From <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Sat Apr 4 12:49:25 1998 Return-Path: <@tcuavm.is.tcu.edu:owner-scouts-l@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU> Received: from tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (TCUAVM.IS.TCU.EDU [138.237.128.148]) by cap1.CapAccess.org (8.6.12/8.6.10) with SMTP id MAA28715 for ; Sat, 4 Apr 1998 12:49:25 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by tcuavm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 8757; Sat, 04 Apr 98 11:41:39 CDT Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 6087; Sat, 4 Apr 1998 11:43:04 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LISTSERV release 1.8b) with NJE id 2475 for SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU; Sat, 4 Apr 1998 11:42:09 -0500 Received: from TCUBVM (NJE origin SMTP@TCUBVM) by TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 2474; Fri, 3 Apr 1998 09:53:53 -0500 Received: from pinehurst.cc.umb.edu by tcubvm.is.tcu.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with TCP; Fri, 03 Apr 98 09:53:28 CDT Received: from umb.edu ([158.121.2.45]) by pinehurst.cc.umb.edu (Netscape Messaging Server 3.01) with ESMTP id 255 for ; Fri, 3 Apr 1998 10:47:49 -0500 X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.04 (Macintosh; I; PPC) MIME-Version: 1.0 References: <9804021810.AA20792@aztec.asu.edu> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Message-ID: <3525059A.E5E9CDBB@umb.edu> Date: Fri, 3 Apr 1998 10:51:56 -0500 Reply-To: Bob Caron Sender: Scouts-L Youth Group List From: Bob Caron Organization: University of Massachusetts Boston Subject: Re: Another Troop Admin question (long) To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Status: RO X-Status: CHUCK BRAMLET wrote: > > This came up in our Troop Committee meeting the other night, and I > was asked to find out how other Troops deal with this problem. > > I also argued that we have far too many ASMs for the Troop, > and many of us should really be committee members. I don't think you can ever have too many ASMs, IF you also have enough MCs. In our Troop of 64 Scouts, we have about 20 ASMs and 20 MCs. We believe the key to success is to spread the work out so NO ONE Leader is overwhelmed. We have a half-dozen or so ASMs who always come to meetings and help out with all program-related tasks. We have another half-dozen or so who go on campouts. We have an ASM who handles Scout service project requirements (e.g., tracking who needs what, making sure it gets reported). We have an ASM who gets new Scouts through the Scout badge and onto a few of the next rank requirements like flag ceremonies, etc. And so forth for more ASMs and more tasks. > > The proponents of this position argue that the Troop is getting to > be too big for the SM to handle all the administration > Just to make sure there is not an issue of semantics, the SM should really handle little of the "administration" of the Troop; that's what the Committee and MCs are for. We operate under the model that the SM and ASMs form what we call the "Scoutmaster Corps" whose job is program, program, program, the "field work" for lack of a better description, including "operating" -- not "administering" -- all Troop activities, advancement, planning, etc.; along with the PLC. Once they decide what the Troop will do, the MCs provide the "legwork", "administration" and whatever else you want to call it. The MCs form the Troop Committee and handle filing tour permits, securing permission forms and medical forms, transportation, budgeting and finances, recordkeeping, newsletters and notifications, registration and dues, Leader training, obtaining awards and insignia, all support for Troop and Eagle CoHs, and so on. This is all the "background" stuff that enables the "foreground" program to function. The closest the MCs get to program is Boards of Review. Of course, all this being said every Leader is welcome to help out in any way he/she wants, with the consent of the Leader "in charge" of that particular task. Whether a Leader is an ASM or an MC is really a decision made after they decide what they want to do in the Troop. And we have had some crossover and changing of roles, not a problem. -- Robert Caron Troop Committee Secretary, Northborough Troop 101 Brotherhood, Chippanyonk Lodge #59, OA Knox Trail Council #244, BSA Massachusetts