Hi,

As Troop Membership Chair the well being of All Youth, Parents and Troop Leaders is priority.

Too help resolve conflict I am ask Parents to read and study the document I wrote below.

After you read it, I am asking that you talk about the key parts for Scouts with your son.

My contact information is at the end, feel free to contact me day or night if you have questions, concerns or any other matters about any part of the Troop 373 program.

Thank you, Dave

Biblical Conflict Resolution Rules for Troop 373 Scouts and Parents

1) Conflict is a normal part of life. Why? Often those with different gifts can see things differently. But we need everyone with different gifts. Some Scouts mature faster than others. This also causes conflict.

2) Once there is conflict – a problem - what should be done:

a) Think and pray about the conflict.

b) Is the conflict something small that you can forgive and move on, without the need to talk about it?

c) If you cannot forgive and move on, then talk to the person one-on-one in a neutral place with no one else in listening distance.

d) As calmly as you can, talk to the other person, sometimes there is just a misunderstanding, not a real conflict.

e) Try to put yourself in the other person's shoes and see it from their perspective - listen. Think first about what you are going to say. Try not to let emotion cloud your thinking. It is not easy to take back hurtful words.

f) Look for a way to have a compromise.

Rules for Scouts and Conflict:

If a Scout does something that another Scout does not like – want, that Scout should say:

“Please do not do ____________ (hug, take my items, push... ) I do not want you to do that.”

If the Scout does it again: “I asked you not to ___________, I do want what to play your game.”

or

If the Scout does it again: “I asked you not to ___________, I do not think it is funny.”

or

something in the Scout's own words that reflects the strong desire not to have it happen again.

The third time the Scout is not obligated to repeat the request. The Scout should go to the leader in charge of the event, or if not available, to another registered BSA Troop leader and say:

I asked Scout _____ to stop ________ two times and he as not stopped. (Must be phrased this way, starting with the Word “I”. This way the topic is about the Scout asking, not telling on the other Scout.

The Leader should the go to that Scout and say: ______ asked you to stop _________ . Why did you not respect his request? Thus a respectful dialog can be exchanged.

This is based on Matthew 18:15-17.

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church.”

Note: Going to the Church is the last resort. If one does not follow the correct step, only more pain and conflict will come. With correct steps there can be reconciliation of relationships.

In the steps above, Scouts learn and use life skills in Conflict Resolution. These principles can help in conflict at home, school and work.

The only time these rules can be modified is out of safety concerns. A Scout not using a knife or ax correctly would be something a leader should know about ASAP. Events like fire, swimming, cooking, climbing and other areas are were safety concerns could override the time and steps of Conflict Resolution.

2) If a parent has a concern, always talk about it with a Troop 373 Leader one-on-one with no one else in listening distance, if possible in neutral place.

3) Email-text is a very poor way to resolve conflict. There is no give and take. There is no body language. One can easily write things that they would never say to someone face-to-face. There is no dialog. An email asking for a meeting is OK. A group email-text is the worst way to resolve conflict and should never be used. Phone calls have dialog, but are not ideal for many the same reasons emails are not good.

4) If you break a Conflict Resolution rule, apologize so resolution can get back on track.

5) BSA Youth Protection rules must always be followed. No one on one adult/youth talking or contact. Parents are not to discipline Scouts.

6) Parents should teach and reinforce the above rules to their son. If they have a concern they should bring it to the Scoutmaster or Membership Chair.

7) If the concern is about another Parent they they can go to the Committee Chair if they desire.

Brief Roles of :

Scoutmaster: In charge of Program, Youth Leaders and Scouts when needed.

Committee Chair: Organize Parents to help support the Troop Program.

Membership Chair: In charge of resister new Scouts and Leaders, the well being of Youth and Troop Leaders, Training and Troop rules. Remove members for a number of reasons.

Asst. Scoutmaster: To support the Scoutmaster with Program.

Committee Members: Help support the Troop Program.

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at any time.

Thank you,   Troop 373