Re: Bad Example by Adults
Anthony J. Mako (ajmako@APK.NET)
Fri, 28 Mar 1997 15:23:33 -0500
From: Dave Livingston <dliving@MINN.NET>
> Why are we excited about the response? I agree with the adult. I'm
> sorry, I realize that it is now correct to pick on smokers, no matter
> what the reason, but I think the scouts were out of line. Somehwere I
> remember one point of the scout law as being courteous?? (even though
I
> can't spell it).
We are so excited about the adult's response to the Scout because he
was smoking IN CLEAR VIEW of the Scouts he had recently quoted the BSA
Tobacco Use Policy to.
> We tend to forget that concept of Chain of Command. The scouts have
> little or no authority outside of their own organizational unit. When
we
> talk boy run, we mean a boy run unit, not a boy run program. How
> many youth slots are at the district level?
Except when the adult who is in charge of a program (especially a
training program) violates a rule or policy.
> There is no rule against the use of tobacco by adults. It is
> discouraged, but not forbidden (how much money comes
> from tobacco companies into scouting programs as
> corporate gifts...wanna guess). They were outside
> of the building, so I don't see what the problem is.
There may not be a rule, but there is a policy. It doesn't matter
where they were, or who's paying what bills. The policy clearly states
that use of tobacco products in view of Scouts is prohibitted.
> As an ex smoker, maybe I'm more understanding. But picture it,
> you're a volunteer, on a weekend doing something that you have
> done for 25+ years, you are in a group of adults, talking, and a
> group of young people come up and ask you to put out the cigarette.
I _am_ a smoker, and I'm _not_ more understanding. As a volunteer in
Scouting it doesn't matter where I am or who I'm with. If I need a
smoke I go somewhere where any youth members won't be in view. Just
because the majority of the people present are adults doesn't make it
okay. If there's just one youth member...
> Would you handle a minor problem with a scout in the same manner? Or
> would you simpy take him to one side later and talk with him
privately.
A Scout who violates a rule or policy is going to hear it from me
immediately, regardless of who is present. Yes, there will be a
private talk to one side later, but my immediate response would be to
announce to the Scout he has just violated a rule.
> Just because demon tobacco is involved does not excuse bad manners.
I believe the original post mentioned that the Scouts asked the adult
to put his cigarette out. Now, it doesn't mention the exact words the
Scouts used, but I'm willing to bet none of them screamed "Hey, stupid,
stop that smoking!" On the other hand, I do think it was rather rude
of the adult to say what he said. How does he expect a Scout to follow
rules and policy if he is unwilling to do the same. If a Scout catches
me doing something wrong and says something, he gets rewarded, not
reprimanded.
<SIG>
Anthony J. Mako
"I don't know what I am yet, but I'll work my ticket if I can!"
ajmako@apk.net
http://members.aol.com/Scouts381/
http://members.aol.com/Post2272/
http://members.aol.com/makoaj/stop.htm
</SIG>
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
