Your new scout position of responsibility!
Congratulations on your new position of responsibility in your troop or patrol. Regardless of the level of leadership, your contribution makes a difference. The following tips and information may help you get started with your new role.
- First schedule a time with your Senior Patrol Leader and maybe your Scoutmaster to receive some training. Your job has probably been done before — so meet with the previous boys to learn how they successfully performed your position.
- Ask your troop librarian if they have a book or guide that introduces and instructs about your position. Check it out and learn from it.
- The term of service may vary, but often positions may last for six months.
- So make a plan on how and when you will work on and report about your position.
- Some positions, like patrol leaders, may attend Patrol Leaders' Council meetings where activities and programs and planned. Be a voice for your patrol and share their feedback as you represent their suggestions and ideas.
- Some responsbilities involve writing histories, keeping an event log, keeping an attendence roll, or tracking dues or even troop budgets. Be thorough in your dealings and be sure your reports are readable and understandable.
- Some responsibilities require keeping track of or storing troop supplies (like books or tents). Help keep this gear or materials in an organized and clean order. Use a notebook or a computer file to keep track of the inventory, the age of the item, and to track who currently has the item checked out, if applicable.
- Managing your time is important. Schedule some time as needed and be efficient so others' time is not wasted.
- Being a leader and speaking in front of groups may take lots of practice. Don't give too many orders and allow others to participate with the work. As your perform your responsibility, be sure to respect others, listen for advice, and show good examples of proper behavior.
To learn more about the common positions, see [Scout Positions of Responsibility] or read our book.