TLT Session One - Introduction to Leadership (Know):

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A - The Boy-Led Troop and Living the Scout Oath and Law
Scoutmaster or designee discusses Chapter 3 of the Scoutmaster Handbook – “The Boy Led Troop”.

B - Discussion of the Boy-Led Patrol
Senior Patrol Leader discusses the power of a youth-led patrol from Chapter 4 of the Scoutmaster Handbook – “The Boy-Led Patrol.”

C - Review of the Troop Organization Chart
Scoutmaster or designee reviews the optimum organization charts for both a small troop and a large troop from the Scoutmaster Handbook.

D - Position Overview
Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol Leader go over each of the positions in detail and introduce the position positions.

E - National Honor Patrol Award Requirements
Senior Patrol Leader or experienced Patrol Leader concludes with a description of the National Honor Patrol Award requirements

Session One – Introduction to Leadership (Know):

A - The Boy-Led Troop and Living the Scout Oath and Law (Word document Acrobat PDF file )

The Patrol Leader’s Council

Plans and runs the troop program and activities. The annual planning conference creates the yearly plan (calendar), which is then executed by the council. The council is composed of the youth leaders of the troop.

All troop activities should be planned by the Patrol Leader’s Council. This means meetings, hikes, campouts, Good Turn Projects, and special troop projects.

As in any other “governing body”, decisions are no good unless they result in some action. If the leaders decide in March to have a special cooking demonstration for the new scouts in May, progress toward that goal should be followed-up in April.

The Scoutmaster should provide coaching only when necessary, and should be an informational resource. The Scoutmaster and Troop Committee have veto power over all decisions of the PLC, but should do so only when absolutely necessary.

Suggested Order of Business for the Patrol Leader’s Council Meeting

Activity		Run by
*Call to Order by the Chairman*		*SPL*

Roll Call and Reading of the Minutes		Scribe
	The troop Scribe reads the roll call and the log from the last meeting. PLC members may make corrections or additions before voting to accept the report a permanent record.

Patrol Reports		Patrol Leaders
	A short report from each PL including activities of his patrol, new scouts, advancement, and plans for the coming month.

*Old Business*		*SPL*
	Discussion of unresolved issues from the last PLC. Take a vote when necessary to bring closure to and past unresolved items.

Big Event Planning		SPL
	Planning for complicated events requiring lots of Coordination. Camp-O-Ree, Merit Badge Opportunity Days, and special outings requiring special planning.

*Check on Calendar*		*SPL*
	A check of troop progress as compared to the troop calendar. How is the plan being followed? Have popular events on the calendar been missed or changed?

Troop Meeting Planning		SPL
	Troop meetings, hikes, camps, community service, advancement opportunities. Patrol work to fit into troop work. Assignment of duties and leadership responsibilities for games, projects, and other activities.

New Business		SPL
	New items not on the agenda such as Special projects, discipline issues, special hikes, or special opportunities.

*Scoutmaster’s Minute*		*Scoutmaster*
	Encouragement and gratitude for work well done in patrols, troop meetings, and inspiration for upcoming events or challenges.

B - Discussion of the Boy-Led Patrol (Word document PDF file )

The Patrol Method

Formation of patrols of 6 to 8 boys provides for the perfect environment for everything to function as intended. Each boy in the troop will be exposed to leadership using this method. It is the only method that truly works. The patrol of eight boys is the perfect, manageable size.

	big enough to spread the workload
	yet function when a couple of boys are missing.

The Patrol System

"The Patrol System is the one essential feature in which Scout training differs from that of all other organizations, and where the System is properly applied, it is absolutely bound to bring success. It cannot help itself!

The formation of the boys into Patrols of from six to eight and training them as separate units each under its own responsible leader is the key to a good Troop.

The Patrol is the unit of Scouting always, whether for work or for play, for discipline or for duty."

Lord R.S. Baden-Powell

Three kinds of patrols:

New-Scout patrols
New Scout Patrols are for 11-year-old Scouts who have recently joined the troop and are together for the first year in the troop. An older, experienced Scout often is assigned as a troop guide to help the new-Scout patrol through the challenges of troop membership. An assistant Scoutmaster should also assist the new-Scout patrol to ensure that each Scout has every opportunity to succeed right from the start.
.
Regular patrols
Regular patrols are made up of Scouts who have completed their First Class requirements. They have been around Scouting long enough to be comfortable with the patrol and troop operation and are well-versed in camping, cooking, and Scouting's other basic skills.
.
Venture patrols
Venture patrols are optional patrols within the troop made up of Scouts age 13 and older. These troop members have the maturity and experience to take part in more challenging high-adventure outings. The Venture patrol elects a patrol leader, who works with an assistant Scoutmaster to put the patrol's plans into action. The Patrol can be invaluable to keep older boys interested and active in Scouting. About half of all troops have one or two Venture patrols.

Patrol members will write a vision statement to explore what the patrol may want to accomplish. This will be written on the back of your position of responsibility cards. For example:

	"The Owl Patrol will be pioneering experts."
	"The Owl Patrol will win the first-aid patrol competition."
	"The Owl Patrol will lead at least on backpacking outing."
	“The Owl Patrol will learn to cook 4 new meals.”

Other Patrol Positions

All members of a patrol work together to make things happen. Different patrol offices ensure that certain areas of responsibility will always be covered. Depending on the size and needs of a patrol, any or all of the following positions may be filled. With guidance from his scoutmaster, it is up to the patrol leader to select a scout for each position

Assitant Patrol Leader

The assistant patrol leader steps in to serve whenever the patrol leader must be absent. He may carry out special assignments given him by the patrol leader - working with patrol members on advancement for example.

Patrol Scribe

The scribe is the patrol's secetary. He checks attendance, keeps the patrol log book current, collects and records patrol dues, and helps prepare budgets for outings.

Patrol Quartermaster

The quartermaster maintains an inventory of the patrol's equipment and makes sure it is clean and ready for patrol use.

Patrol Grubmaster

The grubmaster is in charge of assisting the patrol in putting together menus for hikes and campouts. He takes the lead in making all food-related arrangements for the patrol's outdoor programs.

Patrol Cheermaster

The cheermaster leads the patrol in songs, yells and stunts during meetings and evening campout programs.

And always remember:

"Never do for a boy what a boy can do for himself. "
	Lord R.S. Baden-Powell

R.S. Baden-Powell

The Four Leadership Styles—

	Directing – do this in this manner and in this time frame.
	Guiding – your could try to do this in this manner…
	Coaching – let’s try your idea with a slight adjustment…
	Delegating - could you please help me by doing this…

Leadership styles MUST be balanced depending on the ability, commitment, and motivation of a Scout or a patrol.

Which style should be used most?

The best troops are troops that have patrols that plan and do things on their own. If boys never lead activities outside of a troop meeting or camp-out, they are not getting enough leadership opportunities.

Sample Patrol Meeting Plan

Patrol Meeting Agenda

A written agenda can help you plan a meeting and guide you as the meeting unfolds. The agenda you prepare will include these key items:

Opening - This can be a call to order or simple ceremony

Scribe takes roll

Scribe reads the log of the last meeting

Patrol leader announces the purpose of the current meeting

Assitant patrol leader reviews advancement by patrol members

Business - Items of business may include one or more of the following:

Plan for upcoming activities and make assignments

Address new business

Present the patrol leaders report on the patrol leaders council meeting (once a month)

Check and repair camping equipment

Vote on issues that need to be decided.

Build patrol spirit (yell, song, flag, logo)

Skill Activity - Practice a Scouting skill that will be needed in the future.

Game - Play a Scouting game. It may be selected from the troop's program resource.

Closing - Use a brief closing thought by the patrol leader or another member of the patrol to end the meeting and remind the scouts of the importance of what they are doing.

C - Review of the Troop Organization Chart (Word document PDF file )

Sample Youth Leader Organizational Chart for a Large Troop

In this sample, there are enough members to fill all of the patrols and leadership positions.

Sample Youth Leader Organizational Chart for a Small Troop

As more boys join, more patrols can be formed and more leadership positions filled.

D - Position Overview (content included with Section One A Word document Acrobat PDF file )

Positions of Responsibility

The link below takes you back to the summary position descriptions and requirements on the troop's Scouts page.

Troop Positions Descriptions Job Descriptions & Requirements

These links upon individual documents or PDF files that provide a more detailed job description (the role the position plays within the troop), reporting responsibility (which position it reports to), the position's functions (list of specific tasks to accomplish) and tips on leadership.

	Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) - (Word Document Acrobat PDF file )
	Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) - (Word Document Acrobat PDF file )
	Patrol Leader (PL) - (Word Document Acrobat PDF file )
	Assistant Patrol Leader (APL) - (Word Document Acrobat PDF file )
	Instructor - (Word Document Acrobat PDF file )
	Troop Guide - (Word Document Acrobat PDF file )
	Den Chief - (Word Document Acrobat PDF file )
	Scribe - (Word Document Acrobat PDF file )
	Quarter Master - (Word Document Acrobat PDF file )
	Chaplain Aide - (Word Document Acrobat PDF file )
	Historian - (Word Document Acrobat PDF file )
	Order of the Arrow (OA) Representative - (Word Document Acrobat PDF file )
	Junior Assistant Scoutmaster - (Word Document Acrobat PDF file )

E - National Honor Patrol Award Requirements (Word document PDF file )

NATIONAL HONOR PATROL AWARD

The National Honor Patrol Award is given to patrols whose members make an extra effort to have the best patrol possible. Your patrol can earn the award by doing the following over a period of three months:

	HAVE A PATROL NAME, FLAG, AND YELL. Put your patrol design on equipment and use your patrol yell. Keep patrol records up to date.
	HOLD TWO PATROL MEETINGS EVERY MONTH.
	TAKE PART IN AT LEAST ONE HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITY, OR OTHER SCOUTING EVENT.
	COMPLETE TWO GOOD TURNS OR SERVICE PROJECTS APPROVED BY THE PATROL LEADERS' COUNCIL.
	HELP TWO PATROL MEMBERS ADVANCE ONE RANK.
	WEAR THE FULL UNIFORM CORRECTLY (at least 75 percent of the patrol's membership).
	HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE ATTEND AT LEAST THREE PATROL LEADERS' COUNCIL MEETINGS.
	HAVE EIGHT MEMBERS IN THE PATROL OR INCREASE PATROL MEMBERSHIPS OVER THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS.

The National Honor Patrol Award is an embroidered star worn beneath the patrol medallion, and will spotlight a patrol as a high-standard group. Help your patrol become a National Honor Patrol.

Note: Each unit leader determines if a patrol qualifies for the National Honor Patrol Award. The patch is an embroidered gold star (BSA No. 00367) purchased at Scout shops or council service centers. There is no application form.

This page last updated on 06/21/2007 07:13 AM