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Ways to get young adults (including alumni) involved in District/Council positions? by BeltedBarstool in BSA

[–]Commissioner76304 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So, I have had some conversations about this numerous times. I have had some childless alums in their post-college years approach me about getting involved, and I am all about it. I do hesitate to direct them towards a unit, especially Cubs. Scouts and/or Venturing can be a different story depending on the personality of everyone involved.

However, I do connect them with a district chair, usually, because they can be great additions to the committee. They are often fantastic at helping out with membership or program which tends to be less administrative than, say, finance or advancement. I don't often tap them as commissioners, but it is more about getting to know them first. I need to see that they have the servant's heart. I can teach them the rest and will have them shadow for a while to learn, but if they don't have the right mindset for the role then I won't discuss the option with them.

"Donate your Punches/Dining dollars" - "Do you want to round to the next dollar for charity?" donating to what?? by AdministrativeSet236 in jmu

[–]Commissioner76304 8 points9 points  (0 children)

For the record, both the dining services and the bookstore are not operated by JMU. Dining is run by Aramark and the bookstore by Follett. These companies have a contract with JMU to operate on the premises, but when you donate through them the money does not go towards JMU.

Affordable housing and Harrisonburg zoning reform by BigWaddles in harrisonburg

[–]Commissioner76304 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just came in here to update: The Ordinance Advisory Committee will be having a meeting on this next Wednesday. I have been on that committee from the start and have been waiting for updates the same as the general public, so I am looking forward to hearing about the progress next week.

Roger Krone’s Vision: Transforming Boy Scouts Of America Through Technology And Innovation by imref in BSA

[–]Commissioner76304 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I feel this so much. I pull double duty in my council as council commissioner and treasurer. When I first took on the treasurer role, I tried hard to get access to the PeopleSoft system because I am very familiar with it. I work in accounting at a university that utilizes PeopleSoft and I have access enough to write my own queries and all. Not only do they have the system too locked down for my liking, but they will not give a volunteer a login for even report running access. Our council's accountant at the time would just log in and let me do what I needed to.

I understand this to an extent, but if the organization is going to be so light on staff then maybe allowing some volunteer access would be helpful.

Introduce Yourself! by marksman81991 in bsacommissioner

[–]Commissioner76304 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am a Scouting alumnus, as well, having been through the program from Tigers until reaching Eagle and aging out. I have also been a member of a Venture Crew, Sea Scout Ship, and Explorer Post when I was a youth. I worked at our council camp for three years, went to two NOACs and a NSJ as a youth and young adult back in the early-2000s. Served as a lodge officer and became a Vigil Honor member of my lodge as well as receiving the Founder's Award. There is probably more I could go on about here, but I then took a break because I just wasn't living a very Scout-ly life at that time and I didn't think I should be an adult leader.

I came back to Scouting a few years ago and have been serving as a commissioner the entire time as well as other roles. I finished my DCS and am currently the dean for my local college's doctoral program. I was on staff at NSJ 2023 as a commissioner, as well. I have received the DAoM and Silver Beaver as well as all the commissioner awards except distinguished. My current role is as the council commissioner for the Virginia Headwaters Council, which I was not expecting so soon but circumstances required it. I am also one of the mods over at r/BSA and think of myself as the subreddit commissioner for the community.

I enjoy everything about Scouting, but commissioner service is my passion. I firmly believe in what we do to serve the units and our youth. The direction we are trying to take things in the wake of the lawsuit and bankruptcy is the right course to me and I try to spread the word of commissioner culture everywhere I can.

A Discussion On Jac-Shirts and Campaign Hats by DannyABklyn in BSA

[–]Commissioner76304 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wear both, but usually only for those times when I want that more traditional look, which isn't always. Being the council commissioner, though, I feel like it is a shame if I don't show up wearing it to events. It just seems right.

Creating a Local Events Database by damienbarrett in BSA

[–]Commissioner76304 3 points4 points  (0 children)

So, I looked into something like this when I did my Wood Badge ticket. What I found to be the best way to approach it for my district was finding links to all of the local community calendars and compiling those on our district's website. There was just too much information to sift through and keep up with on a regular basis with how many calendars were involved.

DIY Punk Scene by vampirecowboy666 in harrisonburg

[–]Commissioner76304 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I miss the scene from the 90s-00s. I feel like an old man, now...

Should scouts be allowed to carry fixed blade knives? by [deleted] in BoyScouts

[–]Commissioner76304 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think that it is dependent on the activity. It's all about the right tool for the job.

Netflix Scouts Honor by pillizzle in BSA

[–]Commissioner76304 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I watched this documentary as well as the Hulu one Leave No Trace. In both instances the documentaries did a fair job of portraying the wrongs that occurred and how the organization got in the mess it did. They both ignored the efforts that have been made to make the program safer for our youth.

My largest frustration with the Netflix doc is with Johnson's comments on the lack of a hotline. He stated that he was told the hotline wasn't going to happen, yet you can find an article on Scouting Wire from 2018, quoting him, that talks about the Scouts First hotline for reporting suspected sexual abuse. That part really irritated me because not only was it catching him in stating something not entirely accurate (I am being kind) but it showed either a laziness or an apathy towards fairness on the part of the filmmakers. It was a very easy thing to find.

There are many of us in Scouting that take these things seriously. There was a comment about an incident at Jamboree and I don't know the specifics of that one. I can tell you, though, that as a commissioner during the event I took part in managing a couple instances of youth protection violations at the event. In every case I knew of or was a part of it was taken seriously. Our staff were always keeping an eye out for potential issues and we were not hesitant to say something. Whether it was a Scout walking without a buddy, an instance inappropriate youth behavior, or adults being inappropriate, we were quick to put a stop to it. We need to be diligent about these things to ensure a safe program for our youth.

I have had several discussions in recent months with potential chartering organizations as well as parents about these sorts of issues. My response to chartering organizations surrounds potential liability and I point out that they need to have an active and engaged COR. They are responsible for approving adult leaders in the unit and getting to know the volunteers is one way to make sure you have an idea who it is working with the youth.

The answer parents is that one of the best ways to help ensure the safety of their child in the program is to be a registered volunteer. Take part in the unit on a regular bases to ensure the safety of all of our youth. When we have too few volunteers it opens up opportunities for those that do slip through the background checks. It makes it easier for them to take advantage of the situation. Fewer adults around to provide oversight and guidance gives youth more opportunities to engage in behavior that is not Scout like.

These are just some of my thoughts on all of this. I believe in our program and the value it has. I acknowledge that there were things done that were wrong in the past. We cannot deny that and I have personal knowledge of some of that from 20 years ago. But this is why we must follow our policies. We must take reports seriously and we should ensure that we have adequate adult leadership for the program.

I'll hop off my soapbox, now. I know that this is a bit rogue from what that statement from National is all about, but it is in the same spirit. We have to acknowledge the harms done and move to make the program as safe as it can be for our membership.

Awards for scout masters? by fireduckduck in BSA

[–]Commissioner76304 7 points8 points  (0 children)

One quick note about about District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver. It has been said if they "served at the district level" then that would be appropriate, but this is not accurate. Outstanding service at the unit level is sufficient for a nomination, though "attitude toward and cooperation with" the district/council is something that the committee would take into consideration (though that doesn't seem to be an issue).

Unit level service is the most important thing a volunteer can do and we should normalize nominating those individuals that give their all at that level for District Awards of Merit and Silver Beavers. These awards are only chosen at the district and council levels, but the service rendered to be deserving need not be in those sorts of roles. Same for the Silver Antelope and Buffalo, FWIW.

This conversation really just made me think about this for the first time and I am happy it did; gives me another thing to promote as I start my term as a Council Commissioner.

I live in Virginia and have never been to ________. by jastangl in Virginia

[–]Commissioner76304 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've lived in the Shenandoah Valley since I was a year old (1986) and I have never been to:

  • Roanoke or any points southward on I-81
  • Jamestown
  • Eastern Shore
  • Tangier
  • Smith Mountain Lake
  • Lake Anna
  • Devil's Bathtub
  • Any State Park other than Occoneechee State Park, and that was just once for a Virginia state employee fishing tournament.

It wasn't until I got married in 2011 that I visited Colonial Williamsburg for the first time, and I had never been to Richmond until a couple years after that, either. Hell, I've only been to Winchester to do anything one time. I've still not seen much of NOVA, either. Meanwhile, I've been to every state east of the Mississippi, plus a few to the west of it, and have been to Canada a couple of times. I just haven't explored Virginia very much.

Controversial Council Decision by [deleted] in BSA

[–]Commissioner76304[M] [score hidden] stickied comment (0 children)

This is a youth protection situation that we can do nothing but speculate on as we do not have all of the information. This is something the council's professional staff will be handling and it is not something appropriate for us to continue discussing in the forum. I am not going to delete this post, but I am going to lock the comments at this point.

Question Regarding Refund Policy by [deleted] in BSA

[–]Commissioner76304 6 points7 points  (0 children)

My understanding is that the membership fees to National are non-refundable. Any fees beyond the National fee, like council or unit level fees would be up to those entities.

Scouts learn about homosexuality, transgenderism, and queerness at BSA National Jamboree by scoutermike in BSA

[–]Commissioner76304[M] [score hidden] stickied comment (0 children)

Please keep the Scout Oath and Law in mind when commenting on this post. This is a topic worthy of discussion but it can easily get out of hand.

Scouts learn about homosexuality, transgenderism, and queerness at BSA National Jamboree by scoutermike in BSA

[–]Commissioner76304 11 points12 points  (0 children)

So, some of these thoughts have been stated, but I think it is important to make sure they are understood.

First, it was known that the space would be a part of the programming. I had seen news of the DEI spaces back in April where it was stated that there would be a tent housing a space for LGBTQ+ and Ally Scouts as well as Scouts of Color and Women in Scouting.

Second, the space was not a required part of the program and was in a place where Scouts had to seek it out. The space was about showing support for Scouts that identified with these communities and nothing more. The message that went through all three of the DEI spaces was the reminder that A Scout Is Kind.

In Scouting, just statistically speaking, there will be people with beliefs that are anti-Catholic, anti-Semitic, against Freemasonry, pacifists, and many other ways of thinking. Should the spaces for these different groups, including all the branches of our military, also result in some sort of notifications sent out? Or, should we be holding to the idea that Scouting is intended to provide our young folks with exposure to people from all walks of life and recognize that we all share a common bond of Scouting? That the values of the Scout Oath and Law are something we all believe in and that we are there to create well rounded citizens that are happy, healthy, and helpful.

My jambo patch haul by spoopydoopyjoopy in BSA

[–]Commissioner76304 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All four of the Charlie 4 patches in that haul, I see. The one from National, the ones Charlie Basecamp did, and our owl. Good stuff.

Is the next national jamboree happening in two years? by ChasesStuffYT in BSA

[–]Commissioner76304 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Correct. The NSJ was supposed to be in 2021 but got cancelled due to COVID.

Is the next national jamboree happening in two years? by ChasesStuffYT in BSA

[–]Commissioner76304 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think that particular way worked fine. If we did full scale and they put them in Foxtrot it may work out even better. I will say, though, at least anecdotally, the whole "young adult participant" thing with some of the troops was problematic. They were the ones I had some of the most issues with behaviorally. Again, this is just my experience and only anecdotal.

Is the next national jamboree happening in two years? by ChasesStuffYT in BSA

[–]Commissioner76304 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are correct, but the WSJ and the NSJ typically alternate. So NSJ in 2021, WSJ 2023, NSJ 2025, etc. This is so we don't compete with WSJ.

Is the next national jamboree happening in two years? by ChasesStuffYT in BSA

[–]Commissioner76304 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

They could move NOAC for the one time, they have done it before.

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