Re: Troop SPL & Patrol Leader Elections

Jim Muir asked about SPL & PL qualifications/elections.

In our troop (currently 83 active members), we hold Patrol Leader/
Venture Crew Chief and SPL elections every six months, usually in=20
December/January and May/June. These are the guidelines selected by our
PLC for the two positions.

Scouts (no requirement to hold a specific rank) who hold the PL/VCC
positions are expected to fulfill these requirements:
1. Attend at least 75% of our monthly campouts.
2. Attend the monthly PLC meetings or make sure a rep attends.
3. Attend at least 80% of our weekly troop meetings.
4. Display a high degree of Scout Spirit.
5. Perform weekly "Callaround" duties.
6. Receive no more than 20 demerits (issued by SPL & ASPLs due to poor
conduct) during a quarter.
7. Be a trained leader or commit to be trained at the next opportunity.

At each PLC meeting, we review how our PL/VCC are doing against these
standards. If the leader is found lacking, the whole patrol or crew is
moved to the front row(s) during the opening/closing portions of the
troop meetings during the following month. =20

Our SPL candidates (who must hold either the Life or Eagle ranks) have
to sign a commitment sheet where they agree to the following:

As a Senior Patrol Leader candidate, I agree to provide service and
leadership for Troop 405. In this junior leadership position, I
understand there are things expected of me by the Scouts and by the
Troop adult leadership. I promise to live by the Scout Oath and Law=20
and accept as my responsibility the following services to my troop:=20
=20
1. Preside at all troop meetings, events and activities.=20
2. Chair the Patrol Leaders=92 Council meeting, and any other program =20
planning conferences called by the PLC.=20
3. Attend and represent the troop at all Troop Committee meetings.=20
4. Attend and provide leadership at all monthly camping trips.=20
5. Attend and provide leadership at summer camp, if it occurs during=20
my tenure.=20
6. Choose four Star or higher ranked Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders=20
with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster. =20
7. Assign duties and responsibilities to other junior leaders.=20
8. Work with the Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmasters in training junior=20
leaders.=20
9. Set a good example.=20
10. Participate in Troop 405 service projects and functions.=20
11. Correctly wear the complete Scout uniform.=20

If I am unable to discharge the responsibilities above, I will ensure
that an Assistant SPL or another Senior Scout fills in for me.=20
=20

________________________________________=20
SPL Candidate=92s Signature=20

I suppose one obvious question is, "Have all of our SPLs fulfilled these
duties?" Well, not 100% of the time, but we seem to have experienced a
much better quality of SPLs since we went to this up front "commitment"
process several years ago. Our SPLs seem to realize that this position
is not merely an "honor" but one that requires quite a bit of work and
effort. The main problem we've had is with older high school age SPLs
who run into conflicts with school activities/troop activities. But, by
having four ASPLs, we usually seem to have someone who can fill in for
the SPL when this takes place. =20

YiS,
--=20
Calvin H. Gray
Scoutmaster, Troop 405=09
Georgetown, Texas
mailto:405geezer@igg-tx.net
mailto:scoutmaster@troop405.org
http://www.troop405.org

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