Greetings, everyone...

Hello again Scouter people...I haven't posted in awhile, and I'l just starting to post again...my dad's trying to register as well, but hasn't gotten his registration email yet.

I've been elected Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 260 from Kansas City since I last spoke with ya'll. I was wondering if anyone might have some helpful hints to help me be a better SPL? Any help would be appreciated...anyways...yeah...hey everyone, nice to be back.

Tamegonit Arrowman

Welcome back, and happy new years to you. So you want to be a great SPL, hey...the secret is to be yourself, and have fun doing the job...

Hi Tamegonit,

SPL is an important job. Not only can you have a big influence in the success of the troop, but you have a real opportunity to develop leadership skills in yourself and others. What do you understand to be the job of an SPL, and what are you doing at this point in time, to achieve those goals?

Bob White(This message has been edited by Bob White)

There's a famous (and very good) musical play called "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying." It's about a guy who finds a book by that title, reads it, and breezes through.

in the end, it doesn't work out so well for him, but forget that part of the story.

There is a book that can work wonders for Senior Patrol Leaders and I suggest you pick up a copy and read it if you don't already have one. It's called Senior Patrol Leader Handbook. Buy it, read it, do what it says . . . and you'll do just fine.

Best of luck to you in your new responsibilities.

Dave

I know, I have the SPL Handbook, as well as the PL Handbook.

Our troop has a pretty good library, and can provide merit badge books and handbooks for positions if people need them.

Hey fellow SPL, the best think that I've learned is to not let anyone get in your way of doing what is right. If is isn't, so what, now you know a valuable lesson.

Also, don't be afraid to ask for help, I've learned this also, and the Scouters here are great help.

It's a challenging position, but just reading about it is one thing, performing it to the best of your abilities is another. Have a long discussion with your Scoutmaster. Review where the Troop is, and where you both would like to see it go. Always get input from your Scouts (young and old), but remember that the Scoutmaster and his Staff, and the Committee, need to be on board in order to support whatever the program the PLC comes up with.

The skys the limit,,,,,,,,,,,,,,go fly.

sst3rd

Tamegonit,

I'm anxious for an actual conversation about unit scouting rather than the other topics that have been put forward lately, and your request for tips for SPLs is just the thing to get my mind and attitude back on track.

Before I can offer any tips it would be helpful to know what your understanding of the the job is.

How about sharing what you understand the 3 main jobs of an SPL to be, and we will go from there.

I look forward to your post.

Bob White(This message has been edited by Bob White)

Congrats on the posting to SPL.

Suggestions? Well.... follow the Law and support the training, teaching of the younger scouts. Work to retain the older scouts with interesting programs and information. Show pride in the wearing of the uniform, what you do will have an impact on scouts for years to come. Several of our SPLs have done yeoman work and when the younger scouts of their time come up for BOR they mention the input of the SPL of their youth.

Basic scout skills is always good, camping, cooking, high adventure, knots, (sorry had to put that in), survival skills, etc. Young scouts, and older scouts, seem to always enjoy what they do not get in other venues that expand their horizons into areas that they would not be exposed to otherwise.

Once again congrats and good luck. If you wish to bounce ideas off the forum go for it, you will get good input.

yis

The main duties of an SPL...

1. To help the other Scouts and to be a role model.

2. To head up the PLC, institute changes in the Troop, and organize events, making sure what needs to be done gets done.

3. To be a help to the Scoutmaster by serving as the center of boy-run leadership, because young people tend to respect other people more than adults (or so the adults say).

Sound good?

You hit a couple right on the head, But a few that I think you need to re-evaluate.

The three most important responsibilites for SPLs are...

1. To chair the Patrol Leaders Council using a written agenda prepared with the help of the Scoutmaster.

2. To run troop meetings and other events with a written agenda prepared with the help of the Patrol Leaders Council.

3. To delegate duties and responsibilities to other Junior Leaders.

Other responsibilities include

>Appoint Troop members to serve in other Junior Leader positions (with the advice and counsel of your Scoutmaster)

> Assist the SM with training Junior Leaders

>Set a good example, wear the uniform, show Scout Spirit.

But it is the first three that have the biggest impact on your role as the SPL.

THE BIGGEST TRAP.

You are not there to "run" the boys. You are there to help the troop succeed by organizing and gaining coopreation of the other Junior Leaders. The Patrol Leaders run the patrols, your job is to help keep the patrol leaders organized and on track, based on the agenda they helped you to develop.

When you say "making sure what needs to be done gets done.", you come close to crossing that line. It is the Patrol Leaders responsibility to get the patrols work done. Your job is to make sure the Patrol Leader has a clear understanding of the job and the resources needed to be be successful. If the SPL is going to be the the guy in charge of everything then there is no need for any other junior leader position.

Just as if the Scoutmaster is the "in charge" of everything type, then there is no need for troop Committees or Assistant Scoutmasters. Everyone has a specific job to do you must allow them the opportunity to learn.

"because young people tend to respect other people more than adults (or so the adults say)"

It would truly be a shame if your Scoutmaster felt this way. I do not find that true at all. I think people respect others based on shared values. If they do not share similar values then there is a barrier making respect difficult.

A Scout leader who knows and understands the needs and cgharacteristics of the scouts will not have a problem with respect and so will not need the SPL to run interference that way.

BE CAREFUL about thinking you are there to make changes. The SPL elections should occur every 6 to 9 months. If every time a new SPL came in they started instituting changes, it would be very disruptive for the other scouts. You are there to follow the program and learn leadership techniques from the SM. If the SPL before you was following the program then the ship is on course, there is no need to change direction.

So do not focus on making changes focus on organizing, supporting and developing yourself and other junior leaders.

Does that make sense? Any questions?

To emphasize what BW has stated (emphasis is mine)

The three most important responsibilites for SPLs are...

1. To chair the Patrol Leaders Council using a WRITTEN agenda prepared with the help of the Scoutmaster.

2. To run troop meetings and other events with a WRITTEN agenda prepared with the help of the Patrol Leaders Council.

3. To delegate duties and responsibilities to other Junior Leaders.

I can't emphasize enough that a good written agenda is a godsend. I don't know what it is but to get the SPL, ASPL, PLs, etc. to actually write anything down and then keep track of it is a continual struggle. Also, to reiterate some of BW's points, they tell the SMs and SAs, never do for a boy what he can do for himself. I think for SPLs; never do for a patrol what the PL(s) and patrol can do for itself, may be a good piece of advice.

Enjoy yourself!

Let me add my $.02:

- There's no such thing as "too much coordination". Planning is great, and it's essential. But, without execution, it's just an exercise. Talk with your SM at least the day before a meeting or outing, to see if there are any loose ends or hiccups -- a day prior gives you time to adjust. Ditto with talking to your PLs beforehand; helps ensure your PLs remember what their patrols are responsible for. For anyone, it's a long time between the PLC and the last meeting of the program month -- help set them up for success, not failure.

- Use all the tools at your disposal, especially the Troop Meeting Plans.

- Use your ASPL to supervise the activities of the other appointed Troop youth leaders. Train them up, make sure they know what's expected of them, then follow up to make sure it's getting done.

- At meetings and outings, use the PLs as leverage to keep things on schedule and the Scouts on task. Don't fall into the trap of trying to out-shout 30 Scouts, when you can be more effective directing four PLs instead.

- Be early for everything. Takes a little more time out of your day, but will result in less stress in the long run -- consider it an investment.

Good luck.

KS

Well, thanks everyone...I'm not used to being put on the spot like this, but thanks for your advice.

Please do not feel put on the spot Tamegonit. This is a great way for your to learn more about troop scouting and its a great opportunity for us as adult leaders to understand how the job is viewed from the scout's vantage point. So we all learn something from these exchanges.

Bring on your questions or comments,

Bob White