Re: Adult registration and uniforming

Another reason that an unregistered adult ought not wear the uniform is
that it confuses the scouts! To the mind of a new scout, all the adults
are alike: they are big people who know things. If there are
(unregistered) parents about, as well as scouters in uniform, he can
readily tell them apart. He probably knows who his SM and the ASM for
the new scout patrol are, but will have little interaction with the other
registered adults. If the system is working as designed, he will direct
his questions (and attention) to his PL, the Troop Guide, and the ASM for
the new scouts.

But the system doesn't always work as designed, and all the adults
haven't learned to answer questions with a "What does your PL say?" and
"What do you think?" Since adults are in charge outside of scouting, he
presumes that they are also in charge within scouting and are available
to answer his questions. Better that we should put registered scouters
in uniform, so he can tell them from the other adults. Not that they're
smarter, better trained, or kinder than the other adults, mind you. Just
that they have a particular job to do, and their being in uniform helps.

YiS,

Paul H. Brown, UC, GW District, National Capital Area Council, BSA
phbrown@capaccess.org

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