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The Patrol Method

Lessons and questions of Scout leadership and operating troop program


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    • I was the Dist Membership Chair between 1995 and 2000. National polled our opinions of the early Tiger program and what changes would improve the program. I was shocked to learn that the changes in 1999 were the opposite of the suggestions we provided. I ran the district meeting that announced the changes to the packs, and they were not received well. Two packs quit their Tiger program, and several others didn't add the changes. We learned later that National based their program changes from polls of Tiger parents. Not pack leaders. That also explains why National went to the much more expensive blue shirts from the much cheaper Tiger T-shirts. That was another big deal for young, busy parents who were deciding whether to join. Barry
    • If I had to do it again, starting in 2nd or 3rd grade would have been plenty early enough.  Just like anything, the program got old fast.
    • Yep, National made major changes to the Tiger program in 1999, switching from 2 meetings a month to 4 meetings and requiring an adult to attend all activities with each Tiger scout. The Cub program was already overburdened, but those changes added insult to injury and made it less desirable to busy parents. The drop was predictable, as was the sudden drop of Troops four years later that resulted from the decline of the Cub program.  If I remember right, membership had been dropping in the early 1990s until the war in Iraq. The sudden boost of patriotism seemed to motivate temporary growth in the BSA. Barry
    • My apologies for the difficulty and pain of this process.  I am sure it's awful. Question ... Would the $10k-$20k paid to the trust be refunded?  Seriously.  I am asking as I am thinking the cost is to pay extra expenses not covered by the trust.  Attorney bills.  Court reporters.  Coordination, processing, etc, etc.  If an attorney charged $300+ an hour and it took 6 hours for the deposition, I am thinking that cost was $2500 for the deposition at least.   I am just curious if all the funds would be refunded or just the unspent portion of the funds.   I trust the plan stays alive.  I also just want this done.  
    • #1  Game systems and internet growth #2  Burnout by expanding to younger and younger ages. #3  Lack of perceived rich and rewarding program; whether caused by burnout or too much focus on leadership or just plan lack of focus on fun and adventure.  Now, those 1990s kids are having kids and deciding there are better ways for their own kids to spend time.   IMHO, little of the membership drop is about policies.  It's about product and perception of the product.  
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