Re: Service Project Policy? (Was Re: A Couple of Questions)

Mark:
Along the same line as service hours at the Pinewood Derby, I have
considered (but not implemented until our committee meets in July or
August) a formula for the number of hours of "help" that the pack really
needs at a derby or other function. We know how many volunteer positions
there are at the derby - starter, timer, weigh in, etc and given the
expected length of the event and that several of these positions need to
be filled with an adult we can generally tell how many Scouts we can use.
If 20 scouts volunteer and we only need a total of 10 for 6 hours then
maybe each could get credit for 3 hours of service. I have seen times
where there were actually so many Boy Scout volunteers looking for serivce
hours that they got in the way; that's a great "problem" (really an
opportunity) to have.

A similar situation developed at a day camp in our Council a few
years ago - a director had need for a specific number of Boy Scouts as Den
Chiefs and program helpers - about twice the number needed volunteered.
Everyone thought that was great news (and it was) until he realized he had
promised each of them a job plus a camp staff t-shirt and mug, this really
but a dent in the camp budget plus he had lots of Boy Scouts without
enought to do to keep them busy. I don't know if they were given credit
in their Troop for service hours or not. Reminds me of the saying "be
careful what you ask for, you just might get it". <g>

just a thought

John T. Peeples, Scoutmaster Troop / Pack 231
First Presbyterian Church, West Memphis, Arkansas

DO YOUR BEST for other, expect the best FROM others; it really does work!

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