Required Training

[joat]

Believe it or not -- the Trainer Development Conference is a requirement for anyone who desires to do BSA training.

I served as the district training chairman for 3 years. I found that the best training staff were those that attended TDC, and I encouraged all trainers to take the training. It helps one be more effective at delivering training. But I have to challenge your statement that TDC is a requirment. That isn't written anywhere I've ever seen. Help me out here.

[pipestone1991]

ANyone that goes on campouts with a troop should havde scoutmasters funamemntals and the SM Outdoor Training. No Exceptions!!!
Amyone that fits the above Shold have CPR and AT the least Basic First Aid. Anyone that does treks etc should have wilderness first aid. No Exxcpetions!

We've never really disagreed with you wagion.In a perfect world this would happen. However, this world is far from perfect. This is a volunteer-led organization as explained above that would crumble if this type of training was mandatory.

[wagionvigil]

I also belong to a Volunteer Fire Department and TRaining is mandatory and requires alot more time than BSA training does.

[WVBeaver05]

We've never really disagreed with you wagion.In a perfect world this would happen. However, this world is far from perfect. This is a volunteer-led organization as explained above that would crumble if this type of training was mandatory.

I also belong to a Volunteer Fire Department and TRaining is mandatory and requires alot more time than BSA training does.

Interesting that you should bring that up. I know that the same arguments were made here (years ago) about mandatory training and the VFD. Well training is mandatory and the VFD is fully staffed with a waiting list. i.e. the volunteer organization didn't crumble -- it got MUCH better.

I always wonder what the basis is for the prediction that BSA would fall apart if training were required.

YiS

[wagionvigil]

That prediction is coming from those that are against mandatory training.

[mhjacobson]

It is also very interesting that GSUSA has a manditory training requirement (you can not register as an adult leader until you are fully trained) and they seem to not have a precipitous lack of volunteer leaders.

In the Coast Guard Auxiliary, one must undergo a series of training courses, and a Federal Security Clearance Investigation, befor they become a member and they are still getting volunteers.

[pipestone1991]

It is also very interesting that GSUSA has a manditory training requirement (you can not register as an adult leader until you are fully trained) and they seem to not have a precipitous lack of volunteer leaders.

In the Coast Guard Auxiliary, one must undergo a series of training courses, and a Federal Security Clearance Investigation, befor they become a member and they are still getting volunteers.

Both organizations are also much smaller than the BSA.

[pipestone1991]

That prediction is coming from those that are against mandatory training.

Yep. I like training (I have YP)...however, you all have mentioned A TON of adults who refused to be trained. They will leave and many troops w8ill fold. I'm sorry but it is reality. As mentioned above VFD is much smaller than the BSA.

[wagionvigil]

You are sadly wrong. Most fire protection throughout the USA is provided my Volunteers not paid firefighters and those Volunteers must go through 100's of hours of training and constant updates.To provide a safe and High quality program that our youth deserve, training Must become mandatory. There are too many loose cannons out there.

[mhjacobson]

I think that it has more to do with the expectations of BSA than anything else. We say that traIning is required and we have added 'increase in number of trained leaders' as one of the annual benchmarks for the National Quality Unit designation, and then we do nothing about it. In one of the units for which I serve as commissioner, we have an adult leader who refuses to get trained (and messes everything up that he touches) yet is a member of a volunteer emergency mangement response team where he has hazd to take 100's of hours to keep the designation. When I asked him about the difference, he states 'they make me take the training to stay a member!' Do the untrained volunteers not value scouting, I do not think so. They just do not value training.

[Cowboy]

A lot of good things said here. I do think that Training should be mandatory. What Training, is really the only question. It should be as BSA recommends it. YPT for everyone who is in a direct contact position. A good share of BSA training is or can be done online, there is no reason for someone to miss YPT or Troop Committee Challenge. Turn off the idiot box for a couple of hours and make the effort. There is a lot that does need to be done "on site" also, but if you are going to take the time to go out and do it or show it to the boys you should also take the time to make sure that you know how BSA says things should be done. I am a firm believer in earning "titles". If you want to be able to wear the ASM or SM patch, then you must first earn that privaledge. If you want to be the CC you should know what you are expected to do. After 7 years associated with Cubs, my view on Boy Scouts was slewed. It took the YPT and New Leader Essentials to really drive home the Boy Led aspect of Boy Scouts. I did refuse to even purchase a uniform until I had completed everything "required" except Outdoor which I was registered for. I then felt that I had earned the right to wear a leaders uniform. But that is just my opinon.

[biglou]

This is my personal opinion. Training should be mandatory. Period. If you do not complete the training, you should be removed until you complete it. You need to know what is expected of you. There are too many Troops out there that are doing their own thing. If you look at one of the quotes from Baden-Powell, he said that the patrol method is the only way to run a Scout Troop. How can you know what the patrol method, the 3 aims and 8 methods of Scouting, Outdoor Safety, the Guide to Safe Scouting, and other recources without attending training?

[mhjacobson]

In my role as a unit commissioner, I travel to units where the leaders have participated in training, and units where the leadership is not fully trained. I can immediately see the difference. In fact, I rarely request the training records from the troops prior to a visit and it is amazing what I can tell aas I see how the troop is run. Training is not only important it is necessary for the survival of a troop and the provision of an excellent program for the boys.

One troop, that I have in mind, was a quality unit for the past two years, with with over 70% of the scouts making advancement, leadership in terms of Good Turn for America, etc., etc. In comes new adult leadership, who are not trained, and in one year there has been almost no advancement, the addition of new (not so legal) troop advancement requirements, the shunning of the experienced leaders, etc. They have undone in two months what the old leadership took three years to build.