Position of Responsibility - update
FPicci1215@AOL.COM
Sat, 28 Aug 1999 23:44:40 EDT
For those that don't recall the original thread:
Three boys in a troop had been given a "position of responsibility"
several months ago. Somehow, word of the assignment did not get to myself
(Scoutmaster), the Advancement person, or any other adult in a position to
insure the youths had an opportunity to perform. The parent of one of the
boys wrote in asking advice from the list concerning the situation -- and
things got somewhat "interesting" for a while.
I have now had Scoutmaster Conferences with all the youth, and the parents.
Two of the three youth, after reviewing the Scout Handbook, stated that they
had not satisfied the requirement. The third felt that he had satisfied the
intent of the requirement. The following are the results:
1. The two boys who stated that they had not satisfied the requirements,
as stated in the Scout Handbook, did not get leadership credit.
2. The boy who stated that he felt he had satisfied the intent of the
requirement received credit for the 4 month period.
3. All three boys are currently serving in positions of responsibility
This situation effectively occured because of a breakdown in communications
within the troop. Corrective action has been taken as follows:
1. All ASMs have been reminded of the process used for the assignment of
leadership positions
2. All youth leaders have been advised/reminded of the process used for
the assignment of leadership positions
3. A presentation on the leadership assignment process was made to the
troop as a whole.
4. A junior leader meeting was conducted to insure all youth assigned
leadership positions are fully aware of the requirements of their positions
5. A JLT has been scheduled to insure full training
End results:
1. I invited the parent who wrote the initial email to become a member
of the troop committee. She has accepted that offer.
2. The "Scoutmaster's Wife" completed her last activity with the troop
at the August Court of Honor. I, and the Troop, will miss her participation.
She will be focusing her energy, and 40+ years of Scouting experience, on
her position as Council International Representative.
3. I did not resign.
4. Everyone involved learned a number of valuable lessons.
Moral of the story:
Things work well in a troop when communications are open and all the
youth - and adults - are aware of what their responsibilities are. As soon
as you get "satisfied" with the way things are going and ease up on either
area you will find that they stop working.
If anyone wishes to discuss this further, please email me privately.
Thanks for all the advice and support.
Franco Piccione
SM
BSA Troop 225 (Central Florida Council)
ASM
BSA Troop 252 (Atlanta Area Council)
BSA Troop 277 (Atlanta Area Council)
"I used to be an Antelope" -- SR51
