As many of you know, I was the Cubmaster for the local Cub Scout pack in my hometown and I stepped down a few years ago and handed it off to a very capable person to keep the program going and growing. And this person did a great job of it, at least until, it became to much for some other people in the organization to allow a woman to be in charge of the pack. For the last two years, the current cub master has been brow beat, un-duly influenced, coerced, backstabbed and undermined in as many different ways as you could imagine by members of the pack committee. Many friendships have been dashed apart because of this style of leadership and in the end it has hurt the program as a whole. Recently, the cub master stepped down from the position and for good reason and I cannot blame her at all. Even her assistant wants nothing to do with the program as he does not want to be manipulated and worked as a puppet for a program he has no investment in anymore. (His son is no longer a cub scout but rather a boy scout.) In addition, I stepped down as a committee member and as a advancements chairman, and a few other people in the group stepped down for maybe the same reasons as I mentioned above or for their own, but all in all, it was pretty much a wiping of the slate for current committee members and leaders. To solve this problem, a family meeting was held to find new talent and volunteers for the organization. I did not attend the meeting as I do not want to be associated with the leadership at the current time, and I did not want to be involved anymore. However, I did hear from those that attended that the focus of the program will now, no longer be about the boys, but what works for the adults who lead the group. I heard that a large number of activities and events that I and my successor worked hard to develop are being eliminated because, "while the kids love it, it is a hassle for the leaders and adults." Big freaking deal! Because it is designed for the boys is the reason the kids love it! It is not about the leadership, it is a program for the boys. Since when do people (and I mean adults) who volunteer in organizations like scouts and things like that think that it is all about them and how much recognition they can get, instead of putting their time and talents toward helping boys develop, grow, mature and become men? I think it is people who have never had any kind of real recognition in their life or maybe have done nothing that proves that they matter. The committee leadership that picked and poked and tore apart the group so that they could have it their way, got exactly what they wanted. A group that is all about them. This cub scout organization that I worked so hard to develp and make a fun program for the BOYS has been destroyed all because of some people's egos. To these people I say, grow up! It ain't about you. I am sad that this local group will now founder and fall and ultimately fail those it is supposed to help, the boys of my hometown. But those that brought it down can blame only themselves for what it will become.
I am glad I stepped away when I did. I am only sorry that so many friendships were damaged over this matter. If you find yourself in a situation similar to this, simply walk away while you can. Cut your losses and hopefully you will retain some of your friendships and dignity.
Later!
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2 comments:
Isn't it possible that you have only heard her side of the story, which is not necessarily the truth, but what she wants you to hear?
Isn't it possible that you have been lied to and stabbed in the back as well? You may not know her as well as you think you do.
You probably shouldn't judge the situation without having all the facts at hand!
I highly doubt that I have my facts wrong as much of what I got was not from one single source. Many people have had their friendship destroyed over play for supposed power within a group that is supposed to focus on boys and not adult egos. I know the person I speak of in the bog very well. However, I do not know the person that commented as he or she has kept their identity a secret. It is my assumtion that the commentor has no information at all on the subject, but simply a busy body.
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