________________________________________ Hello Andy, I’ve been reading your archive issues as well as your current ones. Looking back at your Issue 87 (October 2006), may I gently chastise you for your response about the “World Brotherhood” crest? At that time, you said, “Yup…The World Crest isn’t mandatory. So any Scout or Scouter who doesn’t wish to […]
About AskAndy
Andy is a Board Member of the U.S. Scouting Service Project, Inc.Andy was recognized in 2017 as a National Distinguished Eagle Scout and Regent of the National Eagle Scout Association. He is currently serving as council member-at-large. His previous position, which he held for over 20 years (except for several years when he served as District Commissioner and Assistant Council Commissioner-Training), was Unit Commissioner. He has previously served as Den Leader, Webelos Den Leader, Cubmaster, Pack Committee Chair, Scoutmaster, International Representative, and--as a Scout--Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He is a charter member and founding director of his prior council's Alumni Association and Eagle Scout Alumni Association, both established in 2001. He earned Eagle Scout rank at age 15, in 1957; two years later, he earned the Explorer Silver Award--at that time referred to as the "Double-Eagle." At age 16, he served on the National Junior Leader Training Camp Staff at Schiff Scout Reservation (at that time this was a salaried position). He also served on the Philmont NJLIC Staff in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and, later, on two Pilot Regional NAYLE Staffs. His recognitions include: Kashafa Iraqi Scouting Service Award, Distinguished Commissioner, Doctor of Commissioner Science, International Scouter Award, District Award of Merit (2), Scoutmaster Award of Merit, Scouter's Key (3), Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award, Cliff Dochterman Rotarian Scouter Award, James E. West Fellow (3), Wood Badge & Sea Badge. He has attended four National Scout Jamborees: Scout in 1957, First Assistant Scoutmaster in 1993, National Staff in 2001, and NESA Featured Speaker in 2014 and 2017. The BSA included his article titled "Frictionless Scouting Events" was incorporated into the BSA National Training Video, "Meetings of the District" for ten years. He is a charter member of the BSA National Advancement Advisory Board and has written multiple technical articles for the BSA Advancement Team's "Advancement News" since 2012. Read Andy's full biography
Issue 388 – March 11, 2014
________________________________________ Serving over 30,000 youth across 22 counties, the GREATER ALABAMA COUNCIL is one of the largest in the U.S. Their UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING this past Saturday, with some 300 wonderful Scouters and youth members participating on a delightful sunny and warm day, was a highlight for all…especially me! Sincere thanks to KENDALL BROWN, RANDY […]
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Issue 387 – March 5, 2014
________________________________________ Dear Andy, Our troop will be going in a high-adventure kayaking trip on the Colorado River. One of the parents in our troop would like to bring his ten year-old daughter along. What’s the BSA policy on siblings attending high-adventure trips like this? (Karl Smith, Grand Canyon Council, AZ) Here’s the good news: You […]
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Issue 386 – February 25, 2014
________________________________________ Dear Andy, Why does the BSA want the Scoutmaster to be the “messenger” between the PLC and the troop committee? The BSA Troop Organization Chart clearly shows this relationship. Moreover, the Senior Patrol Leader Handbook does not include as one of his duties contact or communication with the committee. And the Troop Committee Guidebook […]
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Issue 385 – February 18, 2014
________________________________________ SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY – MARCH 8th. If you’re in the area, consider signing up for the Greater Alabama Council’s UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING! It’ll be held on the campus of Jefferson State Community College, 2601 Carson Road in Birmingham. I’m honored to have been asked to be their keynote speaker that day, and I’ll […]
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Issue 384 – February 10, 2014
________________________________________ SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY – MARCH 8th. If you’re in the area, consider signing up for the Greater Alabama Council’s UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING! It’ll be held on the campus of Jefferson State Community College, 2601 Carson Road in Birmingham. I’m honored to have been asked to be their keynote speaker that day, and I’ll […]
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Issue 383 – February 4, 2014
________________________________________ Hi Andy, What kind of training is available for new troop committee members, especially as it relates to how to conduct boards of review? (Name & Council Withheld) For general training, the BSA offers “The Troop Committee Challenge” as a training course all members of the committee would benefit by signing up for. It’s […]
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Issue 382 – January 28, 2014
________________________________________ Hi Andy, I enjoy reading your column—it’s extremely helpful. Now, I have a question… We’re a troop of 17 Scouts. Seven of these are Life rank, two are Eagles, and only one is under age 13. We have two patrols. We’re expecting between six and eight new Scouts shortly (Webelos cross-overs), so our Scoutmaster […]
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Issue 381 – January 23, 2014
________________________________________ Dear Andy, It seems, of late, that boards of review are being treated more like job interviews—a discovery process that’s very difficult to keep from devolving into re-testing—rather than what I think the BSA intends for them to be: more like job “performance” reviews where, in conclusion, Scouts are given, in effect, merit promotions. […]
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Issue 380 – January 15, 2014
________________________________________ Dear Andy, I’m a Scoutmaster and find myself with a bit of a dilemma between a Scout and a small group of irate parents. This Scout is presently Life rank. He’s just about completed all requirements for the Eagle Scout rank. My observations tell me that he’s an exceptional Scout. He’s truly living the […]
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Scouting Cartoons by Rich Diesslin - Click to visit the cartoon gallery at usscouts.org. 
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The NetCommish web site was selected by Scouting Magazine in 1998 as one of ten "Quality Scouting Web Sites." The article, entitled "
