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From: Daniel E. Smith (dansher@SPRYNET.COM)
Date: Thu Jan 20 2000 - 01:09:53 CST
John Marmet wrote:
> For what its worth, I would set down a "next time" rule. Next time it
> happens they are out.
>
> I would try to use this past infraction as a learning experience >
>
> Then state the alternatives for next time, if there is a next time.
I would tend to agree with my colleague. Unless my memory has failed me
once again, the original post did not contain any details about the incident
other than the fact that some older boys consumed alcohol at a camporee.
Was this a small incident of experimentation or was it consumption and
disturbance? No one can condone what they did and corrective action is a
must. Some who have responded seem to want to put them in stocks, others
want to "punish" them, and one that definitely caught my eye was the post
that wanted to suspend them for one year. Why would you want to do these
things? To send a message? A one year suspension is simply booting them
out of the troop because they would not return. If you send the boy
away--you lose him and I thought we were in Scouting for the boy. Can they
do this again? Of course not and the whole object is to teach them (and the
rest of the unit) that it was wrong and why. I am not for a moment
suggesting that they not pay some price because there are consequences (good
or bad) for all of our actions but rather than lose these young men, the
situation must be turned into a learning experience in a positive way.
Termination or suspension is teaching all those involved that the solution
to a problem is sending it away so that it does not exist anymore.
One man's opinion.
YIS,
Dan Smith
Scoutmaster, Troop 221 Oakwood, GA
Chattahoochee District Commissioner, NEGA Council
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