Re: reorganizing troop
Ian N. Ford FRSH (ian@FORD.DIRCON.CO.UK)
Tue, 26 Jan 1999 17:14:58 -0000
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Peterson <kupete@KUHUB.CC.UKANS.EDU>
To: SCOUTS-L@LISTSERV.TCU.EDU <SCOUTS-L@LISTSERV.TCU.EDU>
Date: 26 January 1999 15:55
Subject: Re: reorganizing troop
>Now the issue of reorganizing patrols is a pretty standard method of
>operation. This needs to be done periodically....patrols get smaller
>through attrition, sometimes certain "combinations" of boys are causing
>problems, etc. And I guess it would be the SM's job to do this.
And there was me thinking that we were supposed to have a " boy run "
program. How can the patrol system work if the SM can arbitrarily change the
patrols ? Surely that is the " job " of the PLC with <advice> from the SM.
Remember what we teach in SMF ... the SPL manages the PLs, the PLs manage
their patrols.
>course, if the boys themselves are all upset, I would suggest that the SM
>re-evaluate his assignments. But you can't make everyone happy all the
>time.
Again, you are assuming that the SM makes the assignments ... if the youth
are involved in the process they will own the decision. At most I would say
that the SM should suggest arrangements to the PLC.
My own experience in a number of troops is that the PLC formulates a " draft
" patrol structure, and then the Scouts are given an oportunity to have
their say, and if at all possible their preferences are adhered to. It may
result in unbalanced patrols, but
if the patrol can function, what does it matter if the Wombats have four
Scouts and
the Skunks have eight ? If a change means that five kids quit it is a
no-win scenario.
As Leaders we should be able to deal with these situations ... that means
working with the PLC to help the youth to come up with solutions. That is
why we have " problem solving " as part of JLT ... to prepare the youth for
dealing with the real life problems of troop organisation.
If we take this scenario as presented I see :
* SM is not using the Patrol Method
* SM is not providing an environment where Scouts can discuss their concerns
( remember the " safe haven " principle )
* There are issues around the troop program - again, that is a matter for
the
PLC with the guidance of the SM.
Either the SM does not understand what his job is, and needs to be educated,
or he knows how the program is suposed to run and chooses to do things his
own way. In either case it is up to the Troop Committee to take control,
maybe with support from the training team and Commissioner staff.
If at the end of the day the Troop Committee are not delivering the BSA
program and it is available elsewhere, then let the Scouts and their parents
go where Scouting is being delivered.
>I assume your troop doesn't camp more than once per month. I guess I would
>suggest that your son miss his regular church on campout weekends in favor
>of an outdoor church service with the troop.
It is up to the Scout and his parent to decide how he fulfils his religious
obligations, nobody else. If the troop cannot accommodate that and there is
another troop that can,
that is a good reason to move troops.
The issue is a fundamental breakdown of trust between a parent and the
Leader.
A mother is in tears and feels she cannot communicate her concerns with the
Scoutmaster. There is no alternative but to pull out. If a parent can't
talk to the SM about something as routine as patrol assignments, that
suggests to me that the relationship between this family and the troop has,
for whatever reason, broken down.
Don't mess about ... the kid needs to move.
If a similar breakdown occurs with other kids and other parents, then it
might be reasonable for the Troop Committee to draw inferences. The odd
clash over expectations, leadership styles is inevitable, but if the several
families have problems with the same Leader then maybe that says something.
