Youth Leadership Training

(1)

2014 University of Scouting

Boy Scout Troop Level

Youth Leadership Training

Bill Folk

Scoutmaster, Troop 1600 william.folk@verizon.net

(2)

Agenda

• Some Background

• How does this fit in your overall program

• A Potential Model for your use

• Course Content - including the ILST

• The Event

• Supporting your program with additional

resources

(3)

“Training boy leaders to run their troop is the Scoutmaster’s most important job.”

“Train Scouts to do a job, then let them do it.” “Never do anything a boy can do.”

(4)

My Woodbadge Ticket

(partial)

• Develop and conduct a youth leader training

program that is led by the senior scouts

• Conduct bi-annual Training & Planning events

in order to maintain a calendar of events that

supports the goals of the Troop program.

• Survey the participants to ensure continuous

improvement

(5)

How Does Training Fit In?

• How often do you elect Youth Leaders (SPL and

PL’s)?

• What is your planning process and horizon?

• Do you set troop goals? How does the new Journey

to Excellence program fit in?

• What are the current “leadership” issues that need

to be addressed?

• How are your meetings running? Is the PLC

effective?

(6)

Journey to Excellence

• 2013 Requirements…

– Patrol Method

• PLC Meetings

• Annual Planning meeting • SPL & Patrol Leader Training • NYLT

– Other Goals need to be supported by a Troop’s

annual planning process

(7)

An Effective Program Can Help…

• Promote and reinforce a boy led program

• Facilitate an effective PLC that understands roles

and responsibilities

• Provide more structure to Troop meetings and

campouts

• Scouts understand how to work together as a team

• Instill a level of commitment for the youth that

accept a leadership role

• Integrated with planning – training becomes more

actionable

(8)

A Model based on Electing

Youth Leaders twice per year…

(9)

An Example Program

• Elect Youth Leaders twice per year allowing

opportunity for 6 month assignments

– Elections in March and September

– April-September & October-March Terms

• Troop Leadership Training Events

– April and October (following unit elections)

– October event is extended to include yearly planning – April event is a one day event

– A good portion of the event is Youth led – Attended by the entire PLC

(10)

Troop Timeline

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Term 1 Aligns with new scouts starting and provides continuity through the active summer months

Term 2 Term 2 Elections Elections 1 Day Training Event Weekend Training & Yearly Planning Event PLC PLC PLC PLC PLC PLC PLC* PLC PLC PLC PLC PLC

(11)

Example Program - continued

• During the events…

– Always include a review of roles and responsibilities

– Have each youth leader set personal leadership goals and sign a contract with the Scoutmaster

– Yearly planning should include a calendar and goals for the coming year

– Vary the content as best as you can to keep things fresh and address current needs

– Include some fun activities! – Get feedback and improve

(12)

Example Program - continued

• In Between Events…

– Use PLC meetings to assess progress towards goals

– Keep some important statistics to measure progress – like some of the JTE measures

• Market Your Youth Leader Program…

– It’s a privilege to attend – make it special – Recognize your youth leaders

– Supplement with other opportunities like NYLT for scouts with high potential

(13)

Course Content

Couple of Approaches…

• Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops

(ILST)

• Develop your own Library and add to it over

time

(14)

Introduction to Leadership Skills

for Troops (ILST)

• Published in 2011 to replace the “Troop

Leadership Training” program.

• Complete program guide, course content,

and training guide available on-line

(myscouting.org)

• Leadership cards available for purchase. Role

specific cards that highlight roles and

(15)

ILST - Modules

• Module 1 – Unit Organization

– Youth Leader Roles and Responsibilities & Troop Organization

– Teamwork dynamics reinforced by some games and discussion

• Module 2 – Tools of the Trade

– Communications, Planning and Teaching EDGE – More games and scenarios to reinforce key points

(16)

ILST - Modules

• Module 3 – Leadership and Teamwork

– Team Characteristics and dynamics

– Stages of Team Development – Leading EDGE – Inclusion

(17)

Your Own Library

• Module 1 – Setting Goals

– SMART Goals

– Journey to Excellence and other Troop Goals – Workshop time to review how we’re doing

• Module 2 – Youth Leadership Positions

– Common duties and expectations of all leaders – Position specific roles and responsibilities

– Workshop time to set personal goals and to allow youth to reflect on what they think is important

(18)

Course Content

• Module 3 – Leadership 101

– Good general practices

– The EDGE Method & the stages of team development – Tie this into a team building game or watch a movie like

“Remember the Titans” and discuss

• Module 4 – Running Effective Meetings

– Meeting plans for structure – Troop, PLC and Patrol – Generates a good discussion of what works well

– Consider using this module to develop a Troop meeting calendar for the coming term

(19)

Course Content

• Module 5 – Requirement Changes

– Youth need to know what is changing and what’s new! – Incorporate Troop specific requirements

– Optional based on how much has changed

• Module 6 – Inclusion

– How to create a more inclusive environment

– Listen, Observe, Think, Absorb, Share… Treat Others the way they want to be treated

– Use scenarios to discuss the issues and impact of being more inclusive

(20)

Course Content

• Module 7 – Bullying

– Recognize the signs and impacts

– Clearly understand zero tolerance policies – Enforce Troop “Code of Conduct” guidelines

• Other Topics Possible…

– Hazardous Weather Training

– Electronics Policy and guidelines for appropriate use – Liquid Fuel Training

(21)

The Training/Planning Event

• Logistics

– Chose a site that is conducive to learning – Meals prepared for the participants

– Invitations that highlight importance and the privilege – Notebooks with key hand outs to serve as future

reference

(22)

The Event - continued

• Friday Evening

– Team building activity – Cracker Barrel

– Inspirational Movie

• Saturday – get an early start

– Meals provided – youth can focus on learning & planning – Training Modules and Team Building activities

– Calendar/Activity Planning – Evening fun activity

(23)

The Event - continued

• Sunday

– Wrap up training as necessary – Roses & Thorns + Event Survey – Scouts Own Service