Boy Scout Troop 325
Scoutmaster Minute
Leadership Opportunities
February 6, 2007
(Troop Elections Night)
Larry Polyak, Scoutmaster

Did you guys all watch the Superbowl this Sunday? Peyton Manning was named Most Valuable Player and there is no doubt that he led his team to the Superbowl and to victory.

So let's see... let me have a show of hands: How many guys here tonight are the Football Quarterback at your school? No?

Ok, maybe not quarterback, but captain at least. How many of you are captain of your football team? No one? Hmmm...

Ok, basketball then...everyone who is captain of their basketball team, raise your hand! Hmmm... Again, no one.

Ok, how about academia.. Student Council President. Do we have any Student Council Presidents among us? No?

President of the Chess Team? Head of your bowling league? None?

Don't we have any leaders in this troop? Of course we do. You shouldn't feel bad about not having any of those other positions. The fact is, there are only a very few people who could raise their hand to those things. That's what great about the Boy Scouts. You may not all be Senior Patrol Leader, but you will all have a leadership position in this troop. Probably many different leadership positions if you stick with it. Leadership, as much or more than most other things, is learning by doing. Scouting give ALL of you guys the chance to be a leader. Not just the tallest basketball player or the biggest and meanest football player, but ALL of you.

Looks like we have another good group of scouts elected to the Troop leadership tonight. next week, we'll have patrol elections. I encourage you all to step up and take on a leadership position. Are you worried you'll make a mistake? Of course you will. In fact, I hope you do! That's how you will learn.

I think we're going to have another great six months ahead of us. And it will be under YOUR leadership.

Thanks for listening.