Re: changing the requirements!!!
John Bemis (jbemis@CASS.MA02.BULL.COM)
Sat, 31 Dec 1994 11:41:45 -0500
SUSAN, Sorry to hear of the troops problems, but as a member of the unit
you are also responsible as a ASM. The advice you are getting is very
good, some of us have been through this mill before.
My suggestions would be to get the Youth Protection problem taken care of, NOW!
This would mean having the Institutional Head, Chartered Organization
Representative, District/Scout Executive, Troop Committee Chairman,
Scoutmaster, ASMs need a mandatory meeting. There is a presentation by
the DE/DC/UC on the Institutions responsibilities to the unit and the units
and BSA responsibility to the sponsoring institution. It may not have been
done at rechartering time, UC problem/trained? The YPP topic/2 deep leadership
taopic needs to be brought up, make it an agenda item, get a verbal/signed
commitment from the SM, COR, IH. Cover the training opportunities with the
IH and COR, the SM may have to attend to save face or he may resign on the spot.
Are you (ASM) or the Troop Committee Chairman ready to take over as the SM.
Gte the UC/Program Director to "promote" the SM to a position on activities or
whatever committee.
The SM arvitrary changes in BSA program surely indicates a lack of training,
but I checked and there is no "Waldorf" philosophy in the BSA program. The
troop committee/COR/IH should have copies of the Troop Committe Guidebook and
a trained presenter to explain it. The District Training types, like me,
dream of being able to do unit support like this. Scoutmastership fundamentals
Part 2, is a good place to start. They will want to help but need an
invitation from the unit leadeship or institution.
By being the CM with an active group of cubs and parents, you have the best
leverage to make changes. I have seen Troop/Pack differences be resolved by
the troop vanishing due to a lack of crossovers. Troop went from 60+ to
25+ in two years because the Troop had "no time/interest SM" in crossover cubs.
The pack graduates 15-25 webelos per year. When the membership numbers dropped
and adult leaders disappeared, even the previously disinterested troop
committee and adult leadership found the time/interest to cultivate a
relationship. Do not be afraid of dropping heavy objects on peoples heads.
If it is not for the boys, it is for the birds!
Talk to the District Commissioner, a parent should not be forced to choose
between child/unit and BSA policy by being the unit commissioner. Also, you
can ask the DC if there is a "lifesaving" commissioner team within the
district or council to help units that are facing the kind of challenges
that your unit is facing. Ask the DC at the next roundtable, district meeting,
or roundtable. They are also here for the boys.
The comments have come from an assistant Scoutmaster, my son.
Also the cub scout roundtable commissioner and a new troop committee member
at our parish church, Troop 28, St Peters, my wife.
Happy New Year,
Jay Bemis
Pack 37 Committee Chairman
Troop 37 Committee Member
Quinsigamond District Training Committee Chairman
Mohegan Council, Worcester, Mass.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
