I learned in church today

[Flystripper]

What does that even mean? Under what context does Intel ever donate to the LDS church?

matching charity donations? maybe?

[Moliere]

matching charity donations? maybe?

That's my guess. I thought it odd that the church would single out Intel, but maybe there are others and I just haven't heard of them. My other guess is that some donations come with strings attached and the church doesn't want strings, however I doubt they find themselves often in that position...at least with corporate donations.

We used to get a lot of money from Exxon for our scout troop, however the church no longer allows the individual troops to get the money. Instead the money is supposed to go to church HQ, but no one cares to make that happen so the money no longer is requested.

[Sullyute]

We used to get a lot of money from Exxon for our scout troop, however the church no longer allows the individual troops to get the money. Instead the money is supposed to go to church HQ, but no one cares to make that happen so the money no longer is requested.

talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face. Apparently all LDS Scout troops are rolling in dough and no longer need Friends of Scouting donations or other corporate funds.

[Jeff Lebowski]

That's my guess. I thought it odd that the church would single out Intel, but maybe there are others and I just haven't heard of them. My other guess is that some donations come with strings attached and the church doesn't want strings, however I doubt they find themselves often in that position...at least with corporate donations.

We used to get a lot of money from Exxon for our scout troop, however the church no longer allows the individual troops to get the money. Instead the money is supposed to go to church HQ, but no one cares to make that happen so the money no longer is requested.

I know a guy that used to live in Houston and he works for Exxon. He said there was some sort of corporate match for donations like this so for every $100 that he would donate to his local LDS BSA Troop, Exxon with double or triple it. He said they were always rolling in dough. He was one of the Scout leaders and was sad to see this opportunity disappear.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Speaking of LDS scouting, this guy claims that our main problem is that we are not working hard enough:

http://blog.utahscouts.org/venturing...ng-lds-church/

No, the problem is that it is not voluntary. Restrict it to those who want to participate (one troop per stake?) and you will get better participation from those who want to do it.

He throws in a little guilt trip at the end:

In addition, President Gibson’s admonition cautions us that we will be held accountable for the choices we make about implementing the full Scouting program, and supporting it with our best efforts.

There you have it. Do it right or go to hell.

[smokymountainrain]

lol

[Moliere]

I know a guy that used to live in Houston and he works for Exxon. He said there was some sort of corporate match for donations like this so for every $100 that he would donate to his local LDS BSA Troop, Exxon with double or triple it. He said they were always rolling in dough. He was one of the Scout leaders and was sad to see this opportunity disappear.

Actually, Exxon employees would submit their hours donated to any charitable organization and Exxon would then cut a check to that org for those hours worked, up to $2,000 per year. Many of the wards would call Exxon employees into YM positions just to keep the money coming in (and I'm sure al those callings were inspired...). This is how our ward, as a relatively new ward, bought a trailer and good camping supplies for our troop. We spent around $3k on that stuff, all from Exxon money.

You can still get the money from the people that had it set up before the change was made. We recently got a $1,000 check from someone that unfortunately moved out to a different ward. Sadly, that is probably the final Exxon check our ears will see.

Some of the older wards have a lot of stuff, from canoes (with canoe trailer), canvas tents for all the boys, etc.

[Dwight Schr-ute]

Actually, Exxon employees would submit their hours donated to any charitable organization and Exxon would then cut a check to that org for those hours worked, up to $2,000 per year. Many of the wards would call Exxon employees into YM positions just to keep the money coming in (and I'm sure al those callings were inspired...). This is how our ward, as a relatively new ward, bought a trailer and good camping supplies for our troop. We spent around $3k on that stuff, all from Exxon money.

You can still get the money from the people that had it set up before the change was made. We recently got a $1,000 check from someone that unfortunately moved out to a different ward. Sadly, that is probably the final Exxon check our ears will see.

Some of the older wards have a lot of stuff, from canoes (with canoe trailer), canvas tents for all the boys, etc.

Probably time to get out.

Simpson fish.jpg

[LVAllen]

Speaking of LDS scouting, this guy claims that our main problem is that we are not working hard enough:

http://blog.utahscouts.org/venturing...ng-lds-church/

No, the problem is that it is not voluntary. Restrict it to those who want to participate (one troop per stake?) and you will get better participation from those who want to do it.

He throws in a little guilt trip at the end:



There you have it. Do it right or go to hell.

Well, no. The problem is that the bastardized Eagle-at-all-costs merit-badge-driven adult-planned crap that passes for YM program isn't scouting. It isn't even the YM program. The adults in the YM program are there for one purpose, and one purpose only: to guide the YM as the quorums run their own damn program. Not to take over. Not to plan crap for the YM. But to guide and counsel and help the YM in their own development. Even Mutual is supposed to be planned and run by the youth, with little adult interference. Scouting is just a way to help the adults guide the youth. And to those who poo-poo scouting - if we treat the youth this badly even when there is tons of support, curriculum, and training available, can you imagine how fast the youth will abandon ship when Bro. Jones is making it up on the fly, and mutual is just another church class?

[Jeff Lebowski]

Well, no. The problem is that the bastardized Eagle-at-all-costs merit-badge-driven adult-planned crap that passes for YM program isn't scouting. It isn't even the YM program. The adults in the YM program are there for one purpose, and one purpose only: to guide the YM as the quorums run their own damn program. Not to take over. Not to plan crap for the YM. But to guide and counsel and help the YM in their own development. Even Mutual is supposed to be planned and run by the youth, with little adult interference. Scouting is just a way to help the adults guide the youth. And to those who poo-poo scouting - if we treat the youth this badly even when there is tons of support, curriculum, and training available, can you imagine how fast the youth will abandon ship when Bro. Jones is making it up on the fly, and mutual is just another church class?

Maybe the support, curriculum, mandatory training, courts of honor, scoutmaster conferences, boards of review, rechartering, committee meetings, roundtable, FOS drives, uniforms, tour permits, and all of that other ridiculous overhead BS that comes with BSA prevents Bro. Jones from spending quality time with the youth. Just a hunch...

[Donuthole]

Maybe the support, curriculum, mandatory training, courts of honor, scoutmaster conferences, boards of review, rechartering, committee meetings, roundtable, FOS drives, uniforms, tour permits, and all of that other ridiculous overhead BS that comes with BSA prevents Bro. Jones from spending quality time with the youth. Just a hunch...

Yep. I've been in YM/scouting for about 10 years now, excepting a brief 1-year repose as ward clerk. Not a single time have I been in a ward with a fully-staffed and properly-functioning executive committee. Some wards have tried, but inevitably everything ends up falling on the YM leaders. A real scout committee is rare, because any given ward probably only has 1-2 legitimate scouters, and those people are probably already the Scoutmaster or in the bishopric.

One or two troops per stake would be a great idea. With an entire stake to draw from, you could field a nice scout committee and do things right. The boys who aren't interested in scouting could meet on Tuesdays for DTG-type activities.

[scottie]

Yep. I've been in YM/scouting for about 10 years now, excepting a brief 1-year repose as ward clerk. Not a single time have I been in a ward with a fully-staffed and properly-functioning executive committee. Some wards have tried, but inevitably everything ends up falling on the YM leaders. A real scout committee is rare, because any given ward probably only has 1-2 legitimate scouters huge nerds, and those people are probably already the Scoutmaster or in the bishopric.

One or two troops per stake would be a great idea. With an entire stake to draw from, you could field a nice scout committee and do things right. The boys who aren't interested in scouting could meet on Tuesdays for DTG-type activities.

FIFY.

[Uncle Ted]

Yep. I've been in YM/scouting for about 10 years now, excepting a brief 1-year repose as ward clerk. Not a single time have I been in a ward with a fully-staffed and properly-functioning executive committee. Some wards have tried, but inevitably everything ends up falling on the YM leaders. A real scout committee is rare, because any given ward probably only has 1-2 legitimate scouters, and those people are probably already the Scoutmaster or in the bishopric.

Yes, most parents just want to drop their kids off at the church and not much to do with scouting.

One or two troops per stake would be a great idea. With an entire stake to draw from, you could field a nice scout committee and do things right. The boys who aren't interested in scouting could meet on Tuesdays for DTG-type activities.

As scoutmaster I got pushback from the ward/stake leadership just trying to merge the two troops that meet in the same building. I never understood the logic for their argument. Something to do with the scouting troop being tied to the priesthood quorum or some other "unity" BS.

[Uncle Ted]

Speaking of LDS scouting, this guy claims that our main problem is that we are not working hard enough:

http://blog.utahscouts.org/venturing...ng-lds-church/

No, the problem is that it is not voluntary. Restrict it to those who want to participate (one troop per stake?) and you will get better participation from those who want to do it.

He throws in a little guilt trip at the end:

In addition, President Gibson’s admonition cautions us that we will be held accountable for the choices we make about implementing the full Scouting program, and supporting it with our best efforts.

There you have it. Do it right or go to hell.

LOL. I recall going to my official BSA venture crew advisor training and coming back thinking that we weren't implementing the full program. I approached the YWP about seeing if there were any YW that were interested in joining our venture crew to make it co-ed like the ones I learned about in the training. I already knew that my daughters were. They were tired of endless talking about how they were to marry a RM in the temple, how to plan their wedding, and the other rather mindless YW activities. They wanted to shoot guns, climb rock walls, do scuba, etc. I was quickly shot down with my attempt to implement the full scouting program. In fact, the YWP told on me to the bishop.

[Uncle Ted]

Maybe the support, curriculum, mandatory training, courts of honor, scoutmaster conferences, boards of review, rechartering, committee meetings, roundtable, FOS drives, uniforms, tour permits, and all of that other ridiculous overhead BS that comes with BSA prevents Bro. Jones from spending quality time with the youth. Just a hunch...

In a volunteer (non-LDS) unit all that stuff is taken care of and not by scoutmaster or any of his assistants. Sure the scoutmaster and his assistants show up to the roundtable meetings but they include dinner.