From <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Thu Jan 29 14:56:44 1998 Return-Path: <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Received: from server1.capaccess.org (server1.CapAccess.org [207.91.115.5]) by cap1.CapAccess.org (8.6.12/8.6.10) with ESMTP id OAA23490; Thu, 29 Jan 1998 14:56:44 -0500 Received: from tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (TCUAVM.IS.TCU.EDU [138.237.128.148]) by server1.capaccess.org (AIX4.2/UCB 8.7/8.7) with SMTP id OAA03732; Thu, 29 Jan 1998 14:49:14 -0500 (EST) Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 4975; Thu, 29 Jan 98 13:48:15 CDT Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 5564; Thu, 29 Jan 1998 13:39:06 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LISTSERV release 1.8b) with NJE id 3363 for SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU; Thu, 29 Jan 1998 13:38:19 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM (NJE origin SMTP@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 3362; Thu, 29 Jan 1998 07:01:46 -0500 Received: from ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU by tcubvm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with TCP; Thu, 29 Jan 98 07:01:44 CDT Received: from bos1b.delphi.com (bos1b.delphi.com) by ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU (PMDF V5.0-5 #20456) id <01ISXV0H3X80006FJC@ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU> for scouts-l@ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU; Thu, 29 Jan 1998 07:00:56 -0500 (CDT) Received: from delphi.com by delphi.com (PMDF V5.1-8 #23839) id <01ISXX3FB8ZK94H5Z4@delphi.com> for scouts-l@tcu.edu; Thu, 29 Jan 1998 08:00:44 -0500 (EST) X-VMS-To: INTERNET"scouts-l@tcu.edu" MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Message-ID: <01ISXX3FBIMQ94H5Z4@delphi.com> Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 08:00:43 -0500 Reply-To: PANNELLJ@DELPHI.COM Sender: Scouts-L Youth Group List From: John Pannell Subject: BSA Program Changes? X-To: scouts-l@tcu.edu To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Status: RO X-Status: Last night was our district banquet. Our Master of Ceremonies is a member of the BSA National Committee and told us of some interesting changes in store for 1999. These are as they were told to the assembled crowd. First, there is to be a new Scout handbook. There will also be a new Scoutmaster's Handbook, published in looseleaf form. In the next few weeks, the required badges for Eagle are to be reevaluated. According to him, expect changes - some dropped, some added. What other repercussions this is to have, I know not. We were also told the Tenderfoot through First Class requirements are to be changed. Does anyone know anything about this? Usually we here on Scouts-l are scooped months before an announcement like this is made. What's up? Or is our local National Committee member spreading rumors? YiS, John Pannell SM Troop 39 Burlington, NC From <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Mon Feb 2 10:31:20 1998 Return-Path: <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Received: from server1.capaccess.org (server1.CapAccess.org [207.91.115.5]) by cap1.CapAccess.org (8.6.12/8.6.10) with ESMTP id KAA01867; Mon, 2 Feb 1998 10:31:20 -0500 Received: from tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (TCUAVM.IS.TCU.EDU [138.237.128.148]) by server1.capaccess.org (AIX4.2/UCB 8.7/8.7) with SMTP id KAA26552; Mon, 2 Feb 1998 10:23:47 -0500 (EST) Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 7724; Mon, 02 Feb 98 09:23:38 CDT Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 9245; Mon, 2 Feb 1998 09:24:25 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LISTSERV release 1.8b) with NJE id 6235 for SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU; Mon, 2 Feb 1998 09:23:21 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM (NJE origin SMTP@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 6234; Sat, 31 Jan 1998 21:51:58 -0500 Received: from ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU by tcubvm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with TCP; Sat, 31 Jan 98 21:51:53 CDT Received: from mx1.dynasty.net (mx1.dynasty.net) by ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU (PMDF V5.0-5 #20456) id <01IT1IONABNK007KOJ@ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU> for scouts-l@ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU; Sat, 31 Jan 1998 21:50:58 -0500 (CDT) Received: from jessica ([208.205.50.105]) by mx1.Dynasty.Net (Netscape Mail Server v2.02) with SMTP id AAA78; Sat, 31 Jan 1998 21:50:49 -0600 X-Sender: blkeagle@mail.dynasty.net MIME-version: 1.0 X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.4 (32) Content-type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Message-ID: <1.5.4.32.19980201035206.00afbeb4@mail.dynasty.net> Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 21:52:06 -0600 Reply-To: "settummanque, or blackeagle (Mike Walton)" Sender: Scouts-L Youth Group List From: "settummanque, or blackeagle (Mike Walton)" Subject: Re: BSA Program Changes? (1/2) X-To: PANNELLJ@DELPHI.COM, scouts-l@tcu.edu To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Status: RO X-Status: Hi John!! Your National Council guy was pretty well on the mark. The "standard disclaimer" applies here: I emphasize (especially for those that have recently joined us) that I do NOT work for the BSA, nor do I presently serve on a national committee or task force; my information came from volunteers and professionals serving on those committees, as well as from copies of BSA correspondence dealing with those items which have been shared with me by those volunteers and/or professionals. Since the last week of October last year, the various BSA program committees and several other support committees have met and discussed were several significant changes to the BSA program and program content. Most of it has been approved for fielding by the BSA's National Executive Board, but some of it will be approved come this spring. I have been aware of several of those changes, many to take effect this spring or back last month and I was ready to announce here, as I've done in the past with other changes that I was aware that the BSA is proposing to change to make our program more appealing or more productive. However, right before the first of the year, I was asked by several professionals working at National to "put off announcing" the new changes simply because the BSA's National Executive Board hasn't approved them all yet, and because some of them are being field tested this spring with official releases in the spring or summer of this year, in time for 1999. However, since *someone else* serving on one of the BSA's many volunteer committees has already released some information, and since some of the information has previously been released by those in direct knowledge of the changes, here's what I've been able to glean back from October to the present (last month): There's a lot of items -- so much, there's two postings here. Cub Scout Program: * bluejeans/dungarees will be available for wear. Many parents and Cub Scouters have been asking the Cub Scout Division for permission to allow their Cub Scouts to wear bluejeans instead of the cotton-poly pants. This finally sunk in, and there will be several field tests allowing selected local Councils to allow their Cub Scouts to wear bluejeans along with the official shirts. This is contraversial, so don't expect YOUR COUNCIL to do this right away. *new Tiger Cub neckerchiefs along with a new Tiger Cub Graduate patch (a newer strip to replace the existing one) along with "permission" for Tiger Cubs to wear the Cub Scout shirt instead of the orange and black teeshirts, again because many parents feel that Tiger Cubs is not a "Cub Scout program" because their members do not wear the uniform. Again, selected local Councils will be field-testing the option before final approval. *the BSA will finally "bless" camping by Cub Scouts and their families (not the Family Camping option, but camping by Cub Scouts along with their families during Council/District overnight events). This has previously been the policy with regard to WEBELOS Cub Scouts, but now all Cub Scouts will be able to camp with Mom and Dad and sibs during Cub Scouting events. Local Councils will receive information on implementation and like all program options, will be given the option to "go with the flow" or use the present, more restrictive policies. *a study to determine the effect of the WEBELOS activity pins to be worn as patches instead of the current silver and multi-color pins. Since the program started, the various activity badges that WEBELOS Cub Scouts earned has been worn on the WEBELOS badge colors, a three-color strand which is worn on the right shoulder. In 1994, the BSA provided an additional option for those badges to be worn on the hat of the WEBELOS Cub Scout, and many Cub Scout Packs did wear the pins on their hats. The option was neccessary because shirts were being torn by rough play. However, the price of the pins as opposed to patches which could be worn on their shirts is higher, and there will be a field test to gauge the impact of patches to go around the "WEBELOS Compass Points" patch on the pocket instead of the WEBELOS badge colors. If favorable, the new award system can be implemented with the start of the 1999 program year (this fall). *the Wolf, Bear, WEBELOS, and program support items are being republished and updated, which means that although the requirements for Wolf and Bear and WEBELOS won't really change, the design and format of the requirements will change. Boy Scouting Program: *The current Scoutmasters' Handbook will be published in a similar manner as the Cub Scout Leader and Exploring Leader Handbook, in a looseleaf (binder) format. This will allow Scoutmasters to add localized additional information to the binder instead of a separate binder and to receive updated information for the binder quickly. This will also cut significantly the number of bound copies of the Scoutmasters' Handbook. The Troop Committee Guidebook will be "rolled into" the Scoutmasters' Handbook, which has a tentative title of "Scouters' Guidebook". *The Boy Scout, Troop Leader, and Conservation Handbooks are being updated and will be revised to include more current information and more current advancement steps to reflect the new program changes. Those publications will continue to be their same sizes, but the Editorial Division will remove the listing of merit badges and requirements with the exception of the required ones (see bullet after next for more information) *A New Varsity Scout Handbook to replace the existing one will be published, along with Varsity Scouter Inserts to the "Scouters' Guidebook". All references to "Venture" will be removed. *The existing requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class will be re-engineered (again!!!) so that there is a definite time period (tenure) between Tenderfoot and Second Class and between Second Class and First Class. First Class will also include some communications and safety requirements, while Tenderfoot will include some of the Second Class map and compass requirements as well as requirements covering ethics and etiquette ("prepare a table for a meal and explain the importance of table manners" is something proposed) *The requirements for Eagle will be better defined. Among those changes: - A clearer explaination of the fact that only Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and those MALE Explorers that have earned First Class while a member of a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout unit may work toward Eagle (I don't know how much clearer that can be, but....) - A clearer explaination of the expectations of the Eagle Service Project, including a line or two about why Eagle Service projects cannot benefit a Scout Troop, a Boy Scout District, camp properties owned or used by the BSA or the local Council, or as part of a local Council program or program emphasis. This matter has come up again this past summer at Philmont, and before that, is the main vein of letters and inquiries to the BSA's Eagle Scout Service - A realignment of the required merit badges for Eagle, to once again refine all three of the Aims of Scouting through merit badge work. Presently, the only "fitness" merit badges required for Eagle are either Swimming, Sports or Personal Fitness; and Personal Management. The subcommittee looking into this matter wants to add Athletics as an option and make Personal Fitness required. Presently, the BSA has five merit badges which centers around character: Family Life, Safety, First Aid, Emergency Prepardness and Lifesaving (the last two are an either/or option). The subcommittee wants to drop Safety and add (Public) Health and to provide another merit badge, Consumer Buying, to the list of required merit badges. The subcommittee also wants to change the citizenship badges required...the present ones are Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications and Environmental Science. While the Citizenship series isn't going anywhere, the Communications merit badge has been targeted for deletion and replaced by the Scholarship merit badge, and parts of the Communications merit badge would be required for First Class instead of meeting the complete merit badge. All of the merit badges for Eagle will be looked at and requirements modified (many of them have not been revised since 1973, when the BSA's program was last radically changed). - The dropping of several "leadership positions" for Eagle from the list. Presently, if a Scout serves in selected elected or appointed Troop leadership position, Explorer Post leadership position, or Varsity Team leadership position, it counted toward Eagle. The change would drop Den Chief, Librarian, and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster from the Troop leadership positions; narrow down the Exploring leadership positions to President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer or their Sea Exploring counterparts (with the addition of Specialist within a Sea Exploring ship); and only include Captain, Co-Captain, and Program Manager within a Varsity Team. *The existing "reversed" square knot for the Arrow of Light will be used as the new square knot representing all other Boy Scouting awards which do not presently have a square knot to represent those awards. This includes the old Youth Leadership in America Awards for Senior Patrol Leaders and Varsity Scout Team Captains, the Congressional Awards, and other special achievement awards for Boy or Varsity Scouts. I am running short of line space for the reply, so I'll continue it on a followup. Settummanque! (c) 1997 Mike Walton ("no such thing as strong coffee,...") (502) 827-9201 (settummanque, the blackeagle) http://dynasty.net/users/blkeagle 241 Fairview Dr., Henderson, KY 42420-4339 blkeagle@dynasty.net kyblkeagle@aol.com or waltonm@hq.21taacom.army.mil ---- FORWARD in service to youth ---- From <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Mon Feb 2 10:33:23 1998 Return-Path: <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Received: from server1.capaccess.org (server1.CapAccess.org [207.91.115.5]) by cap1.CapAccess.org (8.6.12/8.6.10) with ESMTP id KAA02296; Mon, 2 Feb 1998 10:33:23 -0500 Received: from tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (TCUAVM.IS.TCU.EDU [138.237.128.148]) by server1.capaccess.org (AIX4.2/UCB 8.7/8.7) with SMTP id KAA28316; Mon, 2 Feb 1998 10:23:07 -0500 (EST) Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 7722; Mon, 02 Feb 98 09:22:09 CDT Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 9204; Mon, 2 Feb 1998 09:22:53 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LISTSERV release 1.8b) with NJE id 6237 for SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU; Mon, 2 Feb 1998 09:21:27 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM (NJE origin SMTP@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 6236; Sat, 31 Jan 1998 21:52:14 -0500 Received: from ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU by tcubvm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with TCP; Sat, 31 Jan 98 21:52:06 CDT Received: from mx1.dynasty.net (mx1.dynasty.net) by ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU (PMDF V5.0-5 #20456) id <01IT1IOV86XS007ER9@ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU> for scouts-l@ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU; Sat, 31 Jan 1998 21:51:09 -0500 (CDT) Received: from jessica ([208.205.50.105]) by mx1.Dynasty.Net (Netscape Mail Server v2.02) with SMTP id AAA162; Sat, 31 Jan 1998 21:51:03 -0600 X-Sender: blkeagle@mail.dynasty.net MIME-version: 1.0 X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.4 (32) Content-type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Message-ID: <1.5.4.32.19980201035220.00af99cc@mail.dynasty.net> Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 21:52:20 -0600 Reply-To: "settummanque, or blackeagle (Mike Walton)" Sender: Scouts-L Youth Group List From: "settummanque, or blackeagle (Mike Walton)" Subject: Re: BSA Program Changes? (2/2) X-To: PANNELLJ@DELPHI.COM, scouts-l@tcu.edu To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Status: RO X-Status: I wrote earlier: >However, since *someone else* serving on one of the BSA's many >volunteer committees has already released some information, and since >some of the information has previously been released by those in direct >knowledge of the changes, here's what I've been able to glean back from >October to the present (last month): > >There's a lot of items: Boy Scouting Program (continued): *The elimination of the Junior Assistant Scoutmaster position as a Troop youth officer. As I've mentioned here, the BSA's Boy Scout Program Committee has been looking into transforming that youth position to an adult position to avoid confusion with the BSA's youth protection program and to allow consistancy in which leaders are allowed to serve as supervisors for outdoor events and activities. The main problem is that JASM has been a part of Boy Scouting for 60 years or more, and it was a very hard decision to recommend removal of this position. For this reason, I *personally believe* that this position will NOT go away, but rather be transformed into some kind of special position that Scoutmasters may place special Scouts with potential to serve their Troops as a future Scoutmaster or those that have moved away to colleges (like the older College Scouter Reserve position, which didn't have a patch but in which many Scoutmasters registered college-aged boys as Assistant Scoutmasters to keep them on the charter and therefore "active in Scouting"). At any rate, the JASM position will be removed from the list of leadership positions for Eagle Scout rank; very few (in total numbers) of Eagle Scouts have served as JASM; most have served as SPL or ASPL or as instructors. *The New Scout Patrol concept will be revised and some of the modifications that previously have been adopted by local Councils will become national policies or options. Among them are the participation of the WEBELOS Cub Scout den(s) in host Troop activities (such as joint Pack Meetings/Troop Courts of Honor, weekend outings involving both Troop and WEBELOS Den(s), and other short-term events not neccessarily involving overnight camping), the re-introduction of the WEBELOS Resource person as part of the Troop's Committee, and the allowing of WEBELOS Den Leaders and Assistants to participate in and complete Scoutmaster Fundamentals and other Boy Scout optional training courses (except Wood Badge). *some changes in merit badges, to include the introduction of several new badges and renaming of others (unfortunately, Chess as a merit badge subject hasn't still be recommended for approval!). Exploring Program: *A new Exploring Leader Guide and Sea Exploring Leader Handbook will be printed and revised. These new guides will have information on all of the changes to the Exploring program as well as implementation instructions for transitions from the old "recognition programs" to the new "advancement programs". Exploring will have an ADVANCEMENT program, and in a lot of ways will evolve to a point before the 1971 "Contemporary Exploring" program revisions. *Revisions to the Sea Exploring Manaul will also include revised requirements for Ordinary, Able and Quartermaster. These requirements have been approved by the National Exploring Committee and will take effect after the first of this year (in other words, they are already in effect). Those Ships using the existing requirements will have a six-month "grace period" like other advancement "switchovers" in order to finish meeting with the old requirements or start with the newer ones. *A new Quartermaster Medal has been designed and ordered. I am not sure of the change (hey Commodore Bruce, can you help here please??) *The National Exploring Committee has tentatively approve several national youth positions to further bring youth representation back into the Exploring Division. In the past, national youth chairs of various specialities within Exploring with significant youth numbers were added to the National Exploring Cabinet and worked closely with National BSA staffers (how I got *my* start nationally). Those positions were removed in the early 80s because many Council Scout Executives didn't like "being told what to do" by influncial youth representatives representing National volunteers and their professionals. Aviation, Sea, Law and Government and Communicative Arts all have asked for youth representation. I have still not found out the status of this, but I do understand that Law and Government Explorers will be elected their first National Chair in many years this spring. However, "Area Exploring Chairs" were NOT approved (to my disappointment) and each Region still has the option of allowing their Areas to have an "youth Exploring representative" (the Central and Western Regions are the only two that allow this across all Areas in their Regions.) *Aviation and Sea Exploring uniforms will continue to be a local Council and unit option, again going with the guidance that there are to be no imitation of official military or Department of Transportation (Coast Guard) uniforms. If worn, the BSA's Insignia Guide governs where insignia should be placed on those uniforms. *Again the National Exploring Committee supported the idea of a new square knot for Wood Badge holders whom are Exploring leaders (the Beads, as worn, can create a choking hazard among Sea and other Exploring leaders) but the BSA's Uniform and Insignia Committee still denied the request because of the specialness of the Wood Badge. * The Exploring Silver Award will replace the Growth Opportunities in Leadership Development (G.O.L.D.) Award starting with the 1999 program year. The requirements are being fielded now, and will be finalized by this spring. The Award will be universal in that any Explorer, male or female, regardless of Post or Ship speciality, will be able to meet and complete all requirements. *The "Exploring Knot" (the knot presently used by the G.O.L.D. Award, previously by the Exploring Acheivement Award, and before that, the Silver, Ace, and Ranger Awards) has been expanded for usage by those Explorers that have earned a Young American Award (Council or National), the Congressional Award, or Exploration Award. Regardless of which awards you have received, only ONE knot may be worn (there are no devices currently available for specific awards and nothing to signify earning the older awards from the present-day awards. *The Seabadge can NOW be worn in the place it's SUPPOSED to be on the field uniform (going back to tradition). The Seabadge in formal occasions is now worn centered on the left pocket flap (if the blue uniform is worn, above the left pocket flap) or for females, may be worn above the left pocket where the square knot would be worn. The Seabadge may continue to be worn as a lapel pin with a civilan suit. *New position badges for Exploring leaders have been created and distributed, but the position of "Representative" has been once again been NOT included in the revised position badges. Many Exploring units have asked for a position for additional leaders that are not a President, Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer. One option was a patch without a position printed on it; the other option was a patch stated "Cabinet Member". Other changes: *Creation of the position called "Ambassador" to take the place of National Members-At-Large. It is hoped that those Council members appointed as National Council Members-at-large would wear the new position patches, although none have been shipped to local Councils yet. *Enhancement of the Quality Unit, District, Council and Region standards to include membership and outdoor program stats. *A finalization on the standards in which local Councils will be able to utilize and market their Councils and their programming via the Internet in general and on the World Wide Web in particular. This is the final implementation, which will place local Councils more responsible for content and resources used via the Web. There is still no standard for using email officially between BSA Councils and their volunteers and parents in the field. Look for additional graphics and content to be delivered to local Councils for specific usage on their webpages and sites. *A CD index of _Scouting_ and _Boys'_Life_ will be made available at the end of this year, the first time that such a index will be made available. It is hoped that editions of _Scouting_ and/or BL will also be make available to libraries and schools via CD-ROM as well. There were several suggestions to incorporate the BSA's Library of Literature into a CD-ROM index of some sort, but I don't believe that's going to work. *Councils are being asked NOT to use the term "High Adventure" to descirbe special Council programs for older boys, and the Outdoor and Conservation Committee has asked all Divisions to use the term "Outdoor Adventure" (a term which was a previous CSE's "better description" of what goes on at Philmont, Sea Base, Maine, and Summers Canoe Base) instead. Local Councils will have to come up with other names that do NOT include the phrase "high adventure" in them when describing their older youth programs at camps and other locations (for instance the US Army Ranger training base at Camp Merrill) *Finally, the BSA will once again go through some slimming down of its volunteer and professional teams. Local Councils are being asked to re-evaluate their professional staffs and to reduce the overall number of professionals to their volunteers. We've already experienced some consolidations and mergers as far as Councils are concerned. These are all RECOMMENDATIONS that have been approved by their respective National volunteer committees. Normally, whatever is being recommended will be field tested if needed and approved by the BSA's National Executive Board and distributed out to the field and our usage. Your local Council will receive SPECIFIC information on these and some other, lessor programs and program emphasis, much more than what I or anyone else can unofficially explain here on our forum. I don't have very little more than what I've already posted here (and in the past). Again, I emphasize (especially for those that have recently joined us) that I do NOT work for the BSA, nor do I presently serve on a national committee or task force; my information came from volunteers and professionals serving on those committees, as well as from copies of BSA correspondence dealing with those items which have been shared with me by those volunteers and/or professionals. I hope that this comes to you at a good time so as to help you plan your unit's program for the coming year, and I apologize to each of you in advance for the delay in sharing this information with you. I wanted to insure that I had the most current information which was shared with me, and as far as I'm aware, all of this stuff is current. (c) 1997 Mike Walton ("no such thing as strong coffee,...") (502) 827-9201 (settummanque, the blackeagle) http://dynasty.net/users/blkeagle 241 Fairview Dr., Henderson, KY 42420-4339 blkeagle@dynasty.net kyblkeagle@aol.com or waltonm@hq.21taacom.army.mil ---- FORWARD in service to youth ----