Re:Skippers Skills/Qualities

At 10:12 AM 6/9/98 CDT, you wrote:
>On a practical, rather than a theoretical
>side, what does the job of Skipper involve? How much of the work on the
>ship (a brand new unit, with a completely raw crew) would a Skipper
>probably be doing?
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> Thomas W. Strong Jr. strong@dementia.org
> ----------------- http://www.dementia.org/~strong ------

Greetings, Thomas!
In a word (or two):A LOT! My experience with Sea Scouts (17 years) tells
me that any unit is a direct reflection of that unit's Skipper. He/She is
the sail/engine and the rudder. The ship he leads runs on her/his energy
and is guided by his/her leadership. It is the personality of the Skipper
that sets the tone for the functioning of the unit. I think that it helps
enormously if the Skipper has a real depth of nautical know-how, but the
Skipper's personal skills of human relations, politics, and management will
determine whether the Ship floats or fails.
A Ship is first and foremost a social unit. Whatever its activities or its
hardware complement, it will exist and flourish only if its people want to
be there. That begins with the Skipper and that Skipper's personality and
people skills. He/she must be able to attract and organize other adults
that can provide competent help. They may be the ones who provide the
"technical" know-how, their skills complementing what the Skipper may lack.
These comments are not meant in ANY way to neglect the important role of
Mates and Committee Members; a Skipper cannot do it alone! I do think,
though, that a Ship's successful existence hinges on the Skipper's... call
it CHARISMA ? ( What an embarrassing word! :) )
Your's etc.
Chris
Christopher Fox, XO
SSS 936, MARINER
Dana Point, CA
<http://home.fea.net/~tofer>

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