hotdesk

This document was presented to the Patrol Leader''s Council after the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader finished it and asked for advice from the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster to make sure it was something that was worth bringing up. We tought it was. Maybe a little backround information is necessary. A little over a year ago we had a new Scoutmaster take the position. Our pervious Scoutmaster, also my father, unexpectly passed away. I, at the age of 19, was the only active Assistant Scoutmaster and the new Scoutmaster took over after only being in the program for 8 months. His training was incomplete and 8 months of program was not enough experience. Our Senior Patrol Leader, who had served a couple of years before, and his Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, who had served before as ASPL, SPL, and Troop Guide, installed our troop''s evaluation process. Since the Scoutmaster was new and I was indifferent, the SPL and ASPL bypassed the PLC and Scoutmaster and went ahead with the evaluation process. When we found out about it we referred it to the committee for their approval because 1. Our Scoutmaster took boy-led to heart and 2. we were unsure of what else to do. The committee approved and supported their process. This new process is a strong scaleback of the pervious process. The last one looked at attendance, uniforming, and much more. It included a lot more than just simply looking at the completion of their position. The Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader wanted something that wasn''t as strict. This time we were asked for advice (and are still looking for some to give) since our thoughts were not considered last time.

Part of the reason that we are having the Scoutmaster tell the committee regarding these actions is that the Scoutmaster is suppose to inform the committee of actions made by the Patrol Leader''s Council. A benefit for a written evaluation, in my mind, would be if a change in leadership is needed. If Scoutmaster decides Johnny has not fullfilled his position and should then not receive credit for the position and is simply remove there is no doubt his parents will question the decision. Mom will call questioning Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster (if written evaluation is written)will have written proof and evidence on why Johnny will be removed from his position. He can explain to them that Johnny had a warning and meet with him to discuss improvements. He can explain to them that the PLC felt improvements were not met. He can then offer to show the evaluation to them if they want.

lists are provided to the committee because it deals with advancement and advancement policies. The evaluation process was formed by the scouts in an order to get other scouts to complete the requirements of their positions. It is clear to me, from reading these forums, that we are not the only troop that has problems with this. Our more "vital" positions like Quartermaster and Scribe have always been successfully filled, but positions like Chaplian''s Aide, O/A Troop Rep, and Historian have constantly not been successlly filled. The evaluation gives the scouts a way of knowing what they are supposed to do and allowing them to do it. In the past we have had the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader talk to the scouts, attempt to encourage them to do it, and have encouragement from other adult leaders. Since a few of you seem to have wonderful scouts that always complete the positions they are appointed to how do you get them?

Our Patrol Leader''s Council, with the guidance of our Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster, recently established guidelines for conducting Leadership Evaluations. Each scout that serves in a leadership position was given a form that read "Scouts that serve in a leadership position will receive a detailed description of their position in written form. They will have a discussion with the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader or Senior Patrol Leader and an Assistant Scoutmaster or Scoutmaster within two weeks of being appointed to or elected to share expectations. On a monthly basis the ASPL will evaluate scout leaders. It will be a simple evaluation that includes a basic check of the completion of each responsiblity delegated to that leader. If a scout is found not to completing their delegated responsiblities the scout will be placed on probation by a simple majority vote by the Patrol Leader''s Coucnil. A list of scouts put on probation will be provided to the Troop Committee during the Scoutmaster''s Report. After being put on probation the ASPL will arrange for a meeting between the scout and the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, an Assistant Scoutmaster or Scoutmasters, and the scout''s adult advisor to discuss neccessary improvements. If the discussed improvements are not met by the next Patrol Leader''s Council meeting the scout will be removed from their position by a simple majority vote by the Patrol Leader''s Council. A list of scouts removed from their position will be promptly given to the Troop Committee during the Scoutmaster''s Report. The scout will receive credit for serving in their position until the date of the Patrol Leader''s Council meeting where the scout was removed from his position. The Senior Patrol Leader will keep the responsiblity of appointing scouts to leadership positions." The scouts are then expected to sign this document verifying that they read and understand it. Also attached are the questions that the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader will review during the evaluations. For example: "Scribe Were the most recent minutes from the PLC meeting emailed out? Are attendance logs up to date? Were the pervious month''s attendance logs provided to the Advancement Coordinator?" "Order of the Arrow Troop Rep. Are Sign Up sheets up for the activities that happen during, at least, the next month and a half? Did he promote the most recent O/A Chapter Meeting and/or Event? Has the O/A Troop Rep promoted troop events during the Announcement Times during meetings?" A scout is expected to get a majority of the evaluation to meet expectations in order to avoid futher action by the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. What are your views and suggestions? This goes to our Unit Committee at this month''s Committee Meeting. The scouts have already started following the motions of this evaluation.

In our troop all families are asked to serve in some role for the troop. Many become registered members of the committee or as an Assistant Scoutmaster. On the committee they run fundraiers, help with BORs, or serve as an officer. As an Assistant Scoutmaster they help deliever the program and therefore serve as advisors to the Patrol Leaders they serve as a Patrol Advisor for. In our troop we have different levels of campouts and some require a strong adult participation. Therefore, parents (even some who are not registered) are asked to attend. It is because of our parents that we can offer the program that we do. However, adults work in their own patrol. They are away from the scouts, except when they are performing the assignments they were originally asked to do. During our new scout campout we ask parents to attend so that they can learn, right from the start, that they are not to interefere with the Patrol Leaders. Even our Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters are encouraged not to interefer until they are directly asked by a member of the Patrol Leader''s Council or the actions taken by these scout leaders contradict those guidelines established by Guide to Safe Scouting. Scouting''s job is to teach scout''s leadership skills. If we interfer or allow parents to interfer each time a problem, question, or concern arises we cannot complete Scouting''s job.

Scouts are rough on tents. They, for the most part, don''t take responsiblity for equipment because we, the adults, don''t expect them to. As adults what our scouts will do is based on our expectations and limitations. Our troop owns the tents and most of the equipment that is used during campouts. We do have a few scouts that do take responsiblity (these are usually people who have either served as Quartermaster or Senior Patrol Leader). We used to send the tents home with scouts after each campout so that they could dried and cleaned correctly. That didn''t work. We would get back Sunday afternoon and the Scouts would have a meeting Monday night. There was little time to get the tents up and dried, especially if it would rain. Therefore, we now air tents out Sunday morning. Scouts get up, pack up their personal gear they won''t need Sunday morning, and start airing their tents out. The tents then get packed dried and cleaned. Any tents that aren''t correct aren''t packed until they are correct (so scouts quickly learn what we expect). If tents are missing parts the scout Quartermaster is expected to correct that problem. In our troop we have an evaulation process that scouts must pass to continue serving in their position of responsiblity so the Quartermaster actually completes his assignments. At our Monday night meeting following the campouts we go through the trailer and patrol boxes and make sure that everything is where it is suppose to be, is maintained, and is clean. This is run by our Quartermaster and Patrol Leaders (Patrol Boxes), Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (tents), and Senior Patrol Leader (trailer). Patrols will be split to accomplish each task. In response to your questions about requiring scouts to buy their own tents, I''m not sure that this is fair to the scouts. The first problem would be that they would have to share their tent with other scouts. If a problem happens with a scout that shares a tent the owner of the tent is out of luck. Another problem would be cost. I know that the Eureaks that many troops use usually run near $200. Many family''s would have an issue with this. On the other side you have inexpensive Coleman''s that can run closer to $75 (end of season sales), but will wear out a lot quicker. I do know that as our scouts get older they enjoy buying or receiving (as gifts) equipment. However, when they buy their own tents it fits the type of camping they enjoy. If they enjoy hiking they will buy smaller, lighter, tents. If they enjoy winter camping a different tent must be purchased. It needs to be left up to the scout and his family so that the correct tent is purchased.

My dad was the Scoutmaster of our troop for four years before he passed away a little over a year ago. When I aged out I started serving as the New Scout Assistant Scoutmaster and Membership Coordinator. At the time I aged out we had very few adult volunteers. So I also served with the Newsletter, Website, and Cartridge Recycling Fundraiser. It seemed that I spent less time than I do know performing this duties. Perhaps that was because I took easy classes my Senior Year in High School and used by Study Hall time completing these things for scouts? Well now I have recruited people to take over as Newsletter, Website, and Cartridge Recycling and found an Assistant for Membership along with appointing a scout to the position of "Recruiter". So I only serve as New Scout Assistant Scoutmaster and help the Senior Patrol Leader (who I live with). Each of the new people were given complete instructions and training in their specific duties. I still help when they have questions. But one hour a week still does not cut it. Working at the meeting for an hour, working with the Troop Guide to plan the new scout program, camping and doing other troop activities, and the much much more that you do for scouting adds up to way more than an hour. Just to think, how many hours a week do the scouts put in (if it is truely boy led)?

Adults should work within the guidelines of the Patrol Method. Everything that adult scouters do should set an example for their scouts. The quickest way to have scouts complain is by doing something different than what is expect from them. Oh and the answer "because I''m an adult" does not go very far either. Scouts, especially younger ones, are going to have basic menus at first. The easiest way to have their minds changed from "let'' have hotdogs" to "let''s try something different" is by cooking something different as adults. The scouts should be looking up to the adults and from what I have seen this will go as far as the type of food the adults eat. It is also important to keep the influence we have on scouts in mind when cooking. If we expect scouts to stick to a budget, then why shouldn''t we? If we don''t expect them to have steak or high quality sea food, then why should we? In our troop scouts easily get by on about $7 for three meals. These meals cover all basic food groups and leave them filled until the next meal. From their very first shopping trip scouts are taught to look at proper quantities, sales/genric food, and proper planning. Each menu that they plan needs to be approved (menu and shopping list) needs to be approved by, first, their Patrol Advisor, and last by the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. To cover the cost of adult food and participation the troop committee (through the troop share of fundraising) pays. But we all still keep in mind what I have stated above.

In my town we let the scouts sell popcorn to the people they know and the neighborhoods they live in. Parents are encouraged to take order forms to work to sell to coworkers and our unit encourages scouts to take the forms to school to sell to teachers. One possible idea (if your district were to actually divide the town) would be to simply table this fundraiser and conduct a different one. It sounds that your unit may raise a good amount from its sales and, in most councils, Boy Scout Councils and or Districts receive a portion. Your decision to not conduct the sale may encourage your district not to divide the neighborhoods.

My unit has several scouters that have sons who have aged out. Our Committee Chairman''s son aged out 2 years ago. During that time he was the Troop Treasurer. Our previous Scoutmaster (who past away while holding the position) continued after his son aged out. Our High Adventure Advisor son aged out many years ago. After his son aged out he served four years as Scoutmaster. One of the scouters who attends Boundary Waters with our scouts is in his mid 60''s. His son is not known to even some of the longest tenured scouters in our unit. Our Popcorn Kernal''s son lost interest in the program shortly before he aged out. All of these people enjoy what they are doing for the unit. They perform their position even past what could be expected. However we also have a few scouters who don''t have son''s in the program. Our New Scout Advisor/Membership Coordinator took the position after he aged out of the program. He earned his Eagle. Our Chartered Organization Rep/Life To Eagle Coordinator does not have a son. He earned his Eagle pack in the mid 80''s. Another one of our Assistant Scoutmasters is away at college. A third Assistant Scoutmaster has been a member of the troop since his scouting youth. He is now in his mid 50''s. Don''t get me wrong most of our positions (Scoutmaster,Treasurer, Secretary, Outdoors, Equipment, Newsletter, Website, Advancements, and regular committee members) all have sons in the program. Some have past scouting experience. Some were active in their son''s Cub Scout packs. But sometimes it is those scouters that don''t have sons in the program anymore that perform their position''s the best.

A little over a year ago my father past away. At the time of his death he was the Scoutmaster for our Boy Scout Troop. He had served the troop for 4 years turning it into a Boy run troop with active patrols. Our family decided to bury him in his uniform. All the scouts and scouters from the troop showed up in their uniform to the visitation and/or funeral. As my dad also participated in some District activities a few district scouters showed up in their uniforms. About two and a half weeks after losing our Scoutmaster our Chartered Organization Rep past away from a battle with cancer. As she was very active in Scouting (earning awards including the Silver Beaver) several scouts, scouters, and professionals showed up for her funeral. She was buried in full uniform and those Scouts and Scouters that visited were also in full uniform.

During my ten years (as a Scout and Adult Leader) we have gone through four different Scoutmasters. The first two Scoutmasters informed the Unit Committee and Chartered Organization Represenative of their intention to resign from the position. The left the time table open to allow for time to recruit a new Scoutmaster. After the new Scoutmaster was selected the first Scoutmaster completly disappeared and has not been heard or seen since. His replacement was the Advancement Coordinator and Assistant Scoutmaster. He was liked by many of the adults and scouts and was able to delegate. When he left (because of work) the Scoutmaster selected as appointed on an interm basis. This second Scoutmaster stayed involved as the troop's Venture Patrol Assistant Scoutmaster. He helped plan High Adventure Outings and some bike trips. Unfornatuly we are losing him this year completly because of hime taking a job in a different state. The interm scoutmaster remained for about a year. He finally left the position amist adult conflicts and the third scoutmaster was appointed. He past away last August and the troop appointed another Scoutmaster. So basically the correct steps would be what Beavah already mentioned. Let your Unit Committee and Chartered Organization Rep. know of your decision. Tell them that you will remain on until a new Scoutmaster has been selected. Continue to serve as you have in your position. Don't change your game plan just because you are leaving. After the new Scoutmaster is in place continue to remain active in a support role and be there if and when the new Scoutmaster needs advice and guidance.

Each position should have something to do during their term in office. The Scoutmaster and Patrol Leader's Council should expect them to fullfill their positions. Scouts who do not fullfill minimum responsiblities should not receive credit for serving in their position of responsiblity. In our troop every position has things to do and every position is expected to complete these things. Librarian: check MB Books in/out, keep inventory, prepare books for camp Historian: take pictures and upkeep troop scrap book Scribe: take attendance at all activities (attendance is a prerequist for running for troop positions), take notes at the Patrol Leader's Council so on and so forth. Keep in mind, the things required from each position will change by troop because of the difference in troop membership.

This year we have six new scouts and twelve months of the the NSP. Therefore our troop has decided to give each scout 2 months as Patrol Leader and then rotate. This gives them a chance to lead group discussions (menu planning, patrol flag building, team building games, and skills instruction), attend 2 Patrol Leader's Council meetings, and be a PL at atleast 2 activities. Even though we have only had 1 PL so far (the next one starts at the end of April) it seems to be working so far as the scouts are learning what the duties of the Patrol Leader consists of and how to work together in a patrol. I'm actually quite satisified watching a group of 6 scouts (4 from 1 pack and 2 from another) come together as they have and work as well as they have.

As a troop we have several methods we use for communications 1) we have a troop website. sometimes it's updated and other times it is not. it really depends on who the site administrator is and how much time they have. 2) we have a monthly newsletter that is mailed out to all parents in the troop. it contains information about upcoming trips, recent achievements, and fundraising 3) we make closing announcements. this announcements are about upcoming outings, service hours, eagle projects, and any youth training coming up. the announcements are geared toward the scouts not the adults 4)when plans change or sign up is ending we have Patrol Leaders call their patrol. They are instructed to do so by the Senior Patrol Leader either by a phone call or at the Patrol Leader's Council meeting 5) emails. our Troop Secretary emails the Committee meeting notes to all troop adult leaders right after the meeting. the Committee Chairman emails the agenda one week before the meeting. the scoutmaster or an assistant scoutmaster might email anything that happened at the Patrol Leader's Council that parents need to know or any announcements that have been made that parents need to know 6) we usually do not hand out flyers. we hope that with the newsletter and website that information easily flows without having to waste additional paper. however, sometimes we do handout flyers about the upcoming activity.

The Scoutmaster is responsible for: guiding the Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader training all Jr. Leaders in the troop helping the SPL plan PLC Meetings and the Annual Troop Planning Con. conducting Scoutmaster Conferences enforcing the troop discipline policy serving as the liason between the Troop Committee and Patrol Leader's Council the exact responsiblities of a Scoutmaster can probably be found in the Scoutmaster Handbook.

The best camp is Camp Lowden in Orgen, IL of the Blackhawk Area Council in the central time zone. The staff is exceptional. They perform marching songs on the way to flag gatherings, lead awsome songs during meals, provide a week long skit, are always willing to help a scout earn a MB (even if it's 4 oclock on Friday and program areas close at 4:45), and the Camp Director provides 25 years as Camp Director experience. The property is also first class. It provides 10 campsites that are always in tip top shape, has a swimming pool, great dinning hall (with meals to excellently compliment it), and a lodge where scouts can go to relax. It has a waterfront on the Rock River which helps the scouts learn about paddeling in real life. The program is also great. As mentioned above the staff does marching songs, leads songs during meals, and sings songs while scouts gather for the opening and closing fire ceremonies. The areas areas all provide extra learning chances that include games, knot rails, and more. It's high adventure program has a 40 foot climbing wall, and provides a chance to do a COPE course. The OA ceremony is well rehearsed and the staff really gets into it.

Happy birthday as a 19 year old adult leader i'm going to tell you that the transition takes some getting used to...hopefully you stay with it and continue to give to the program that gave so much to you

Requirement 6 states that When you believe that your business idea is feasible, start your own business. Show evidence that you started your business (sales receipts, for example, or photos of the good). Report to your counselor the results of your venture. now does that mean you have "legally" start the business by opening up a business account and incorporating or can you just start providing the service that you have outlined for the rest of the Merit Badge?

I can speak from having my dad, who was the Scoutmaster of our troop at the time of his death, that having a good turn out of scouts and scouters was very nice and important to our family. it should that the time that he spent doing scouting was appreciated and felt.

Our troop has lost 3 active leaders in the 8 years that I have been with them. For each one we went to the funeral, as a group, in uniform. We also provided a flag color gaurd to present and retire the colors. We usually also provide the salads/sides for the lucheon. In July the troop lost its Scoutmaster. For this we provided a troop flag for his casket. During the funeral we had it on top of it and then at the retiring of the colors 2 of his very active assistants folded the flag and gave it to his widow.

well i wrote a letter to the editor about scouting. we shall see what happens.

For our troop we encourage the 5th grade dens that we recruit from to visit us for an outing and at a meeting. I wanted to see if this was normal? Also what do your troops do at the meetings that the dens visit? In the past we have talked to the parents about how important scouting is and how our troop is flexible as far as attendance and payment for activities goes. We also discuss our calendar, fundraisers, and how we expect them to participate in the troop. With the scouts we tend to give them a tour of our meeting area, troop trailor, equipment room, and play a game with them. I don't really think this is effective. I think that some may be getting bored when doing this. Let me know some of your ideas. Thanks

We give an award to an adult leader (committee or assistant) at each Court of Honor. The award is called the Outstanding Adult Volunteer award. It is a certificate signed by the Senior Patrol Leader and Scoutmaster. The voting members of the PLC decide this award. The talk about it in a "closed session" where adults are not really invited. This is during the actual PLC Meeting. To be eligible for this award you have to do something above and beyond your position dutites and responsiblities. The Scoutmaster, Committee Chairman, and Chartered Organization Represenative are not elgible for the award until they "retire". This past Court of Honor the Scoutmaster and COR both were awarded for the work as both past away a month eariler.

A couple of more ideas that have not been mentioned: 1) collect used cartridges, old cellphones, etc. for recycling. recycling these items can earn you up to $4.00 per item. See www.cartridgesforkids.com and www.empties4cash.com Also if you get other organizations to sign up you can earn a 10% thank you bonus. So if anyone wants to do this please im me so you can help my group earn an extra 10% 2) selling bottled water during a local parade. we have one in June of each year and have earned about $300 each year.