Information, Observation, and Inspiration for Scouters
The troop committee has many responsibilities and functions that facilitate a well-run troop. These include equipment, finance, advancement, training, transportation, helping to provide camping opportunities, and generally supporting the Scoutmaster.
We know the Scoutmaster’s number-one job: to train and mentor the youth leaders so they can run their troop effectively.
But what is a committee member’s most important responsibility? Continue reading “The committee’s most important duty”
You may not have noticed, but earlier this year the Scout shops and Supply Division replaced the Troop Committee Guidebook with a new edition. The previous version, item 34505B, was originally published in 1998 and was reprinted several times since. The new version has a bright red and green cover with photos of Scouts in action, carries a stock number of 616928 and was published in 2013, though it didn’t become widely available until spring of this year.
Normally, revised publications have many changes and updates. Continue reading “The new Troop Committee Guidebook”
A few weeks ago, our troop had the beginnings of the changing of the guard.
First, the Scouts elected a new senior patrol leader. The winner wasn’t the first one to throw his hat in the ring. In fact, it was one of the other Scouts who decided, maybe at the last minute, to give it a whirl.
I didn’t listen to their stump speeches, but he must have given a good one, because he won the election. I don’t know by how much (I don’t concern myself with such details), but it shows that the message is important. He accepted the challenge of backing up his ideas and putting them in motion, and has been doing a terrific job. Continue reading “Changing of the guard”
Having more money than we could ever imagine is a dream far from the reality of most Scouters. Indeed, most of us give up a lot – not only our time, but our money and other resources – because we truly care about the Scouting program and our young people and want them to have the opportunity to enjoy success, as only Scouting can give it.
Clearly, we Scouters are not doing this for financial reward. But what if we were all comfortably well-off? What if we were in the position to be able to pay anyone their price to do the things we want done? Would we still devote our time to an activity that pays nothing in return? Continue reading “How to lead millionaires”
Happy New Year! I hope you had a great holiday season and maybe enjoyed a little break from weekly Scouting, or perhaps a change of routine if your troop planned any special activities. You’ll be back at it soon enough, so here are a few things to think about as we head into the new year: Continue reading “Committee chair timeline: January”