Re: The REAL problems aboard ship
Michael Trouillon (mtrouillon@earthlink.net)
Fri Jun 12 01:58:26 1998
Kevin: I've been there and done that. And is it exhausting!!!! I
think that your are not alone. Seems to be something of an epidemic
here in So. Cal!
Kevin Buffington wrote:
> Problems -
>
> 1. Oldest youth age 19 was only youth under old skipper and opposes
> authority, advancement,and is really only around because he's dating one
> of the girls. We have unsuccessfully tried to give him leadership
> opportunities.He sets a bad example and have discussed this with him.
> Other youth follow his lead. The Charter Rep. wants to kick him out.
I recently had a similar situation, except that I had this guy around
for 4 years and basically allowed him to get away with it. Time to
toughen up and dump him. . . spend the resources and effort on those
that want it.
> 2. Membership recruitment -
Actually I bet the solution is the same as number 1. I had a similar
problem for quite some time. When I did a little housecleaning
(believe me it was emotionally (sp?) difficult!) we found that we were
able to attract a whole bunch of new prospects. People associate with
those that they are like or those that they like. Human nature.
> We attended the area Boy Scout roundtable.
Another difficult area. . . Scoutmasters do not want to lose their
senior boys. Can't blame them in a way. We now have a few Scoutmasters
that have seen the way, but it took years.
I haven't > spoken to them since.
Big mistake, keep on friendly terms. Take them to the island every once
in a while, they will come around eventually.
OUr council provides us with a "drop" list every year. THis is a list
of boys who did not recharter with their troop. We put them into a
database (ACT is the one we use) and contact them by phone. Our sales
pitch is that we are more fun than Scouts. . . invite them on a day
cruise before any meeting.
> 3. Rank advancement - Two of eight still havn't passed apprentice after
> a year (one is my Mates son). The rest are Apprentice.
We made it a requirement to be Apprentice within 6 months and require
their sponsor to act as their guide and mentor (takes a load of time to
get this going). They must be apprentice to get more than one trip to
the islands. Ord is required for long cruise (9days). We tell them
from day one that until they are Ord they do not have the necessary
skills. It is still tough on me to see someone stay at home while we
are away, but it usually is only one trip. They get motivated real
fast.
>
> 4. Training - I asked the youth if they wanted to go to Rendezvous I will keep reminding them about time
> slipping away.How do these other units get so well trained?
I bet that they don't know what to expect, so it is easier to avoid.
Only way is to invest the time with someone who is interested. Maybe
send that one person with another ship. Then he can come back with a
positive experience and tell the rest. Be sure to send with a ship that
will do well, but at the same time he must not bring down the other
crew.
We used to have quite a bit of trouble getting them to train. Then at
AMR 2 years ago, the boatswain at the time (the 18 yr old we just got
rid of) did not follow his plan and put the wrong persons in events.
They came home with "Participant", the younger guys were embarassed and
upset. We place all the certificates on the meeting room wall. They
did not want to post it, I did not give them much of a choice. The new
boatswain vowed to turn that around and have a "burning" party as soon
as they could replace it with another better outcome. Training improved
almost immediately. . . after an big improvement at Rendezvous we had
our "burning", the ashes are now in a bag posted on the wall as a
constant reminder. At this years AMR we just barely missed Clipper. . .
and there were smiles all around. The boatswain actually called three
practices a week for the two weeks leading into AMR. He wanted to do
more, but I talked him out of it.
> It seems the only thing they are really interested in is getting away
> from adults (including us)and having fun.
Nothing unusual here. . . human nature again. . . fortunatly I have a
pretty good relationship with our crew.
>
> I would be the immediate hero if i were to announce NO training, no work
> details, no vessel maintenance, and no environmental harbor cleanup.
> This to some degree is the mantra of the 19 yearold and his mother who
> always reminds us that this is NOT the Navy or Coast Guard.
>
> When I get tough on them and start forcing them to do their stuff they
> rebel,
Hard but necessary. . . I had similar problems when I was involved with
a ship slightly north of you. But over time it improved, consistancy
is important.
> Any ideas on these subjects?
Thats my twenty five cents worth. . . for what its worth! When we
restarted the ship here in Simi, we started with young members, and
still our average age is just 15. They are showing improvement every
day . . . and we still have troubles.
Our boatswain is a suscriber to the list. . . any suggestions or ideas
Wick????
Good luck Kevin,
Michael Trouillon
Skipper
S.S.S. Albatross
Ventura County Council CA
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