Would you volunteer so your child could go to Brownies?

[PsychicPaper]

I just wondered if I am being unreasonable.

I have no DC yet, but run a very popular Brownie unit with a huge waiting list. So much so I don't think all the girls on it will eventually become Brownies as by the time it is their turn, they may be over 10.

We could however take on a few more if we had another leader.

Would it be unreasonable to offer the mums on the waiting list the chance to volunteer, and in return to give a place to their child?

I know not everyone would have time to volunteer, and in some ways its unfair, but by letting one child potentially "jump up the list" it would open spaces for another 3 girls.

What do you think?

I completely see your point BUT...

One thing to consider - it would be very unfair if a girl was unable to attend because her mum worked/had caring responsibilities e.g. of a disabled child/insert other reasonable excuse and was constantly being over taken in the waiting list by those with mums able to volunteer.

I had to work when my DD was young and I felt guilty enough, I would have felt awful if I had signed her up, put in arrangements for friends mum to take her/drop her home and then was told she can only go if I could volunteer.

up to you Shona, but a lot of teachers/others with dbs are the volunteers at rainbows etc. it isnt much of a risk really as long as you are never alone with a child.

i understand your point. there are things i wont do because of the risk of false allegations, but volunteer helper is definitely not one i see as 'high risk'

op, we run a rota with all parents who volunteer. it is easier to get a once a month committment than a weekly committment.
would that work?

I would be happy to volunteer at brownies.

Unfortunately our brown owl simply has the occasional rant about parents not helping, tells us she will set up a rota and expects us all to sign up ... Then does nothing! Until she feels like ranting again.

I have offered many times to help and have been completely ignored. She is very cliquey with the tawny owl (a parent at our school) and with one other parent who gets asked to go on all the nice trips.

The rest of us parents get routinely ignored or brushed off. She is quite honestly the rudest woman I have ever met. Her tawny owl is the same and actually blanks me frequently even though our children have been in the same class for 4 years!

Then, the last week of term Brown owl approaches me and tells me I am going to camp as a volunteer! First I knew of it lol. Apparently I am only going to do the cooking and washing up (and probably be ignored by her and tawny owl the entire weekend) cannot say I'm tempted!

Meant to say, I would volunteer if it meant my dd (and others) getting brownies places.

I love being a tawny owl, I made my dd come to Brownies so that I could do it. She wants to go to cubs instead, the little viper.

Guides/Brownies/Scouts etc are great fun to be involved with. I have have a brilliant laugh with the girls every week, they are a riot. It is a privilege and I look forward to it.

My mum only volunteered so I could get into Rainbows and 20 years later she's still there, Dad did the same with scouts for my brother.