Re: Abused Scouts Outcome
Gary Doney (DBEAVE@AOL.COM)
Thu, 24 Apr 1997 16:49:53 -0400
LINDA K CLOSSEN wrote:
>
> <Snip...>
>
> I tried with no avail to contact my DE as many suggested. Finally,
> Monday afternoon, we made contact. I gave him the problem and he
> said he'd check it out and let me know. That did not help me at all.
> So, I contacted my Unit Commissioner, Terry Peters. Let me sing the
> praises of my UC, not only in this situation but in his everyday
> duties as a Commissioner. <Snip....>
> As I anticipated, our UC was waiting for us at the meeting. He had
> brought along Tim FIinthoff, Scoutmaster of Troop 406, also in our
> area. Tim told me that he had already spoken to his committee and
> committee chairman and that they were ready and excited to have these
> boys come into their Troop. He said that they were prepared and
> trained to help these boys get a good experience from the Scouting
> program. Now, if only my DE had did a little checking, he would have
> found out that this was the Troop to go to in the first place. How
> hard was it? I found out after one phone call.
> Then they sad part. The boys didn't come to the meeting.
> Today, I will be contacting the home in hopes of reaching the worker
> who was interested in Scouting. Their new Troop is waiting and ready
> for them. I hope they are ready for the adventure of a life time. I
> know many members of Troop 406 and they are a great Troop with strong
> leaders who do some wonderful activities.
>
>
>DREW wrote:
>Linda,
>How nice and how sad all at once. I'm so happy you were able to find a
>reasonable resolution. Too bad the paid help couldn't figure it out.
>Thank goodness your Unit Commissioner knew his fellow Scouters well
>enough to know where to turn.
>Fondest regards,
>Drew
I have not read the original problem stated, so I will give my experience:
It is not the responsiblity of professional Scouters to solve internal unit
problems. Their (DE) responsibility is to see that the Scouting program
reaches the district leadership and is followed by National policies and
procedures. The commissioner staff is called in for what is called "first
aid" and is the link between the district leadership and unit when conflict
resolutions are required. Volunteers who create problems need to solve their
own problems. "Win an agreement, not an argument."
Using the 3 steps to 'problem-solving' discussed in the Scoutmaster's Junior
Leader Training Workshop publication is usually successful. Note: I said
'usually' There are exceptions to any rule.
I have found that if everyone talks about the problem and then we all
re-focus our commitment to the boys, we all come out of the cloud.
The ONLY exception when a professional Scouter gets involved is in a 'child
abuse' situation and that is handled directly by the council executive.
DBEAVE
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