OXCOPS

First, I want to thank everyone who has offered their comments, concerns and suggestions both in open forum and by private message. It is GREATLY appreciated. Now, yesterday, I talked to one crew member who said that the current leader is out, effective by the end of July. No letter of resignation to the council or charter org., but she has pretty much made up her mind. IF I do take over, I was thinking that it would really help things if I could find a female adult leader to sign on also. Out of nowhere, my wife expressed interest in volunteering with the BSA. She didn't know about the Venturing idea at the time. I told her about it and she was excited. Although she has ZERO time in the BSA, she is smart and would be easily trainable. That is where we all stand now. I will keep everyone posted on what happens in the upcoming weeks. Thanks again! OX

Laura, I am a 26 year old police officer. While not trying to brag, I feel that I have a "slightly" higher maturity level than most people my age. Dealing with my job tends to make you grow up (even if we don't want to ). So I am not worried really that my age will be a serious issue. The only thing that does bother me is that I am a 26 year old guy. This is a crew of teenage girls. Just kinda opens the door for rumor or speculation (which don't terribly concern me). Guess it just means that I would have to take that extra step with the prescribed precautions, just ot eliminate any bad impressions from the outsiders. You also said, "I cannot tell whether you are male or female. as a venture crew you might find you retain and recruit more if you even out the ratios of male to female in the crew membership, and you then need both male and female adult advisors. perhaps this other leader would be willing to stay on as an advisor?" I am not sure that the current advisor would be open to any additional help. She is the type of person who, IMO, feels threatened by they type of thing. As far as reruiting some male membership, I am all for it. The current crew is all for it. They formed because all the girls are best friends. The current advisor does not want any guys in the crew, because she wants to "protect" her daughter, who is a crew member. Just seems like a shallow excuse to me. I think that I am to the point were I may follow Bob's advice and get a copy of the Venturing Leader Manual and look it over. Then, I will have a better idea of what I would be getting into should the current advisor decide to step down. I have just a couple of other question (for now). How do I find out what org. charters this group? I know they are affiliated with a Troop somewhere, but don't know the number or charter organization. And second, once I find out who the charter org. is, should I approach the committee expressing my interest now, or wait until the current advisor quits (assuming she will)? Thanks. OX

I have recently been approached by several young ladies who are in a venture crew together. I know these girls and their crew leader pretty well from another area of scouting. First, let me give you a little background on this group. At the moment, they are an all female group consisting of 6 girls ranging between 15 and 17 years old. The crew leader is a mother of one of the girls. Now to the problem. They informed me that they are having problems with their crew leader. It seems that she is not being the leader they want and need. She does not care about advancement or recruitment. They are not having regular crew meetings. When they do, she tried to run everything rather than let the girls run the meetings (as they should). The leader has rumored that after they return from a group trip next month, she is dropping the job. I was told by someone not associated with the crew that the leader is about "95% sure" she is quitting. This means that the girls must either find a new leader or find a new crew to join (which there are no other crews in the surrounding districts). Here is where it gets sticky. I asked them what they wanted to do. They said they would really like to continue being a crew together. They want to focus on recruitment as well as advancement. They then voluntarily asked me if I would be interested in being their crew leader. I am debating this and need some advice. Here are several pros and cons that I came up with. PROS: - I know these girls already which would possibly shorten that awkward time of getting to know each other. I know most of their personal strengths and weaknesses. - They are a great group who really wants to put forth the effort to build the crew through advancement and recruitment. - Venture crews are run by the youth, with the adult leaders serving as advisors, meaning not as much work for the adult(?). CONS: - I have never been an adult leader of a crew, troop, pack. - I am just now getting back into scouting after an absence during my youth. I left scouts at 15 and am returning now that I am 26. - I am currently a new Unit Commissioner, though not in the same district as this crew. I want to finish with this. I am NOT, repest NOT, going to try to oust the current leader from her job. If she wants to continue to be the leader, she has my blessing. Should she make the choice to quit, I will then make the decision to take over, if asked by the crew. I guess that is enough dribble from me for now. So, should I consider the challenge of being the crew leader (if they ask)? Thanks in advance and FIRE AWAY! OX

What do you call skydiving lawyers? Skeet! OX

dsteele, You said in your last post, "A unit commissioner does not have to have any Scouting experience. Granted, it's probably best if he/she does, but nowhere is it written as a requirement. I happen to think that lists of Eagle Scouts from the past is an excellent source. Let me quickly point out, however, that "inexperienced" unit commissioners will need immediate training and training that is beyond commissioner basic. They'll need New Leader Essentials and any of the program specific training you can get them to take. They'll need the latest copies of all the resources available to commissioners and no small degree of passion for the job." Very well said. That is where I find myself. The knowledge I have of Scouting is from my youth experience about 10 years ago and what limited stuff I get through COPE. As I said earlier, I regret leaving scouting as a youth, but am trying to get back into things now. (Better late than never?) I am trying to get my hands on all the printed material I can find dealing with Commissioners. I recently got copies of the Scout Handbook, Cubmaster leader handbook and Scoutmaster Handbook. I have enjoyed thumbing through them. It is interesting to see what has changed and what has not. I have also been reading the back issues of the Commissioner newsletter from the BSA website. I am finding lots of good stuff to help me fill in the gaps. I quickly learned that I have a long road ahead of me when it comes to learning the job. It is going to be more of a challenge than I expected. However, i believe that if I am going to do a job, I an going to do it to the best of my abilities. (Hence all the reading on my part.) Dale, I think youth can be a very important factor in a UC. I am 26. THere is a Venture Crew in my council that works closely with COPE. While I am not their UC (different district), these kids tend to want to talk with me about their problems rather than their regular UC (who is in his 40's I believe). When I asked tham why they prefer to talk to me instead of their UC, they say that they feel more comfortable talking to me because I am closer to their age and can relate to them better. Ability to do the job is not in the physical age level. It is in the mental maturity level. If someone has the smarts for the job, sign him up! OX

I should have added a little about my history with Scouting. I was involved with scouting up to First Class rank. I completed the requirements for Star, but dropped out before it was awarded. I left when I hit the age where a driver's license and girls tool priority. That is a choice I regret to this day. Anyway, I became involved in COPE four years ago when I went through with a class from college. I was invited to become an instructor, where I have served to this date. I will be going next week (May 17-23) to Camp Bob Hardin in Saluda, NC to Director School at the National Camp School. Can't wait! I also was recently asked to serve as a Unit Commissioner for my council. I am looking forward to the challenges of that job as I will complete basic training shortly. Due to my prolonged absence from Scouting, I am trying to learn everything I can. I was out of scouting (except COPE) for about 10 years and quickly found out that there is so much I didn't know. So, with that said, I will end by giving a warning to the "older" crowd. Be prepared (no pun intended) for a load of random, and sometimes stupid, questions from me as I try to gain much needed insight. Thanks, OX

I'm currently working on my first million at a municipal police department. OX