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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Beavers Blackmail?!

41 replies

cathbvr78 · 13/04/2018 12:26

Well, I just don't know what to think! My son has shown an interest in starting Beavers and turned 6 at the weekend. I emailed my local group and had a very odd email back.....they said they were full, but would be happy to put him on their waiting list (fair enough), then went on to say that if I became a volunteer however, they would look at his position in the list more favorably. I feel a bit offended really; it's not that i am adverse to helping - i help out at school when I can, but I really don't think it's appropriate to try and basically bribe people like this! Anyone else had any experience of this situation? Is this the norm? I haven't replied yet, as I'm still annoyed.

OP posts:
Hmmalittlefishy · 13/04/2018 12:45

Surely it's down to the ratios? At the minute with the volunteers they have they are full
More volunteers = more capacity to take more children
It's beavers not some kind of corrupt back street organisation! Grin

FrancisCrawford · 13/04/2018 12:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bitlost · 13/04/2018 12:42

Completely normal.

Wh0Kn0wsWhereTheT1meG0es · 13/04/2018 12:42

Yes, normal. It's not briber, if you are going to volunteer your child will need a place to enable you to do so. Otherwise they just go on the waiting list.

honeysucklejasmine · 13/04/2018 12:41

Yep, normal. At that age, taking on one new leader means they can take up to 8 extra children. Yours, and 7 others.

FlaviaAlbia · 13/04/2018 12:40

That's normal. I'm not sure about beavers as I'm in a younger group but we need one adult per eight kids and the group leader doesn't count towards ratios, so that's three leaders for a pack of 16. One more volunteer can open up spaces that aren't there before.

BertrandRussell · 13/04/2018 12:37

Normal and sensible. They are desperate for volunteers.

arewethereyetmum78 · 13/04/2018 12:35

Totally normal here. I run a brownie unit and got involved when I couldn't get my eldest daughter a place when she turned 7. It's usual her to put your child on the rainbow waiting list when they're a year old. I put my youngest on the waiting list at birth and she still only got a space because I was involved in guiding. Leaders children always get a space ahead of non volunteers. Try not to be offended but if one person volunteers through this approach they can then offer more children places.

Believeitornot · 13/04/2018 12:30

Normal. It is a voluntary organisation and those who run the groups are not paid.

There are never enough regular helpers which makes it very difficult.

scaredofthecity · 13/04/2018 12:30

But they are dependant on volunteers to run.
If someone volunteers their time then of course they should have priority over a place. Without help they are unable to run.
I used to help out and really enjoyed it. Give it a go!

WeaselsRising · 13/04/2018 12:29

There is a nationwide shortage of leaders, who are all volunteers. It isn't a bribe. They can take more kids if they have more adults.

If you don't want to help out then you don't have to but you have to wait.

Janleverton · 13/04/2018 12:29

Well the local group is probably full because loads of kids and not enough volunteers, so I can see where they’re coming from.

Zeze247 · 13/04/2018 12:28

Yep it’s normal here too as if you help they can make the group bigger and more sustainable

iggleypiggly · 13/04/2018 12:28

I don’t think it’s bribery. They are offering you a place if you help out. Assuming that’s the norm? They can’t go over numbers without more help. I wouldn’t be offended or annoyed. If you don’t want to help then add him to the list.

youngestisapsycho · 13/04/2018 12:28

They're obviously desperate for helpers... so if you want to help, your son can have a place quicker. If you dont, then he just waits for a place. They're not bribing you.

CallYourDadYoureInACult · 13/04/2018 12:27

This is completely normal.