Re: Leaders paying own capitation?

In article <DLydnQRKEsFWmf3anZ2dnUVZ8tGqnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
dave.barwickns@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx says...
They don't all have to be Leaders. Parents could do the job. If they don't
want to then put cut down on some of the things you are doing and if asked
tell them why - you can't give up that many weekends anymore. You can also
put the cost up so that you are not having to pay if the Group cannot pay
it.

If, as one of the most recent additions to a small team of Leaders, I
start insisting that things are changed, it's going to affect
relationships within that Team. Believe me, I am not usually the kind to
sit back and shut up, but I don't think demanding changes is the right
thing to do here.

You should not feel that you HAVE to do these things if you are struggling.

It's not so much that I'm struggling really - more that it often feels
that I'm giving a lot (and I realise I'm not the only Leader doing that)
and getting no recognition for it.

It does say that, for example, if a cub leader was taking their cubs
to the zoo then the cost of entry for the leader should be met by the
section/group.

That's exactly what I mean - and a good example, because we did recently
have a day at the zoo. It's not a zoo I particularly like, but it wasn't
organised by me (regional event) and the choice was: I go, or the group
doesn't.

Why couldn't the parents go with them?

We don't have enough parents willing to go through the checks, or enough
parents to volunteer for events. We did have one parent attend that day;
we still ended up with a 1:6 ratio (for Beaver outings it's recommended
1:4).

If you mean why couldn't it be a parent-and-kid outing - I don't know
how many would have been willing to pay twice the cost, but I do know
most of the parents wouldn't have been willing to give up their day for
it - and that some couldn't have attended, due to circumstances or other
(work) commitments.

Then the finances need sorting. Either the Group pays or you share the cost
between those going and if parents ask why tell them that they are taking
their kids for an activity that would not happen if you were not there. If
they still object tell them to take their own kids.

I think it's more a question of attitude than finances tbh. The zoo
trip, for example, wasn't presented as "will we do this?" or "will we
see who's interested?". More "this has been organised".

I agree that changes are needed; I just don't feel in a position to be
able to make them or push for them.

Nobody makes you go.

....just like nobody makes me be a Leader. I do that - and go to events -
because I want them to happen for the kids.

You are offering an opportunity - you give them the
dates and cost (covering your cost) if they want to go you go if not then
don't. You also ask for adult help.

Again, not always up to me. I have tried to recruit more parents, but
when we've had little response, it's "oh well that's how it is".

(And I often end up attending events for the other
sections because a) I have children in those sections; so b) I'm usually
driving them and some of the others; and c) I can show up in a scarf and
therefore count as an official adult.)

But if you are there as an official adult needed for the event you are going
because you want to support your kids and the group - you then decide whose
benefit it is.

All of us.

If I take my kids out I pay and would expect to.

If I take the Scouts out and my kids go - I pay for them. If I am there as a
leader I pay the leaders price (whether free or subsidised).

....which is as it should be, IMO.

Not quite as simple as that. None of the Leaders in my group ever asks
for petrol money, or any other costs other than the direct cost of
purchasing something. I suspect that if I did, there'd be a lot of
raised eyebrows and bad feeling - which isn't going to help any of us
feel more valued.


That shouldn't stop you asking.

I doubt I'd feel any better about things if the other Leaders were
resentful and excluding me (yes, I think it would happen...)

Believe me, I'm no shrinking violet. I just don't think it would be
helpful for me to clash with other Leaders.

And that is why you are failing to attract
people. They feel that it is going to cost them dearly and not everyone can
afford that. A policy needs to be made clear what support there is from the
Group Exec to Leaders and other adults within the group so that they are not
left in this position.

SNIP

and I'd like to see a real discussion (in my
group) about how best to recruit and keep Leaders, because it doesn't
seem to be something we're very good at.

It seems that your Group needs to have some serious discussions about a lot
of things - I am guessing that you do not have a GSL and possibly not an
Exec or at least one that is functional.

Acting GSL who'd probably have retired by now if we weren't so short of
Leaders, and other individuals (e.g. Group Treasurer) who do their best
at doing their bit.

--
KVL
.

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