BSA’s new (2015) “Scouter Code of Conduct” states “I will exercise sound judgment and demonstrate good leadership and use the Scouting program for its intended purpose consistent with the mission of the Boy Scouts of America”.
Is that a promise that every well-meaning volunteer leader can keep, even using best efforts?
BSA is seemingly under the impression that “sound judgment” and “good leadership” can be exercised by fiat, or as Captain Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek – The Next Generation fame would say after giving an order, “make it so”. More easily said than done . . . but a noble thought.
The exercise of “sound judgment” and “good leadership” are instead more likely able to be accomplished by an adult volunteer upon obtaining the necessary experience and training as discussed in one of the author’s related blog postings.
Indeed, “judgment” has been defined as “a considered conclusion” based on all available options, knowledge, and prior experience. (See Chapter IV, “Risk Management in Scouting – Essentials for Leaders“). It is unlikely that an adult volunteer will be able to assess “all available options” and take advantage of the requisite “knowledge” without having acquired the necessary level of experience and training, be it for managing youth in the outdoors, or conducting an activity in the contemplated environment. (See Chapter XII, “Risk Management in Scouting – Essentials for Leaders“).
In the author’s view, this provision of BSA’s new “Scouter Code of Conduct” might more appropriately have been written as follows: “I will obtain the experience and training necessary to enable me to exercise sound judgment and demonstrate good leadership during the planning and conduct of a contemplated outdoor Scouting activity.“
Even though that is not what the Code says, that is what an adult volunteer should do. Make it so!