Re: 3 tough questions
Settummanque, ("MAJ)
Sat, 26 Oct 1996 14:59:11 -0500
Dave Bolin asked three tough questions:
>1) How do I make them feel like their peers or leaders are not looking at
>them differently than before?
You can't, Dave. People are going to feel that way no matter what you
or everyone else does...what you *can* do, perhaps, is to sit down with
each one, separately and together, and let them know that YOU are not
looking at them differently than before....we have very little influnce into
other's actions, but we have a GREAT impact upon our own.
And, being the Scouter you are, you will show that positive modelling to
others in your unit, and they will take their cues from your actions (or
inactions).
>2) What do I do to prevent comments from the other kids, or would it be
>better to wait and handle them after the fact? If so how?
By emphazing the values of Scouting to EVERYONE. This would be a good
time to sit down and re-examine what does the "Scouting ideals" mean to you
WITHOUT pointing to the Scouts and using their examples as "the examples".
If everyone is reassured about the "correct rules and the right way of getting
things done", then they can understand why the police force is being looked at
with large magifying glasses and why unfortunately, some people will have to
respond for their actions or inactions.
>3) How do you preach / hold up the Scout law to the group, without appearing
>to pass judgement (in their eyes)on them or their family?
You don't preach. The only thing that preaching does (sorry Jessi!) is to
confirm that your message has been sent to a massive audience. It is what
happens
AFTER the preaching that determines the effectiveness or not. In our case, we
can preach the "Scout Law" to the group...but it's how you and others USE those
set of rules that determines what happens.
>Basicly, Scouting has to be a safe haven, how do I keep it that way for these
>kids?
By doing the same things you've been doing with your unit in the past. I'm NOT
saying to "ignore" or "whitewash" the event....but at the same time, don't
try to
cause so much attention to it that nothing gets done but talk about what
happened.
What happened has happened....and what I would key in on now is a continuation
of the program of the unit with special emphasis on the values and ideals
that we
use within the program.
>Let's face it we don't live in Mayberry. Kids will act like kids even if they
>are Scouts.
That's so true...but we have rules, and the rules...the "game rules"...are
the Scout
Oath and Law. You don't need to beat them over the head with them...just
reassure
them that those are values that they can follow.
Your Scouts will take it from there.
Hope this helps out!!
Settummanque!
-----
(MAJ) Mike L. Walton (Settummanque, the blackeagle)
http://www.vhm.com/~uscardnl/
(Brigade) Signal Officer, TF 21, 21st Theater Army Area Command
Kaiserslautern, Federal Republic of Germany
"everything I say is "on the record"; speaking ONLY for myself unless indicated"
personal inquiries via blkeagle@midwest.net or kyblkeagle@aol.com
professional inquiries via waltonm%po2.hq@taacom.kaiserslautern.army.mil
-----FORWARD in service to youth and the nation-----
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
