August is almost here. Summer is flying by, fall is in sight, and with it, a ramp-up in Scouting activity.
Here are some things the committee chair needs to be on top of as we get busier: Continue reading “Committee chair timeline: August”
The 2013 Guide to Advancement, part 2
In last week’s article, we listed some of the changes incorporated in the 2013Â Guide to Advancement, the current revision to the comprehensive 2011 edition. Many policies have been tweaked and clarified, and since most of us have become familiar with the 2011 document by now, it’s useful to look at the differences. Here’s a continuation of last week’s look at the changes that impact troops. Continue reading “The 2013 Guide to Advancement, part 2”
The 2013 Guide to Advancement, part 1
The long-awaited 2013 revision to the standard reference text for Scouting’s advancement programs has been released, leaving a somewhat bewildering series of changes and clarifications in its wake.
The 2011 document did a great job of consolidating, codifying and clarifying BSA’s rules relating to advancement. The process of creating the work was a careful one involving professionals and volunteers from all regions. The language was carefully chosen to clearly state the various rules, policies and procedures. It became the go-to answer book on all things advancement. Continue reading “The 2013 Guide to Advancement, part 1”
Stop telling and start guiding
As adults, we sometimes feel the need to improve the flow in our troops. When this happens, it’s all too easy to tell our Scouts what to do. Have you ever directed the setup of a weekend campout, or stepped in to “help” the boys run their troop meeting?
Should we be doing these things? Continue reading “Stop telling and start guiding”
Committee chair timeline: July
July is a fairly quiet month for a lot of troops. Troop meetings are more casual and often the schedule is scaled back. You may be camping, but the emphasis usually shifts to summer camp or high adventure. There are still a couple things to think about this month: Continue reading “Committee chair timeline: July”