AIBU to rant - frustrated Beaver Scout Leader!!!!!!

[TankingTan]

Just that really - I run a successful and popular Beaver Scout group (24 children and massive waiting list) - when parents sign up I am clear that they are asked to volunteer one evening each term (obviously allowing for when this isn't possible - i.e. younger children etc). They expect a lot from me, and really enjoy the full schedule and trips I organise etc. But getting them to lift a finger beyond dropping their child off and picking them (more often than not late) is basically impossible. Over the past few weeks we've had a few trips etc organised - all pre-arranged months ago and parents signed up for their night to volunteer months ago. For the past three activities, and now for next weeks as well, each parent(s) have pulled out/ let me down at the last minute. This means I am below ratio on adult to children, and normally have to pull in DH (arranging childcare for my youngest in the same breath) and a friend. Another parent is letting me down for this week and I've contacted all parents to ask if anyone to step in - not a single response! I am so tempted this time to cancel the activity and in truth throw the towel in. I know people have busy lives, but we sort this months and months in advance and post the list on FB website and in the hut - parents know what they committed too. Last time the parent cancelled my assistant leader saw her in the pub directly after Beavers.... it is SO disheartening. I love volunteering but feel they utterly take the mick now and advantage of the fact I will go above and beyond to make sure the kids aren't let down!

I'm a brownie leader - and I completely agree with those people who have said you're going to have to get tougher and make it clear the activities can I ly run if you get help. Potentially you nay have to cancel an activity or two so the parents realise you are serious.

I thankfully don't often have to ask for parent volunteers, but when I do I spell out what will happen if I don't get them. This started after 2 requests for help when I was 200 miles away with my parent very ill in hospital were ignored - but the third text which told people I would have to cancel unless I got a volunteer in the next couple of hours yielded 8(!!) immediate offers. Similarly, i recently offered a trip but said that I could only take 12 girls due to leader availability so would do names out of the hat if more wanted to come - unless I got a parent volunteer - and got 3 volunteers

At present you are being taken for granted because you're managing to fix things - let them see that they have some responsibility in helping you offer these amazing experiences to the children. You're doing a great job by the sounds of things, but you're not superwoman!

This must be so frustrating for you. I agree that in any voluntary enterprise, there are always a few who step forward, over and over again. @BrownTurkey has a good, point, in that instead of looking for individuals to help, it would be great to get a small core to organise the rota on your behalf, well on behalf of the children (and their parents) who want to take part.

They could listen to any concerns about what would be required and organise the rota so that everyone has to volunteer at some point, adjudicate any exceptions (younger DC, SN etc) and ensure that there someone on standby, or more than one volunteer each evening. You could get agreement from the small core on how it will run and how people will be told what they are required to do. So often, a raw volunteer will not really be much use and will find the experience unsatisfying. Typically, the more you do the more you can put in and so get more out of it. You could be very clear, someone required for first x minutes to do x (take the register, help with coats, set out equipment, etc) Someone around for the whole period, they will be do x, y and z. Someone required at the end to oversee a clean up and lock up. It might be useful to have some flexibility so that some parents might be able to stay for the beginning for a whole term, others prefer to do one whole evening a term.

Communication between organisers and helpers is so important to smooth running and the feeling that everyone is getting something out of it. Perhaps start setting it up over the summer. There could be a launch of the new service, when you would explain what is required and at what time.

People are more likely to volunteer or keep volunteering in the places were i can see i am contributing, rather than the places where overworked organisers are too busy to explain what they need me to do. Things they have been doing for years and don't realise they still need to explain to someone new. Your core group could take over the induction for new parents, new people could be parent with experienced helpers.

All the best, hope you get the support that is required

Don't take it personally. As BackforGood said, this is very normal in any volunteer led endeavour (Scouts, PTA, etc) and the best thing is to just accept it and do the best you can.

I agree with much of what BackforGood said, but I would add that the first person to speak to for support is always your Group Scout Leader (your line manager).

Recruiting adult volunteers to Scouting is like painting the Forth Bridge - it never stops. Don't get demoralised - just keep plugging away and in as many different ways as possible.

There are many different ideas for adult recruitment, but not space here to list them all. Take a look here for just a few ideas: Scouts.org.uk - Recruiting Adult Volunteers

40% of adult volunteers in Scouting are parents of youth members so this is always your primary market. Build as many good relationships as possible with the parents of your members so that they feel they are wanted and that they are welcome - you'd be surprised how many Leaders unwittingly create barriers between them and the parents by being distant or unfriendly.

The next 40% of adult volunteers come from ex-youth members, so get some Young Leaders involved so that you are 'growing' the next generation of adult Leaders.

Good luck

State with everything activity we needs x amounts of adults otherwise we will have to let the children down and cancel. Bizarrely we never have issues at our beavers and generally all parents willing to stay and help out. Not 100% sure why (although several only children so the parents have more time to provide assistance for their child’s activities without being spread thin dashing around with several other kids)

I know it's a bit of a resurrected thread but if DS's beavers group had compulsory "volunteering" for parents he'd have to leave as I just can't do it. It's not about wanting to, I have a toddler and no evening or weekend childcare. And working with other people's children is not for everyone. But saying you'll help then dropping out with no good reason, especially last minute is wrong.

Just wrap the group up tell the parents why and organise stuff for your own kids.

YANBU.

I think people think because they pay a few pounds a term this should cover all the volunteer time and energy too. Our group was massively over subscribed so we started a system where anyone who volunteers gets to skip the queue. People really bitterly complained (the loudest voice was actually a woman who was free to volunteer but didn't see why she should have to) but if it wasn't for that the group would have shut down.

Our group was massively over subscribed so we started a system where anyone who volunteers gets to skip the queue.

Same here we need the helpers, so people who can help on a regular weekly basis are able to skip the queue. We also got complaints, but one parent becoming a helper means we can have another 7 children able to join the group.

Unfortunately this is common, people treat clubs as childminding and the subs are payment for the service. I suspect most wouldn't balk at them being doubled if that meant they weren't troubled to volunteer - alas scouts doesn't work like this.

I used to help with my DD's Beavers, and now volunteer with her Cubs as and when they need it.

I think cancel this latest one and hope that sends the message that you're serious.

Also ask your GSL and district to help.

It may be that one of the district Explorers could help each meeting to take the pressure off. I know that's not the adult help you need, but the Beavers love the games they organise and might give you time to make any parent volunteers feel more involved.

I wouldn't go with other's suggestions of not allowing Beavers whose parents don't volunteer even if they are able. Quite often, they are the kids that need us most.

Years ago when mine were at groups it was the same......I always did my bit (and more). Was on the fund raising committee etc. Some parents would even say well we will pay more subs, they didn't get that sometimes its people that are needed.

Yes cancel the event and make sure they all know why!

but if DS's beavers group had compulsory "volunteering" for parents he'd have to leave as I just can't do it. It's not about wanting to, I have a toddler and no evening or weekend childcare

Parents on rota to help at our pack have occasionally brought their toddlers with them if they can’t get childcare. It’s fine, generally the cubs love to help the smaller children to join in.

I fully appreciate that it’s a bit of a chore for some parents, and they don’t all love helping out. But your child will get so much out of cubs, it doesn’t seem unreasonable to put a tiny bit back in - usually only about 3 hours a year for those on the rota.