Closed Leadership Ranks

[sunybeet1987]

I am Eagle Scout from the Finger Lakes Council from the late 1970s. I have been very disappointed that local units in my area are closed ranks on leaderships. I have 2 boys active in a troop. That troop leadership does not accept parents' assistance as ASM. I have promised myself to give back to scouts. However, units just do not accept any help. Any thoughts/ I have talked to Committee Chair, SM, and others. I have even suggested developing programs to mentor and teach with no success.

Thanks,:confused::

[1st Mate]

I am sorry to hear of your difficulties becoming a unit leader. Please understand this is not a recommended or supported practice endorsed by the BSA but a local issue that has unfortunately developed in your community.

I am curious, are none of the unit leadres in the units you refer to parents of scouts? That would be very unusual.

[Nuts4Scouts]

Instead of a ASM , how about being a Committee Member?

Merit Badge Counselor?

Driver?

Troop Popcorn Kernal?

Camping Adult?

Cubmaster?

Cub Pack BALOO leader?

Troop/Pack Webelos Transition Chair?

Pack Committee Member?

District Scouter of some kind (Trainer, Commissioner, etc)?

There are LOTS of thing you can do to make sure your son gets a good Scouting experience. Not all of them involve being an ASM.

[T23]

While the SM or CC may not be overly accepting of the idea that you would like to serve as an ASM, don't forget that neither of them make the final decision on leadership appointments. Have you talked to your Chartered Organization Representative and/or the head of the Chartering Organization? The Chartering Organization may not even be aware these leaders are discouraging others adults from becoming involved, much less parents who are Eagle Scouts themselves.

More importantly... how is your son doing in this unit? Is he happy, is he making progress, are the leaders following and delivering the national program? If your son is happy and everything else is as it should be... great... if not... well the option to change troops is always available. If it comes to that remember when you start interviewing other troops to let them know up front that you and your son are a package deal. As long as you communicate your expectations from the beginning you won't have any regret or disappointment later.

Regardless of what happens and while all of this is getting sorted the smart thing for you to do is to get to work on becoming a "trained" leader. You might have to do somewhat of an end run and register as a Merit Badge counselor, but once you are registered as a leader you can take any and all training that you can fit into your schedule. The more training you have in addition to being an Eagle Scout and your other youth experience the more and more difficult it will become for anyone to defend a decision not to let you register and serve in their unit. Contact your district or council training chair if you need to know which courses to take or find out where/when courses are offered.

While you are serving as a Merit Badge counselor sign up for as many Merit Badges as you can handle or your Council will allow. Gives you maximum exposure to scouts and increases your opportunities to try to plan merit badge themed outings with these scouts and their PLC. Plus as a registered leader you will always have a higher priority in attending troop outings than just any parent who is not a registered leader. Maximize your opportunities to participate in troop activities and get to know everyone. Offer to meet with Scouts immediately before or after troop meetings to work on Merit Badge requirements so that everyone gets used to seeing you at troop meetings and in your uniform. The sooner they get to know you and what you have to offer the sooner you can possibly change their minds. Be subtle, but persistent!

Set aside time to attend Roundtable every month and get to know everyone from the other units in your area. Volunteer to help with District and Council events.

[WB Bear]

Check into the Commissioner Service.

[T23]

sunybeet1987,

One other thing to consider is that when the "culture" of a unit becomes corrupted it is very, very difficult to change that culture... most especially if yours is a single voice against many. The task of changing unit culture is actually fairly easy if you have to serve as the Chartered Organization Representative. If no one is serving in this role apply for it or at least inquire to see if the position ever rotates.

The next best position to influence a change of unit culture is committee chair followed by Scoutmaster. From your post it sounds like both of these positions are currently filled. Just recognize you are fighting an up hill battle and a battle you will surely lose if the SM, CC, and CR do not all agree with you.

Some battles are not worth fighting and some units are not worth investing your time and energy in trying to change the way they operate. In the long run it will be less frustrating and more productive to cut your losses and just go find another unit that "gets it".

What is most important is the scouting experience that your son is receiving. If the current unit is delivering below your expectations then you and your son need to do something about it and the sooner the better.