talkScouts.ca

Been a while, and just read the last Scouts Canada Report. I know we are all supposed to think positive, but when salaries and benefits out match membership fees, you just have to wonder. And, I never realized membership dropped so low, so I guess the latest initiatives like the new uniforms and the...

Very interesting perspective - the parents in a red shirt. Starving for leaders, i would take a parent in a red shirt for a few years any day. I think the training is not that effective to become a red shirt, but that is another topic of discussion. WHile it is easy to blame the media and lack of co...

Roxy, I think you summed up the problem/issue quite nicely. Commitment seems to be a big issue to overcome. As a side note, I got a lot of those 'dads' that were in Scouts years ago and send their kids. Usually lasts a year until they realize that it is NOT the same old Scouting - and I am amazed an...

All very interesting. I have heard that it is getting ' too expensive' before but as compared to hockey? With the No one left behind and jumpstart funding, it is a very cheap alternative. But in my opinion, it is not about the fees. The retention report was interesting because it doesn't really poin...

Very Interesting. I have been busy, but this one warrants a post. I am not sure what is more disappointing - the decrease in youth numbers, the big decrease in volunteer numbers OR the increase in staff. I remember being called 'the problem' on this forum because I didn't believe that a 15% increase...

Poor prairie flower. Another one bites the dust. I think it is less about hurting a childs feelings and more about stemming the over-reaction from parents. The last big change was the uniform. Argue why, but really it was to make Scouts look less militaristic - the parents perception. There are alre...

--Jody, just love the Norma Desmond bit. Unfortunately, I see that all to often in other aspects of life. I believe Charles Darwin quoted "Survival of the fitest", and with fitest meaning the best to adapt. Saying you are embracing change, and actually doing it are two different things. -- Sam, you ...

Thanks for the info. Well, whatever happened to 15% increase a year for 4 years? When I said that was unrealistic, I was pretty much called negative and suggested that if I was not with the program, then maybe I should leave. I remember seeing the video prep-rally on this as well. So, after 4 years,...

That is a good looking group, and I don't personally like the berets, but it seems to work well, and with pride. I wonder where the sashes are? Anyway, I would like to see the same group (or a similar size group in a group photo) in the current colours. Sash or not. Beret or not. You would know that...

a little off topic, but why won't SC accept AODA certification from any agency, only SC training? most leaders that i have are public sectorish types that had mandatory training over a year ago, but it is not valid. Any ideas why not?

I know this all too well. Picked up more youth from other groups because our group returned calls/emails. The only reason for an adult to be in scouting is to: advance the movement AND advance the youth within the movement. I can't remember the exact words, but that is close enough. There are far to...

I see that maybe I was too subtle and/or confusing. This thread did spawn from the BSA vs the CSA. The big difference between the two is that the BSA could successful ban the fat people from the organization. Anyways, to bring a little more light into my comment: 1.I completely and whole heartedly a...

Really people. Is this a Scouting forum or match.com?

Good point. I think I remember seeing somewhere in the action plan that stated that this was an action. I think I joking said it was to do away with us old guys. Everyone wants a 20 or 30 something leader or two, but they seem to be hard to find. However, i do find it interesting about retention. If...

Have 2 sons. Both needed a little 'push'. one is now the acme of camping. loves when you get all 4 seasons in a weekend. the other son, now hates camping. only will do one-night-fair-night camps, maybe. SO, it is a 50/50 from my perspective. A positive mental attitude will make the worst camp fun, a...

Well, the many questions I could ask, but I have one. Is the new plan/direction working? This thread has many posters talking about communication. I figure that should have been one of the first steps. Are we meeting targets for registration? Are we meeting targets on leadership training? Are we mee...

Sorry, this post is a little confusing to me. Constructive discussion? I am under the impression that all discussion is constructive. We may not disagree and the messaging may not to be to our liking, but discussion is that - discussion. And, as far as I know, youth safety has been and will always b...

all very interesting. i was told that no matter what you do, the wheel alignment is the key. However, i would seem that rules on cub cars are different for the different areas. we can only put additional weight in-between the axles, no where else, and the cub is supposed to design, build, paint and ...

About 3 years ago, the actual cub car blocks of wood were very heavy. With the cub car restricted to 142 grams, some of our cub's cars were finished (wheels, design and paint) over 170 grams. This meant alot of hollowing out the car to get down to race weight. Complained then. This year, about 1 in ...

As my limited experience has also shown is that a health growing or large colony creates a health group. The Colony eventually feeds the entire group. It is easier to market to parents of younger children. Generally, these children stay in cubs and scouts and become our young leaders. As well, there...