Resigning

[t305spl]

What is the process a SPL must take to resign? Let me know!!!

[t305spl]

ANYONE!!! Right now I am just planning to warn my CC ahead of time and give the committee members the letter at monday nights meeting.

[RWSmith]

I doubt you'll get a straight answer on this. Not even from me. In fact, the straightest I can give you is, "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do."

That being said, I'll you the philosophical side... You're a volunteer, just like the adults are. Nobody, other than you, can make you stay on as SPL. This is a good time to remind you though, that you made a commitment and the only thing on the line here is your own integrity. It's only six months (for most troops)... could you maybe tough it out?

Don't get me wrong, now. I have no doubt there are good and justifiable reasons, personal or troop-wise, to hand a letter of resignation over to the SM or even the CC. If your reasons are personal, and you have to do it, then do it as politely and respectfully as possible. Although they are entitled to an explanation, you are likewise entitled to keep your personal reasons to yourself. Also, if it's personal, then you should consult with your parent(s) for their advise, if you haven't already done so.

But, if this is a "protest" resignation, and it's really that bad, and you are in the right, then you still need to do it as politely and respectfully as possible. Your letter can simply say, "With all due respect, I must, regrettably, resign as SPL, effective such-and-such date." [Two weeks notice?] Now, in this case, the SM and CC are really entitled to an explanation. But, it's usually not wise to put emotions to pen, which can be best expressed in person. Hand them your letter, in person, and, at that time, explain your protesting stance... POLITELY, RESPECTFULLY. Just remember, you ARE burnging a bridge here. Some bridges can be re-built. Some can't. Either way you look at it, whether or not you think it could be re-built, it's best to burn only ONE at a time.

One more thing... If this is a protest resignation and it's because the SM (or whomever) won't let you and your PLC run the Troop, then it would be appropriate, IMHO, to bring it to the next PLC. Get it out in the open... I love a good mutiny. A tyrant SM is a good a reason as any to band a bunch of boys together. TEAMWORK. Love it. I've seen it work. Turned the SM right around.

Disclaimer: I have no idea what's behind this, so, please don't get offended by anything I may have read into it.

[t305spl]

Its kind of like a protest. I hope by me doing this they will realize there needs to be a change and one fast. Since Im the oldest in the troop. Two ranks above the next in line, only one JLTC Trained and very responsible, I hope by me resigning they will realize many things need to be changed. I am willing to take other leadership positions just not that one. My letter is polite and gives a brief idea of what happened. No Blame assigned. Also I included I am willing to speak with them about my resigning and help them decide who will take my position. I am not finalizing it until I speak with the CC personally he might be able to change my mind. Lets see. Ill keep updating.

[OldGreyBear]

Running away from a problem is never the right thing to do. If you have such issues that you feel quitting is the only way out for you, why not address the problems to the Committee Chair directly with your plan to improve the situation. Hard as it may be for you to beleive, your resignation will not have the effect you are counting on. I know I am out on a limb here, but if your committee is like most, most members will not have any idea what you are protesting and will see you only as a child quiting in a fit of pique, In my experience letters written to make a point almost always backfire on the person. Work for change, but in the position you hold

[t305spl]

I spoke to my Committee Chair and he really dosent want me to leave. I told him I would think about it. I want to hold them in suspense and then give them all the things this troop needs changed. This troop is in no way like others, we are new and I have taken many positions in the troop, I know it would hurt the troop and the point would get across. This position I have had for almost two years and I have done alot. I am going to think about it and speak with a few people and Im sure we can come up with a great compromise so nothing drastic for the troop happens.

[wagionvigil]

Over many years I have seen people who thought they could not be replaced. They are always wrong.
Everyone can be replaced and usually no one notices the difference. Are you and Eagle Yet? This could come back to haunt you at your Eagle BOR.

[RWSmith]

You know, t305spl,

After reading your post where you said the Troop was "new" and that you'd been the SPL for two years, it made me remember when I was a kid... Once upon a time, my Troop was new, too...

Now, this was a long time ago, so it's fuzzy... Regardless of the details tough, you'll get the point... When I joined Scouts... within a year of our Troop starting up, the SPL, a strong leader, moved away. Another kid took over for a while, but he wasn't really interested in the job. I was a PL for a few months and then "made" SPL. I was then re-elected SPL for (probably) two or three more terms at six months each. Any of this sound familiar? Within a couple of trips to summer camp (the key point to making a Troop grow roots), we had a couple of Star and First Class Scouts able and willing to run for SPL. I had gotten used to being SPL and so had everybody else. My SM, however, was a very wise man. And he suggested to me, privately, that I choose not run for SPL, again. He told me that some of the boys and even some of the adults would be against this (that I should run if nominated); he said that it would a bumpy ride, but if the Troop was to continue growing, I needed to step aside, thereby allowing somebody else to step up and take the reigns. I did and he was so right. It was hard, at first. But, I mentored the new SPL, I played OA, and, ultimately, I went on to become the first Eagle in my Troop. If I had not taken my SM's advice, I would have burned out and never completed my Eagle. (And, BTW, my Eagle BOR was murder.)

So, I can tell you, regardless of the manner in which you step aside, step down, whatever... you'll still be blazin' that Troop's trail. And you don't have to resign in protest. You could tell the CC and SM in advance, that you've been the lead dog in that pack long enough, that it's time for somebody else to step up and so, you're stepping down, that you'll be happy to mentor the new SPL. Make the announcement (with your SM and CC behind you!) at the next PLC. Let the boys decide how they want to proceed, and you help them, come what may. You'd be surprised how much respect you could earn by turning this this situation around and stealthfully putting the monkey on the PLC's back (or the CC and SM, depending upon your perspective) without making anybody feel like it's being unreasonably forced upon them. Tell them that the Troop is old enough now to NEVER have to have an SPL remain in office for two years, again; that they can and will rise to meet the challenge; and that you trust them, that you beleive in them. (Just because you don't believe it right now, doesn't make it a lie. It's called faith.) Then, shut up. Let them hear the silent strength of an Eagle's wings while gliding.

Just my opinion, okay? But, I really do think you'll be amazed.

[Guneukitschik]

My advice to you is to resign your position....but take another position within the troop. And make it clear that you don't want to quit scouting completely. Tell your committee what you think is wrong and how they could fix it.

Then live with your decision! Help the new SPL do the best job he can and implement the necessary changes.

[Pheonix]

This may be too late but I agree with vigil. I doubt you can do more about it with one resignation than lots of SPL urging. From what you said they need you to run the troop and your resignation would do what?

What exactly are you trying to do?
If youre trying to spite them, it will ruin your troop. If youre trying to sting them into changing, it won't work. If they won't pay attention to you and you want them to beg for forgiveness then a combination of the two.

The only time I would leave is if you think you are destroying the troop or you want to allow others to run it (in which case you should wait until you're terms up).

[t305spl]

I dont feel that is the only time. What happens when the stress level rises? What happens when work and school and being SPl becomes to much? Your not going to drop work and school for scouting. Actually your wrong I talked to my CC and told him I was planning to resign, what happened at the next Committee Meeting it was like a button went off and the motor started running. We are now moving much better than before. The button clicked. We have great trips planned and we are moving faster than ever to become BoyLed. It might seem arogant when I say that the troop would fold if I stepped down now, it wasnt coming from me thats exactly what my CC, SM, 3 ASM's, 4 MC's and the Advancement Chairperson told me. The reason why I was going to resign was not spite just sickness I worked and worked to get them moving forward but it was all wasted energy. I wore myself out. NOT GOOD let me tell you. I didnt want them to beg for forgiveness, just realize they need to start working and when I told them I was planning to resign they kicked into 5th gear immediately. Actually I just found out at my last PLC Meeting if I resigned then the 2 ASPL's and 2 out of 4 PL's would too. I decided I would continue the term because I didnt want to tear the troop apart, I those scouts and I resigned the troop would seize almost immediately.
Thanks All

[cballman]

Matt welcome to the real world of voluntering. its not as easy to make the decision you made and I would like to be one of the first to congragulate you on your troop and your willinginess to help the boys. the mark of not a good leader but a great leader.

keep up the good work

Charlie tha BEAR with issues

[BM_Crawford]

Yes congrats, I know how you're feeling I'm going through heck right now with my own committee lol

[RWSmith]

The reason why I was going to resign was not spite just sickness I worked and worked to get them moving forward but it was all wasted energy. I wore myself out. NOT GOOD let me tell you.

Hoss,

That's the secret to a volunteer living a long life... One might do well to consider his own personal 13th Point of the Scout Law. I've know Scouters, military comrades, and the like, go to their graves because of the very valuable lesson you have already mastered... Stress can do permanent damage. In fact, it really can kill ya'. Good for you.

[t305spl]

Thanks All