changing the requirements
Michael Gorka (gorka@BCF.USC.EDU)
Thu, 29 Dec 1994 10:57:37 PST
Susan,
Sounds like you have a handful to deal with.
First, chapter and verse about advancement can be found in the current
BSA publication "Advancement Guidelines" available from your local
Scout shop. RE: the BOR (I don't have my copy here at work to qoute
from) but ... BOR's, although usually composed of unit parents or
committee members can be composed of any adult, Scouter or not. There
must be at least 3 BOR members and no more than 6. The guidelines
specify that unit leaders (Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmasters) and/or
a paernt of the boy being reviewed CAN NOT be on the BOR.
Secondly, about the Troop Committee. The obvious here is first, get them
each a copy of the Troop Committee Handbook. It explains each position
and the roles/duties expected. It does not really address the situation
of the Scoutmaster 'doing his own thing'. Next would be to try to get them
to at least Fast Start Training and Youth Protection Training. This would
at least let them know how things *should* be done and would address the
issue of two deep leadership. As a side point, if the SM doesnt bother
with the second adult (who should be YP trained as well as the 1st adult)
what is being done about Tour Permits? If the SM is allowed to take kiddos
out by himself and there is a mishap, BSA insurance will not be in effect,
which means the SM personally couls be liable and the charter organization
(who prob has the 'deep pockets') could end up liable ... this bit of
information, which could be confirmed by your District Exec, could help
that problem. The Committee should also be made aware of your District
Roundtable ... they could pick up a wealth of information there.
If I am reading between the lines correctly here, the Troop is fairly
new? What is going to happen most likely, is that if it goes on down
the road of no program, etc., it will end up either dying or being
so bad that it will almost die and the parents will finally wake up.
A long term plan is that as your cubs go into the troop, encourage
your trained den leaders, who know what things should be like, to
serve as Assistant Scoutmasters and Committee Members. Also, as Todd
said, show your Webelos other troops (as their Webelos and AOL requirements
to visit a troop). At district events (camporees, etc) walk them around to
see what is going on with other units. If you want to go this far, contact
the SMs of quality Troops and invite them to send you some Den Chiefs,
the idea being that if the boys themselves have an idea of what the troop
experience should be, they and their parents will end up bitching and griping
about the way the troop is run (or not run).
Sadly, the people that suffer in a situation like this are the boys.
YIS,
Mike Gorka
AS T564, CC P266
Rio Hondo District Advancement Committee
Whittier, California
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
