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Scoutmaster Podcast 102 – One Essential Element
Previous post: Rule Number 54
Next post: Everything back to normal – Carry on!
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download |
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IN THIS PODCAST |
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LINKS IN THIS PODCAST |
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KEEP IN TOUCH |
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Previous post: Rule Number 54
Next post: Everything back to normal – Carry on!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Clark, there is no PLAY button on this page, as in the past. How can we play the podcast, or download the MP3 file to our players? Let me know. Thanks.
Great podcast, as usual! I hope this doesn’t ramble too much. Lots going through the ‘ol noggin.
I have a question that I think dovetails this topic. Our troop is in the conversion stage of becoming boy led. I have a patrol of older scouts (15 – 17), a couple of which are interested/willing to adapt. The rest are just satisified to come to the meetings and read/chat/goof off. We also have two other patrols of younger scouts (12 and under) that I am attempting to get on the right path. Not that difficult so far with them. Here is my question: How important is it to have a Senior Patrol Leader?
My son is the current SPL (2 back to back terms – 5 overall) and has expressed a desire to not hold this position at the next election. None of the other older scouts have been willing to step up. Since we haven’t been running as a boy led unit anyway, none of these older scouts would be able to actually perform the job either.
After reading Larry Geigers excellent article, I am wondering if I should continue to work with each patrol’s leader to ensure the patrols are functioning properly and let an SPL filter out after one or two election cycles have gone by.
Thanks for all that you are doing to make us better leaders.
Jeff,
I had this happen, although my troop is only 7 boys. I had three older boys, 14 and up, who were not interested in being a leader. I would have liked to have one of them do the job, since they had experience. But, as Larry would probably say, I left it up the the scouts. The election was open to all comers. They chose a new boy, but one who seems very level headed, and he is passionate. He wants the job, but he does not know what to do. I did not override the troops decision. Our young, inexperienced leader is learning the job, although I do stand a bit closer to see that he gets proper respect, and that some vital things are not neglected. In six months, I think he will be a great asset, and I can take that easy chair that Greenbar Bill talked about.
Hi Jeff
You are on the right track. Don’t stop where you are.
You need an SPL. Why? Well, one thing, it’s part of the Scout program. Secondly, you need someone to run and chair the PLC meeting. By all means, keep those Patrols on track. If the new SPL is 12 years old, that’s fine. He will do ok. Just go for it.
Have you had an annual planning conference yet? If not, that’s your next step. Have an election and elect the SPL. Talk with the SPL about annual planning and show him the annual planning calendar. Then explain to him that it’s his main job to create an annual calendar for the Troop and then implement it. Then put that 12 year old SPL in a room with those 12 year old Patrol Leaders and leave them alone for an hour to come up with an annual calendar. Sit outside with some other leaders and use the time to chat about where you would like the Troop to go.
After about an hour, go in and check on them. Tell them they have another hour to finish. At the end of that, have them present their calendar to you and the other adults hanging around. Don’t make suggestions. Let the committee do that. Then have lunch. Go out or have Pizza Hut or Subway cater it. Pay for lunch out of the Troop funds.
Have that 12 year old SPL stand up and present that calendar in front of the Troop committee at a regular Troop committee meeting. Then go do it. Your new SPL has a PLC meeting each month with those 12 year old Patrol Leaders. They plan their meetings and campout activities then they go do them.
Don not let the older Scouts interfere with the program. If they want to get on board, that’s great. But it’s not theirs anymore. They need to lead, follow or get out of the way. They need to get behind the new leadership and NO WHINING!
Patrols are led by Patrol Leaders. Annual Planning Conferences and PLC meetings are led by Senior Patrol Leaders. Troop Leadership Training is led by Scoutmasters. Troop Committee Meetings are led by Troop Committee Chairs. That’s how it’s done. Do it. You will be happy.