Re: TWO-DEEP LEADERSHIP (Was Troop Disc...)
Brian L. Davis (brian@COR.GOV)
Wed, 16 Mar 1994 09:04:08 -0600
Nathan Brindle writes:
->
->I'm not sure on the answer to whether or not a merit badge counselor can
->be alone with 2 or more boys, but I avoid the problem by making sure there
->is another adult present (since this is the National policy, after all...).
->I don't worry so much whether or not the other adult is a Scouter (my
->girlfriend works just fine!), but as it turns out, there is a new
->interpretation of the "Scout Buddy System" that our DE just informed
->us of at Roundtable.
A merit badge counselor is subject to the two-deep policy in precisely the
same way any other adult is while performing a function as a part of the
Scouting program. You must be within eyesight of another adult, preferably
not your spouse, at all times while working with boys as a part of the
scout program.
->The merit badge application says, among other things, "You must have another
->Scout with you (Scout buddy system) at each meeting with the merit badge
->counselor."
This does not satisfy the two-deep requirement in any way.
->I'm looking all over the place and can't put my hands on my Merit Badge
->Counselor guidelines...can someone resolve that 2-deep leadership point?
Sorry to be such a hard-liner about this, but it's a *very* hard-line policy.
The predators who molest children are very persistant, and openings in the
policy or your interpretation of it give them the opportuinies that they need
to accomplish their actions. Your adherence to this policy *will* protect
children, as well as your own good reputation.
Brian Davis
Youth Protection Chairman
Circle Ten Council
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
