Scouter Article April 2009
The Law of Unintended Consequences
The "law of unintended consequences" states that any purposeful action will produce some unanticipated or unintended consequences.
So what's the "unintended consequence" of Training? Before I answer that question, let's figure out what the intended consequences are of Training. We know from experience that trained leaders run better, safer programs. We know that units with trained leaders are more successful. These units have better advancement, better recruitment and retention, better programs, safer programs, and have more Scouts and more Scouters and more parents involved with the unit. Many of us also take training to learn things we don't already know, or forgot, or we take training to share what we have already learned through experience.
Back to the original question: what is the "unintended consequence" of Training?
Many, if not most, Scouters who complete a Training program get re-energized about the Scouting program. They develop a new enthusiasm (or remember the old enthusiasm they use to have). Creative juices start to flow. The seed for this new found energy is often the material they take away from the Training program. But sometimes, the energy is simply sparked by the process of learning. But whatever the cause, the energy, the enthusiasm, the creativity, is usually unanticipated, but always real.
If you believe you've lost that spark, that you're a GOOD leader but need something to help you become a GREAT leader again, then sign up for a Training course. Your Scouts will thank you. Your fellow and fellowette leaders will thank you. I will thank you. You'll probably even thank yourself.
Doesn’t every youth deserve a trained leader?
(The answer is "absolutely".)
Jay Lubin
Council Training Chair
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
~ Margaret Mead