Parental Involvement.

[riverwalk]

Long ago, in a galaxy far away.....Scouters were permitted to work on the advancement trail to Eagle, along with Scouts. But it was finally decided to limit that age to 18.

[ynotquilt]

Taking off on that theme... What about a black and white poster for an adult. When they earn a rank or merit badge, they could get a sticker of the merit badge or rank to put over the black and white one. (Former scouts would automatically get the ones they earned as a scout) I think that would be a great idea to show youth that we continue to learn and have done the same requirements as they have to earn badges.

[BM_Crawford]

There isn't a big a problem with the boys calling when they are from within your own troop. When it comes to boys from other troops
I don't have any problem with a parent calling me about counseling their son on a badge. But I do explain that it is their sons responsibility to contact me. When the scout calls I will give him several dates I have free and let him go back to his parents with them. It is then HIS responsibility to call me with the date.
To be honest I know most of the counselors that are on our district list. If one of the boys from my troop is looking for a counselor out of troop I will normally recommend someone from the list our district puts out. This way the parent feels better about the fact that I do know the person.
I think they should award the parents a badge pin. Since most of us are involved in the work our sons do on badges.

I like that idea Lynda, the parent still finds out about things but the scout does all the actual calling and talking with the councilor.

[Dadof4]

ok, maybe this is a little devils advocate but you'll get my point.

What happens to two deep leadership if you are having PRIVATE 1 on 1 conversations with a scout on the phone?

I am about to volunteer to be a MBC, and would much rather be contacted in person at the weekly meetings, or by the parent.

Unless a parent is in the room on a speaker phone or on another house phone listening I don't want a scout calling me!

These boys are minors and we need to remember the law suite happy culture we live in.

[Scouting179]

I think that decision would be up to you and you need to let Scouts and parents know that. On the other hand, I personally have never seen the 2-deep rule applied to phones, but I understand your point.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

Dadof4 - I think your really stretching now and I would sure hate to think that this could even be possible (even though I know, it could be).
I think this is going to far into paranoia.

Scouts have to start learning how to deal with adults and to be responisbile. One of the ways to start on this path is to slowly interact with adults and be the initiator of getting things done sometimes. This should include contacting an adult to complete a MB. Not all scouts will be contacting someone they know from their own troop.

I've had scouts use my cell phone at the start or end of a meeting to contact a MBC on our list (and usually this will be a stranger). This works well as I'm right there with them and I can remind them to ask what night the MBC's troop meets. We suggest they ask a MBC to come to our meeting or if a few boys from our troop can meet at the MBC's meeting.

One other note - if a parent called me to ask about working on or completing a MB for a scout, I would tell them to have the scout call me. I would still give information to the adult but ultimately I'm not setting any kind of meeting up without having the scout contact me.

[ynotquilt]

Dadof4, I completely understand where you are coming from. I feel the same on the other end of the stick. I will not allow my son to make a call without my standing right there. Usually, toward the end of the conversation, I will get on to also confirm the place, time, etc for meeting as I am the one who will be transporting my son. We've set this precedent so far although the only people my son has been dealing with are people that I am acquainted with. (It will be rare that he ends up dealing with someone that I don't know though since I do all the roundtables and run cub leader training! Once you take a district position, you sure meet LOTS of people!)

Perhaps if you would be meeting at a location other than a scout meeting, you could just ask the boy if the boy's parent has any questions and if the meeting date/place/time is OK with them, especially if you're dealing with a boy not yet driving. It's terrible that we have to constantly think about covering our butts all the time, but with how easily allegations are made any more, it is understandable.

Good luck!

[riverwalk]

Dad, this date I used your official procedure (we all have the same Contact point in each Council), per our Training. The answer was quick, and my Exec said it was a good question. So I thank you for dialing us in to the phone situation.

Oh yeah, he said there is not a problem for the MBC's and a Scout having a phone conversation. My own take (I respect your concerns, and have testified in Court, and referenced the YPT program), is to talk while someone on your end is listening. Heck, I don't think anyone would, but you could tape your talk if you felt it important, haha. But apparently you're okay. But check with your own top Scout, a "phone" call away.

[Dadof4]

Thanks all for your thoughtful responses!!!
I am fresh from summer camp and a week worth of adult training were they could not over state the two deep rule.

To be honest if it were a boy I've known for years I probably wouldn't think twice about talking to them. I would, however, ALSO speak to the parent to say I've spoken to jr. about the archery MB and this is what is needed from a schedule and money standpoint.

If it's a boy I don't know well, or one I don't trust, then I want a parent involved in the conversation.

It concerned me when I read an earlier post that basically said 'Have your son call me thank you and hang up.’ That doesn't seem like a kind, courteous, or respectful way to treat a concerned parent of a minor child. The parent needs to be coached (with respect and kindness) on how to help the child make the phone call and must feel free to supervise the call as they see fit.

But, that's just me speaking not BSA..

[riverwalk]

This will cover most situations well.