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The Delegating Scoutmaster

Steven MyersScoutmaster Troop One AkronCentral Region Area 4 Venturing Associate Advisormyers@uakron.edu

University of Scouting, GTC, March 1, 2014

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Approximate Price $110 / Whitewater –or-- $95 / Canopy Tour

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SCOUTMASTER

Doing it ALONE?

Feel alone?

Are you a “one-man” show?

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TOO MUCH?

BURNOUT

LACK OF FOCUS

What are the duties of the Scoutmaster

?

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WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

New in 2014Volume 1

The Scouts under your charge

… each who deserves a trained leader

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WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

THE MISSION OF THE BSA

IS

TO PREPARE YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE ETHICAL AND MORAL CHOICES OVER

THEIR LIFETIMES BY INSTILLING IN THEM THE VALUES OF THE SCOUT

OATH AND LAW

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WHAT’S NOT IMPORTANT?

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WHAT’S NOT IMPORTANT

EVERYTHING ELSE!

1. Don’t sweat the small stuff

2. It’s all small stuff (except for the mission)

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The SM must move beyond

• Planning of …– meetings– Games– Events

• Outings• Making reservations• Taking money• Being involved in

fundraising

• Creating permission slips

• Keeping records • Teaching the troop• Speaking to the

troop (except at end)

• And so on and so on…

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Give your jobs away

To youth leaders

SPLPLC

Patrol members

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Train them, let them lead!

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Make up positions if necessary

ASPL

ASPL – New

ASPL – Exp

ASPL – V

Sr. TG

TG

Roving TG

TG-Summer Camp director

Instructor

Patrol Instructor

LNT Trainer

FA Trainer

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Give your jobs away

To Assistant Scoutmasters

ASM – New

ASM – Experienced

ASM – Venture

ASM – Patrol Advisor

ASM – physical arrangements (QM advisor)

ASM – camping coordinator (Scribe advisor)

ASM - OA liaison

ASM - Venturing Crew liaison

ASM – other (come on make them up!)

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Give your jobs away

To Troop Committee Members

Camping coordination

Advance Arrangements

Recruitment

Advancement

Retention

Training

Other – come on make them up …

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Give your jobs away

To Scout Parents

dinners

recruitment

dealing with new parents

fund raising

help with equipment

COH

other (come on make up some job descriptions… )

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Reward those you delegate, those

you serve and who serve you.

Scout of the QuarterScout of the YearScouter of the Quarter

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The only job a Scoutmaster must not

delegate is

“keeper of the flame”A leadership commitment to Scouting’s mission

as an integral part of the troop’s program

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Scoutmaster as the Keeper of the Flame

SM PLC Patrol Method(tinder) (kindling) (fuel)

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Know and use the leadership styles of situational leadership

• Directing

• Guiding

• Coaching

• Delegating

• Hands in your pockets

• Coffee cup in your hand

• Butt in a chair, mouth shut (mostly)

• “Go ask the SPL”

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So what must the Scoutmaster

BE?KNOW?

&DO?

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Scoutmaster Value

• Provide continuity• Keep the vision going• Leave and carry forth the

legacy of scouting• Mentor your youth leaders• Mentor your scouts as they

advance• Mentor your scouts • Set the example

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Building Youth: Scoutmaster Conferences

Rank conference Main focus Scout Oath

Scout to Second Class Learning the skills, it’s all about them.

Duty to Self

First Class Are you ready to take on leadership? Duty to Others

Star How are you learning to serve?

Life LIFE-time commitment to scouting ideals? Love. God. Country.

Duty to God and Country

Eagle Trail to Eagle On my Honor