Re: Positions of Responsibility
Ian N Ford (ian@FORD.DIRCON.CO.UK)
Thu, 29 Jul 1999 21:58:13 +0100
Baden-Powell described Scouting as a " game with a purpose " ... There are
rules for playing the game, and no player may make up his or her own rules
as they go along. And even if the rules are broken, a competent referee
knows that there are times when the " flow " of the game requires him not to
penalise an unintentional minor infraction. There is a difference between
cheating or dangerous play and a " technical " breach of the rules.
The intention of record keeping is to FACILTATE advancement ... one of the
Methods of BSA. A unit that does not give Scouts credit for advancement
they complete is, quite simply, failing to deliver the program as intended.
I agree that there should be an attempt at local resolution, both at unit
level and by getting advice from your local support ( Unit Commissioner,
ADC, DE, training team, trusted fellow-Scouters ) before posting sensitive
issues to this list.
But sometimes ( and I have no knowledge about this particular case, just
SOMETIMES ) problems arise BECAUSE individuals in units cannot or will not
talk to each other. I would have hoped that if I were SM a Scout in my troop
would have pulled me to one side, or called me on the phone, and said "
Ian, I have a problem ... " And I would hope that I could then fix it.
That is what Scout Masters are for, to help Scouts fix problems relating to
the program.
If all fails, when you have read all the manuals, consulted your
lawyer,surfed the web and read the chicken entrails and you <still> can't
find the relevant policy or procedure, try the Scout Law. Start at number
one. Ask the Scout if he thought he had been appointed to the position, and
did he carry out the responsibilities ? If the answer is yes, I would have
thought the solution is obvious. If it isn't, maybe you need to redefine the
" problem ".
Ian Ford
