Re: TWO-DEEP LEADERSHIP
01cvjones@LEO.BSUVC.BSU.EDU
Fri, 18 Mar 1994 08:33:35 -0500
George Huffman's advice to me to use good judgement, etc. when I can't
follow the rules is the kind of avuncular advice I have given when asked
the questions I am raising. (I have been SM for Scoutmastership Fundamen-
tals and still serve on staff, and I used to be a Bobwhite, so I quite
often get asked such questions.) I had hoped to be able to give something
by way of an answer that was somewhat more helpful and at the same time
authoritative. Now that BSA has raised the issue of abuse to such a high
profile with its 2-deep leadership program (which I fully support), the
likelihood of charges being brought falsely against a leader are much
higher. The 2-deep policy gives BSA an escape route whenever any charges
are brought, true or false! Even if nothing more comes of a charge than
that that adult is put on the BSA "list," the damage to a person's
reputation could be enormous.
The basic problem with 2-deep leadership policy is that there is no well-
defined standard operating procedure for handling alledged violations.
A hodge-podge of procedures are in place with an almost informal way of
making them known. (Since George and I are in the same Council, he might
be able to comment on his impression of how these procedures are promul-
gated.) I'll bet that there are former adult leaders out there who were
innocent victims of this policy: falsely accused, but unable to defend
themselves because of the amorphous policy and the huge cost in dollars,
time and emotion required to sort out the issues.
2-deep leadership is a good concept. It is not a good policy as it is now
implemented. All the platitudes in the world are inadequate for the un-
fortunate adult falsely accused as the result of not being able to apply
the 2-deep procedure to the letter.
We (the volunteers) need a policy in place that carefully lays out the
procedures that afford basic protection for the adult who has been
accused of abuse, regardless of the accusation being true or false.
Charles Jones, ASM, Muncie IN
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
