DEALING WITH DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS
This Page Last Updated on 03/11/2006
| Purpose and Leadership | Procedure |
| Consequences | Consequences Not Allowed |
| Documentation | Conducting a Conference |
| After the Conference | Handling Additional Incidents |
The following are instructions on how to deal with discipline problems in the Troop
WHO DEALS WITH DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS: Scoutmaster, ASMs, Patrol Advisors, SPL, ASPLs, PLs, and APLs
PURPOSE: To maintain order, safety, and Scout like behavior at Troop and Patrol activities
The Troop’s Discipline Policy should be followed when dealing with discipline issues in the Troop.
1. If a Scout does not comply with a request from an Adult or Junior Leader in the Troop, he will be politely asked to comply once more.
2. If the Scout does not comply with the second request, he will be taken aside by the Adult or Junior Leader and told that failure to comply will result in a Write Up and a meeting with the Senior Patrol Leader or ASPL and the Scouts Patrol Leader. The Write Up will then be forwarded to the Scoutmaster to be filed.
3. The following incidents will require a Scoutmaster’s Conference:
- Fights where another is injured.
- Any abuse allegations of a Scout by a Scout.
- Stealing.
- Drug use or possession.
- Any other major incidents.
- Deliberate destruction of Troop, Personal, Government, or Private property
4. Make sure that you write up Scouts when you tell them that you are going to write them up, failure to do so may result in that Scout and others not taking what you say seriously.
5. Please refer to the Troop’s Discipline Policy for further instructions.
6. Consequences may be given out in accordance with the Troop’s Discipline Policy and which make sense given the offense.
In addition to the system above, both Adult and Youth Leaders may also use the following consequences for discipline in the Troop:
1. Time Out - This may take the form of being sent outside from a Troop meeting, taking a Time Out in a tent on a campout, or sitting away from the rest of the Troop / Patrol while taking the Time Out. Time Outs should be given in five-minute intervals with additional time added if the negative behavior continues. The Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster should be notified if a Time Out in excess of ten minutes is given. In order for time to be credited towards the Time Out, the Scout must do the Time Out quietly where asked.
2. Write Ups - In accordance with the above guidelines.
3. Essays - Adult Leaders may require that a Scout write an essay about their behavior.
4. Suspensions - Suspensions from the Troop may be given by the Scoutmaster. A Scout may be suspended until other consequences are completed. Suspensions may last from one Troop meeting, special outing or campout up to six months.
5. Apology Letters - Youth and Adult Leaders when deemed appropriate may assign Apology Letters.
6. Service to the Troop - Service to the Troop may be given as a consequence by the Scoutmaster.
7. Restitution - A Scout or his family may be asked to pay if property is damaged.
8. Removal from Activity - A Scout may be removed from a Troop or Patrol activity by either Adult or Youth Leaders.
9. Dismissal from Troop - Scouts can be dismissed from the Troop by the Scoutmaster with the approval of the Troop Committee.
The following consequences and activities are prohibited in the Troop:
1. Hazing - This includes but is not limited to: shouting, cursing out, ridiculing, name calling, initiation activities or any other demeaning activity.
2. Physical Activity - Physical activity such as push ups, sit ups, or running may not be used as a consequence.
3. Kitchen Patrol - KP cannot be used as a consequence.
Use the following procedure when filling out the Write-Up (Incident) form:
•SCOUT: Enter Name of Scout
•AGE: Age of Scout
•DATE: Enter Date of Incident
•LOCATION: Enter where Incident Occurred
•TYPE: Circle Type of Incident
•FORM COMPLETED BY: Your Name
•OTHERS INVOLVED: Names of others involved in Incident and witnesses
•DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED: Write down what you saw happened, both your actions and the actions of others involved.
•DESCRIBE WHAT ACTIONS WERE TAKEN: Write down what you did to address the Incident with the Scout and who else participated.
•SCOUT’S COMMENTS: Let the Scout write whatever they want. They can agree and take responsibility or disagree and write their own version of events.
•CONFERENCE SIGNATURE: You and anyone else who met with the Scout sign and date the report
•SCOUT’S SIGNATURE: Scout involved signs the report. This is not an admission of guilt, just an acknowledgement of the actions taken. Write “Refused To Sign” if needed.
•Use additional paper if needed.
•Do not do anything on backside of form. The back is for Scoutmaster follow up.
•Turn into Scoutmaster for follow up and filing.
•A separate report must be filled out for each Scout involved.
After filling out the Write-Up (Incident) Form, a Conference should be held with the Scout, the Adult or Junior Leader filing out the form, and either the ASPL – Training and Discipline, the SPL, the Scout’s Patrol Leader and / or Patrol Advisor, or the Scoutmaster.
1. Find a time and location with relative privacy away from distractions.
2. Explain what was observed and the reasons the observed behavior is not acceptable.
3. Let the Scout read the Incident Form and ask questions.
4. Let the Scout write any comments in the section provided on the form.
5. Have all conference participants sign the form.
1. Turn in the completed form to the Scoutmaster.
2. Follow up with the Scout to make sure that any consequences are followed through with.
3. Monitor the Scout for continued behavior.
If additional incidents occur with the same Scout, use the following procedure:
1. If a second incident occurs within three months from the first Write Up, then the Scout will be written up and have a meeting with his Patrol Leader and Patrol Adviser. The Write Up will again be forwarded to the Scoutmaster to be filed.
2. A third incident within three months of the first Write Up will result in a Write Up and a Scoutmaster’s Conference. The Scout’s parent(s) will also be notified.
3. A fourth incident within three months from the first Write Up will result in another Scoutmaster’s Conference and possible suspension and / or dismissal from the Troop. Parent(s) will again be notified and may attend a meeting with the Scout, the Scoutmaster, and Troop Committee or representatives from the Committee.
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