{"id":2687,"date":"2020-09-29T19:41:32","date_gmt":"2020-09-29T23:41:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/?p=2687"},"modified":"2020-09-29T19:41:34","modified_gmt":"2020-09-29T23:41:34","slug":"issue-657-september-29-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/2020\/09\/issue-657-september-29-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Issue 657 – September 29, 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have a question? Facing a dilemma? Wondering where to find a BSA policy or guideline? Just drop a line to me at askandybsa@yahoo.com.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some spectacular responses to September 15th questions! First, Game Design Merit Badge\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Hi Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n

About that Scout completing Game Design, the BSA says \u201cApproval of the Application for Merit Badge (“Blue Card”) requires a total of four signatures\u2014two each from the unit leader and a merit badge counselor.” (BSA Guide to Advancement \u00a7 7.0.0.2. The Guide to Advancement goes on to require that the Merit Badge Counselor be currently registered as such in compliance with Guide to Advancement \u00a7 7.0.1.1.) Of course, the National Counsel alone has the power to vary this or any other requirement. And there is, of course, no requirement that the Merit Badge Counselor in question be “local” in any sense. (Thomas Linton)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hi Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m happy to help this Scout. I’m in the Garden State Council, NJ, and can work with any Scout. I\u2019m a counselor for Game Design, so if that Scout still needs help, I’m happy to see what I can do.<\/strong>
\n(Dustin Tarditi, tarditi@gmail.com)<\/strong><\/p>\n

And for that delayed board of review because the Scout \u201cdidn\u2019t have his handbook\u201d\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Hi Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Straight from the BSA (https:\/\/www.scouting.org\/resources\/guide-to-advancement\/boards-of-review\/): “A Scout must not be rejected at a board of review for reasons unrelated to advancement requirements. For example, the Scout must not be rejected for not bringing a Scouts BSA Handbook or being tardy for a board of review\u2026” (Ed Colaianni)<\/strong>
\n==========
\nHi Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m looking for something like this for Scout leadership positions\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Patrol Leader Leadership Card<\/strong><\/p>\n

Name: __________________________<\/strong>
\nPatrol: __________________________<\/strong>
\nTerm: ___\/___\/___ to ___\/___\/___<\/strong>
\nJob Description: Each patrol elects a patrol leader. The patrol leader takes a leading role in planning and conducting patrol meetings and activities, and represents the patrol at meetings of the patrol leader’s council. Each patrol leader can appoint an assistant patrol leader to serve with him.<\/strong>
\nLeadership Position Coordinator: Senior Patrol Leader<\/strong>
\nRanks that this job may apply toward: Star, Life, Eagle<\/strong>
\nDuties of Patrol Leader:<\/strong>
\n1. Reports to the Senior Patrol Leader.<\/strong>
\n2. Carries out assignments given by the SPL.<\/strong>
\n3. Help patrol scribe take attendance; note excused absences.<\/strong>
\n4. Read the \u201cPatrol Leader Handbook\u201d (No. 32502A)<\/strong>
\n5. Mark patrol gear.<\/strong>
\n6. Keep patrol gear in the patrol’s locker in the shed.<\/strong>
\n7. Attach the \u201cAction Packer Inventory List\u201d to patrol\u2019s action packer and check it before going camping.<\/strong>
\n8. Attach the \u201cPatrol Locker Contents\u201d form to the patrol locker and keep it filled out.<\/strong>
\n9. Use the \u201cPatrol Leader Trailer Packing List\u201d with the Quartermaster when the patrol goes camping.<\/strong>
\n10. Assign gear to patrol members to be cleaned on return from an outing.<\/strong>
\n11. Assure gear is returned to locker the week after an outing.<\/strong>
\n12. Check gear in with the Quartermaster when it is returned.<\/strong>
\n13. Sign off rank requirements for patrol members of lesser rank.<\/strong>
\n14. Do at least one patrol service project in a 6-month period.<\/strong>
\n15. Plan and lead patrol meetings and activities.<\/strong>
\n16. Use \u201cCamping Menu Planner\u201d and \u201cShopping List\u201d for outings.<\/strong>
\n17. Fill out a \u201cPatrol Duty Roster\u201d for each camping trip.<\/strong>
\n18. Help your patrol set up; use \u201cCamp Set Up Checklist\u201d.<\/strong>
\n19. Keep patrol members informed. If you are asked to communicate a message via a phone chain, do it promptly and completely.<\/strong>
\n20. Assign each patrol member a job and help them succeed.<\/strong>
\n21. Represent the patrol at all Patrol Leaders Council meetings and at the annual program planning conference.<\/strong>
\n22. Prepare the patrol to take part in all troop activities.<\/strong>
\n23. Develop patrol spirit.<\/strong>
\n24. Appoint an assistant patrol leader to fill in if you are absent.<\/strong>
\n25. Fill out and bring the \u201cPatrol Leader\u2019s PLC Report\u201d to the PLC.<\/strong>
\n26. Set a good example<\/strong>
\n27. Enthusiastically wear the Scout uniform correctly<\/strong>
\n28. Live the Scout Oath and Law<\/strong>
\n29. Show Scout Spirit<\/strong>
\nPosition Coordinator (Date\/Initials)<\/strong>
\n____ Briefed on duties and responsibilities<\/strong>
\n____ Lead patrol in at least 1 opening or closing flag ceremony.<\/strong>
\n____ Conduct at least 1 patrol meeting.<\/strong>
\n____ Complete and post campout duty roster (verified at campout)<\/strong>
\n____ Take notes at, and relay information from the PLC to patrol.<\/strong>
\n____ Bring concerns of the patrol to the PLC.<\/strong>
\n____ Complete all other Patrol Leader duties during term in office.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Does the BSA provide any resources like this, for all positions of responsibility? (Dave Bailey)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, the kind of list you\u2019ve created here can be found at the BSA\u2019s \u201cTroop Leader Resources\u201d website (<\/span>https:\/\/troopleader.scouting.org\/<\/span>), with lots of hints and suggestions for each youth role in their patrol and troop.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d recommend using the BSA\u2019s version, for several key reasons. First, the \u201clist\u201d is shorter because it limits itself to the bigger picture. It\u2019s also more prioritized, which makes it easier to follow and to separate the more \u201cstrategic\u201d points (e.g., show Scout spirit) from the more \u201ctactical\u201d (mark patrol gear). It has less of a tendency to look like a school \u201creport card.\u201d And finally, it doesn\u2019t look so much like it was written by an adult for the purpose of \u201cbookkeeping.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay positive!<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nHappy Scouting!<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nAndy<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

When you write to me, please include your name and council. If you\u2019d rather be anonymous\u2014if published\u2014just say so and that\u2019s what I\u2019ll do.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Although these columns are copyrighted, you have my okay to quote or reproduce any column or part, so long as it\u2019s attributed: \u201cAsk Andy\u201d by Andy McCommish.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

[No. 657 \u2013 9\/29\/2020 \u2013 Copyright \u00a9 2020 Andy McCommish]<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have a question? Facing a dilemma? Wondering where to find a BSA policy or guideline? Just drop a line to me at askandybsa@yahoo.com. Here are some spectacular responses to September 15th questions! First, Game Design Merit Badge\u2026 Hi Andy, About that Scout completing Game Design, the BSA says \u201cApproval of the Application for Merit Badge […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2687","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2687","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2687"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2687\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2690,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2687\/revisions\/2690"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2687"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2687"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2687"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}