Re: Applications
Bob Lemley (LEMLEY@ACM.ORG)
Mon, 9 Sep 1996 13:15:11 -0500
Helen,
> It has come to my attention that a registered scouter was convicted of
> illegal drug possession(marijauana). He was not using it or distributing
> it. He was just growing it in his back yard before his involvement with
> scouting. He served his sentence as a registered scouter..
> He seems to have cleaned up his act. He is a very down to earth guy and
> tells you like it is.
We have a very similar situation in our troop, except that the guy
robbed a bank before getting involved with scouting. The exceptional
situation here is that he is a Vietnam vet with Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder. It was not treated before his life fell apart, but he's now
got things back together. He is a great guy and is great with the boys.
A few things that have helped us in dealing with this.
1) What's good for the boys?
Our scouter works hard at scouting and gives more time than any
of the rest of us have to give. He's got two boys in the troop
and really believes in the scouting program. In addition he is
very open about his past and readily admits that he really messed
up and talks to the boys about how scouting will keep them from the
kind of trouble he got in. Before him we had a disfunctional
scoutmaster - down to 2 boys in the troop. In two years we're
up to 15 and still growing. And the boys are acting like a
troop again.
2) Remember the two deep leadership rule.
Every parent that has come to me with a concern has been satisfied
when I explain the two deep leadership plan. This situation has
sold me on the importance of the rule. It protects both the boys
and the adults. In our troop's situation there are three active
leaders, but two of us have work demands that do not allow us to
be as regular as needed. The scoutmaster is regular, and we make
sure that one or both of us are always available to be with him.
3) We believe that scouting and "religion" can change people. If
we _really_ believe it, then how can we _refuse_ to allow someone
who has been changed to lead. It means a lot more background
study and oversight and other safeguards, meaning more work,
but who said life is easy? And being a part of changed lives
_is_work_. But I wouldn't be part of scouting if I didn't
think it made a difference.
My opinion: If you _really_believe_ that the guy has changed, and
you're ready to take on the oversight responsibility, then go
for it. But monitor the situation, and make sure that there
is always a second responsible leader around.
YiS
Bob Lemley
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Bob Lemley | Internet: lemley@acm.org
- Manager, Diebold Campus Systems | Phone: (817)776-5695
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