Re: Webelos Patrol Leaders
Steven G. Tyler (sgtyler@EROLS.COM)
Thu, 30 Oct 1997 17:30:09 -0500
The Gillams wrote, in part:
> I would appreciate some input regarding the use of patrol leaders for a
> webelos den. I realize the boys should choose their leaders but what if
> their adult leaders do not agree with their decision.
Mmm, unless there's been a sudden change, there are no "patrol leaders"
in Cub Scouting, only in Boy Scouting (which has patrols instead of
dens).
I'm assuming you mean either the Denner (which is a Cub or Webelos Scout
who is selected from among the boys in the den to help the Den Leader)
or the Den Chief (who is a Boy Scout who attends the Den meetings to
help the Den Leader). The Den Chief is purely a volunteer position, and
can be accepted or not by the Den Leader, and can be removed at any
time. Therefore, I'll assume you refer to the Denner position.
> I feel it should be boys that demonstrate the scouting spirit and that their
> parents share in this interest. Also that they demonstrate responsibility
> along with maturity (appropriate for his age level) and that they have good
> moral character. They too need to be respected by the other boys and their
> parents. All this I think makes for a good leader.
True -- but the function of the position is to provide an opportunity
for the Webelos to DEVELOP those traits. If the Webelos already has
these traits, great, but if not, the Den Leader should work with the
Denner to encourage those traits. Remember, the Webelos are not there
for the benefit of the Scouters, it's the other way around.
> Afterall patrol leaders help relieve some of the adult webelos leaders
> responsibilities during the meetings. If the adult leader cannot depend on
> these boys what good is the purpose of this position?
As I said, it's to give ALL the Webelos the chance to demonstrate and/or
develop leadership skills by working with the Den Leader. For this
reason, the position should be rotated among ALL of the Den members, not
left with either the most popular or most competent. My son's Den
rotated on a monthly basis, first as Assistant Denner, then Denner. The
Cub's month as Denner coincided with their parent's month to be
responsible for the program (we had a shared leadership structure).
--
YIS
Steve on Cattail Creek
sgtyler@erols.com
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
