Re: Leadership Participation (long)
Lawrence \ (lawrence.tuck@GTE.NET)
Tue, 29 Dec 1998 09:27:42 -0800
Ronald Fox wrote:
>I have had a problem with boys accepting leadership positions..... Has
anyone else had this problem?<
I've been wrestling with this one myself lately--in fact, I sent a post to
the list a lot like yours a few weeks ago. The last straw was a couple of
months back when only the ASPL, Librarian, and one PL (out of six) showed up
for the PLC. I don't have any definitive answers, but here are some things
I'm trying:
* In a recent thread on parent involvement, someone pointed out that you
have to approach people one on one. Same with the boys. You need to spend a
lot of time one on one with your leaders.
* Run Junior Leader Training. Make it relaxed and fun. But insist they
attend.
* I passed out written job descriptions and performance expectations a
couple of weeks before the last election. I pointed out that if they want to
advance past First Class they need to hold an office and meet the
requirements spelled out in this document. Having it in writing scared some
guys off, but the ones who took jobs know exactly what I expect of them.
* We traditionally held PLCs on Thursdays. I'm experimenting with other
nights. We don't have a troop meeting on the fifth Tuesday of the month
(when there is a fifth Tuesday--three or four times a year). Those months,
we'll have the PLC instead of the troop meeting on the fifth Tuesday. Also,
I moved the PLC from the church auditorium where we hold our troop meetings
to a smaller lounge with carpeting, comfortable chairs and a fireplace, and
served hot chocolate and cookies. I found the scouts were less unruly in
this setting.
* I'm recognizing patrol performance by giving out beads that get threaded
on a leather lace tied to the staff of their patrol flag. Patrol that earns
the most beads over a three month period gets a pizza dinner before the
troop meeting. They get beads for things like attendance at troop meetings,
holding a patrol meeting, best uniforming, etc. They get double beads if the
PL shows up at the PLC.
* Give out information at the PLC that they can't get any other way. Not
critical stuff, at least not yet, but stuff that benefits them. At last
week's PLC, I announced that the first troop meeting after the holidays is
"goofy hat night"--they can wear any kind of ridiculous hat they want (as
long as it's not offensive), and the patrol that has the goofiest gets a
prize. If the PLs were at the meeting and do a good job of communicating to
their patrols, they have a shot. If they don't, nobody loses out but them.
Later, I'll crank up the pressure and start giving out more critical
information this way.
* In Spring, when the current officers are near the end of their term, we'll
have a special outing just for officers--something particularly fun like a
trip to the shooting range. I'm getting their input on what they'd like to
do.
* Give some of the reluctant kids jobs like Instructor or Quartermaster,
then give them focused assignments like "teach John Second Class first aid"
or "help Mr. Hoffman inventory the patrol boxes." I'm hoping that they'll
find that getting more involved makes the program more fun for them and
they'll want to do more.
* A tough sell, both to parents and some of my ASMs: Let--force--PLs and
Instructors to start signing off on advancement. With the understanding that
I'll be spot-checking and it's the signer who will be in trouble if he signs
off on something for a kid who doesn't know the material. In our troop the
last couple of years, all sign-offs have been done by ASMs. One of my
projects over Christmas break has been to put together a list of who can
sign off on what. When kids come to me to get signed off on Tendfoot through
First Class requirements, I'm going to refuse, and tell them to see the
appropriate Instructor or their PL.
* Insist on having two or three scouts assigned to help plan each outing,
working with the ASM in charge. If none of the boys will help with planning,
we'll cancel the outing (you'll hear the screams, wherever you are). I
figure, if the boys won't help, they must not want to go very badly.
Some of this is going to be a tough sell, but I'm fortunate to have the
backing of my CC (a Wood Badger). As you pointed out in your post,
leadership development is one of our most important tasks as Scouters. The
fact that it's so hard just shows you how badly it's needed.
Good luck.
Larry Tuck
SM, Troop 761
Thousand Oaks, CA
"...and a good old Owl, too..." WM-49-98
