Troop Leader Training

24 September 2011Troop 200

Yorktown VA

TLT Overview

• Vision of success• Organizational structure: your

framework• What is expected of me?• What tools do I have?• How will I know if I’m leading well?• Tips to get started

Show Peanut Butter Jelly time video

Don’t let distractions upset you!

Vision of Success

• Group discussion– What defines success for Troop 200?– How can we achieve success?– What are our goals?– How do we set the example?– How do we communicate effectively?– How do we manage scouts in a large

troop?

ASM

Troop 200 OrganizationScoutmaster

SPL

ASPLASPLASPL

Quartermaster

PL

Scribe

Chaplain Aide

Historian

OA Rep `

Den Chief

APL

ASMPL

APL

ASMPL

APL

ASMPL

APL

ASM

ASM

ASM

ASM

ASM

Den Leader

Show Determine the Direction video

Your job is to survive 6 months!

Building Patrol Spirit

• Patrol name• Patrol flag• Patrol yell• Patrol activities• The National Honor Patrol Award

“A boy on joining wants to begin Scouting right away”Lord Baden Powell

The Patrol Leaders’ Council

• Semi-Annual Planning Conference– Develop troop goals– Schedule major events– Schedule special activities– Select program features

• Monthly PLC Huddle– Agenda

• Start/Stop/Continue after every event

Show Better Luck video

Don’t get run over by standing in one place!

Troop Meetings

• PLAN the meeting (use your resources!)• Agenda – communicate your vision!• Assignments – delegate & assign tasks• Meeting – only 1 speaker on center stage

• MUST stay on time & snappy; • Stay ahead of the game – keep PL’s

focused• Be involved with rank advancement• Have fun!

Show “Who is in charge” video

Leading is about looking at the BIG PICTURE

Troop Formations“Horseshoe”

- Used for troop presentations or announcements- Good way to motivate scouts and get them fired up- SPL has access to ALL the troop scouts- ASPL’s & ASMs provide “security” and can help “focus” scouts

Troop Formations“Patrol Lines”

- Used for troop accountability- SPL talks to Patrol Leaders; PL’s talk to their scouts- Don’t stay in this formation long! - Scouts in back can’t see what’s going on & they get bored!

Patrol Meetings• Plan the meeting (use your resources!)• Possess passion & vision!• Communicate your vision – USE the phone!• Set high standards• Make tough decisions when necessary• Be good at what you do – uniform wear,

scout skills, etc• Help your scouts with rank advancement• Have fun. . .it’s contagious!

Being a Good Leader Basics of Leadership

• Have a great positive attitude!• Determine the direction – have a vision!• Set the Pace – be organized, look the

part, set high standards and stay ahead• Applaud the Spirit - act with maturity• Make the tough decisions – duty rosters • Praise in public; criticize in private!

“Scouting is a game for the boys under the leadership of boys under the direction of a man.”

Lord Baden Powell

Show Self Smarted video

Don’t be like this. . .LEARN from others by using Start/Stop/Continue!

Laws of Leadership• Possess passion and vision

– No one will have more passion than you

• Be good at what you do– There is no substitute for competence

• Set high standards– You set the bar!

• Make tough decisions– This is why you get “the big bucks”!

• Compensate well– Praise often & take care of your people

How to keep your best motivated

• See that your “inner circle” gets training• Communicate expectations early• Share the credit and rewards• Cultivate a positive environment• Don’t let your “winners” get stagnant• Insist that all “carry their own weight”• Encourage others to speak up & be

heard!• Empower & give others responsibility

Show a funny cat video

Sometimes leading is like “herding cats”!

Being a Good Leader Key Leadership Skills

• Effective communication• Effective listening• Start, Stop, Continue• EDGE (Explain, Demo, Guide, Enable)• Match leadership styles to leadership needs

– Telling– Coaching– Supporting– Delegating

Willingness

Ability

T C

DS

Being a Good Leader New Scout

– Telling– Coaching– Supporting– Delegating

Willingness

Ability

T C

DS

“The boy is not governed by DON’T, but is LED by DO.”Lord Baden Powell

Being a Good Leader 15 Year Old First Class Scout

– Telling– Coaching– Supporting– Delegating

Willingness

Ability

T C

DS

“A boy carries out suggestions more wholeheartedly when he understands their aim.”

Lord Baden Powell

Being a Good Leader 16 Year Old Life Scout

– Telling– Coaching– Supporting– Delegating

Willingness

Ability

T C

DS

“There is no teaching to compare with example!”Lord Baden Powell

Show Stay Ahead video

Always stay ahead of the scouts you are leading!

Being a Good Leader Help the Patrols Develop As

Teams• Encourage the PATROL METHOD!• Support the patrols as the team

develops• Provide guidance to the patrols• Help them overcome disappointments• Celebrate the patrol & troop

successes!

“The patrol method is not ONE method in which Scouting can be carried on. . .it is the ONLY method!”

Honourable Roland Phillips - 1916

• Leadership problem-solving situations

• Is it a safety issue?• Is it a youth protection issue?• Is it a scout just being a pain?

• When in doubt, seek an older scout or an adult leader as the last resort!

Being a Good Leader Putting Out Fires

“The sport in Scouting is to find the good in every boy and develop it.” Lord Baden Powell

Show Cat for Adoption video

Know when to get help and when to use the 3 R’s!

Being a Good Leader Conflict Resolution

• Avoiding

• Compromising

• Problem solving

Being a Good Leader Dealing with Inappropriate

Behavior• Guidelines for appropriate behavior:

– The Scout Oath– The Scout Law

• Handling inappropriate behavior– Discretion (discuss in private)– Referral (to a JASM or ASM)

“The Scout Oath and Law are our binding disciplinary force.” Lord Baden Powell

TLT Conclusion

• Determine YOUR vision of success!• Use troop framework to achieve your

goals!• Understand what is expected of you!• Use the tools that the troop provides

you!• Ask for feedback from your Advisor!• Have FUN and MOTIVATE your scouts!“The most important object in Boy Scout training

is to educate, not instruct.”Lord Baden Powell

Questions?

Troop 200 Semi-annual

Planning Conferencefor Apr 12 – Sep 12

24 September 2011

Semi-annual Planning Conference

• Twice a year• Plan 6+ months of themes and activities

11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1010 11 12

E

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

E E

2011

2012

E

Goals

• Use BSA themes and decide the T200 specific monthly themes

• Choose campout locations

• Decide special event participation

• Use all of your resources!

CalendarPass out or show Troop Calendar

to discuss dates, themes, & locations!

Campsite Possibilities• Hard copies of Campsite Ideas• Resources include:

– Campout SM for each campout– Outdoor Activities Coordinator– Older scouts!

• Considerations– Theme– Distance– Cost– Local, state, national parks, private

property

ConclusionTurn in Leadership Agreements!

Sign for your Leader Handbooks!

Always let the scouts under you know your vision and the plan!

Have fun with your patrol and make T200 the

BEST TROOP EVER!