Merit Badge Counselor Question

[Pontchartrain]

I'm a new Advancement Chairman. I've asked a FBI Agent to attend a future troop meeting to teach fingerprinting. I don't know the agent well and don't want to ask the agent to complete a Merit Badge Counselor application for a one time troop visit. What I'm thinking about doing is reading the Fingerprinting Merit Badge book then signing up as the Merit Badge counselor even though I don't have any special training or knowledge in the subject area. Next, I'll have the agent who is certainly qualified to teach the subject come in and cover the material at our meeting. I would then be able to test each Scout through the use of the fingerprinting worksheet and if necessary, individual testing and sign off on the requirements. Does this sound like an acceptable plan?

[WVBeaver05]

I would ask the FBI agent to become an approved counselor. He shouldn't have a problem with the background check and there is no fee to be only a MBC. Who knows, he may like it and become more involved or at least be willing to counsel other Scouts in your Council.

The MBC application form says something like "...qualified by training and avocation...". So I would not expect that they should approve you.

Just my thoughts.

YiS

[Mrw]

Is there a Fingerprinting MBC on your district's list? If the agent does not want to sign on as a counselor, maybe this person could also come when the agent is there and get the kids signed off.

[Quailman]

The MBC application form says something like "...qualified by training and avocation...". So I would not expect that they should approve you.

Explain on the back of the application that your fingerprints are on file with law enforcement agencies in fourteen states and the District of Columbia.

[evmori]

Sign the agent up!

[biglou]

I agree with signing the agent up. He could be a great asset to your Troop!!!! I have a PSP Trooper in my Troop. I was sitting with him at a fundraiser for the Troop just shooting the bull and I found out that he was an Eagle Scout. Bam! Hook, Line, and Sinker! We are at present working to recruit a past Fire Chief and a 911 Dispatcher to be Assistant Scoutmasters!

[wagionvigil]

I agree with signing the agent up. He could be a great asset to your Troop!!!! I have a PSP Trooper in my Troop. I was sitting with him at a fundraiser for the Troop just shooting the bull and I found out that he was an Eagle Scout. Bam! Hook, Line, and Sinker! We are at present working to recruit a past Fire Chief and a 911 Dispatcher to be Assistant Scoutmasters!

Please don't allow the Fire Guys do any Climbing and Rappelling They have no Idea as to safety when it come to BSA

[FrankJ]

Please don't allow the Fire Guys do any Climbing and Rappelling They have no Idea as to safety when it comes to BSA

Clearly running into a burning building should be against G2SS & anybody doing it should have their fireman chit taken away from them.

[Cowboy]

What they all said: It does not cost anything to become a MBC, but that has been the gateway for many adults to get involved in Scouts. I am dealing with two men (former Life Scouts) that have not been involved in over 15 years. I convinced them to become (one time) MBC's and they are now willing to help with other things too.

[biglou]

We don't. My Troop does not have the proper equipment for that type of activity. I am well versed in G2SS so that will not be a problem. Besides, rope rescue training is a completely different animal than BSA climbing/rapelling.

As for Firefighting, if the boys are interested, I would help them. My Fire Department has pretty strict guidelines as to what the juniors can and cannot do. We follow the rules and guidelines as set up by the Commonwealth of PA. But most of the Scouts are not interested in firefighting so I do not have to worry about that. I do think that Frank's comments are funny and agree that most normal people don't want to go into burning buildings, car accidents, etc. For some odd reason, I enjoy that but that is not for a discussion on here. Getting out of bed at Zero-dark-thirty is just a blast!

That is not why I asked them. We have several kids with different health problems and both of the gentlemen in question are are experienced First Responders. I know that Wilderness EMS is a different animal. It is just nice to have extra hands around with for potential emergencies. Besides, both individuals have pick-ups. Isn't that a pre-requisite for being an ASM or SM? (wait a minute, I don't have a pick-up!)

[wagionvigil]

Been a firefighter for 33 years At one time I taught rope classes so I know there is a vast difference that is why I mentioned it. Love ripping up cars with the Jaws lots of fun.

[smtroop168]

The correct answer is to get them officially registered with the BSA and approved by the Council Advancement Commitee.

Here are some thoughts (which also related to MRW's parents):

We always want the best qualified folks to teach the scouts about their specific field. Having a professional photographer teach photography/cinematography instead of someone who "has a camera" is preferable although each can be "qualified" to be a MBC for those badges if the council approves them. Another example is Pets/Dog Care/Vet Medicine. Preferable to have a Vet or Vet Tech vice "I have a Dog" counselor. There are a number of MBs in which the requirement is to visit a "qualified" person. Archaelology is one. Although a council could approve a homeowner who has dogs who dig up their yard. We do have specific quals for Shooting and Climbing MBs so "I fell off a rock with my shotgun so its best to hold on" doesn't fly as a qual.

The main reasons I see that experts such as professors do not want to register as MBCs now is the application and approval process. "Why do you need my SSN?" "I love to help your troop but I don't have time to do it more often or be on a list." Oh by the way, the Council Advancement Committee only meets once a month to approve applications so we can't do the badge until then. Then there is YPT. Although currently it's only "Strongly Encouraged" for MBCs, it adds a layer to the process that a "one-timer" doesn't want to go through. Heck we can't get those who are required to have YPT to get it done but that's another thread.

For MRW: Hand out the Troop Resource Survey to your parents and channel their enthusiasm for advancement into areas you need it.

[Pontchartrain]

Thanks for all the replies. I will ask the agent if she would be willing to sign up as a MBC but I'm not going to push the issue because: 1) I don't know the agent well. Since I don't know her well I'm afraid she will cancel the whole thing if I ask her to complete an application that asks for personal information such as her social security number. 2) She doesn't live in the same city as my troop so I don't see her getting involved on a regular basis with our troop. 3) I asked if she was ever involved in Scouting, she was not but she is enthusiastic about teaching the course. My thought was that if she has a positive experience with this session she'll will want to sign up afterwards as a district MBC for this and other related badges. I guess the main thing is asking a near stranger who agreed to do a one-time favor to hand over her social security number, etc. in order to do the favor and not just anyone but someone who sees on a daily basis the results of identity theft.

From what I've been told the Fingerprinting MB is one of, if not the easiest MB in the program and the course would be taught by a true professional in the field. That is the only reason I considered studying the book and signing up as a fingerprinting MBC and then only for troop only and for this single session only. If doing what I had planned is wrong I'll ask the agent to sign on as a MBC. If she says no I'll either ask our only fingerprinting MBC in the district to attend the meeting or possibly cancel the whole thing.

[alex gregory]

Invite the Agent to be an MBC AFTER teaching the material. Give yourself a chance to see how well she interracts with the kids, and no need to pressure a longer-term commitment.

Check out Crime Prevention MB Req. #1 and ask the Agent to discuss that topic at the same time that she is covering the fingerprinting material.

You do not need to sign up as MBC for fingerprinting, and probably should not if that area is not within your personal comfort zone of expertise. All you need to do after the fingerprinting class if Special Agent Fingerprintingmeister does not choose to register as MBC is find an already registered MBC and have the guys meet with that MBC and get credit for what they have already learned.

[AquilaNegra2]

The correct answer is to get them officially registered with the BSA and approved by the Council Advancement Commitee.

The main reasons I see that experts such as professors do not want to register as MBCs now is the application and approval process. "Why do you need my SSN?" "I love to help your troop but I don't have time to do it more often or be on a list." Oh by the way, the Council Advancement Committee only meets once a month to approve applications so we can't do the badge until then. Then there is YPT. Although currently it's only "Strongly Encouraged" for MBCs, it adds a layer to the process that a "one-timer" doesn't want to go through. Heck we can't get those who are required to have YPT to get it done but that's another thread.

Exactly. Yes, it would be great if he would sign up, and he certainly should be asked. But the change to mandatory SSN has meant that many won't (that's my experience, including with law enforcement; ymmv).

The form states vocation, avocation, or special training. Not 'and'. For an Eagle-required badge or one with specific safety issues, it's really important for the council to be on the ball with vetting counselors for more than just the avocation. But the district that can boast a professional for each merit badge is likely pretty rare. Bringing in the professionals on a guest speaker basis (with you or another MBC) works very well. "Avocation" is a highly subjective term.

[biglou]

Just wondering how the meeting with the FBI agent went to get them to be a Merit Badge Counselor.

[fritz1255]

Most of our troop committee members are also merit badge couselours. We've never had one turned down as "unqualified". Your FBI agent may want to do the "Troop Only" option so she does not get calls form all over the greater council area, but I would not push it she doesn't want to become a registered counselour - shouldn't need to do this just to visit and instruct the scouts.