Troop 774 Junior Leader Training Program

1. Troop 774Junior Leader Training Program T. Chesnutt, Scoutmaster

2. Being a Troop Leader • Leaders in the Troop are elected. • Scouts in the Troop see your leadership potential • Fundamentals of trust and respect are already established • Who works for who? • Leadership is a stewardship. • The leader is responsible for the welfare of his patrol. • He works for patrol members, not the other way around • Being a leader is a lot of work! • Planning phone calls, resolving conflicts… • Sweating the details.

3. So What’s in it for me? • WIFM - a favorite radio station? • Leaders get to influence troop decisions. • Leaders get advance information about troop activities. • Learn skills that will last your whole life. • Team building • Conflict resolution • Planning and organization • Delegation

4. Troop Organization • SPL runs the Troop • He is assisted by his Assistant Sr. Patrol Leaders • Scoutmasters are here to advise and back you up • Patrol method • Divides Troop into manageable units • Distributes leadership-provides leadership opportunities for more boys • Allows diversity to shine through • Other Troop functions • Not all leadership positions are “line” management • Scribe, Historian, Quartermaster, Librarian, Instructor, Chaplains Aide, Bugler

5. Responsibilities of a Patrol Leader • Appoint Assistant PL • Greenbar • Attend with ideas • Assign a sub when you can’t attend (APL) • Steer patrol identity • Name • Flag • Yell • Plan and run patrol meetings • Plan in advance • Budget meeting time • Get Scouts involved • Keep meeting under control

6. Responsibilities of a Patrol Leader • Help Scouts advance • Review advancement requirements prior to outing/event • Encourage Scouts to attend campouts, camp, and community service • Encourage merit badge activity • Keep patrol members informed • Make calls when required (outing headcount) • Call guys who are absent and inform them of next weeks activities • Set an example • Wear uniform correctly • Live by the Scout Oath and Law • Lead by example

7. Leadership Styles • The ‘Big Boss’ style • Useful style in an emergency • More fun to be one than to work for one • Use fear or intimidation to accomplish the task • Shared leadership • Groups get things done, but they need leadership to succeed. • “Leaders are people who help their groups get organized and then encourage them to achieve something.” • Builds an atmosphere of mutual respect

8. Techniques used in Shared Leadership • The Leader • Asks questions • Resists the temptation to solve the problem for the patrol • Helps his group think through the problem • Encourages teamwork-gets everyone involved. • Lets new ideas emerge • Gives his crew credit for their accomplishments • Uses reflection to help the crew learn from their experience and to get their feedback

9. Attributes of a Good Leader • Knowledgeable - knows his skills • Good listener - empathy • Has common sense • exercises good judgment • Trustworthy • Responsible • does the right thing • Selfless • not selfish. Does what’s best for the patrol • Good communicator • sets expectations, gives feedback, asks questions.

10. More Attributes of a Good Leader • Leads by example • Walks the talk. • Treats others fairly • Ensures equal distribution of work. Does not show favoritism. • Capable planner • Knows what needs to be done • Gives advance notice • Avoids surprises • Organized • Keeps good records • Delegates • Knows he can’t do it all • Finds good people to help him

11. Building Cooperation in the Patrol • Use shared leadership to solve problems • Make everyone in the patrol a part of the solution • Develops a sense of team accomplishment and patrol identity • Delegate • Divide the work. Give everyone a piece to own. • Set expectations. Give feedback. Praise success. • Encourage those who struggle. Help only as a last resort. • Find ways to establish and develop your patrol identity • Patrol yell, flag • Skits at campouts • Make a good showing at uniform inspections, Camporee, community service

12. Conflict Resolution • Head off conflict before it occurs/gets out of hand • Small problems are easier to solve • Patrol leader must be observant to catch things before they escalate • No bad surprises • Advance planning helps people prepare • Duty roster is an effective tool • Be fair • Distribute work evenly. All scouts get a turn. Even you. • Keep good records. Memories fade.

13. Conflict Resolution Techniques • Listen • Show empathy • Try to see things from each person’s perspective • Invention • Explore all possible solutions--be creative • Get input from all involved • Look for the win-win solution • Selection • Find the best solution for the most people • As the leader it’s your responsibility to make the call. • Build a consensus if you can

14. Building Trust • Demonstrate your trustworthiness • Treat your patrol members with respect • Set the expectation that all members of the patrol will follow your example • Always look out for the best interest of your patrol. • Don’t tell them that you are. They will find out. • Don’t screw up! • Once violated, trust takes a long time (if ever) to get re-established.

15. Patrol Leader Responsibility • Troop Meetings • Roll Call • Patrol meetings • Colors, cleanup • Troop Outings • Campouts • Community Service • Camporee • Activity Planning • Phone calls • Information distribution • Greenbar

16. Troop Meetings • Roll call • Get your guys lined up in front of the podium • Take attendance; give info to the Scribe • Patrol Meetings • Have an agenda. This is planned at Greenbar. • Write down what you need to accomplish and budget time for each item. • Stick to time budget. • Colors/Cleanup • You’ll know what week you have these tasks from Greenbar. Make assignments the week prior. • Look for advancement opportunities (flag ceremony)

17. Campouts • Takeoff • Get a headcount - make sure everyone is accounted for. • Inspect the patrol for readiness - no Scout essentials, no campout. • Get patrol gear out of the shed and loaded. • Get Scouts loaded in cars. • At the site • Supervise selection of campsite (advancement for someone. Inspect the camp setup. • Ensure food and crew gear is adequately stowed. • Review the duty roster with patrol • Review safety rules - propane, buddy system

18. Campouts continued • On a hike • Designate leader and sweep • Ensure rules of safe hiking are obeyed-count-off, “anyone not ready?” • End of outing • Have patrol box inspected by Scoutmaster • Notify QM of any patrol needs • Load gear in trailer • Inspect campsite for cleanliness

19. Activity Planning • Attend Greenbar • Planning is essential • Lookout for the month ahead • Make calls when necessary • Use call sheet to track who you talked to • Get feedback to the SPL • Information Distribution • Get the word out to your patrol members • Give as much advance notice as possible