MB Counselor using an 'old' book

[cballman]

Paul I didnt mean to sound so gruff but bad year at work. also I thought that you were one of the main people helping mike with the worksheets. I have also used your site and I did contribute to your need a couple of years ago when I was on roundtable staff. I found both of these site to be very helpful to my son, my troop, and cub scouts. I have also found out that sometimes (ok most times now) my fuse is short with people. not just anybody in particular but everbody. thank you for all that you have done also.

[PaulSWolf]

Rob has been sending me the word format worksheets. I proofread them for him, make sure the page breaks work out right and convert them to pdf's. Then I post both versions on the USSSP. I had been then sending a note to Mike K, here at meritbadge.com, so he could grab them for this site. I also send him a note when I finish my review of the changes each January. But this year he hasn't updated. I know he had a problem a couple of years ago with updating, and was effectively off line for some time, with no way to update. I don't know if he's got a similar problem. A few people have tried calling or writing him, but haven't gotten through, or gotten a response.

Have you been in contact?

[cballman]

i will call him tommorrow night after I get of work he has left us his cell number. I just know that he has been very busy. I think he is now a scoutmaster or cubmaster. I will get back later on. Thank you for all that you have done for this board and your site. I just wish that i was a little more a computer savy but hey sometimes you get left out. I would like to help out more in that line but the knowledge just isnt there for me.

[RWSmith]

BTW, I know it's been elluded to before; but, it's ALWAYS a good idea to keep "obsolete" editions of MB Phamplets (MBP) around for a few years. (Remember, whether the Scout actually has the Blue Card, or not, if he started working on a MB five years ago, he can ALWAYS resume work under those same requirements.)

[FrankJ]

A few random thoughts.

First thanks to the guys running this site. I think is great for hard information & guidance on how to run a sucessfull scouting program. I even learn from reading the opinions I do not necessarily agree with.

2) BSA is not the greatest about getting the changes out. Our council shop will sell stock until it is gone. I have seen out of date merit books on the shelves. Our council is not very organized about merit badge advancement. I never seen any advanced notice about requirement changes from them. But we have some dedicated volunteers there, and the situation is improving.

3)On most merit badges, I do not see a problem using the old books as the current requirements are used.

4)In situation were current requirements are unavailable & the merit badge is started with the old requirements, I think it is reasonable & fair to the scout to finish with the old requirements even if it is slightly bending the rule.

5) The bottom line is once a registered merit badge councilor has signed the bottom line, reguardless of which set of requirements used, it is done. There is no appeals process.

6) Thanks to BSA national for not being sticklers for copyrights & allowing sites like this to exist. Imagine how much harder this would be if the requirements were not available online & could not be stated in the work sheets

[cballman]

Having talked talked with the almighty Optimist last night he told me that he is in contact with the gentlemen who have helped him keep the meritbadge worksheets current and up to date. they should be all updated very soon. just a little note from me.