[Philmont]: choosing crew

Good morning.

I was in this situation in 2003. It is no fun.

First, I discussed the situation with several experienced adults in the
troop to get their input on how to select the scouts. I believe this was an
important step.

Second, I took the Scouts who were Eagle or Life already. That meant I had 4
Scouts seeking to fill 2 slots.

I asked each of these 4 Scouts to write a plan to get to Life and give it to
me. All four did. I also asked them to go on 2 training events with the
crew. All 4 went on the first and 3 of 4 went on the second. So, I still had
to eliminate one. I drew lots for the last 2 positions. It was totally
unfair and totally fair. It was unfair because it had nothing to do with
merit. It was fair because the young man who lost was not being judged or
picked on; he was just unlucky.

Ultimately, it worked out. The guys who did not get to go with our crew got
to go to Philmont the next year with the council contingent. One even got to
go with his dad, which would not have been an option with our troop
contingent. The four Scouts are all still in the troop. Three are Life
Scouts. One just turned in his Eagle packet. He was First Class before the
process started.

Based on that experience, I established a priority system before I start
taking names for our 2006 contingent. We now use age first, then rank. Also,
you are not on the list until you pay a $100 deposit. This system works
because we announce the priority system before we start taking names.

David K. Palmer
Scoutmaster - Olympia (Wash.) Troop 266
Every Scout Absolutely Matters
www.olympiatroop266.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sian Baranco" <sbaranco@msn.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of list philmont" <philmont@troop47.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 9:07 AM
Subject: [Philmont]: choosing crew

> How do you go about choosing your crew? We have planned to take 3 leaders
> and 9 scouts. 6 scouts signed up and paid deposits in a reasonable time.
> When we declared "last call" 6 more signed contracts and paid their
> deposits. So as we see it, we have 6 scouts for 3 slots. All are much the
> same age and rank. All are physically fit and capable of doing the trek.
2
> are moving to Michigan this summer but still want to go with their
> friends(they have been active and popular with an ASM father).
>
> A suggestion has been made to draw straws, keep the alternates on the
> preparation plan and see what happens. I can forsee a couple of dropouts.
> Our last trek in 02, we had to beat the bushes to get the last 2 slots
paid
> for at the last minute. So we are good at recruiting extras but not at
> turning away anyone. Bad feelings are already developing. Random picking
> always seems unfair to me but I think that is just me.
>
> We are trying to get this nailed down this weekend so we can move on.
> Advice?
>
> Sian Baranco
> Troop 14
> Sewanee, TN
>
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> As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
> Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
> loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
> cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
> -------------------------------------------------------
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>
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-------------------------------------------------------
As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Thu May 26 14:43:03 2005