Registration Rules for MB Counselors

[AquilaNegra]

Yes, trust but verify. But there is no need to use the SSN to do it.

RW, that is where I disagree -- the application is no longer accepted without the SSN (there is a way around it, but they have to be individually approved by National). My objection is not with the background check, but with using the SSN as an identifier.

As for the other poster's implication, I have nothing to hide. It's not about that at all (a previous position of mine required that everything there is to know about me is known).

[RWSmith]

As for the other poster's implication, I have nothing to hide.

Hmm? [Nevermind. The fact that I missed that is probably just as well.]

It's not about that at all (a previous position of mine required that everything there is to know about me is known).

I see you replied while I was editing my last post... it was a bit harsh; and, didn't quite reflect my feelings on the matter. So, I hope you'll re-read it. As for microscope treatment? Been there; done that; got the tee shirt, too.

[Quailman]

So not all councils run background checks? Mine did when I registered. And the company providing it sent a courtesy copy to me. It turned out I had a DUI in one of the Carolinas, and a subsequent failure to appear. Well, someone with my same name and DoB did, anyway. The report showed a SSN for the other guy, so it was clearly not me. It also showed that I had lived in another state when the offenses occurred. I never heard from council.

[Quailman]

Another scouting-related website listed the following under "A Guide for Merit Badge Counseling" (Emphasis added):

As a merit badge counselor, I agree to

- Follow the requirements of the merit badge, making no deletions or additions, ensuring that the advancement standards are fair and uniform for all Scouts.
- Have a buddy present with each Scout at all instructional sessions.
- Renew my registration as a merit badge counselor annually if I plan to continue serving as a merit badge counselor.

I am an ASM, but am also registered as a MBC for several MBs. I recharter as an ASM each year. What would a MBC-only person have to do each year to remain in that post? When I recharter I do not fill out another application, and I have not resubmitted the MBC application since the originals. Should I be resubmitting these annually?

[Mrw]

Our council sends a letter annually asking if you would like to remain on the counselor listing.

[Quailman]

Oh. I've never received a letter like that.

[WVBeaver05]

Our council sends a letter annually asking if you would like to remain on the counselor listing.

For the last few years, this is exactly what our Council has been saying it is going to do.

Maybe someday they will.

YiS

[evmori]

Yes, trust but verify. But there is no need to use the SSN to do it.

RW, that is where I disagree -- the application is no longer accepted without the SSN (there is a way around it, but they have to be individually approved by National). My objection is not with the background check, but with using the SSN as an identifier.

As for the other poster's implication, I have nothing to hide. It's not about that at all (a previous position of mine required that everything there is to know about me is known).

If they won't fill out the application, they can't be a MB counselor. I'm sure the ID theft reason is the main one. Bunch a hooey! If they won't give the info required I'd be leery! Something to hide I'd say!

[Bill Pitcher]

Our council is the same as Mrw's . . . a letter goes out to all of the MBC's listed each year in the MBC booklet. If they do not send a note back to council that they wish to continue as a MBC, they are dropped. Then, they must reapply again to get back on the list. This happens frequently enough that council sends out quarterly updates to each AM and Troop Advancement person. UGH . . . lots of paperwork for am already overworked council office mgr!

[milominderbinder2]

One of the long-time Scouters in our unit got angry when he had to fill out a new BSA Volunteer Application to be a MB Counselor...

If someone tells you that they have been around too long, take them at their word. They probably have been around too long.

As stated above, any new position requires a new Adult Leader App. Counselors are to be trained.

If you have someone who refuses to follow BSA policies publicly, do you think they are following the BSA program in their counseling?

- Craig

[milominderbinder2]

Yes, everyone in Scouting needs to be registered for each position they have.

No, a counselor does not have to travel to meet a Scout. He has every right to have the Scout meet with him. Just make sure wherever you meet you follow Youth Protection.

The Advancement Policies #33088 has details on this and dozens of other topics.

As to counselors refusing to help certain boys, it's sad. Sometimes they will come right out and say they are not about to help those ___ boys.

A counselor can be open to all and say you need to come to me. That ends the distance excuss. If you are too busy, you can always just say that at any time so that ends the "I'm too busy" excuss.

Is there a valid reason to refuse to help a boy just because he joined the "wrong" troop?

- Craig

[fritz1255]

We are in the process of (again) re-registering adults who have been dropped from the Counselors list. The list is a disaster - some adults get dropped a few months after they register (if they ever got registered at all - you never actually get confimation from the Council). Others are still on the list for badges they never registered for. One guy, an auto mechanic, was listed as being a counselor for the Chemistry merit badge. Go figure. Heaven help any Scout applying for his Eagle badge who actually has to prove that all his badges were earned using registered counselors. Fortunately this has not happened yet.

[Cowboy]

Advancement Committee Guidelines -- Policies and Procedures, No. 33088E:

• "All merit badge counselors must be trained in the aims of Boy Scouting and in advancement procedures."
• "Merit Badge Counseling is a valuable booklet for all counselors and should be made available to them by the district or council advancement committee."
• "A unit of training, Merit Badge Counselor Orientation, is available for training merit badge counselors. It can be used for a one-on-one session with a new counselor or adapted to a group session. If desired, the orientation also can be conducted as a part of other Boy Scout training."

As I read this, I see nothing that requires a MBC to be trained as a MBC. It says that the booklet is valuable and should be made available. It states that we must be trained in advancement and the aims of scouting. Unfortunately, IT IS NOT required. I feel that it should be. I also disagree with the statement made by one poster that YPT is not required. MBC is a direct contact position, therefor YPT is required for all MBC's. We are currently trying to get an accurate list of MBC's together for our Troop. We had one of our "old timer" ASM's state that anyone can council and sign off on a MB, no registration required. He got a little hot under the collar when I challenged him on this and showed him the direct printed rule. Oh well, he will get over it.

[AquilaNegra2]

Is there a valid reason to refuse to help a boy just because he joined the "wrong" troop?
- Craig

There *are* valid reasons.

*Auto mechanic who owns his own shop, but insurance won't cover anyone in the bays under 16. Same with a vet willing to let the boys shadow him.
*How about those children you know that are undisciplined hooligans? I had one who insisted on calling me by my first name. That relationship ended quickly, and he isn't welcome around my children. We all know Scouts whose behavior is unacceptable.
*The Scout whose SM who is a complete and total PITA and micro-manages everything. Sorry, no one from his troop accepted. Not worth the hassle.

Frankly, any reason is sufficient for a volunteer to chose not to volunteer at a specific time, date, or with specific individuals. And that includes race, creed, religion, socio-economic status, etc. If there is an MBC who doesn't want to counsel my sons because of the church they go to or the color of their skin, my boys will find another. That counselor's loss. It's not as if there is only one MBC per badge.

[LSR]

Is there a valid reason to refuse to help a boy just because he joined the "wrong" troop?
- Craig

There *are* valid reasons.

*Auto mechanic who owns his own shop, but insurance won't cover anyone in the bays under 16. Same with a vet willing to let the boys shadow him.
*How about those children you know that are undisciplined hooligans? I had one who insisted on calling me by my first name. That relationship ended quickly, and he isn't welcome around my children. We all know Scouts whose behavior is unacceptable.
*The Scout whose SM who is a complete and total PITA and micro-manages everything. Sorry, no one from his troop accepted. Not worth the hassle.

Frankly, any reason is sufficient for a volunteer to chose not to volunteer at a specific time, date, or with specific individuals. And that includes race, creed, religion, socio-economic status, etc. If there is an MBC who doesn't want to counsel my sons because of the church they go to or the color of their skin, my boys will find another. That counselor's loss. It's not as if there is only one MBC per badge.

There should be no place in Scouting, in any capacity, for someone who would refuse to work with a Scout out of racism.

[AquilaNegra2]

Frankly, any reason is sufficient for a volunteer to chose not to volunteer at a specific time, date, or with specific individuals. And that includes race, creed, religion, socio-economic status, etc. If there is an MBC who doesn't want to counsel my sons because of the church they go to or the color of their skin, my boys will find another. That counselor's loss. It's not as if there is only one MBC per badge.

There should be no place in Scouting, in any capacity, for someone who would refuse to work with a Scout out of racism.

Just to clarify, are you saying other reasons are okay, just not race? Highly doubtful that would ever be the stated reason, but I live in the real world. If a counselor doesn't want to work with my sons for any reason whatsoever (or no reason), I'd rather have mine go elsewhere. Never heard of a council with just one merit badge counselor for a badge.

If a volunteer wants to work with only Scouts whose last names begin with S, great! I'd tell him "Thank you" for taking the time to teach the Smith boys something! If I'm Jones, I'll need to look elsewhere. That he doesn't choose to VOLUNTEER his time with me doesn't take away from the fact that he is taking time out of his busy life to help mold the Smith boys. No Scout has the *right* to free access of another person's time.

[Cowboy]

Bottom line is: I have been in many associations and groups in my life. Boy Scouts is the only organization that I have ever been a member of that I have to PAY to Volunteer. For example: Jamboree: There is an $800 fee to be an adult volunteer. See what I mean? So if I choose not to council a boy for whatever reason, I have Paid for that choice. As with any choice that we make, we never know what we miss out on by the choices that we make. Therefore, I have never refused to council a boy, I have only refused to council a boy for a specific MB.

[Cowboy]

Two things I have learned: First my advancement ladies have pointed out that it is counselor, not councilor. Duh! Don't I feel like an uneducated goober. Since I have been so prolific with the incorrect usage I am not going back to edit my posts.
Second: We have discovered that it does not matter who you are, at least in our Council, you must fill out an adult leader application in order to be a MBC. One for the actual leadership position ie. ASM, Committee Member, CC, Scout Master. Then a second one to be a MBC. We have run into a problem with not having done this.

[wagionvigil]

Our council also requires everyone to fill out and submit an adult application BUT they do not charge a fee unless the person wants to be actually registered.

[FrankJ]

Filling out an adult leader app for merit badge counselor is a BSA requirement so I would expect all councils would require it.