Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops

“Training boy leaders to run their troop is the Scoutmaster's most important job.” “Train Scouts to do a job, then let them do it.” “Never do anything a boy can do.” —Robert S. S. Baden-Powell

Mission Statement The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Scouting offers young people a rich and varied arena in which to learn and use leadership skills. Among the challenges encountered by a troop's youth leaders are Organizing patrols Using duty rosters Planning menus and figuring food costs Encouraging advancement Guiding a patrol's involvement in problem solving Teaching outdoor skills Helping to ensure patrol safety during outings Handling patrol finances Helping other Scouts make the most of their own leadership opportunities

Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops is Scoutmaster-directed training divided into three modules: Module One—Troop Organization Leadership position descriptions, Troop organization, Troop vision, Servant leadership Module Two—Tools of the Trade Communicating, Planning, Teaching Module Three—Leadership and Teamwork Team Characteristics, Stages of team development, using your team, values of a leader

Module One— Troop Organization 1.Introduction to Troop Vision 2.Troop Organization 3.The Team Based Troop 4.Introduction to Servant Leadership

Vision Statement We will provide our boys with the best Scouting Experience by: Focusing on the three primary aims of scouting: Character Development - Leadership Citizenship Training – Community Service Mental and Physical Fitness - Outings Provide an opportunity for boys to develop Independence Self Reliance Sense of adventure Self Confidence Fellowship Providing both a physically and emotionally safe environment to achieve the above.

Troop 125 Organization

SENIOR PATROL LEADER GENERAL INFORMATION: Type: Elected by the members of the troop Term: One Year Reports to: Scoutmaster Description: The Senior Patrol Leader is elected by the Scouts to represent them as the top junior leader in the troop. Comments: The Senior Patrol Leader is the focal point of the troop. He needs to attend as close to all troop functions as possible. One of the major parts of the SPL’s job is to appoint other troop leaders. He must choose leaders who are able, not just his friends or other popular Scouts. Continually evaluate and advise all boy leaders of their performance. Work with the Scoutmaster and other adult leaders in training junior leaders. QUALIFICATIONS Age: None Rank: 1st Class or higher Experience: Previous service as SPL, ASPL, PL, or APL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS Training: You must attend the Introduction to Leadership Skill for troop Training even if you have attended in the past. Effort: You are expected to give this job your best effort GENERAL LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES Uniform: Set the example by wearing your uniform correctly. This means that you will wear all of the parts of the troop uniform, shirttail tucked in, with all required badges in their correct locations. Behavior: Set the example by living the Scout Oath and Law in your everyday life. Show Scout Spirit in everything you say and do. SPECIFIC LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES Runs all troop meetings, events, activities, and the annual program planning conference Runs the Patrol Leader’s Council meeting Appoints other troop junior leaders with the advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster Assigns duties and responsibilities to junior leaders Assists the Scoutmaster with Junior Leader Training

ASSISTANT SENIOR PATROL LEADER GENERAL INFORMATION: Type: Appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader with Scoutmaster approval Term: One Year Reports to: Senior Patrol Leader Description: The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader is the second highest ranking patrol leader in the troop. The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader acts as the Senior Patrol Leader in the absence of the SPL or when called upon. He also provides leadership to other junior leaders in the troop. Plan and coordinate outings as assigned by the Outings Chairman. Evaluate outings which are held with Outing Chairman. Attend Patrol Leaders’ Council Meetings Work with the ASPL for advancement to maximize utilization of resources to ensure lower rank scouts have opportunities to work on lower rank requirements more suited for the indoors. Comments: The most important part of the ASPL position is his work with the other junior leaders. The ASPL should be familiar with the other positions and stay current with the work being done. QUALIFICATIONS Age: None Rank: 1st Class or higher Experience: None PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS Training: You must attend the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops Training even if you have attended in the past. GENERAL LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES Uniform: Set the example by wearing your uniform correctly. This means that you will wear all of the parts of the troop uniform, shirttail tucked in, with all required badges in their correct locations. Behavior: Set the example by living the Scout Oath and Law in your everyday life. Show Scout Spirit in everything you say and do. SPECIFIC LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES Helps the Senior Patrol Leader lead meetings and activities Runs the troop in the absence of the Senior Patrol Leader Helps train and supervise the Troop Scribe, Quartermaster, Instructor, Librarian, Historian and Chaplain Aide Serves as a member of the Patrol Leaders’ Council

PATROL LEADER GENERAL INFORMATION: Type: Elected by members of the patrol with Scoutmaster approval Term: 12 months Reports to: Senior Patrol Leader Description: The Patrol Leader is the elected leader of his patrol. He represents his patrol on the Patrol Leaders’ Council. Plan and lead patrol meetings and activities Keep patrol members informed Share leadership by giving each patrol member a job Represent the Patrol at all PLC meetings Prepare the patrol to take part in all troop activities Develop patrol spirit Work with other patrol leaders to make the troop run well Know what other patrol members and other leaders can do Comments: The Patrol Leader may easily be the most important job in the troop. He has the closest contact with the patrol members and is in the perfect position to help and guide them. The Patrol Leaders, along with the Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader are the primary members of the Patrol Leaders’ Council. QUALIFICATIONS Age: None Rank: None Experience: None PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS Training: You must attend the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops Training even if you have attended in the past. GENERAL LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES Uniform: Set the example by wearing your uniform correctly. This means that you will wear all of the parts of the troop uniform, shirttail tucked in, with all required badges in their correct locations. Behavior: Set the example by living the Scout Oath and Law in your everyday life. Show Scout Spirit in everything you say and do. SPECIFIC LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES Appoints the Assistant Patrol Leader Represents the patrol on the Patrol Leaders’ Council Plans and steers patrol meetings Helps Scouts advance Acts as the chief recruiter of new Scouts Keeps patrol members informed Knows what his patrol members and other leaders can do

ASSISTANT PATROL LEADER GENERAL INFORMATION: Type: Appointed by the Patrol Leader with Scoutmaster approval Term: 12 months Reports to: Patrol Leader Description: The Assistant Patrol Leader is appointed by the Patrol Leader and leads the patrol in his absence. Comments: Substituting for the Patrol Leader is only part of the Assistant Patrol Leader’s job. The APL actively helps run the patrol. QUALIFICATIONS Age: None Rank: None Experience: None PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES Uniform: Set the example by wearing your uniform correctly. This means that you will wear all of the parts of the troop uniform, shirttail tucked in, with all required badges in their correct locations. Behavior: Set the example by living the Scout Oath and Law in your everyday life. Show Scout Spirit in everything you say and do. SPECIFIC LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES Helps the Patrol Leader plan and steer patrol meetings and activities Helps the Patrol Leader keep patrol members informed Helps the patrol get ready for all troop activities Represents his patrol at Patrol Leaders’ Council meetings when the Patrol Leader cannot attend Lends a hand controlling the patrol and building patrol spirit

TROOP GUIDE GENERAL INFORMATION: Type: Appointed by the Scoutmaster Term: One Year Reports to: New Scout Assistant Scoutmaster Description: The Troop Guide works with new Scouts. He helps them feel comfortable and earn their First Class rank in their first year. Comments: The first year as a Boy Scout is a critical time with new places, new people, new rules, and new activities. The Troop Guide is a friend to the new Scouts and makes first year fun and successful. This is an important position. QUALIFICATIONS Age: None Rank: 1st Class or higher Experience: None PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS Training: You must attend the Introdcution to Leadership Skills for Troops Training even if you have attended in the past. GENERAL LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES Uniform: Set the example by wearing your uniform correctly. This means that you will wear all of the parts of the troop uniform, shirttail tucked in, with all required badges in their correct locations. Behavior: Set the example by living the Scout Oath and Law in your everyday life. Show Scout Spirit in everything you say and do. SPECIFIC LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES Introduces new Scouts to troop operations Guides new Scouts through early Scouting activities Shields new Scouts from harassment by older Scouts Helps new Scouts earn First Class in their first year Guide new Scouts through early troop experiences to help them become comfortable in the troop and in the outdoors (going with them on outings) Teaches basic Scout skills Coaches the patrol leader of the new Scout patrol on his duties Works with the patrol leader at Patrol Leaders’ Council meetings Attends Patrol Leaders’ Council meetings with the patrol leader of the new Scout patrol.

Module Two – Tools of the Trade 1. Communication 2. Planning 3. EDGE

The Goofy grinning gophers gobbled gigantic grapes while juggling

Module Three—Leadership and Teamwork 1.Teams and Team Characteristics 2.Stages of Team Development and Styles of Leadership 3.Inclusion 4.Leadership Ethics and Values 5.Vision

“The patrol method is not a way to operate a Boy Scout troop, it is the only way. Unless the patrol method is in operation, you don't really have a Boy Scout troop.” —Robert S. S. Baden-Powell

There are two types of patrols: Regular patrols New-Scout patrols “The object of the patrol method is not so much saving the Scoutmaster trouble as to give responsibility to the boy.” —Robert S. S. Baden-Powell

Patrols are successful through the following: Patrol meetings Patrol activities Patrol names

Module One—Know 1.The Boy-Led Troop and Living the Scout Oath and Law 2.Discussion of a Boy-Led Patrol 3.Review of the Troop Organization Chart

Module One – Know 1. The Boy-Led Troop and Living the Scout Oath and Law 2. Discussion of a Boy-Led Patrol 3. Review of the Troop Organization Chart 4. Position Overview

Module Two – Be 1. Scoutmaster’s Vision of Success

Module Two – Be 1. Scoutmaster's Vision of Success 2. Teaching EDGE™ Discussion

You may be asking, “What is EDGE™?” EDGE™ is the method you will use to teach in your troop. The key to making EDGE™ work is to use it for all teaching opportunities. Make it a habit. 1.Explain—The trainer explains how something is done. 2.Demonstrate—After the trainer explains, the trainer demonstrates while explaining again. 3.Guide—The learner tries the skill while the trainer guides him through it. 4.Enable—The trainee works on his own under the watchful eye of the trainer. The trainer’s role in this step is to remove any obstacles to success, which enables the learner to succeed.

Module Two – Be 1. Scoutmaster’s Vision of Success 2. Teaching EDGE™ Discussion 3. Troop Progress Discussion

What should we start doing that we are not currently doing? What do we stop doing that is not working? What should we continue doing that is working well and helps us succeed?

Module Three – Do 1. Position Description and Expectations

Module Three – Do 1. Position Description and Expectations 2. Servant Leadership—Motivating Scouts to Lead

Why should you become a leader?

Module Three – Do 1. Position Description and Expectations 2. Servant Leadership—Motivating Scouts to Lead 3. Defining Success in Your Position

Module Three – Do 1. Position Description and Expectations 2. Servant Leadership—Motivating Scouts to Lead 3. Defining Success in Your Position 4. Scoutmaster Conference

You are now officially trained in your leadership position. For you as a leader, now the hard stuff starts. BE A GOOD ONE!