Troop Philosophy
Leadership Policy
Leadership Development
Youth Officers
The value of belonging to a working Patrol for a scout has to do with being important in a small group. The Patrol, a small group, ranges in size between 5-10 scouts. You may have noticed that a boy does not hang around with groups of 20-30 boys. You will find groups of this size, but normally they have been organized and are controlled by adults. By being a member of a patrol, a Scout will be permitted to experience many situations that a Troop-sized group would preclude, because he is just one of many.
You may ask then, why a member of a Troop? A Patrol works best with other Patrols. No Scout wants to be a member of a team that never has an opponent. Likewise, a Patrol cannot isolate itself from other Patrols without losing some of its reason for being part of a team. Therefore, Patrols make up a Troop.
A Troop provides services that a Patrol may not have : equipment, resources, meeting place, adult counseling, guidance, etc. The Troop creates an avenue under which Patrols can form, thereby resulting in Patrol competition and spirit. The Patrols function in this environment by using the "Patrol Method".
With the "Patrol Method", the Troop gains by letting the Scouts run their own Troop. Such tasks as planning, teaching, directing, supervising, controlling, evaluating, locating resources, Patrol activities, etc., are now delegated to the Scouts.
To put it bluntly, it is easier to run a good Troop by the "Patrol Method". This is the only way of assuring that the Troop program will be run by the Scouts. The "Patrol Method" fosters need, responsibility, citizenship and leadership.
Need
A Scout gets intimately involved in the life and works of the Patrol. The Patrol needs
him. His absence from the Patrol will leave a Big Gap. Since the Troop is large, his
absence may not be noticed.
Responsibility
Because a Scout is involved with a Patrol, he will experience accepting and carrying out
responsibility in a way that he could not in a large group. Self-reliance becomes
attainable because he gets practice in doing things for himself in a Patrol.
Citizenship
A Scout will experience sharing, cooperating, adjusting to the majority, etc., when he
becomes involved with the life of his Patrol. By joining with others, he will be able to
experience majority rule, minority pressure, triumphs, disappointments and peer
leadership. He learns to care about others while others care about him.
Leadership
Leadership in the Patrol is a function rather than an office. Yes, there is a Patrol
Leader, however, a Scout will have the opportunity to lead in a Patrol whether or not he
is the Patrol Leader. Leadership is everywhere and the majority of it takes place in a
Patrol.
We have discussed the Patrol, the "Patrol Method" and how important it is. As Patrols are members of a Troop, they have to be joined together to function. Therefore, there is a Scout that is elected as a Senior Patrol Leader. His function is to represent the Patrols to the Scoutmaster and the Scoutmaster to his Patrols. He also provides the organization and the leadership for their programs.
In a boy operated Troop all information flows from the Patrol members to the Patrol Leader. From here the information is brought before the Patrol Leaders Council (The Takachsin Council) to be considered by the other Patrol Leaders. A decision is made and the Senior Patrol Leader represents the Troop to the Scoutmaster. This process when reversed, has the information flowing the other direction. This means of representation has to be guarded to maintain the integrity of the "Patrol Method".
A Troop has a Parents Committee which provides the necessary and needed support services. The Parents Committee Handbook discusses the support required for a successful Boy Operated Troop. A parent need not be a registered Scouter, though most parents are, to vote on guidelines, participate in all activities or conduct the business of the Troop.
A Boy Operated Troop plans their own program through the "Patrol Method" and the Takachsin Council. The Scoutmaster, representing the Senior Patrol Leader and the Scouts, presents their program to the Parents Committee for approval. The important point to remember is that the program presented is the program that they, the Scouts, have asked for. It is what they want. Once the overall program is approved, the parents are now obligated for the necessary support so that the program becomes a reality.
It is important to remember that in order for the Scouts to develop their needs, responsibilities, citizenship and leadership, parents talk to parents, and Scouts talk to Scouts.
Scouting is youth development. Throughout scouting in Troop 211 a boy will be exposed to appointed and elective leadership. He will be working directly with his peers. While he is a member of his Patrol, Patrol leadership positions of Scribe, Librarian, Quartermaster, Historian, Chaplain Aide, and others will be available. Through these assignments, he will start to assume authority and become responsive to the Patrol needs.
Upon reaching First Class, each Scout of the Troop is appointed to a Troop leadership position. By eighth grade or third year in scouting, he becomes eligible for the elective position of Patrol Leader, a dynamic position within the Troop. The action is here, with the Patrol. The Patrols decide the course for the Troop to follow. The leadership requirement for advancement is fulfilled by this method of operation. The qualifications for Patrol Leader (PL) and Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) are specified in the Patrol Leaders Handbook and have been adapted to Troop 211's program by the Takachsin Council.
By tenth grade or 5th year in scouting and having been Patrol Leader, or eleventh grade, a Scout may be ready for the Centurion Patrol, the Troop's Leadership Corps. The junior leaders assist the Senior Patrol Leader in Troop operation.
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (JASM) are those scouts that meet all of the qualifications for Assistant Scoutmaster except being 18 years of age. The Parents Committee approves these appointments upon the Scoutmaster's recommendation.
The skills needed to respond to the needs of the Troop and the Scout come from proper leadership development. Troop 211 makes available several opportunities for this to occur. Parents should plan on their Scout attending the following programs:
The SPL is normally an Eagle Scout elected from the Centurion Patrol. He has been elected by all of the Troop members. An experienced Scout in skills, hiking, camping, and leadership. The SPL appoints Troop Leadership positions similar to those in the Patrol to support the Troop functions. The Scoutmaster works directly through the SPL for Troop operation.
The ASPL for Administration is normally an Star or Life Scout selected from the Centurion Patrol by the Senior Patrol Leader. An experienced Scout in skills, hiking, camping, and leadership, this junior leader is responsible for insuring that the resources necessary for the smooth running of each Troop meeting are available. He schedules speakers, checks to see that the program patrol is prepared, and is responsible for all paperwork.
The ASPL for Outdoor Program is normally an Star or Life Scout selected from the Centurion Patrol by the Senior Patrol Leader. An experienced Scout in skills, hiking, camping, and leadership, this junior leader is responsible for all outdoor activities, insuring that the resources necessary for the smooth running of each Troop activity ready. He checks to see that each patrol is prepared for each campout and that they have a acceptable menu and duty roster.
The Troop Guides are normally Star or Life Scouts and are selected from the Centurion Patrol by the Senior Patrol Leader and the Scoutmaster. Troop Guides have one specific area of responsibility, which may include any of the following: New Scouts and their advancement; Webelos; and Tenderfoot to First Class advancement.
Last Modified: March 27, 2000 copyright© 1999, Troop 211, Tucson, Arizona