scouts attending committee meetings

[scubascout]

I would just like to know, are the scouts allowed/invited to go to committee meetings

[ASM-142]

Committee meetings are for members of the committee. Input from a scout is usually obtained at a Board of Review.

[Mrw]

We have often had the SPL attend committee meetings, especially when there have been issues that the scouts wanted to be explained to the committee and/or when we were going through a re-building period and did not have a functioning PLC to plan the calendar and activities for the troop.

Haven't had the scouts need to be there recently. Our committee meetings are most often during a scout meeting though, and if someone needs to bring something to our attention, we are pretty available to listen.

[evmori]

Committee meeting should be open to whoever would like to attend.

[jr56]

There may be special occasions when input from the SPL is wanted, etc.
There is no rule prohibiting a youth from attending a committee meeting if they wish, but there is usually no need for them to be there.

[ASM-142]

I know from experience that some of the topics covered during a committee meeting should not be shared with everyone (eg open forum). Meetings that I have been part of included disclipine of a scout and problems with an adult. This should not be shared with anyone that wants to attend.

[hacimsaalk]

i am kinda with evmori. the committee meetings SHOULD be open to any parent that wishes to attend. as far as scouts go, i think the SPL is just about the only one who has the need to. or, i guess an JASM would also be allright.

being the SPL of the troop we have now, i attend all committee meetings with my dad (committee chair). what i am there for is to give any information that the committee may need, to give my "report" on the status of the troop, and take any constructive criticism for myself or the troop.

it may not work this way in all troops, if the SPL or other scout who attends has a tendency to be loose lipped about things. but i feel that a "representative" of the scouts should be at EVERY meeting. it just helps communications and understanding between the 2 groups

micah

[ASM-142]

i am kinda with evmori. the committee meetings SHOULD be open to any parent that wishes to attend.

If a parent wants to attend committee meetings then they should sign up to be a committee member. This way there is a background check on them before they are exposed to scout information.

i feel that a "representative" of the scouts should be at EVERY meeting. it just helps communications and understanding between the 2 groups

There are items discussed in committee meetings that a scout should not be hearing even if they are good at keeping a secret.

It may be possible to have a committee meeting that is split into two components with a public session and a closed session similar to how some towns hold meetings.

[hacimsaalk]

i am kinda with evmori. the committee meetings SHOULD be open to any parent that wishes to attend.

If a parent wants to attend committee meetings then they should sign up to be a committee member. This way there is a background check on them before they are exposed to scout information.

i feel that a "representative" of the scouts should be at EVERY meeting. it just helps communications and understanding between the 2 groups

There are items discussed in committee meetings that a scout should not be hearing even if they are good at keeping a secret.

It may be possible to have a committee meeting that is split into two components with a public session and a closed session similar to how some towns hold meetings.

why does it matter whether the parents have background checks or not?? are you afraid of you scouts parents?? they arent dealing with scouts, they are dealing with the adults that run the troop.

such as what?? what is discussed that shouldnt/couldnt be heard by an older scout or an SPL?? keeping a secret has nothing to do with it it has everything to with with trust positions and getting kicked out if confidentiality isnt kept.

[evmori]

If Troop have committee meetings behind closed doors & never allow anyone besides the committee members to attend, there is something wrong.

[Mrw]

Some personnel issues are handled by town or school councils in closed session and that is for the protection of the individual employees private matters.

The same would be true for a scout troop. If a parent had confidentially come to the committee and needed help with summer camp money because of some personal family issue - such as a job loss that they didn't want bandied about by the kids who might tease or make the son feel badly about - that should be handled by the committee without the scouts hearing about it.

I would have no problem having the SPL present for most committee discussions, but there also should not be a problem if the SPL is asked to sit outside for these types of personnel discussions either.

I have heard some things said at this type of closed committee discussion that clearly should not be said in the presence of youth. (And really should not have been said at all!)

[ASM-142]

Some personnel issues are handled by town or school councils in closed session and that is for the protection of the individual employees private matters.

The same would be true for a scout troop. If a parent had confidentially come to the committee and needed help with summer camp money because of some personal family issue - such as a job loss that they didn't want bandied about by the kids who might tease or make the son feel badly about - that should be handled by the committee without the scouts hearing about it.

I would have no problem having the SPL present for most committee discussions, but there also should not be a problem if the SPL is asked to sit outside for these types of personnel discussions either.

I have heard some things said at this type of closed committee discussion that clearly should not be said in the presence of youth. (And really should not have been said at all!)

This is also a reason why all parents should not attend all committee meetings.

[ASM-142]

If Troop have committee meetings behind closed doors & never allow anyone besides the committee members to attend, there is something wrong.

What is wrong with a committee discussing some things in private?

[ASM-142]

why does it matter whether the parents have background checks or not?? are you afraid of you scouts parents?? they arent dealing with scouts, they are dealing with the adults that run the troop.

I personal information is discussed duing a committee meeting this information should not be shared with someone who has a questionable background. I am "afraid" of the wrong person using this information for the wrong information.

what is discussed that shouldnt/couldnt be heard by an older scout or an SPL?? keeping a secret has nothing to do with it it has everything to with with trust positions and getting kicked out if confidentiality isnt kept.

I would not (and should not) allow a scout (even the SPL) to know the financial information about any other scout or family; personal problems, etc.

[evmori]

why does it matter whether the parents have background checks or not?? are you afraid of you scouts parents?? they arent dealing with scouts, they are dealing with the adults that run the troop.

I personal information is discussed duing a committee meeting this information should not be shared with someone who has a questionable background. I am "afraid" of the wrong person using this information for the wrong information.

If a parent who isn't registered in the Troop wants to attend a committee meeting they don't need a background check regardless of what is being discussed. If you want to discuss something you feel isn't for non-Troop ears, ask the non-Troop members to leave explaining why you are asking.

Background checks for non-Troop member are not necessary.

[Mrw]

If a parent who isn't registered in the Troop wants to attend a committee meeting they don't need a background check regardless of what is being discussed. If you want to discuss something you feel isn't for non-Troop ears, ask the non-Troop members to leave explaining why you are asking.

Background checks for non-Troop member are not necessary.

Well said.

[hacimsaalk]

why does it matter whether the parents have background checks or not?? are you afraid of you scouts parents?? they arent dealing with scouts, they are dealing with the adults that run the troop.

I personal information is discussed duing a committee meeting this information should not be shared with someone who has a questionable background. I am "afraid" of the wrong person using this information for the wrong information.

what is discussed that shouldnt/couldnt be heard by an older scout or an SPL?? keeping a secret has nothing to do with it it has everything to with with trust positions and getting kicked out if confidentiality isnt kept.

I would not (and should not) allow a scout (even the SPL) to know the financial information about any other scout or family; personal problems, etc.

what is somebody going to do with information from a committee meeting??? unless you are giving out your credit card, SS#, DOB, adress and other pertinent financial info, then who cares????

this would be one area that the SPL could be asked to leave the meeting for. it just inst neccessary for the scouts to know who is having $ problems, etc. so you ar eright in that aspect of things.

[hacimsaalk]

If a parent who isn't registered in the Troop wants to attend a committee meeting they don't need a background check regardless of what is being discussed. If you want to discuss something you feel isn't for non-Troop ears, ask the non-Troop members to leave explaining why you are asking.

Background checks for non-Troop member are not necessary.

Well said.

ditto

[ASM-142]

If a parent who isn't registered in the Troop wants to attend a committee meeting they don't need a background check regardless of what is being discussed. If you want to discuss something you feel isn't for non-Troop ears, ask the non-Troop members to leave explaining why you are asking.

This is why I suggested having public and closed sessions.

Background checks for non-Troop member are not necessary.

I agree. However, only troop members should be permitted in a closed sesson.

[hacimsaalk]

If a parent who isn't registered in the Troop wants to attend a committee meeting they don't need a background check regardless of what is being discussed. If you want to discuss something you feel isn't for non-Troop ears, ask the non-Troop members to leave explaining why you are asking.

This is why I suggested having public and closed sessions.

Background checks for non-Troop member are not necessary.

I agree. However, only troop members should be permitted in a closed sesson.

run it like a school board meeting. have open (AKA public) meetings, and closed (AKA "work") sessions. have the secretary take minutes. make the minutes open to whoever wants them. problem solved