How to Run a Good Troop Meeting Troop 644 Marysville, OH

Troop Meeting Purpose Motivating Scouts: Get together, become good friends, and have fun Strengthening Patrols: Meet, learn, and share what they know Learning and Practicing Scout Skills: for Rank advancement Exercising Leadership: Gain experience through regular planning and meeting Promoting Scout Spirit: Patrol contests, competitions, and cooperation

When to Have a Troop Meeting Same night and time each week Between 1 and 1.5 hours long Not always at the same place (can go to park, pool, or other place of interest)

What to Do at a Troop Meeting Have fun Lots of action, and excitement Learn new skills Plan future activities (campouts, merit badge clinics, service projects)

Patrol Leaders’ Council Plans a month of Troop Meetings Meets once a month Make the Troop Meetings fun Keep activity going during meeting Get advancements done Set up outside meeting activities (I.e. campouts, hikes, merit badge clinics, etc.) Leaders/patrols picked for each step of meeting Senior Patrol Leader Patrol Leader A Assistant Patrol Leader A Patrol Leader B Assistant Patrol Leader B Scribe ScoutMaster / Assistant ScoutMaster

Seven Parts of a Troop Meeting 1.The Preopening 2.The Opening 3.Skills Instruction 4.Patrol Meetings 5.Interpatrol Activity Scout Skills 6.Closing – Scoutmaster’s Minute 7.The “After the Meeting” Meeting

1) The Preopening 15 minutes before meeting start Activity that can be joined by others up to The Opening Vary activity each week Keep it simple and fun Service patrol assigned for the meeting can set up (flags, chairs, any other needed materials)

2) The Opening Patrol Leader in charge of meeting ensures meeting starts on time Patrol in charge: 1.Performs flag ceremony 2.Lead troop in Scout Oath 3.Lead troop in Scout Law 4.Lead troop in Pledge of Allegiance **This should all be completed in 5 minutes or less

3) Skills Instruction Determined in advance by Patrol Leaders’ Committee Instruction should be “hands-on” EDGE Training: –Skill is Explained, –Skill is then Demonstrated, –Learner is Guided as he learns skill –Learner get an Edge by practicing skill **This should take minutes. Assigned leader makes sure activity ends on time.

4) Patrol Meetings Patrol leaders take charge of each patrol Planning activities take place: –Take attendance –Plan menus for hikes, campouts –Assign patrol tasks as needed Once activities are complete, call patrols back together and continue as a troop. **This should take 5-15 minutes depending on activities taking place. Needs to end on time.

5) Interpatrol Activity Scout Skills Leader is assigned to this (Senior patrol leader - SPL or scout assigned by SPL) The patrols interact in a competitive or cooperative effort –A game that tests skills scouts are learning –Challenges that scouts like to do together **This should take minutes. Stop activity 5 minutes before formal ending time.

6) Closing – Scoutmaster’s Minute Meeting leader (SPL or scout assigned by SPL) calls for silence Scoutmaster reminds Scouts of upcoming events and deadlines Scoutmaster also asks about achievements and progress Scoutmaster finishes with a brief message about one of scouting’s values the scout can take away with him. **This takes 5 minutes or less. The meeting ends for all but the patrol leader council members and service patrol for the meeting.

7) The “After the Meeting” Meeting Patrol Council Members meet briefly to discuss how the meeting went –What should we start doing to make meeting better? –What should we stop doing that didn’t work for us or got in the way? –What should we continue doing that worked well? Offer good thoughts for improvement that are not toward individual scouts. The next week’s plan and everyone’s role is reviewed While this meeting is going on, the assigned service patrol puts the scout gear away and cleans the room. **This takes 5 minutes.

Between Meetings: Communicate to members who have a role for the next meeting what it is Those that have roles prepare for them ahead of time –Practice skills (if you are teaching EDGE) –Bring watch (if in charge for a part of the meeting) –Study copy of Troop Meeting Plan if leading any part of meeting –Be prepared to contribute to Patrol Meetings (if planning for an upcoming event) –If on a service patrol, be prepared to come 15 minutes early (The Pre-opening) to set up and stay for the “After the Meeting” Meeting to tear down Communication is KEY!!!

In Summary: Most planning happens outside of Troop Meeting (except Patrol Meeting portion) Conduct Patrol Leaders Council meeting monthly Planning ahead of time allows for lots of fun and friendship during meetings / activities Use “After the Meeting” Meeting to come up with ideas to better the Troop Meetings Communication is the key!!!