Can a Troop define what 'active' means?
No-shows and last minute participants for camping trips.
Links in this Podcast
Advancement Committee Guidebook
Official definition of an active Scout
You can participate in the podcast by calling (484) 734-0002 and recording a voicemail message. Tell me your favorite scouting joke!
Keep in touch
READ the Scoutmaster Blog-
LISTEN to the Scoutmaster Podcast on iTunes
SUBSCRIBE to the Scoutmaster Newsletter
CALL to leave a voicemail comment or question (484) 734-0002
FOLLOW me on Facebook and Twitter
VISIT the Podcast Archive
Scoutmaster Podcast Music
Great show. I really appreciate having it to listen to as an aspiring Scout Master for my Troop.
Posted by: Greg | March 29, 2011 at 01:03 PM
Great Show Clarke, I could not agree with you more on 'defining' active it is pretty cut and dry. I also agree on the 'no shows' bit. The way our Troop handles this is simple. If you say you are going, the money for your share of the patrols food automatically comes out of your Scout account. The Patrols are the ones that control this. This submit a sheet with the patrol members names on it that are going 2 weeks before the camp out. The treasurer then cuts them a check for the food they are going to buy. (we can go into details another time). This also lets the seat belt coordinator get started on providing transportation. If a Scout fails to show or bails out at the last minute. Food is covered and that patrol eats more. If we have one the shows up at the last minute.. we don't turn them away.. we make room and it always seems there is enough food to go around among the patrols.
A couple things that I think are important about this. First it is youth led. Second. No By Laws. We have enough rules and regs in Scouting. They cover everything. We don't need more to bog down the fun.
Thanks Clarke. Great Show.
Jerry
Posted by: Jerry Schleining | March 30, 2011 at 08:45 AM
Thanks for the advice Clarke. While I appreciate not excluding boys from events, I also have trouble completely letting go and taking a "whatever happens, happens" attitude. That works if there's one or two that bail or show up at the last minute, but if there's no accountability I can pretty well guarantee that we'll see more and more of the same.
We're a young troop, in both the age of the unit and the scouts so we're still in the growing stage, including establishing strong patrols and youth leaders.
I agree that mandates, by-laws and contracts are unnecessary and noneffective, we tried them when I was a CubMaster with miserable results.
Posted by: Todd G. | March 30, 2011 at 04:56 PM