The results of the “Elections” poll are in.. 75% responded that they hold elections every 6 months while the other 25% hold annual elections. There was a lot of email and comments on this one. Thank you!
As promised I told you that I would weigh in on this after the poll.
My unit holds elections every 6 months, BUT here is how our PLC decided to conduct elections.
They only elect the Assistants. Let me explain.
After struggling to maintain any consistency in leadership, meaning… after the out going SPL or Patrol leader left office the incoming SPL had to learn the ropes.. well this was taking about 6 months.. just when he had the job down, he was out. So they decided to elect Assistants.. the Assistant would spend the 6 months learning, being coached and mentored.. and at the end of the 6 month period, he would automatically step up to the position of SPL or Patrol leader, which ever the case may be. This way he had a year to practice and then work in the position. The Troop has been doing this for 4 years now and it works out fantastic. The same amount of Scouts have the opportunity to lead and when they become the actual leader, they know what they are doing.
Our Troop holds elections after Summer Camp and then again in February right before our annual Red and Green Dinner. This makes for great transition periods. We hold Troop Junior leader Training each Fall and every one is invited.
This program has been very successful and I don’t see our PLC changing it any time soon.
Thanks again for all your emails and comments on this topic. There were some really great ideas and I was glad to see many of you participate.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Category Archives: Advancement
This Weeks Poll
This weeks poll asks the question about Unit elections. Do you hold them annually, Bi-annually? Do you hold them when ever the need arises? How do you do unit elections in your unit?
Well…. Lets hear it.
Leave your answer in the comments section so we all can get a feel for how unit elections are conducted around our Scouting World.
I’ll give you my thoughts later.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
The First Scoutmaster Conference
A young man sits across from you at a table, he is new to the Troop and seeking that first badge.. the Scout Badge. He sheepishly asked for a Scoutmaster conference, and now he is stepping off on the Trail to Eagle. The first Scoutmaster conference as a Boy Scout can be an intimidating one. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are three easy steps to making a great first Scoutmaster Conference.. for you and the Scout.
First. Relax.. both of you. This is a great opportunity Mr. Scoutmaster NOT to be the stoic figure looming in the back of the room, this is a great chance to make a first impression to the Scout that you really care about him and the Troop. So relax, smile, and have fun with it.
Second. Help. It’s ok to coach a bit when the Scout stumbles on the Scout Oath or Law.. its ok to talk him through the Outdoor code. He will get it. If its not tonight.. well then there are 6 more opportunities for him to master it. This is the Scout badge.. Not Eagle. Set the tone of learning and perfection will come.
Third. Encourage.. The Scout is new, he’s nervous, and he is looking to you for something that prior to this meeting his Den leader or Mom and Dad have given him. He is looking for praise and accomplishment, and for maybe the first time he is doing it on his own. Encourage him to think about his answers and assist him when needed, he will get it. Encourage him at this first meeting to be an active part of his Patrol and Troop and to take advantage of everything Scouting has to offer.
Over simplify the process for a Scout to earn that Joining badge. That’s what it is. Don’t add to it, don’t take away from it. Just keep it simple and have fun with it. Its Scouts after all.. just Scouts.
Your Day 3 Health tip:
Get fit with friends or family.
Being active is much more fun with friends or family. Encourage others to join you and plan one special physical activity event, like a bike ride or hiking, with a group each week. This is a great one to try with your Patrols or Troop.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Emergency Preparedness
The BSA has a very good Emergency Preparedness program. It encourages our Scouts and Adults alike to plan and prepare for an emergency. You can read more about it at http://www.scouting.org.
One of the important aspects of the Emergency preparedness program that I find valuable is the extension beyond the family and house. But having your Troop prepared to help the community in such an emergency. Are you prepared to cook, help in First Aid, and comfort those that are displaced by a natural disaster or emergency? Having a unit plan for this is a great idea. Work with other local agencies to provide simple services that will get your Scouts involved and ready to act when the time comes.
But Emergency Preparedness really does start at home. The company that I work for recently got on board with Emergency Prep plans in the wake of recent hurricanes, tsunamis, acts of terrorism, and the threat of a pandemic influenza.
I found that there were a few good take home drills that go beyond what we have done through Scouting. I thought I would share a few of those ideas.
First. Most Scouts and most families for that matter have multiple cell phones. Our kids have them and we communicate with them either by voice or text. Now I understand that some emergencies or disasters will knock out cell coverage or emergency agencies will occupy the bulk of cell coverage, but even inJapan, cell communication proved to be reliable and an efficient way of communicating.
So here is a drill that you and your family can do (practice) to aid in your Emergency preparedness.
Texting ‘drill’
Conduct a family drill in which you call all family members and let them know you will be evacuating from work.
Step 1: Input the text messages for HELP and SAFE which you can find at safeamericaprepared.org.
Step 2: Practice returning messages from each family member and memorize emergency family meeting places.
Step 3: Text a follow-up message. Set a ‘time’ when all should arrive. Explain what should be done if someone has trouble in traveling to the home/alternative rendezvous site.
Step 4: Complete the drill by having all family members text that they are ‘SAFE’ to return to their routine and review the process later at home–exploring lessons learned.
Another idea in Emergency Prep is the Shelter in Place. That is to say that you will have to stay in one place, typically your home for an extended period of time. Are you ready? Try this.
Shelter in Place
Plan a drill in which you practice how you would remain at home for an extended period of time (without power). Steps that you can consider include the following:
Step 1: Check your family pantry for an inventory of key supplies you’d need to stay at home for one week. These might include potable water, food, medical and sanitation supplies (toilet paper, etc.).
Step 2: Determine how you would cook and/or survive without power for 3-5 days. Make a plan to heat/cool your home–and stay in rooms that are the best insulated as well as best lit.
Step 3: Review procedures to shelter non-family/neighbors that may not have adequate supplies. Discuss how many you can shelter–and any special rules/regulations you might want to enforce.
Step 4: Plan a three-day simple menu to avoid cooking.
Step 5: Consider how you would dispose of waste if you could not take garbage outside your home.
Step 6: Have a communications system (battery radio) tested to make sure it works. Also check flashlights.
Step 7: Pretend that you have to sleep in one room. Have all family members ‘bed down’ and see how to make themselves comfortable.
Step 8: Complete the drill, asking for suggestions of what could make people ‘more comfortable.’ Consider what chores might need to be shared–for adults, teens and children — and explain the value of practice — just like a sport or dance production.
This drill is very much like that which you will find in the Emergency preparedness merit badge. It is a great idea not just to discuss this plan, but try it. Not for the full 3 to 5 days.. but at least an hour or two. Think about how you are going to gather water, wood, and other materials that will add to your comfort and survival. As Scouts we are prepared, we have stoves, fuel, water purification techniques, and shelter. We have the knowledge to tie knots, build simple structures that add to the protection of our shelter and of course basic First Aid. With that knowledge comes confidence that in the event of an emergency, we will be able to react and not panic.
A good plan and solid preparation is your ticket to emergency preparedness.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Meet him where he is…
What do you do when you have Scouts that do want to advance in rank? What about not wanting to go to Summer camp? What do you do when they just show up and hang out?
These are age old questions that I hear over and over again at Round table and in discussions with other Scoutmasters. And the answers are about as clear as the questions.
First you need to ask yourself what is it about the Scout that makes him feel this way about advancement and camp. I am certain that you are perfectly fine with the idea that he likes hanging out with his friends.
Is the Scout being disruptive? If not, then what is it that bothers you as a Scoutmaster about his lack of “want to”?
Boys join Scouting for many reasons. Maybe it’s because they enjoyed Cub Scouts and they are moving up with their buddies. Maybe it is because their Dads were Scouts, way back when. Maybe it’s because they are looking for something to do, an adventure, a place to belong and feel a part of a team. There are as many reasons as there are Scouts and the answers will tell a lot about his motivation once he becomes a part of the Troop. A lot of the time it has more to do with friends than it has to do with badges, rank, and camping. Those three things drive the program for us in many ways. They are a measurement of activity, achievement, and a healthy program in most cases. But what about that Scout that could really care less? A Scoutmaster once told me that they were going to drop a kid if he did not advance or go to camp that summer. I asked him why he would do that? His explanation got my head spinning. He said that it was because that kid and kids like him bring down the numbers for the unit. They hurt the Troop in the long run when it comes to Top Troop or Troop of the Year.
(INSERT RECORD SCRATCH SOUND HERE)
What about the boy? I asked. Is he having fun? Is he learning something? Is he hanging out with his friends? Is he showing signs of good character, fitness, and citizenship? Well?
Citizenship, Character, Fitness. You can have all of that without a single badge, right? YES, BUT.
I have a Scout in my Troop that has been in the unit for almost three years. He attends meetings regularly, goes on a camp out here and there, and likes hanging out with his friends. He still wears the last rank he earned on his shirt.. Scout. Ask him if he enjoys Scouting and he will tell you yeah, but he likes it because of the friendships. He helps with service projects and generally is a good boy, as good as most. He gets good grades, has a friendly demeanor, and enjoys the company of his patrol. So should I throw him out because he has not advanced? Heck no! He is getting out of Scouting what he wants.
Now it is a fact that Scouts that attend Summer camp typically stay in Scouting longer and work their way through the ranks. And it is a fact that those that make it to First Class in the first year have a better chance at earning their Eagle award. BUT IF we look at the boy and not the score card I think that we can effectively save them all and in the end achieve our goals of creating men that can make ethical decisions throughout their life times. Men of character that are good citizens. Men that know how and keep themselves Physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
So what do you do that Scout? Teach him, coach him, and mentor him to meet the aims of Scouting. Take him for who and what he is and do your best to encourage him.
That simple.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Tips for a good Scoutmaster Conference
There are two different Scoutmaster Conferences. The First is when a Scout needs to fulfill a requirement to advance, the other is when a Scout needs your undivided attention.
The advancement conferences are pretty straight forward, but allot can be learned in a few minutes sitting with a Scout. A review of his book to ensure all is in order, some questions that test the practical application of those skills or lessons learned, and then listen.
Sometimes silence is a flag waving begging the Scoutmaster to keep asking questions. In some of the conferences I have held, a long pause and stare to the ground meant, “Ask me about School” or “I need to talk about girls”. While I am not their parent, with two exceptions, the boys often times like that outside set of eyes and ears. It is the job of the Scoutmaster to be a good mentor, teacher, listener, friend. Baden Powell once said “To get a hold on boys you must be their friend.” You may just be that person they are comfortable to talk to that will get them over the hump in School, or with their other friends, or yeah… with a girl.
Most of those topics come up at the other Scoutmaster conferences and not advancement, but I always leave that door open in the event that Monday night is the night they need to talk.
Regarding conferences other than advancement.. you call it what you want… but I made a promise to my Troop that if they need a “Conference” that was a signal that they needed to talk and I would stop the world for them and give them my attention.
Make yourself accessible. There is always time. You may have to juggle some things around, but the Scout needs to know that you are there and will in fact give them time.
The Scouts of my Troop have my phone number, email, and know that if need by I can pick up Morse code when it comes to giving them an ear.
The Scoutmaster conference is more than a requirement for advancement. It is a communication tool that develops the youth as he interacts with adults. It is a friendly ear to listen, it is a place to come for advice and comfort. To the Scout it is a promise that we care about them.
Take advantage of the Scoutmaster conference to get to know your Scouts, you will not regret it. You can learn allot about them and your Troop during a 5 minute chat.
Happy Scouting!
Some thoughts on Advancement
Advancement seems to be a great method in teaching and achieving the Aims of Scouting (Character development, Citizenship, and Physical and Mental fitness). We can find parts of all of the goals in the advancement method.
Character is built throughout the process. The Scout demonstrates good Character by showing his honesty during the Scoutmaster Conference and Board of review, he demonstrates Integrity when working on skills, seeking counsel for Merit Badges, and returning a completed “Blue Card” to the Advancement Chair or Scoutmaster. He again shows good character as he completes the requirements by not gloating or putting those in his peer group down.
Good Citizenship is found in the process also. As the Scout progresses through the Early ranks and then on through Star, Life, and Eagle, he is placed in positions of responsibility. He needs to understand the concept of Selfless service, making decisions for the good of the Patrol and Troop and not himself. He participates in elections and group decision making to move his patrol forward. This tests the scouts ability to work with others and challenges him to think not only of what is best for him, but what is best for all. Often times he discovers that majorities are not always right, but decisions must be seen through to get the most out of the learning experience.
And physical and mental fitness is borne out of the method of advancement. He is tested physically as a Tenderfoot. Then through the required merit badges of Cycling, Hiking, Personal Fitness, and Swimming. Many other merit badges will test him both physically and mentally. This all develops the young man while peaking his learning and growing an appreciation for skills, careers, and the out doors.
These are all reasons that Advancement is important.
Goal setting is a big reason for the Advancement method. We know that the Scout is solely responsible for his progress along the way. This test the scouts ability to set short term and long term goals, stick to it, and complete the goals. A Scout that does this experiences responsibility unlike anything his class mates will ever experience. A Scout that truly progresses through the advancement process, setting his goals and achieving them should be satisfied that he has accomplished great things. Those Scouts that race through the process or rely on others to walk them by the hand through it will never understand the feeling of success and accomplishment.
I have seen Troops that are for a lack of better terms, “Merit Badge mills”. They turn out merit badges at a rate that keeps the Scout Shop inventory system on edge. And at the end of the day the Scouts have a great amount of merit badges and no skill. They have a sash full of cloth, but no interest in the subject areas, they have an advanced rank, but no understanding of Character, leadership, or being a member of a high performance team.
The advancement method is there to assist the Scout and the unit in achieving the three Aims of Scouting. It is the Leaders function to provide a program in which the Scout can achieve success. To provide those opportunities that foster growth and development, to test the Scouts individual abilities and skills and to teach, coach, train and mentor the Scout along the way. It is the Scouts responsibility to advance at his own pace and to learn, set goals, know the requirements, have fun, and achieve the feeling of success.
Advancement is but one of eight methods in Scouting. We should not loose sight of the goal to get more patches. We need to ensure that Scouts achieve, not just receive. They need to earn the ranks and the merit badges. By earning them they will be successful in finding Character, Citizenship and Fitness.
Happy Scouting!
