Boy Scout Troop
325
Tonight we hold elections for troop officers, and next week we will elect our patrol officers. The Scouts we elect this week and next will hold these positions for the next six months.
Scouting
is a unique organization. It is one of
the few youth organizations that truly gives control of the organization to the
youth themselves. The Scouts plan the
annual calendar. The Scouts plan and
run the outings. The Scouts plan and
run the weekly meetings
It
is a big job and the Scouts are learning. They will make mistakes. Things
will not always go as planned. We may
get a poor guest speaker. The game may
not come off as well as planned. This
should not be surprising, even adults with far more experience do not always
plan their meetings as well as they might. Things do not always go as planned.
In
Scoutmaster conferences, I often ask Scouts how they like the program: how they
like the outings, how they like the meetings. Summer Camp is usually number one on their list of likes, followed by
outings, and then meetings.
Most
Scouts tell me they like everything. Some find the meetings a little boring, however. Most do not like to stand around too
long. I have observed over the years
that those Scouts who attend most of the outings, most of the meetings, most of
the service activities, who are advancing regularly, and who join in activities
enthusiastically when they attend seem to have the most fun. Those who do not attend regularly, or who
hang back and do not join in, or who are constantly looking for things to
criticize, as you might expect, seem to have the least amount of fun.
Nonetheless,
how well the meetings are planned, how well individuals and patrols are
prepared, and how well meeting plans are carried out makes a big difference in
how much fun the meetings are and how well they go.
When
you nominate individuals for positions of leadership, look at those leaders who
are most qualified to lead: those that
work actively and enthusiastically in the troop; those who step forward and
help when help is needed; those who
work with younger scouts when they need help; those who are working actively on
advancement themselves; those who have held other positions of leadership;
those who have attended junior leader training within the troop; those who have
attended the council's junior leader training program - Bristlecone JLT; those
who have helped with and who have held positions of leadership in other areas:
Trail To First Class, Webelos Woods, Cub Scout Day Camp, Order of the Arrow,
Camporee Staff, and Bristlecone Junior Leader Training itself. These are the leaders who have the most
experience and typically show the most enthusiasm.
Leadership
is the job of bringing resources and people together effectively to accomplish
a common goal. Our goal is to plan and
carry out a fun program of meetings and activities. Nominate and elect fellow scouts who you feel will be able to
most effectively lead you.
Most
importantly, nominate and elect fellow Scouts who you respect, and who you feel
respect you.
Also,
remember: Scouting is about learning to
be good citizens, and good citizenship is about serving your fellow man. If nominated, run proudly and
enthusiastically. If elected, serve
with honor and endeavor to do your best.
There
are job descriptions here available for you to look at. Qualifications to run for SPL are at least
Life Scout and age 14 or higher and preferably attendance at Bristlecone JLT,
though it is not required; qualifications for ASPL are Star Scout or higher and
at least age 13; qualifications for all other offices are First Class Scout or
above. Also, the same person may not
run for SPL two terms in a row, but he can run again after he has not served as
SPL one term.
Thank
you. Now, on with the elections.