Troop Rules or Resolutions?

If we respond to problems by instituting troop rules or policies we become enforcers. Few rules don’t have legitimate exceptions, so we also become judges. When rules are broken there must be a penalty, so we end up having to dole out punishment. As the matrix of rules and policies grow most of our time is spent enforcing, judging, and punishing. A system of enforcement, judgement, and punishment obscures the aspirations embodied in the Scout Oath and Law, and our aim of building character by examining those aspirations.

I think we are much better off seeking resolution to difficulties rather than reacting to them with rule making. When a concern arises we ask a question of our youth leadership; “It has come to my attention that a few Scouts showed up for our last outing without the proper gear. How do you suggest we avoid this in the future?” “What part of the Scout Oath and Law would you apply to resolve a given behavior problem?”

Scouts will jump on the opportunity presented by these questions with great energy and discuss a plan of action. They will own the resolution, increasing the likelihood that it will have the desired effect.