Reply to Scouts BSA DC Troop 248 for Girls - Scoutmaster Answers Your Questions

Forum Index » Tweens and Teens

Reply to "Scouts BSA DC Troop 248 for Girls - Scoutmaster Answers Your Questions"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=cburkhardt]Financial Reorganization

I am a leader of a local Scouts BSA Troop and not a national leader in the BSA, so these comments are my own.  It is well written-about in the media that organizations like schools, athletic clubs, churches and the BSA have experienced levels of inappropriate and even criminal behavior on the part of some adults who engaged in inappropriate behavior with children.  As I understand it these organizations have a financial reorganization option under federal law to assemble insurance proceeds and some of their own assets to pay financial damages to victims.  When this happens, victims make their claims, payments are made, and the organiztion can move forward from that time without having to defend aginst claims on an ongoing basis.  This allows significant payments to victims.  It also allows the organizations to retain the facilities and finances necessary for them to continue their educational, religious, athletic or youth serving services.  If the BSA national organization goes through that process, our local programming and facilities will remain unaffected.

Of key importance to those of us volunteering to provide services to youth and the parents who are considering having their children participate, are the rules and practices we follow today.  These are appropriately rigorous and absolutely mandatory.  The "Safe Church" requirements of the Episcopal Church and the "Youth Protection" regulations of the BSA are elaborate and strict.  In Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls we have women and men adult leaders who must pass a required Youth Protection Training program efore they can serve.  Out parents and guardians will be given a thorough orientation to these requirements during our first Troop meeting on February 2.  A link to these requirements hs here:  http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/adults/policies/. This is what we tell the girsl:  http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/about/the-buddy-system/.

Here is an excerpt from my letter to parents posted on our web site.  Whether you have your child join our group or any other, you should alway inquire how the specific group operates to protect our children:

"Our Troop follows the BSA’s Youth Protection policies and the Safe Church policies of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington to protect your girl and others involved in Scouting.  Our Troop Committee and the Scoutmaster Staff follow mandatory practices, which I summarize below:
Two Leaders on Outings.  A minimum of two registered and Youth Protection trained BSA leaders or the combination of one registered BSA leader and the parent of a participating Scout must be present.  Both persons must be at least 21 years old and at least one of these people must be a female.
Two Leaders on Cyber Communication.  There are no one-on-one online or digital activity or electronic communications.  Two Troop Leaders and a parent or guardian are always included in any electronic communication with a youth member, ensuring no one-on-one contact exists in text, social media, or other forms of online or digital communication.  The “Scoutbook” web and app system (discussed below) generates these copies and is our exclusive means of cyber communication with youth members and families.
No One-On-One Contact is allowed between Youth and Adults.  When a situation requires a personal conference, the meeting is conducted with knowledge and in the view of other adults and youth.
Separate Accommodations for Youth and Adults.  No youth is allowed to sleep in a tent with an adult other than her own parent or guardian.  Separate shower and bathroom facilities are used for adults, youth and girls. The only exception is when separate facilities are not available and scheduled and posted times are used to separate adults from youth and males from females.
Buddy System.  Self-selected groups of 2 or 3 girls assure girls are never alone on Scouting activities.
Privacy is Maintained.  Girls and adults respect privacy in situations like changing clothes or taking showers.  Adults are not allowed into such areas unless a health or safety issue requires it. In such cases two adults are required.
No Inappropriate Digital Use.  No use of digital devices is allowed in circumstances where privacy is expected or requested.
No Secret Organizations.  These are prohibited in the BSA and in our Troop.
No Hazing or Bullying is permitted.
Girl leaders are carefully advised.  We monitor and advise our girl leaders to assure safety and compliance with BSA policies.
Discipline.  This is always positive and constructive.  No corporal or negative activities are allowed.
Appropriate Clothing Required.  Bathing suits are required and no revealing clothing is allowed.
Mandatory Reporting.  All Troop Leaders are required by law, BSA and Episcopal Church policy to report youth protection-related incidents.  Any good-faith suspicion or belief that a child has been abused or exposed to any form of exploitation or obscenity is required by law to be reported to local law enforcement.  We will also notify our local professional BSA Scout Executive and the Chief Executive (Rector) of the Church.
Parent Reporting.  Any parent who has reason to believe that BSA youth protection policies are not being followed should notify our local professional BSA Scout Executive by calling (248) 530-9360 and the Rector of the Church by calling (202) 232-4244.  Instances of actual abuse should be reported directly to law enforcement, as well as the BSA Scout Executive and Church Rector."

That is my summary of many of the principal points of the Youth Protection Program and how we implement it.  You can read my entire letter (a bit long, but provides all of our operating details) here:  http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/adults/scoutmasters-letter-to-prospective-parents/. 
[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics