Re: Adult Ldrs - Coed Activity

Well, you KNOW when seven other brains are thinking on the same
wavelenght, that "seven's better than two". We two (myself and
another Exploring leader that agreed with my interpretation) are
*technically INCORRECT*. I have to place that "technically" part
there, because according to two Council Scout Executives, we are
accurate in what we stated, but not according to what was STATED
AS POLICY.

The Assistant Council Executive of the Council where I'm located
assisted me in getting this information, and I thank Gary here (it was a
little risky, because the "information" isn't supposed to be
"placed on the Internet"). The other guy just confimed what Gary
found out, and added his own cavets to the discussion.

Gary first stated that "if you're interested in protecting the
lone female adult from mis-statements or possible molestation
claims from others -- the other male leaders or from youth members -- it
seems to be a great idea to have two males and two females
along for the trip. However, the _Safe_Guide_to_Scouting_, the
way that we read it here, says that only TWO adults, one of which
is registered, and preferably both of them registered, is MANDATORY when
taking a unit even out to Philmont." With a "I can
see your point, though...", he then had the secretary to call Don
Winston at the Exploring Division. Don's out travelling, but he
got to speak with Bill Rodgers, the Associate National Director of Exploring
and to Larry (I didn't catch the last name) with Risk
Management.

While the Exploring Youth Protection Plan materials in the current
Exploring Leader Handbook addresses having more than two adults
present for any outdoor activity, both National staffers agreed with Gary
(and with Professor Beaver (Mike Bowman) and some other Scouters here) that
ONLY TWO is what the BSA is going to look at
for the BARE MINIMUM. Each Council, Larry stated, has a copy of
the present Youth Protection Policies which apply to Exploring
units as well as to Scout Troops and Cub Packs.

The key, said Bill, is that the unit must have two-deep leadership
while undertaking any kind of outdoor overnight activity. While
having the additional adults is a great thing, and should be strived for at
the interest of the youth participating, as long as
you have the registered Scouters present, it doesn't matter.

He also stressed the importance that all dealing with the unit
(including parents) participate in the BSA's YPP program.

When I asked about the Exploring YPP Guidelines, Bill stated that
they couldn't get a large number of Councils to "buy off on it" and the
policy, as stated in the 1995 _Safe_Guide_ is the most
current. Larry concurred that if your Council is still distributing the
older versions, to insure that they are replaced
with the current version. Each unit should have a copy.

Bill also asked if I was coming to Philmont this summer. I replied
that I'm not sure, but I told him that I'll do my part in promoting the
conference. "I'm sure you will, Mike", he said.

Then, shortly after I finished trying to capture Kimi to take her
to the Vet, Scott (the CE from southern Ohio) returned my call
and stated the same things as both Gary and Bill. He also added
that "If I was taking both males and female Explorers to Philmont,
I would bring along at least two female leaders, and one of them
would be registered. I tell my key Scouters here that they should never be
in a situation whereby they are alone with any Scout or
Explorer..they should always have another adult present, or at
least another youth member. The rationale made sense, Mike, but
it's not the way the book reads, or what the 1995 policy says;
and THAT'S what we have to go by. While it was being fielded,
a lot of us expressed some reluctance to implementing it. It means that we
would have to find female adult leadership for some
posts that we know are merely on paper as "holding places" for our older boys."

So, with head bowed to Professor Beaver, and to those other Scouters that
stated the same things (or close to it...while disagreing with me), I'm
wronnnnnnnnnnnnn(can't put that "g" in
there...but it's there...*grinning*).

Thanks for a great discussion, however.

Here's the other things I've found out for the benefit of the
group:

"How come there's no female Explorers or leaders allowed in LDS
Exploring units?"

When the BSA allowed young ladies to become Explorers in 1971,
each chartered partner organization was given the option to accept
or not the new policy. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints (and the Reformed Church) chose NOT to accept this policy
and therefore, Explorer Posts chartered to LDS units, don't have
female members.

"There's a new Award for District Committee members (Committeemember's Key
Award), and a new device for that award.
We also changed our Roundtable Commissioners Staff from "commissioners" to
just "staff". When you place the Cub Scout
or Boy Scout device on the knot to denote earning the Roundtable
Staff Training Award, it conflicts with those Scouters wearing the
same device as a holder of the Scouters' or Cub Leaders'
Training Award. While the Cub Leaders' Training Award doesn't
exist anymore, the Scouters' Training Award is still there.
Wouldn't it make more sense to use that new Committee device
instead for the Roundtable Staffs as well?"

After tracing this S-L-O-W-L-Y for the Uniform and Insignia
staff, they were not aware of the conflict. I explained that they
cannot wear the existing Commissioner device because "we took away the
"Commissioner status" from them". Expect that the new
Insignia Guide will have the new device illustrated and used
for the Commissioner STAFFS as well. In the meantime, with local
Council approval, you may wear the District Committee device or
the Cub or Scout device.

Finally, this provides an EXCELLENT opportunity for me to remind
everyone that while we sometimes "pooh-pooh" our National office,
they STILL are very responsive to us out in "the field". This
list, even as active as it is, is STILL not as good as sitting
down and writing (or emailing once their Web site is up and
running!) to the National office and express your concerns,
offer some advice, or even to comment on how well or not a program
is going. Just remember that whenever you contact them, they will
copy a response to your Council Scout Executive as a courtsey and
as reference...and as a reminder that you need to check with YOUR
LOCAL COUNCIL before talking with the folks at National.

As Bill and Larry both stated, "we're really not set up to answer
lots of calls from volunteers in the field" (and because of their
drawdown, they really aren't!), but you can help all of us to make the
program better by your comments and ideas!

Hope this all helps, and solves several questions (including one
which I decided to "go to the source" to get the "operative answer" on)
posted recently here.

Settummanque!

(MAJ) Mike L. Walton (Settummanque, the blackeagle) (
co-Owner, Blackeagle Servics of Kentucky (502.826.7046) __)_
174 Chapelwood Drive, Henderson, Kentucky 42420-5036 | ** |]
(H) 502.827.9201 (F) 502.826.7046 (W) (to be announced) coffee? anytime!
(Email) blackeagle@hcc-uky.campus.mci.net/kyblkeagle@AOL.COM
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