Re: Troop Leadership Question

Dana Young asked
> What is the best way to handle Patrol & Troop
> positions [with a troop of five new Webelos crossovers]?

Dana -

Start by using the troop organization plan immediately. Have the five boys
elect a Senior Patrol Leader; let them decide how to select the ASPL (he
may be the runner-up, or he may be appointed by the SPL). Then let the
remaining three boys select a PL and APL. Let the boys choose a term of
office; for new Scouts, I'd recommend two-three months between elections.

Now, for the PLC: Although the PLC is made up of the leaders, it should be
open to anybody who wants to attend. They just don't have a vote.
(Normally the voting is on the patrol basis: each patrol gets one vote with
the SPL breaking ties. Until you get to two or three patrols, the PLC will
have to make plans by consensus.) Use the helps you receive in Scouting
Magazine for meeting plans; these are "canned" meeting plans that they can
use directly or they can use them for ideas.

Now that you have the organization, let the boys run it as much as they are
able. You will have to provide a lot of advice and backup, but it should be
THEIR program from the start.

Finally, even though, or maybe especially because, they're new to Boy
Scouting, do a Junior Leader Training session with all five boys. After
all, each of them will likely be in a APL/PL/ASPL/SPL position within the
year. This will help them (and you) understand what is expected of them.

With a start like you can give them, you should have a very exciting troop
for those new Webelos next February!

YiS
Chuck Batteau -- SM, Troop 751, Glen Allen VA USA
-------------------------------------------------
CHARLES.R.BATTEAU@BellAtlantic.COM
I used to be an Eagle ...
maybe they meant an hour a DAY! :-)

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