From: Ken Walker (ken.walker@MSCSOFTWARE.COM)
Date: Wed Jan 19 2000 - 21:50:23 CST
Ted AAmland asked:
> What I ask the list Is this could you please respond with some
>responses about why a boy-run troop works, what adults do in scouting,
>how the troop is supposed to be organized, stories from your own troops
>anything that can help the to see the benefits of having a boy-run
>troop.
Oh, now you did it.....you hit the most sensitive nerve in this Scouter's
body. And, I have an instant reflex to respond. Sorry, I think I have
written a longer missive than the Major <G>.
I hope you get more messages than you can stand on this subject.
The Scouters on this list "get it" when it comes to boy-led troops.
Also, there have been other posts on this subject, with many knowledgeable
responses, so try to search through the Scouts-L archives.
First, I prefer to use the term *boy-led* vs *boy-run* (just to make
sure all involved know that the boys aren't supposed to "run" a
program created by the adults!). It may be semantics to some, but I
have seen enough instances where an adult proudly told me they have
a "boy-run" troop, and was absolutely right (ie, the boys RAN the
program, but they didn't LEAD it). This is not leadership, its
management. The boys can do that when they get old and have jobs
in middle-management. Until then, let 'em have some fun and be the
LEADERS!
I have added some references for all those WBers and JLTers in your
troop that may need a refresher on what they learned oh so long ago.
Why it works:
1) Boys will do what they want to do (the duh factor).
2) Because that's they way its *supposed* to be (hey its one of the Methods)!
3) Boys learn by doing, not by watching (isn't that in Effective Teaching??)
What Adults do:
1) Provide adult association (another Method-are we on to something here?)
2) Guide and mentor (using a leadership style called Delegating)
3) Stay out of the way (please).
4) Drive 'em to the campouts
5) Keep track of the money and all the darn paperwork.
6) Nothing else. "Don't do something for a boy that he can do himself."
How to organize a troop: Two-parts
I. PROGRAM (this is all the boys should really see)
SM is the lead adult, SPL is the lead boy
1. PLC Leads the troop
selects & plans activities & meetings
delivers weekly/monthly program
holds patrols/leaders/youth accountable for actions
2. Adult "support" the program" as defined by the PLC
SM works "with" the SPL/PLC (defines the boundaries for decisions)
SM & ASMs mentor members of PLC "as needed"
SM & ASMs sign advancement approvals
II.Business/Operations (Scouts probably see the advancement & equipment chairs)
CC is the lead adult, SM serves at the approval of the committee
Troop Committee (ie a bunch of old farts):
Advancement
Finances
Transportation
Equipment (with youth QMS)
Health & Safety
Maintain conformity to BSA guidelines/recharter
paperwork: rosters, permits, reservations/fees
Benefits:
Boys can go almost anywhere in society where "the adults" do all the
leading--school, sports, you name it. BSA/Boy Scouts is special in
that regard. If the program is delivered the way its designed (and
the good Baden-Powell thought) boys will be blazing the trail, just
fast enough to keep the adults huffing and puffing in the rear.
I'm not a boy anymore, but I gotta think it would be a lot more fun
to pick where and what you're going to do on a campout, instead of
just "doing what the adults say". Note, a part of this process is
allowing the boys a "safe place" to make mistakes. Don't let the
adults in on this secret, but we *ALL* make mistakes, some are
doozies, and its important to learn had to assess risks, fix a
problem, and learn how to do it better next time. People who don't
make mistakes never try to do anything new (& what a boring life!).
Enough about the why/what/who/how. Probably too much.
More importantly, what can YOU do, Mr 20 y/o Eagle Scout??
Start by taking an inventory of who is making things happen. You focus
on the ones that matter, and don't worry about the rest.
Sounds like it starts with the new SM. So... he's trying to do too much.
Depending on his motivations, that isn't a sin. He may just be using the
wrong way to prove he's a good SM. Too much is better than too little.
Try to assess WHY he is doing everything, and if he is interested in
changing his leadership style (lets hope so).
Next, assess how well the four from the old regime work with the new SM.
If he doesn't listen to them, maybe you shouldn't worry about them either.
Now, the old farts who hoard the power aren't going to like you, because
you *ARE* taking away their power. Too bad for them-maybe they should get
a life and let the boys have their program back. (Probably shouldn't say
it that directly to them.)
So, that leaves "6 other adult leaders without positions of responsibility".
Well, they have responsibility (by definition as a leader), but maybe no
one has told them what that REALLY is. So, its not a desperate situation,
you just gotta figure out how to get these guys ramped up and working
the way the program "ought" to be run.
Beyond this its hard to say exactly what to do. Some ideas:
(these depend on the SMs desire to accept input and change)
-Unit commissioner can provide valuable help
-Training - Scoutmaster Fundamentals (SMF or ALT) for all adults.
Council level/week-long JLT for the SPL
District level/week-end JLT for PLs
Wood Badge for the SM
-Roundtable-for any/all adults, great for info, training, networking
-Scouts-L - get some of the other Adults to "drop in" for some 24/7
nationwide network with a BUNCH of good Scouters. The only
thing we're missing is a good fire and a pot of coffee.
As a final thought, let me share with you a story of what 13-15 y/o boys
can do when they get the chance. Last spring I served as SM/CD for our
district's "Oak Leaf" course (week-end JLT). We had a staff of 4 adults
and 14 Scouts, and 63 candidates (students). The adults handled logistics
like registration, fees, medical releases, meals, etc. The Scouts did *ALL*
training sessions-- developed personalized presentations and taught them
(we work from a Council syllabus that defines the content and learning
objectives). The course SPL led 3 planning/preparation meetings where
the Scouts created and practiced their presentations. The only role I
served was to help in the critique of their work. The course went off
very smoothly--the only hiccup was an oversight for one 15 minute session,
which I covered on the spur of the moment (ironically called "Adult Leaders'
Role in the Troop"). Some adults would say: "JLT is too important to risk
using Scouts. What if they don't deliver?". I say: "We have failed if we
say boy-led, and the course is delivered by adults". Watch my actions
and you will know what I think.
Hang in there--you can do it. Its a chance to exercise the same leadership
skills you demonstrated to earn your Eagle rank!
Ken Walker, CM P-200, ASM T-259
District Training Committee
Circle 10 Council/Great Plains District - Plano, TX
(W) ken.walker@mscsoftware.com -or- (H) walker99@ix.netcom.com
