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SPL
Barry Runnels (barry_c_runnels@MMACMAIL.JCCBI.GOV)
Tue, 24 Nov 1998 09:02:46 -0600
>For the second time in two weeks, our SM has called our
>SPL to get messages to the rest of the patrols. For the
>second time, he has neglected to do so. He does not
>give us a reason, he just doesn't do it. Can the SM remove
>him from the position or do the boys have to do so.
>
>Other than this problem, he does a good job and he is a
>terriffic kid. At meetings and campouts he does lead the
>troop very well.
He leads the Troop well except for communication and some adults want to remove
him? I am going through a similar situation and have also been approached by
several adults who wanted me to remove the SPL. I knew Scouting would be
challenging but I didn't realize it would come more from the adults. What ever
we do with the SPL, it has to be a positive learning experience for him and the
Scouts involved in his program. I thinks it's OK for leaders to step down when
they are not ready for the position, but it's important that the Scout make the
decision when he understands it's best for him and the Troop. We should never
expect the SPL to be a perfect leader and I would not allow one to take the
position because it would take away an opportunity for another Scout to learn.
We learn the most in our struggles, so we want struggle in the program. When we
see the Scouts struggling , we gently guide them through it without rescuing
them from the lesson learned. I can't think of any other National program where
a boy is encourage to lead a full program so that he learns from the experience.
But we have to allow it to happen. We have to get excited and look for learning
opportunities so we can give some guidance from our experience. Then we have to
step back and see what they learned. If they had a perfect meeting, praise the
leadership, then change something so that it challenges them again.
Sounds like a good Troop. Communication is a problem for most boy run Troops
because the boys are learning, where an adult run Troop tends to do most of the
communication. We are still learning here as well. I love this Scouting Stuff.
Barry Runnels
Troop 386
Edmond OK
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