(HELP) Requirement #1 for Star, Life, and Eagle

[shemgren]

I feel that to develop a set active requirement besides what is set out in the offical literature, is unfair to the Scout in a troop.

 

In our world today, with youth having fuller schedules than adults, it is difficult for the Scouts to be 100% in their attendance in troop and patrol activities.

 

To be an active Scout, I would consider that the Scout is: a) present on a regular basis, b) consistant in contacting the troop leadership (PL, SPL and/or SM) when the Scout cannot make an activity of the troop and/or patrol; and that I have a realistic understanding on what is and is not a viable excuse for missing an activity. Things happen that are out of the control of the Scout and there is not always time or opportunity to make a call or the Scout simply not allowed to make a call.

 

In addition, for rank advancement, a Scout is required to meet active requirement for a certian time for the rank. Once he has met this requirement, there is no requirement for continuing to be active after that. This often comes up for Eagle candidates that for various reasons become inactive, then decide they want their Eagle just before their 18th birthday.

 

[KoreaScouter]

I think the issue with defining "active" has less to do with the exceptions, like the Scout who takes sports seasons off and still contributes mightily to his Troop, than it does with the rule -- the Scouts who are merely registered, doing the absolute minimum or less, then get indignant when the SM won't sign them off on #1 (or Scout Spirit either). It's subjective criteria, but many leaders try in good faith to define them objectively so there's no misunderstandings. I'm not necessarily defending or endorsing the practice, but I understand why many do it.

 

KS

[evmori]

dan,

Toned down? Would you please explain?

 

Ed Mori

Scoutmaster

Troop 1

1 Peter 4:10

[LauraT7]

As it states in the book - you can't add, modify or take away requirements - except under a disability clause.

 

i think someone in your troop has WAY too much time on their hands if they are figuring percentages of attendance on different meetings /events / activities! Can't you give them something more usefull to do? like counting the forks in the supply room?

 

We don't have a 'formal' policy in our troop - but if a boy misses out on activities more than a few times without calling his patrol leader, the SPL or one of the adults to let them know WHY he is going to be absent, he will GET a call from someone.

 

we had a boy recently who really pushed to be PL of his patrol and right after elections he vanished - was never around for meetings, nor activities, campouts, service work. he didn't tell his APL, either, that he wasn't going to be around. the adults noticed that the APL was running things (rather well, too) and that PL was never around and brought it to the attn of the SM. SM called the boy, asked him what was up - boy said he was in Soccer, and the practices and games conflicted; besides, if he couldn't go on campouts because of soccer, he resoned, why should he show up at meetings to plan? SM pointed out that his responsibility was to lead the patrol, whether or not it benefitted him personally. Also, two other boys on his team made meetings, even if they arrived late and in Soccer clothes - and that he should at least notify his APL when he wasn't going to be there. SM told the boy he could remain PL, but he expected him to at least show up even if he could not make Saturday events because of games. At the time, there were 2 months of Soccer season left - so SM spoke with APL and is giving APL 2 mos credit for POR toward rank, because they know that PL will not be able to make most campouts and weekend activities - and APL will effectively be PL those months. PL is getting credit for 4 of his 6 mos - IF he shows up and participates outside of soccer season.

 

This incident prompted a discussion with the troop as a whole - that boys should be aware that if they can't make the commitment, they should NOT put their names in for the job. If they need a POR for rank advancement - they can talk to the SM & go for a job they can do around their other activity, or they can wait until they CAN make the 6 month commitment to be PL (or similar).

 

We have a number of boys into various sports or other activities. most are very good about letting people know when they can't make something, and still carry their weight otherwise - or attend activities by picking up info by phone or the troop website when they've missed a meeting. Some effectively 'drop out' for the season of their chosen sport, (with notice) and are back in very actively, when that sport is over (soccer and baseball are two biggies)

 

some cannot attend activities because of lack of parental support (they just don't bring them) or minor medical reasons - we have one kid who is not that fragile - but his parents panic everytime he sneezes; they just will NOT let him camp if he has the sniffles or is on antibiotics for his latest ear/nose/throat infection. he participates as much as he is allowed to by his parents - do we penalize him because Mom is over-protective?

 

our general rule is that if the boy makes an effort to keep communication open and participate as much as his circumstances allow - then he passes the participation requirement.