When you accept a position as a junior leader, whether in a
troop level position or a patrol level position, you agree to
provide service and leadership in our troop. This responsibility
should be fun and rewarding. The job descriptions below provide
some of the things you are expected to do while serving as a
junior leader. You should bring a copy of this description with
you during your introduction to leadership conference with your
adult leader.
Leading the way... What does
that mean?
Written By the Troop 575
Patrol Leader's Council
May2000
Think about being a Cub
Scout. You came to den meetings and did a lot of different and fun
things. But who decided what to do and who planned the activities?
The Den Leaders, right?
Sports teams are a lot
of fun, too. But who decides who plays what position, who's on the
starting lineup and when to substitute? The coach, right?
There is one thing that
makes Scouting different from all other youth groups. Do you know
what it is? Well, it is not the uniform. Every soccer, basketball,
and baseball team has a uniform. It is not the fun activities. There
are a lot of other things that are fun. And it certainly isn't
cleaning dirty pots and pans on a campout.!!
What makes Scouting
special is that YOU make the decisions!
That's right! YOU run the troop. Baden-Powell made it very plain in
Aids to Scoutmastership when he wrote,
“The best progress is made in those Troops
where power and responsibility
are really put into the hands
of the Patrol Leaders.”
This is real decision
making power. And not it's not just Patrol Leaders. All of the troop
leadership positions have a hand in making the Troop run. As a troop
leader you will:
-
Plan and run troop meetings
-
Pick troop outings, where to camp, what
to do
-
Plan advancement opportunities for all
troop members
-
Select High-Adventure programs
-
Determine troop policy
-
Help other Scouts along the trail to
Eagle.
Sound cool? It really
is! The adults are there to provide support, but YOU will be making
the decisions. Because being a leader is more than just sewing on a
patch we have put together job descriptions for the troop leadership
positions. They will give you a good idea of what each job is all
about and what you will be required to do.
Here's how to be
considered for a position. First read the job descriptions,
qualifications, and job responsibilities. Then decide what you want
to do and talk it over with your parents. You can also talk it over
with other Scouts who have served in that position. Finally, get a
troop job application form, fill it out, have your parent(s) read and
sign it and turn it in.
So, are you ready to
"Lead the way"? We sure hope so!
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