crv-66

Calico: "No one has asked the obvious question yet. What does his father, the Scoutmaster, say. Is he on his son's side in this? If so, are you prepared to replace the Scoutmaster if you decide not to accept the young man as an Assistant Scoutmaster? Do you have a potential replacement lined up? Have you even had a conversation with the Scoutmaster about this?" His father is very much in favor of his son becoming an ASM. He seems to be a fairly pragmatic person, but nobody knows for sure how he'll react. Our SM has been in this position for something like 8 or 9 years. He's very good at running the troop, so if he did resign, it would be a big loss for the troop. With that said, I feel we have several people who are capable and (probably) willing to take over if necessary.

From the committee handbook: "You can have a full committee with a reasonable amount of recruiting effort. The first five positions are essential for quality troop operation. Fill those positions first. There is no maximum limit to the number of troop committee members. The minimum number is three adults ages 21 or older." I intrepret this as you need to have at least 3 committee members that are 21 or older. We have that. Can additional members be younger than 21?

I'd like to thank everyone for their input on this matter. I now have a much better frame of reference to address this issue moving forward. I've got a committee-level meeting tommorrow to discuss this appointment, and the controversy it has raised. The past adult leaders I've approved have been shoe-ins for their jobs - no controversy whatsoever. Our troop does not have (nor do I believe it ever had) a committee to review new leaders. I was told by the past CC that it was my responsibility to do this, so that's what I've been working off of. The lesson learned here is that a selection committee is desperately needed, so that it's not one person making all the decisions. I'll be sure to work with our COR to set this up moving forward. As far as what to do now, my inclination is to recommend what jtanner suggests - moving him into a committee-level position, out of direct contact with the boys.

Bob White: "Please remember that you are making the accomodation for the illness not the person. To say that it was ok to accomodate him as a youth but not as an adult suggests that you feel that the now he is 18 the illness should just go away." For the record, I am all for making the accomodation for him. I am clearly in the minority, though. We have two special needs kids in the troop right now, and they are both pleasant and agreeable boys. It is impossible not to like them. Our ASM candidate does not fall into that category. He has a very in-your-face personality that clearly rubs some people the wrong way. I get the impression that other adult leaders felt we "had to" accomodate him as a scout, but we no longer do as an adult leader.

OldGreyEagle: "I have always heard real legal experts talk about the concept of "every dog gets one bite". A docile dog doesnt have to be chained up until he bites one person and then its chained up or the owner is responsible for the pets behavior. You have had your one bite it appears by the hisotry of the adult with the troop. You know his behavior. If he somehow loses control and harms another, what is your defense? It can't be "we didnt know", because clearly you do know." Valid point. This young man's mother wants us not to consider past behavior - "clearing the slate" so to speak. She agrees with my non-contact/non-violence stand. What liability do I, the troop, the committee, etc. have if something should happen? As far as Asperger's... I'm not sure. I don't know other people with it, so nothing to compare against. If I had to guess, I'd say it's a mild form. His problems have consisted of disproportionate responses. For example, a boy threw a snowball at him, and he grabbed the boy by the neck and threw the boy to the ground. Several instances similar to that. I'm not aware of him provoking, only reacting disproportionately. He also has a tendency to make threatening statements, which I think is his way of joking around with people - however others don't take it that way.

Apache Bob: "If he came to you from outside the Troop and you had knowledge of his past behavior would you have made him an ASM?" Clearly no. That's the argument people who oppose this appointment use. I don't disagree with that either. Click23: "The committee as a whole has no authority on the matter" Do you have a source for this? I'm trying to determine what the Committee can/should do. Bob White: "If anyone should need to keep an eye on the ASM it is the Scoutmaster, whether he is the ASM's father or not." We've had several instances in the past where, as a scout, he had behavior problems, the SM saw it or was aware of it, and did not always take action. With that history, I don't have confidence he would take corrective action in the future with him as ASM. "I would hope by now that the other adults have had some instruction and information shared with them about Aspergers and know how to work with the young man since he was a scout in the unit." I feel the troop is quite aware of this. We have other special-needs boys in the troop. Several scouts have earned Disability Awareness merit badge. The troop had been accomodating to him as a Scout. It's now that he's making the transition to adult leader where "accomodation" takes a new meaning. "Perhaps they are in need of additional communications and counseling from you to explain why you made this decision and how you feel the unit and the young man can benefiot from his participation in this new role." The reaction from others is that it's not a "right" to be an adult leader, but a privilege. Meaning it doesn't really matter how this position would benefit him, but the troop instead. That's where people are having a hard time determining how he is or could be a benefit to the troop, given his special needs. I definately see it as a benefit to him.(This message has been edited by crv-66)

I'm the Committee Chair of our troop who has recently accepted and submitted the application of a young man who has aged out of our troop. He recently earned Eagle. He'd like to become an ASM in the troop. Some background first. He's son of the SM. He has Asperger's syndrome. He's had numerous behavioral / anger management issues as a scout, but I've seen improvement with age (I've known him over 5 years). I've had some very blunt discussions with him to make clear that any physical contact with scouts is strictly forbidden - playful or not. Reaction to this appointment has been almost universally negative. Reactions from other ASM's has been stuff like "I don't want to have to babysit him on trips" (meaning they don't trust him), to reactions from other committee members that they feel he is a safety threat to the other scouts (due to past episodes of violence between him and other scouts). I honestly don't feel he is a threat to the boys, but I've told him that I and other adult leaders will be keeping a close eye on him. I feel the worst that could happen is him grabbing a boy out of frustration. If anything like that did happen, I'd remove him. It's been my understanding that it is my responsibility to vet and accept adult leaders. Is this correct, or does the committee as a whole have the final say? This young man has a lot of enthusiasm for the position, and certainly has the qualifications. Does past violence as a Scout disqualify him? I get the feeling I've made a mistake accepting him, and would like advice on how to proceed.