Currently we have 3 Scouts in our Troop. These 3 have been members of the Phoenix patrol since September when the 2 new Scouts joined (1 scout joined troop last February after his own crossover).
In February we have 5 Scouts crossing over from Cub Scouts. I was looking for guidance on whether we should have the 5 join the existing patrol and reach the “magic” #8 or if we should have a new patrol, having one with 3 and one with 5.
I wondered, given the situation what would Green Bar Bill do? While I couldn’t ask him directly, I am fortunate to have many Scoutmaster friends to guide me and they helped me see the pros and cons of either side.
There is an opportunity for the Scouts to step it up a notch and be the guides to the incoming Scouts. There is also the opportunity to have a full patrol. While numbers aren’t everything there is a lot to be said for having a full patrol. Work can be divided efficiently and there is real opportunity to work as a team.
Tonight I put the decision to the patrol to make and they chose to welcome the five Scouts into their patrol. I think it’s the right choice. One of the new Scouts also had his Scoutmaster conference with me tonight for Scout rank. Among other things we talked about future opportunities for leadership. When I asked him about what he liked best so far about Scouting his response was that in Scouts they hold the power to make decisions and are in charge of things.
I’m not certain what Green Bar Bill would do in this situation but all indications show that putting the decision in the hands of the boys was the best choice to make because they made it – not me.
What Would Green Bar Bill Do? (WWGBBD?)
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Bryan Spellman
January 28, 2011 at 8:19 am
Excellent post! And way to start the Troop off right, in the hands of the Scouts
Keep up the great work in your corner of Scout Nation!
YIS
Bryan
Big Scouter
February 4, 2012 at 12:54 pm
We had a Former Scoutmaster leave the Troop and start another Troop in another Council but they meet in our Council boundrys. He has paid some money toward a Philmont Trek with our Troop but our Trek leader wants to remove him from the Trek because of group dynamics. Also the Starting of another Troop belonging to another Council and meeting right around the corner from us seems like unscoutlike behavior. The former Scoutmaster wants a full refund but much of the money is non refundable from Philmont and Airlines. Question lies in what to do about refund He’s not going to Philmont with our Troop it would be bad for the boys. Our goal is to find a replacement but if we can not find one what about the money?
author
February 4, 2012 at 9:29 pm
I’d try to fill the spot and refund only what’s refundable. Keep the troop history out of it and treat like any other cancellation in spite of any bad blood. My $.02.