What does active mean?

[confusedscout]

Most requirments say be active in your troop for 6 months.

What does that mean?

Are there any BSA policies?

Should troops just set their own guidelines?

Help?

[evmori]

Be there for meetings and outing. Participate in meetings and outings. The BSA doesn't actually define active.

[PaulSWolf]

The OFFICIAL BSA definition of "Active" is in the BSA Rules and Regulations, (Article VII, Section 1, Clause 1) and basically is interpreted as being a paid member, and not officially placed in "Associate" membership status. If he pays his dues, shows up at least once a year, and is working on advancements, he's active.

[aflmom]

I'm curious about this too. I recently joined the committee of our local BSA troop. The first meeting I went to there was a discussion re: some boys obtaining their Eagle. One boy has completed his project, but the SM is not in favor of letting him advance since he hasn't been "active" i.e. coming to meetings or campouts this year. I understand he's involved in sports and hasn't been able to make the meetings because of that. Even if the practice was over the SM would not allow him in without showering and changing into uniform first.

I feel bad about the whole situation, but hesitate to say too much as the new kid on the block.

[evmori]

I don't deny Paul is 100% accurate but to me just paying your registration fee isn't active. That's being registered. Being active is being at meetings & outings & participating in fundraisers & service projects.

[wagionvigil]

remember the definition comes into play when and if an advancement decision is appealed. You will loose!

[Mrw]

[quote="aflmom" Even if the practice was over the SM would not allow him in without showering and changing into uniform first.

[/quote]

We take them any way we get them!

Uniforms are definitely encouraged, especially if you want a conference or BOR, but if some kid comes straight from football in his pads and all, he is welcome and we are glad he had enough dedication to come. If we sent him home for a shower first, he wouldn't come since he would only be there a few minutes instead of half the meeting.

[JazerNorth]

We would take him as well. I would ask that he be considerate of others and at least try to smell better, but that we would be glad he came even if he couldn't. Yes, let him come as he can, but also include a little teaching moment on being considerate of others.

JazerNorth

[Eamonn]

"On my honor I will do my best"
I had a case where a Eagle BOR turned a Lad down because they thought he wasn't active.
He hadn't attended a Troop meeting for a good while.
The reason was that he was doing some sort of paramedic course and the course was the same-time as the Troop meeting.
He appealed and won.
We are in the business of trying to help young people make ethical decisions.
I really think that there is no hard and fast rules for what active is.
We deal with individuals and if we have open and honest lines of communications things do work out.
Scouts do have a very strong sense of what is and what isn't right.
When you ask a Lad "Do you think that you did your best to fulfill the job?"
Most times they will give you an honest answer.
If before the Lad takes on whatever it is there has been a dialog where he has been able to set goals and discuss the job. He will be more prepared to do it.
Just as we have to follow up with adults to see how things are going or see if there is a problem, we need to do the same with our youth members.
I don't understand how a Adult leader can sit back and say that he hasn't seen or heard from a Lad in six months.
I know that if he misses one meeting I ask his pals, two meetings I'm on the phone and after three I'm on his doorstep.
When we do get to meet face to face we can look at whatever the problem is and change the goals or maybe have a rethink.

[aflmom]

The OFFICIAL BSA definition of "Active" is in the BSA Rules and Regulations, (Article VII, Section 1, Clause 1)

Is there somewhere online where I can print out the actual rules and regulations?

Also anything related to scouts and participation in sports?

Before I go to bat for this kid, I want to have all my ducks in a row. Examples of other scouts and appeals would also be nice.

Thanks for you help!

[wagionvigil]

Participation in sports??? Explain!

[aflmom]

The reason the scout hasn't been active (according to the SM's definition) is because he's been involved in sports. Practice flows over into the meeting time.

Our son loves football and wanted to play, but realized it would interfere with scouts and church. Subsequently he 'gave up' football. This other scout has chosen not to give up sports. I don't think he should be penalized for that and held back at obtaining his Eagle when all the other requirements have been met.

[wagionvigil]

remember there are many in professional sports that were scouts. We work with the scout. Not against the Scout. WE are here for them. Arn't we?

[PaulSWolf]

The OFFICIAL BSA definition of "Active" is in the BSA Rules and Regulations, (Article VII, Section 1, Clause 1)

Is there somewhere online where I can print out the actual rules and regulations?

Also anything related to scouts and participation in sports?

Before I go to bat for this kid, I want to have all my ducks in a row. Examples of other scouts and appeals would also be nice.

Thanks for you help!

No. They are NOT on-line, and in fact, it's actually hard to get copies of the documents. They CAN be viewed at the Council office. To be honest, most of the "Rules and Regulations" and "Charter and By-Laws" is simply legalese and of little to no use by the general public.

[OldGreyBear]

Paul, I agree with you that the By-Laws aren't necessary for the general public. But as often as I have seen this topic crop up and have answers from yours to its ok to have percentage of attendance standards (scout must attend 50% meetings and 75% Outing) It would do well for the BSA to explicitly define and publish its definition on "active"

They dont have too, but it would be nice

[Mick Scouter]

Obviously there is a reason that BSA has set forth this policy. I would contend that it is all based on legal decisions. Right or wrong they like many of us must choose our battles.

[evmori]

The reason the scout hasn't been active (according to the SM's definition) is because he's been involved in sports. Practice flows over into the meeting time.

Our son loves football and wanted to play, but realized it would interfere with scouts and church. Subsequently he 'gave up' football. This other scout has chosen not to give up sports. I don't think he should be penalized for that and held back at obtaining his Eagle when all the other requirements have been met.

It's all about choices. If a boy chooses sports over Scouting so be it. When he is ready to come back and participate in the Troop, we will be there to take him back with open arms.

How is it possible for a Scout to meet all other requirements for Eagle if he doesn't participate in the Troop?

[wagionvigil]

They all think they will get a full ride for sports. Very few will ever see it. Most Small colleges no longer give full rides and Divison 1 Schools see less each year. I have many more former students getting Full Rides in Music then the school district has ever had in sports. 20 -2 is the score. ALso Scouts that I have had that are in sports came when they could and most made every camporee and Summer camp. I even had a Eagle Scout get a full ride in Physics of all things.