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  • LATEST POSTS

    • You think so? I see a number of areas where we are short of the "gold standard". Plenty of areas of alingmnet, but some key gaps. Conducts structured interviews [not required at all or even given examples of what to cover] Calls and speaks to at least 3 references [not required at all] Video surveillance technology in all spaces where adults have contact with children. [no required, not sure how we would get access] Repeat training at least annually [every 2 years] The Code of Conduct explained to children and parents and posted on the organization’s website [not explained to children] Posts victims’ rights throughout the premises, on the website, and in an employee [no victims rights spelled out] Establishes regular benchmarks and milestones for meeting prevention goals [unknown, not plublic] Considers external audits to probe for other areas of weakness in program and policies [unknown, not public]
    • BSA is pretty much already there, from the list of action items what is missing?
    • Aren't most lawyers working on a contingency where it would be better for them to do more hours? That’s the complaint I’ve heard from survivors: that they can’t get a response or have their attorney do anything for them.
    • Over the course of my volunteer career, and through the several councils I have been involved in, the adult volunteer corps has been treated as expendable.  BSA should protect the rights of every member vigorously, youth or adult, when needed.  I talk with many who were formerly involved with the program, and ask them if they'll lend a hand.  There is an element of genuine fear of dealing with other peoples' kids, and being one misunderstanding away from accusation and false ignominy. My personal safeguard against this is to always have an adult buddy "attached" to the hip.  I can readily recall at least four instances over the years where a Scout "heard" something that I or another adult did not actually say, misinterpreted it, reported it to parents/other leaders, and the accused adult thankfully had other adult witnesses to refute or clarify. I do not even do Scoutmaster conferences out of earshot any more.  This is not the way it should be, but I have found it to be a prudent practice.
    • The fact that there is virtually no recourse for a falsely accused Scouter contributes to the BSA's current doom loop. A person could: A: Accept the conclusions, resign, and hope that's the end of it (it might not be). B: Appeal to the BSA's kangaroo court to clear their good name (with limited success and all while calling more attention to the situation). C; Mount a vigorous (and expensive) legal defense with a slightly higher probability of success (again, while calling more attention to the situation). I'm glad to be a leader as long as my son and his friends are having fun; however, once he's done, I can't see myself continuing to support the program in any way that involves direct contact with youth. For every bad actor, there is probably an equal number of awful families who wouldn't hesitate to jeopardize a volunteer's reputation over a perceived slight. Granted, I believe the vast majority of people in this world are good and decent ... but it only takes one. 
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