InquisitiveScouter

We are saying the same thing... By age cohort, I simply mean first year Scouts who are in the age group of 10.5 to 11 years old.

I think a pervasive malady at National (and many Councils) is simply not understanding who their primary customers are: Adult Volunteers! Without them, you don't have youth membership, YP, program, or anything else...

@CynicalScouter, I have had many questions, also. One particular question was regarding 72 hour rule and MBCs (whether they were "registered leaders" or not, and what was the difference if our CO approved them to camp with us.) I asked our DE (when we had one), who did not have the answer. Asked a more senior DE, and the FD, who had different answers (one of them was "blow it off" ). Asked the SE, who said ask National. Asked DE friends and another SE in separate council...another different answer! When I asked National, the YP person said right out, that I was trying to circumvent National's membership policies, and that I should just ask my SE, and that they questioned the leadership of our council. He also included the SE in the email. I thought it was really nasty, and I called him out on it. Later, our SE used some very unScoutlike language to describe the National person. LOL In this particular case, it seemed to be about the money... not YP or Program

I believe about half of the Scouts we see enter at 10.5 to 11 years old (and their parents) are not really psychologically ready for the shift towards more personal responsibility and less parent involvement. Over the years I have seen attrition in that age cohort of about a fourth, at most. If they make it through the first year , their retention rate thereafter is high...over 90%.

No worries... I think the "policy" is not well thought out, nor articulated, much like the no co-ed thing or co-ed buddy pairs... When you do a Webelos recruiting day, for example, isn't that program for a separate unit if packs other than your CO's show??

Don't tell your council "Chartering organizations are not authorized to plan, promote, or deliver programs for units outside of their charter." https://www.scouting.org/coronavirus/covid-19-faq/

And carts (wagons) are back!

Yeah, that one has me scratching my head... I did say "some" sensible changes

BSA just released updated tool guidelines...finally, some sensible changes... https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/healthsafety/pdf/680-028.pdf?utm_source=scoutingwire&utm_campaign=swvolunteer3172021&utm_medium=email&utm_content=

Here's something interesting to peruse...it's the YMCA insurance questionnaire the Great American Insurance Group uses to begin the underwriting process. https://www.greatamericaninsurancegroup.com/docs/default-source/specialty-human-services/ymca-questionnaire.pdf?sfvrsn=c4f943b1_6 Take note under abuse/molestation coverage.... "Is your organization Praesidium Certified?" Never heard of this with BSA... https://website.praesidiuminc.com/wp/ Probably best posted under YP thread...sorry moved here by RS

Don't groups (like councils), by law, have to have insurance to conduct activities? https://www.greatamericaninsurancegroup.com/for-businesses/subproducts-details/specialty-human-services/organizations-we-serve/youth-services

I'll check with a buddy who helps with the local youth soccer travel team... it seems, whenever I talk to him, that another kid on the squad has a concussion. Their accident and health insurance premiums must be high. But you don't really need accident and health... BSA is only a supplementary in that regard anyway, unless you are a military dependent. (Then they are primary.) It's the liability you need. And, I'd bet, if you present good documentation and transparency that you are exercising due diligence, the liability premiums may be reduced. Again, I'd have to talk with the underwriter... This site says $29 to $47 per month, depending on some variables. So, at $5 per youth per annum, with 50 Scouts, we are paying $20.83 per month already, thru council/national. https://generalliabilityinsure.com/small-business/youth-groups-insurance.html#:~:text=How Much Does Youth Group,offered%2C claims history and more. Finally, your home and assets are always at risk with "gross negligence". Of course, there are elements of proof for that. A personal injury lawyer advised me an umbrella policy is always wise http://www.fcomi.org/uploads/3/3/7/4/3374831/volunteer_protection_act.pdf

And the Scouters that go with them ;)....

Insurance, schminsurance... just kidding... What @mrjohns2 said... companies will sell you insurance for just about anything. Now, the premiums for that insurance...that's the real question that I don't have the answer to. Anyone out there know a ballpark figure for insuring a youth group for $1M in liability?? (that is the usual amount asked for on our COIs; occasionally we get an organization asking for $2M, but our council has always provided that COI with about 2 weeks notice.)

There is happy news...it's over a hundred years old. There was a time when there were no "Scouts." And the movement started with idea from an old crusty British Army guy. No need to worry...kids want Scouting, and it will happen. Be there for them. Take them camping. You already know the like-minded people around you. BSA is not the be-all-end-all of Scouting. Just the current major market-share provider. If they go away, be a grass roots startup. You will have a blast.

And your answer was?? 😜

And, btw, this whole "separate but equal" thing was a pipe dream from the start. We had thorough discussions about this in our unit when we looked at creating a girl troop. We all knew it would come to that... Separate on paper, combined in reality...

This is the dirty little secret for most councils...turn a blind eye until something happens. And, even though our Scouter Code of Conduct says "I will take steps to prevent or report any violation of this code of conduct by others in connection with Scouting activities.", if you do (even anonymously), you are outed, ostracized, marginalized, labeled, shunned, etc.... We are not a self-policing group, even if touted as such.

Ready! Fire! Aim!!!

NOTE: ♦ Q. Are there times when youth can gather, meet or conduct activities without adult supervision? A. No. Two-deep adult supervision by registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required for all Scouting activities and must meet the leadership requirements outlined in Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse. This includes patrol activities. At least this one makes some sense: ♦ Q. Can I share a tent with my son or daughter who has special needs? A. Youth and adults tent separately in the Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, and Venturing programs. Youth who have a special need or disability who may require a parent or legal guardian to tent with them must develop a plan in conjunction with their local council Scout Executive to address their specific needs. This one does not: Q. Can a leader bring their Scouts BSA son or daughter to an opposite gender troop activity? A. No. Scouts BSA program integrity requires single gender units and single gender buddy pairs.

And that is exactly why abusers use this strategy to gain the confidence of their victims and the public. They do great acts of kindness and seem to be genuinely concerned for the well-being of youth. Wolves in sheep's clothing. Unfortunately, the ones who are truly kind and genuinely care can get lumped in with the abusers as "groomers." I have seen this, and have had to defend several people's reputations. The behavior of mis-identification is also greatly discouraging some adults from getting involved.

Dear daughter and dear son both just earned Eagle...there is a bit of a weight lifted off the shoulders

Yes, they have shot this messenger on several occasions. I have too much scar tissue to engage again...happy to play in our little sandbox at the unit level...

He said "high level volunteers"...guess I am a "low level volunteer"??? LOL Just so you know your value to the people running things Start at 19:55 https://vimeo.com/521149532

File this under PR examples of ""How to Walk Back"