Re: A puzzler
Mike & Cathy (carvfam@IX.NETCOM.COM)
Thu, 29 Jan 1998 18:59:58 -0700
John,
Where would the liability fall if this boy, a non-Scout, were to get hurt
at a Scout function such as a camping trip? Would this void your troop
insurance? Would the leaders personally be held financially responsible?
We had a boy who always attended different Cub Scout functions, but never
returned his application when we sent one home. If anyone needed Scouts,
this child certainly did. He had a lack of structure in his family, and we
provided the structure he needed. We approached his mother and she kept
putting off filling out the application.
Our "committee" met one evening (our committee at that time was just 4
leaders--parents weren't involved too much yet), and we decided we did not
want to jeopardize our insurance policy. We approached his mother again,
and told her that if she did not turn in an application for him, that we
were very sorry, but he would not be allowed to participate in our
activities. That must have been all it took...she signed him up proper, and
he was a welcome addition to our Pack.
In your situation, I would send home another application with Dan, give it a
few days, then do a follow-up call to him or his parents. If his parents
say they need to discuss it with Dan, then wait another few days and
follow-up on that. If they keep putting you off, explain that even though
you enjoy having Dan participate as a non-Scout on camping trips and such,
it may be against the troop insurance policy to allow him to continue to
participate in Scouting activities without being a registered Scout.
Not knowing Dan and his family, it is impossible to know what is going on.
In our case, this family has had a history of imposing on people until they
overstayed their welcome. I think you mention that Dan and his family are
neighbors of yours because you don't want to rock the boat so to speak and
cause unwanted tension between you. While this is always a possibility, I
think Dan's safety comes first.
How do you get him to join? Tough question. I think a serious discussion
with him one-on-one might provide you an answer if not a little insight to
his situation. Perhaps the family cannot afford the costs involved in
Scouting. If this is the case, can he do odd jobs for you or other
neighbors to earn his registration fee and/or uniform?
Again, I don't think I would allow him to continue to participate as a
non-member for insurance purposes. It's sad that an issue like this would
have to take precedence, but there are a lot of sue-happy people who would
think nothing of slapping any leader with a personal injury lawsuit.
I hope some of this helps you in your dilemma. Keep us posted.
YIS,
Cathy
Pack 581 Arvada CO
Denver Area Council
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
