Re: LEADER TRAINING
Michael Smith (msmith@EMST-DC.PLANSYS.COM)
Fri, 28 Apr 1995 09:21:04 EDT
I have been following the Leader Training thread with great interest. Even
when vastly opposing viewpoints are presented, I have learned from both
sides. But there is one statement that is fairly recurring that I have a
problem with. The jist of the statement is that "Parents should determine
whether a leader is qualified".
While I absolutely agree that parents should be involved, not just "dumping"
their kid, I don't think that most parents can determine if a leader is
qualified BEFORE HAND. When you take your car for service, can you determine
if the mechanic is qualified to work on your car? If you get it back and its
in worse shape than when you brought it in, YES...but that is after the fact.
Is that butcher in the supermarket qualified to prepare meat safely and
correctly??
What do you look for (or assume) from the mechanic...You rely on word of
mouth (if possible) and maybe some indication that the mechanic was certified
by some "trade group". Now I realize that training patches running down the
arm and square knots going over the shoulder does not mean that a leader is
qualified, no more than an NSAM certification means that the mechanic is
good...but as a parent, BEFORE HAND, what else can I use to determine if a
leader is qualified..and we are not talking cars, we are talking about our
boys. I am a CC for our pack and know our leaders personally, but even I
can't determine if a Den Leader is "qualified" until I see him/her in action.
So while parents must be involved, we as leaders cannot put the brunt of this
evaluation on the parents. Most do not have the ability to determine
"qualification". I can't tell if my son's leader knows what he is doing in
regards to camping until AFTER the camping trip (and if something bad
happens, it may be the last camping trip my son wants to go on). But if I
know he has been to overnight training, basic training, etc., I have a much
more warm and fuzzy feeling (even as CC). We must police ourselves, not pass
the buck to the parents.
Whew, I guess that bothered me more than I realized when I started...I hope I
didn't come across as a flame because believe me that was not the intent. I
just want the best, safest environment for MY BOY and all the other boys in
scouts.
YiS,
Michael Smith
Committee Chairman, Pack 160, Herndon, VA
msmith@plansys.com
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
