An Interesting UC ? and a Soapbox.
Bob Riley (CubmasterB@AOL.COM)
Mon, 19 Apr 1999 20:46:11 EDT
Hank Heine wrote : "but like any T organization that has multiple
opinions sometimes just like here some heated and unscoutlike
things get sent back and forth."
I think this will be one of those "Its all relative" issues depending
on what the history with your unit has been with UCs, what kind
of people you have on your list and how your UC approaches his job.
While thinking about this I put my pack in Hank's troop's place. We
haven't had a very involved UC since before my son's Tiger days ('96).
We just got a new one (at this year's B&G dinner) who seems
like he will be more involved. As a CM of a unit in which I am the
senior leader (with only three years total scouting experience!
Scary, huh?) I would welcome him to have access to such a list
of ours. (Maybe that would keep me out of other people's hair.)
This way he could observe the different things we are dealing with
as well as how we deal with them without actually having to be
called or emailed on each and every issue. This would also enable
him to make contact with observations, suggestions and corrections
(as NONE of us are right ALL the time) as he deems necessary.
We would make sure beforehand that all parties were clear re: who
should contact whom to ensure a proper chain of command.
I can certainly empathize with Bruce's concern, even though I would
welcome such a problem. I wonder what is worse, a UC who is not
involved enough (or at all) or a UC who can't keep his nose out of the
unit's business. But, of course that is another story .... or thread.
Of course, this would only be successful if all involved know just
what their respective responsibilities truly are.
Another reason I personally would be in favor of having the UC onboard
would be to hopefully, prevent all involved from acting in the same
manner as some members of this (a very small but, loud group) list do.
You know, the sarcastic, condescending, holier-than-thou attitude that
some members seem unable to keep in check when responding to
questions/opinions on this list that they think are stupid or a waste
of their time or nervy simply because someone has a different
opinion than they do. (Whew!) Maybe if leaders knew that their UC was
"watching" they would treat each other with the respect that
every other scouter/person is due.
Sorry, had to step up on the soapbox for a brief moment. I'm sure
I'll hear from the "Bullies of the list" now. Oh yeah, and in private too!
(Now, why do you think that is???)
It just seems like an oxymoron that scouters feel they have to
quit a list, as valuable as this one, because other scouters are bullying
them.
Doesn't this sound like a problem that we would be trying to resolve
among our scouts, our children?
Even though I know it goes against the "by-laws" of this list, I am
in favor of posting those private tirades on the list so everybody
can see what these clowns are doing. Maybe then this "email rage"
would stop.
Or maybe we could forward these bombs to Jan and he can decide
if this behavior warrants getting kicked off the list? -Sorry Jan.
Any other ideas on how we, the members, can clean up our own list?
How many other scouters have to quit this list before this behavior is
dealt with?
We would not accept that kind of treatment in person,
...........so why tolerate it here?
Ok, I'm down.
Thank you all for the privilege of allowing me to be a part of this fantastic
forum.
Yours in Scouting,
Bob Riley
Cubmaster
Pack 639
Watervliet, NY
Fort Orange District
Twin Rivers Council
