Re: Positions of Responsibility (Part 2/2)
Jim (pinewood@MAGICNET.NET)
Thu, 29 Jul 1999 20:06:51 -0400
.......posted on behalf of Mr. Frank Piccione, SM T225:
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...............continued:
>>The position of some of the adult leaders has been one of, "Well, why
didn't he ask me?", " We only have a finite number of positions, and too
many boys!", "Why didn't he notice he didn't have a position noted next
to his name on the roster?", and "Well, we can't just GIVE it to him!"<<
Many of these "comments" can be attributed to me in a session that I had
with the mother. Now let me put this into a context. At the time of
the "session" I had 22 boys, about 30 parents and 3 ASMs at the airport.
It was 6:00AM. We had been at the airport since 5:00. Our flight had
just been cancelled. I was trying to get us rebooked, having to split up
the unit into three different groups, had parents of the 22 youth asking
me
"50 questions" concerning what was going on, an airlines booking agent
driving me nuts, and had stepped outside to attempt to get my temper
back. This was the time when the parent decided to confront me
(deliberate choice of words) on this issue.
The comments that are missing are the ones I made SEVERAL times
suggesting that this should be addressed after our return at a
Scoutmaster Conference. What is also missing are the explanations
accompanying every one of those statements, some of which I have
addressed in this message. Others are specific responses to comments
made by Marcie and would have provided a context - but which are also
omitted.
>>My feeling is that none of the adults took the position of making sure
Geoff and actually 2 other boys as well would have the opportunity to
serve during this period of time, and therefore didn't even bring up the
subject of positions of responsibility. <<
Not true. The troop creates a listing of all youth needing positions of
responsibility and provides the list to the SPL for his review as part
of the position selection process. This listing is the one that is used
as a baseline to identify the youths selected for leadership positions.
However, I also insure that the SPL considers ALL the scouts in the
unit when filling these positions. When completed, the list of Scouts
and their leadership positions is announced at the next troop meeting
and published as part of the troop roster.
However, I also consider the readiness of a youth to function in those
positions of responsibility. I do not work on the basis that everyone
requiring leadership be placed in leadership positions immediately. When
a youth is assigned we hope to make it a positive experience for them
and the troop.
Maybe that's wrong, but I do not believe it is right to place a youth
into a leadership position for which he is not ready.
>>And who's responsibility is it to make sure the Scouts are
getting access to opportunities to fulfill requirements? We are new to
this level of advancement, and just don't know how much parental
involvement is necessary to make sure the scout is not falling behind.<<
Unfortunately, Marci has not approached me on this issue in the year and
a half she has been with the troop. HOWEVER, one of the items that
has been repeatedly told to the parents (includng Marcie) and our scouts
is that advancement is at the Scout's pace. In Boy Scouting advancement
is only constrained by the requirement that if you wish to earn Eagle,
you must complete all requirements by age 18.
I have always been open to discussing a Scout's progress with the Scout
or their parents. I do not believe that anyone, to include Marcie, will
take issue with that statement.
When preparing your responses here, please recognize that I have not had
that opportunity in this case.
>>Looking forward to some logical suggestions. Thank You! Marcie<<
Ditto
YiS,
Franco Piccione
Scoutmaster
BSA Troop 225
