Re: tour permits
Maryellen (marye@PACIFIC.NET)
Sun, 10 Jan 1999 10:46:37 -0800
> There have been several statements by attorneys on this list to the
> contrary, and I believe that neither insurance company would be
> successful
> in denying liability solely on the basis of failure to file a tour
> permit.
> What is really important is that those in Scouting follow the SAFETY
> rules,
> as memorialized in the Guide to Safe Scouting and elsewhere. The tour
> permit merely documents that this has been done. If you follow the rules,
> ultimately, the existence of the permit should be meaningless. If you
> fail to follow the rules, having the tour permit will likewise be
> meaningless.
>
There was an instance in our area where a SM didnt send in the permit
(he had it in the visor of his truck but didnt mail it) a boy was killed on
this ski outing and the liability did not fall on BSA's hands but rather the
SM. He lost his house and everything. His wife later divorced him due
to the stress this brought to their marriage.
One little 5 minute (at the most) job of filling out the form and dropping it
in the mail can save you alot of headaches.
> That having been said, it is always better to file than not to file. It
> is one more piece of evidence that the leadership and the council,
> followed due diligence in meeting the safety rules. However, all too
> often we are cowed into doing things because of claims of "the insurance
> requires it." Most of the time I believe that to be merely an excuse to
> get compliance when they can't or won't take the time to convince us of
> the real and valid reasons for doing whatever.
>
I dont see what the balking is about filing a tour permit. We have one
person in our Troop that has the responsability of assuring that a tour
permit is filed for each and every outing there is. Not a huge job but a
very important one.
In my opinion, just fill it out and mail it in. Simple and clear.
YIS,
Mary Chadwick
Redwood Empire, Yokayo District BSA
District Secretary, District Training Chair
Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner
Scouting for our Country's Future!
