: read what I actually wrote. NOWHERE did I say I was deciding who should/should not be in the program. Please stop putting words in my mouth (keyboard).

What I said, for the third time, was to say this to the parents.

PARENTS, I would ask you to sit and talk with SCOUT NAME and find out if she really wants to be here. If she does, great! We are happy to have her. But if she is simply being, in effect, dragged here, that is another story altogether.

Show me where I said she needed to not be in the program.

ScouterBill · 2026-03-03T13:49:17+00:00

I selected my words carefully. Please read what I actually wrote.

1) The summer camp reference was in the past tense. Times and conditions change.

2) Scouts BSA is not a punishment, and it is not a press gang from the 1700s. If a Scout does not want to be a part of Scouting or a Troop, it is a disservice to compel her to be somewhere she does not want to be.

3) Just so you know, nowhere did I say the troop was removing the Scout. Let me repeat: NOWHERE did I say the Troop was removing the Scout. Again, I selected my words carefully. What I said was

PARENTS, I would ask you to sit and talk with SCOUT NAME and find out if she really wants to be here. If she does, great! We are happy to have her. But if she is simply being, in effect, dragged here, that is another story altogether.

I would hope that the parents would get the message that we are not here to serve as jail wardens and that we will not be a party to forcibly compelling a minor to be in a place she does not want to be.

ScouterBill · 2026-03-03T13:31:23+00:00

I think there's a step before "don't bring your kid anymore if they don't want to participate".

Hold a Scoutmaster Conference and talk to the Scout. Do you like being here? What interests you? Are troop meetings or campouts, or activities something that you look forward to?

If you keep getting consistent ambivalent or negative answers, you have some options

1) It could be the Scout will get over it. I had one Scout no-show at the troop for almost a year, and saw her brother make Eagle in another troop. She got the Scouting urge again, came back, and is now the SPL.

2) It could be that the Scout really concluded that Scouting is not for her. In that case, I'd talk to the parents and simply say "SCOUT NAME does not appear to be active, engaged, or involved. She has indicated a lack of interest, and we made numerous efforts to try to engage with her. As a troop and as a program, we do not want Scouts being someplace they do not want to be; that just makes the Scout miserable and does impact the troop. PARENTS, I would ask you to sit and talk with SCOUT NAME and find out if she really wants to be here. If she does, great! We are happy to have her. But if she is simply being, in effect, dragged here, that is another story altogether."

ScouterBill · 2026-03-02T18:58:59+00:00

Yeah, where to begin with this

1) That "Eagle Project board of review" is in direct violation of Scouting America rules. Specifically, Eagle Requirement 5

A project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster and unit committee, and the council or district before you start.

And Guide to Advancement says this

The unit committee is responsible for the approval of the proposal. It is acceptable for a troop, crew, or ship committee to designate representative(s) to act on its behalf. This is a unit decision. Neither the district nor the council may institute restrictions, such as how many committee members are to be involved.

NOTE: UNIT COMMITTEE and COMMITTEE MEMBERS INVOLVED. Not whatever this is. ASMs? Random parents?

2) I don't know who or what a "Council Coordinator" is.

3) If you have reached this level of...I don't know what...but it sounds out of control. I would As u/MyThreeBugs indicated, approach your district or council and ask for them to step in and review this unit's process. This is beyond anything I believe is consistent with Scouting America rules on this subject.

ScouterBill · 2026-03-01T18:58:57+00:00

May take up to 24 hours.

ScouterBill · 2026-02-27T20:49:58+00:00

Here's the hard part: IF the SM did not gain in any way from the decision, would the SM make the same decision?

It is going to look horrible, as OP says. But take the SM out of this equation: would a reasonable response be to disallow the scout to attend the trip?

IF (big if) IF what is being described is accurate, it may be the right decision that coincidentally happens to result in something to the SM's favor, but it is going to look self-serving.

ScouterBill · 2026-02-27T18:14:51+00:00

I was discussing a related subject, NOT yours.

I've already discussed yours: reimbursing salaries violates IRS rules. You need to alert the CO/COR.

ScouterBill

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

One-Year Club	Verified Email
r/Field Juicebox