How Do You Deal With Deadlines?

I'm having a slight problem with some of our Sea Scouts.

We have an unbelievable turn out for just about everything we do. In fact for most events and meetings we run at about 100%.

I try really hard to do as little as I can!

OK, so I do at times when we have our quarterdeck meetings (Sea Scout type PLC) let them know what's out there and what, if they want we could do. But after that the ball is in their court.

As a rule we put one person in charge of the activity and while they are in charge, I keep an eye on what is happening. Offering words of encouragement, reminders, prods and the occasional kindly kick in the pants.

It really isn't that different than what I did as a District Chairman, only now it's with youth members who at times have so much going on that they don't know what they are doing.

Of course this isn't the most efficient method of getting things done!!

Life would be easier for me if I were to just do it all myself!! But that's not teaching anyone anything.

We do set dates for when commitments are needed and at times when cash has to be in.

Very often these seem to be ignored, extended and at times we end up taking people at the very last minute.

This can at times cause problems with transportation, but as yet hasn't really caused a real problem.

But this Summer, they decided they wanted to go Sea Kayaking in Georgia.

They were all very enthusiastic. (Why is this starting to sound like a couple of well known Wood Badge presentations?) A couple arrived at the next meeting deposit in hand and gave it to the purser (Who is the person in charge of this event.) A couple waited a while and came back saying that things had come up and they couldn't go.

This isn't a problem. Much as we would like everyone to attend, that really isn't realistic.

But we have about half a dozen who just don't know.

The dead line is next Friday.

Most of the "Don't Knows" have reasons for not knowing. Some are waiting to hear if they have been accepted for other programs. One pair of brothers are waiting to see when their Mom is having her knee replaced, they are to be the stay at home nurses. But as yet she doesn't know when she will have her surgery.

I think they all have good and valid reasons for not knowing.

But this doesn't help with getting deposits in on time or making travel arrangements.

I'm sure that as long as there are openings we can still fill open spots, but we are still left with the problem of getting them to and from.

I don't like extending dead lines. I think it sends the wrong message.

If there is a late fee for being late, I don't have a problem passing it on, but I don't think making up a late fee is a good idea.

How do you deal with dead lines?

Eamonn.

We don't throw lifelines to folks that ignore deadlines (you can use that one if you want, skipper).

We also don't set arbitrary deadlines. They are always tied to when money has to be sent or spent. Arranging transportation is not a 'deadline issue' for us.

(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

Yah, Eammon. You've got a Sea Scout ship, eh? You're an advisor. These kids are old enough they don't need your support for this kind of task.

This is not your problem.

The problem belongs to the leaderShip. You aren't allowed to steal it from them.

If they can successfully flex the deadline (and want to), then it gets flexed. If they can't successfully flex the deadline, then it breaks for some reason (transportation falls through, not enough spaces, etc.) and they have to deal with that.

Not your problem. Go tinker with the boat and leave 'em alone.