Poll: Boy Scouts - I would appreciate your input

[rebelcowboysnb]

I was in scouts as a kid an use to be a leader for an explorer group(ran by the BSOA) an I see on issue with ether as long as rules are followed

 

[DTRM30]

mom'sfolly :

As of yesterday, I have two boy scouts.

From what I've seen, I wouldn't be bothered with the scoutmaster and troop committee chair sharing a household. Decisions aren't made by either, alone. They are both answerable to the entire committee. I have yet to see a charter organization with heavy involvement with the exception of LDS troops. In our cub scout pack, people often served as one and then the other.

The fact of the matter is, most troops are begging for volunteers. It is the same with any organization, you see the same people volunteering. The president of the PTA at my son's middle school was board president when my kid was in preschool. You will get the same volunteers, and they will just swap positions.

The young scoutmaster raises different concerns. If the scoutmaster is familiar with scouting, came through a boy lead troop, and is a responsible adult, age shouldn't be a factor. That being said, most adult men who are involved in scouting have a child in boy scouts. As a parent, I might tend to be a little suspicious of a young man, with no boy scout aged children, leading a troop. If it was a young man I knew, had seen come up through the troop and possibly had a brother in the troop, that would also influence my decision making.

As a young scoutmaster, I would make it very clear that two deep leadership will be practiced. I know this concept is more emphasized in cub scouts, but for the scoutmaster's safety, and the parents peace of mind I would make it a clear policy of the troop.

All troops have slightly different cultures. Some are so gung ho that they are a little scary, some put more emphasis on service than others. I think that if everything is upfront, and young scoutmaster, a pack committee chair sharing a household would be fine.

Our COR goes to Every committee meeting, and most of the troop meetings, and is also the advancement chair. She is not very flexible. And the problem is - they have in the past made decisions without involving the committee, and by the time the rest of the committee finds out - it's all said and done because it's too late. The COR and the chairperson have already made several decisions without committee input - and the response is, sorry, it was an oversight.​

 

[thekid]

A for the first one because if he was a scout he should know what he is doing and has learned the responsibilty




and C for the second one

 

[Matthew3590]

First one is A.

My friend is 20 and is a scout leader. He has no family or friends still in scouts but he loves it cause he loves scouts.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Exactly. Let's assume the scoutmaster has achieved Eagle Scout--that in itself shows an ability to lead, at least as far as scouting is involved. Some young men are very mature, and others are not. The same can be said for men in their 30s or 40s. Older people will likely have more life experiences to bring to the table, but that may or may not matter.

It is often VERY DIFFICULT to get volunteers, especially when they are making a long term committment (a year of leadership versus bringing a dozen cookies to a bake sale) that involves a lot of responsibility and time.

 

[DTRM30]

mmmm- seems to be more common than one would think. But at 20, he is not legally allowed to be a scout leader - perhaps an assistant leader ? The BSA states you must be 21 or older to be a scoutmaster.

I guess my concerns stem from his past demonstrations of risking the safety of the boys. He does not act in a manner that makes me comfortable. And, if I don't trust him with my own kids, I cannot in good faith put him in the position of scoutmaster.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Based upon htese concerns, you should probably speak to your district office. It sounds like having him as a scoutmaster will be a huge liability.

 

[DTRM30]

That may be where this ends up. I don't want to do it that way because I don't like to toss people under the bus. But sometimes you just need to act on what you believe.

 

[GuineaMama]

I was involved with Boy Scouts for 8 years, held several positions in the troop as well as being an instructor. I was ready to answer your questions one way until I read farther and saw your comments about the risks this young man is taking with the boys. IF this young man grew up in Scouting, (Cubs, Boy Scouts, etc) and worked to obtain his Eagle then I wouldn't think only being 24 would be a problem. However, this young man doesn't seem to be showing much in the 'Responsibility' area if he's disregarding rules, and taking kids on closed trails and such, therefore I would say NO. I wouldn't want him as Scoutmaster to my kids.

Regarding the Mom who appears to be ramrodding everything and trying to get her son elected......This lady needs to GO! This is no way to run a Scout Troop. There HAS to be cooperation, checks & balances, and decision making by ALL the committee members.

Does your troop have different heads of different committees?

IF this woman gets her way and her son is elected as Scoutmaster, I would give serious thought to moving my boys to a different troop. SAFETY FIRST and this guy doesn't sound like safety is even in his agenda.

Good Luck!

 

[mom'sfolly]

Okay...mom of two scouts here....

He put children in danger of drowning on not one, but two occasions. He took a closed trail, AT PHILMONT, with younger scouts. This man is not qualified to lead a scout troop. With a troop of only 25 boys, he will have an undue amount of influence, especially with mom being the committee chair. Anyone who breaks the safety rules, and endangers children does not need to be in charge of the troop. He has no business being scoutmaster. NONE, no if, ands, or buts....

A scoutmaster has to put the kids safety first. He has to work well with others, that is what being scoutmaster is all about. I would ask several of the boys in the troop how they feel as well. If he has no rapport with the boys, he will be useless. The BSA has all those annoying rules for very good reason. Troops that follow them are safe, effective and good for the boys. Leaders who don't think the rules apply will poison the troop.

You don't become a scout leader for your resume, or because your mom thinks you should; you become a scout leader because you are passionate about scouting, or because you have children who are scouts. From what I've seen there are two, maybe three types of kids that become Eagle Scouts: those that love scouting, those that love achieving, and those that are forced by parents. My guess is this guy did the minimum required to become Eagle, only because he had no other choice.

I'd take my boys, my training, and my skills to another troop if this man becomes scoutmaster.