When the noisy 4% loses sight of the boys.

[Spotted Bear 10]

At what point should boys be removed from the troop because they do not behave or when the parents start unsubstantiated rumors designed to undermine the current leaders?

[jmcquillan 10]

If you have tried all the remedies that you can short of dismissal from the troop, and still come up short, then you've already identified the moment. Allowing a situation that you've described to continue will only serve to undermine your future. Remember all the other boys in the troop who are counting on things not going awry due to a few who can't live by the Scout Law and Oath. An immediate conference between the Scoutmaster, his assistants, and the troop committee whould be in order to tackle this situation and end it, before it takes on a life of it's own and threatens the everyday functioning of the troop. But...before charging down this path, as I said at the outset, you should be satisfied that all other potential remedies have been attempted. If you've done this, then save the troop, and rid yourself of those that attend for all the wrong reasons. This happens. I've been through it twice in 16 years. It's tough, and you don't like to do it. But suggesting that a certain boy, or group of boys, and their parents, might better spend their energies and time elsewhere is always an option (of last resort...of course).

 

Good luck.

 

[eisely 13]

Another criterion that goes beyond mere misbehavior and disruptiveness is when a boy engages in behavior that is downright dangerous for himself and others and doesn't respond to admonitions and training in safe behavior. Examples are throwing knives or misusing fire.

[Spotted Bear 10]

Here is a story that will send chills up your back if you are a scoutmaster.

 

The noisy 4% held a scoutmaster responsible for the behavior of the boys. The troop was young, had no older boys to help lead the boys, the parents rarely showed for meetings, and the Scoutmaster was left with most of the work.

 

One unhappy mother felt that the scoutmaster was wrong in pursuing the concept of a boy run troop using the patrol method. She was a Girl Scout and felt her son was not able to pack his own backpack, make a menu or food list, or call his patrol to find out who was going on the next campout. She began to spin her web of half-truths and out right lies. Together with three Webelos parents, they indicated that they wanted to start a new troop because they did not want their boys associating with boys of the troop.

 

The troop committee felt that the town was too small and the scouting program was still too weak to support two troops and packs. A meeting was held to discuss the pack parents problems when their initial concerns were addressed it quickly turned to an assault on the scoutmaster in front of the Cub Scouts. He explained what was being done about the behavior and that the committee has tied his hands. Despite his performance, his commitment, despite the fact the problems were being addressed and improvement was being made--he was removed.

 

This is a classic example of parents not putting the boys first. It also stressed the importance of good scout-like behavior of the boys (and parents) when Scout uniform is worn.