Re: A Second Request from a new SM]

Scott--

In the U-of-Utah communication department is a course called Small Group
Decision Making. The text [not a commercial plug] is Small Group Decision
Making, Communication and the Group Process by Donald Ellis and B. Aubrey
Fisher (who has recently 'gone home').

One of the essentials that help to build a group's cohesiveness, instill
confidence, and establish progress is to Accomplish Something. This
Something can be [ and usually is ] something small.

Ask them, your youth leaders, what they want to do, say, for the next
month in re scouting. Support some idea they produce [ and don't overtly
strike anything down, if at all possible ]. Encourage some idea that you
can recognize does not require a lot of energy or effort. Then guide,
advise, support, them in their idea, planning, and execution.

When it's done, make a big deal about it. Do so to each of the youth
leaders personally and directly. Do so publicily before the troop. Do so
to the parents of the boys. In basic, you might think about the Instant
Recognition program of Cub Scouting. It works.

I've got more stories about this type of thing--not all scouting related.
If you're interested in my 'war stories' e-mail me privately.

YiS
Ryan
ryan.keil@m.cc.utah.edu

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