JASMs (Was Re: BSA Program Changes? (2/2) )

Bob Losse asked:

>I'm wondering if any decision has been made about the JASM?

I haven't heard anything on whether or not we're keeping or
dropping it, Bob. The new Boy Scout Leaders' Guidebook and Scout
Handbooks hasn't been released, and all of the materials I have
here (or have access to) doesn't say anything about the transition
as part of the new Boy Scout program.

Not to say that it won't happen; we've already seen with regard to
the Venturing program that we're still dealing with a very fluid
deal here, and nobody from National's Venturing end will say for
sure that we're going to have all elements of the new program in
place...and I don't blame them because with any new program that
gets "sprung up", there's going to be a LOT of changes and
modifications to the changes.

I would get the badges of office and I would certainly consider
getting those older boys into a leadership position to assist your
Troop, Bob. If "Junior Assistant Scoutmasters" won't thrill them,
make 'em Instructors and give them the full-sized Instructor badges
of office!!

>My thoughts on this are that maybe we ought to recognize that a
>weekly program for most older scouts is not doable. Instead maybe
>we focus the older scouts on limited commitments, special
>projects, special outings, etc.... This assumes it's better to
>have an older scout once in a while than not at all.

The special projects deal would work well with older boys, Bob.
I've used this to a great deal of success as a former Scoutmaster.
I would also "loan out" my JASMs as "leadership development
trainees" to other organizations in town. In a military community,
there's a LOT of opportunities for "someone to head up a new
committee" to do something...the JASM gets in there, assists or
even to take the lead in organizing the program or event, and
provides some ways that kids can be involved (a GREAT THING ALL THE
WAY AROUND!) in the event or activity. The Troop gets exposure
because he's a "loaner" from Troop 801 or 225, and the Scout gets
some REAL LIFE leadership experiences and has to work through a lot
of REAL LIFE problems like "How do I get them to listen to me? If
they were Scouts, I would just beat the livin' tar outta them and
they'll listen....with adults, all they do is ignore me! How do I
get them to even LISTEN to what I have to say??"

(and NO, I do NOT recommend ANYONE "beating the livin' (or dead)
tar" out of anyone, Scout or not.)

So, yeah...whether or not the JASM position gets killed or not,
Bob, I would encourage you to give your senior Scouts some REAL
LIFE leadership and followship experiences in your community. I
believe you will find that those that choose to accept those tasks
will stick around longer, and will tend to come back to the Troop
with a WHOLE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE on what it takes to be "in
charge of something".

Settummanque!
(c) 1998 Mike Walton ("no such thing as strong coffee,...") (502) 827-9201
(settummanque, the blackeagle) http://dynasty.net/users/blkeagle
241 Fairview Dr., Henderson, KY 42420-4339 blkeagle@dynasty.net
privately at kyblkeagle@aol.com or waltonm@hq.21taacom.army.mil
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