Re: changing the requirements!!!
Marc Solomon (msolomon@TEK1.TEKNIQ.COM)
Thu, 29 Dec 1994 12:56:46 -0600
Susan,
I do not often tell people to go around the chain of command, but in this
case it seems like your hands are tied! Go find your District Commissioner
or Assistant District Commissioner and inform them of your concerns. Also
go to your sponsoring organization and let them know what is happening.
First, Board of Reviews (BOR) are to be held by the Committee, not the
Scoutmaster and/or his assistants. Such BORs are not valid and will be
questioned when the boy goes for his Eagle BOR.
Secondly, this Scoutmasters blatant disregard for Scouting rules and
regulations is DANGEROUS! If something occurs while he is not following the
BSA Guide to Safe Scouting Guidelines, your sponsoring organization could be
held liable.
I am always sorry to see the boys lose out on the oppurtunities Boy Scouts
can provide them. When it is due to a Scouter I am doubly sorry! As a
whole Scouters are dedicated to providing as many opputunities to grow using
the BSA program. But there are always a few who are more concerned with
their own agenda. When this happens, it is up to the people around him (or
her) to speak up and take action.
Susan, it is up to you and the other concerned parents around you to fix
this situation. I will warn you right now that change will not come
overnight. The problems with your troop will take some time to correct, but
if you do nothing now they will only get worse! After you talk to the DC or
ADC and have them talk to your SM, go talk to your SM and let him know that
you are still behind him and value his leadership. Do not lose this man as
a resource for your troop, but do take steps to corrrect the problems he has
introduced. Frequently such a man is frustrated by not getting the support
he needs. If you show him your support, he might calm down and focus and
what is best for the boys.
One last note. I am suprised that your District Executive and District
Commissioner allow a Unit Commissioner to be UC of a Unit his (or her) child
is in. That would not be allowed in my District and most districts would
frown upon such a practice. Unfortunately, all districts do not have the
man power to prevent the neccesity of not assigning a UC to a unit he is
personally involved in.
+--------------------------+-----------------------+
| Marc W. Solomon | Unit Commissioner |
| msolomon@tek1.tekniq.com | Sycamore District |
| | Blackhawk Council, IL |
+--------------------------+-----------------------+
I use to be a wise old owl . . . Now I am just old
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
