I am a fairly new Venturer leader (although I've just had a son become Eagle this past June, so I've been a Scouter for 8 years). My daughter is in the Crew. My eldest daughter graduated from the Crew 5 years ago. Both girls loved Venturing.
My issue; the Venture president is an accomplished "doer" who is well liked by the youth, and good friends with my daughter. She does not seem like a bad kid to her peers. However, she is unpleasant, and often rude, to the adult leaders. Basically, she thinks we exist to annoy her with bureaucracy. She is curt and uncommunicative. She makes it clear that she wants to have as little interaction with the adults as she can. She often says insulting things like "that requirement is stupid and redundant."
Yes, there is a certain amount of bureaucracy, but we err on the side of too little, rather than too much. This Venture Crew is pretty active, but the long-term philosophy has been that the Venturers like the adventure and comraderie, but are not interested in rank advancement or the hierarchy of the affiliated Troop. Some additional structure is needed, because the Crew has grown, although we understand that if we try to impose too much on the Crew, some of the members will just participate less and maybe quit.
More than anything, it would be good if the adult leader experience was enjoyable. We are volunteers, after all. However, every interaction with the youth leader leaves me grinding my teeth.
Unpleasant Youth Leader
in Open Discussion - Program
Posted
I am a fairly new Venturer leader (although I've just had a son become Eagle this past June, so I've been a Scouter for 8 years). My daughter is in the Crew. My eldest daughter graduated from the Crew 5 years ago. Both girls loved Venturing.
My issue; the Venture president is an accomplished "doer" who is well liked by the youth, and good friends with my daughter. She does not seem like a bad kid to her peers. However, she is unpleasant, and often rude, to the adult leaders. Basically, she thinks we exist to annoy her with bureaucracy. She is curt and uncommunicative. She makes it clear that she wants to have as little interaction with the adults as she can. She often says insulting things like "that requirement is stupid and redundant."
Yes, there is a certain amount of bureaucracy, but we err on the side of too little, rather than too much. This Venture Crew is pretty active, but the long-term philosophy has been that the Venturers like the adventure and comraderie, but are not interested in rank advancement or the hierarchy of the affiliated Troop. Some additional structure is needed, because the Crew has grown, although we understand that if we try to impose too much on the Crew, some of the members will just participate less and maybe quit.
More than anything, it would be good if the adult leader experience was enjoyable. We are volunteers, after all. However, every interaction with the youth leader leaves me grinding my teeth.
Any words of advice?