TROOP 48, BSA

LEADERSHIP CORPS CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

September 5, 2006

 

The Sr. Patrol Leader and other members of the Leadership Corps hold highly-visible and important positions in the troop.  It is critical that, prior to assignment or election, each member demonstrate leadership, personal behavior, and Scout Spirit consistent with the positions.

 

Leadership Corps Mandatory Requirements:

 

To qualify for appointment to the Leadership Corps, a Scout must demonstrate that he has met the following minimum requirements:

 

1. Is a Sr. Scout (14 years old or more).

 

2. Has earned the First Class rank.

 

3. Must have been responsible for, or in charge of, some part of the Troop's program or organization for at least 12 months during the past 2 years.  Acceptable positions are Patrol Leader and all of the troop-level jobs such as Troop Quartermaster and Troop Historian.

 

4. While serving actively in one or more of these positions, must have demonstrated satisfactory leadership as approved by the Scoutmaster and two other adult leaders.  Criteria for acceptable leadership include a demonstrated willingness to accept responsibility and to follow through on written job descriptions and requests from members of the Leadership Corps and adult leaders.

 

5. Has worked well with at least one patrol to help them build leadership, teamwork, camping skills, and planning skills (such as making menus and duty rosters).

 

6. Has worn the BSA uniform -- correctly and at 95% of the BSA activities attended during the previous 12 months.

 

7. Has participated actively in the troop program for the previous 12 months.  This is defined as

(a) Attending at least 75% of the troop meetings, and (b) participating in at least 65% of the camping trips and other outings.  During the past two years, he must have attended at least 5 continuous days of summer camp or other extended trip such as Cumberland Island, Philmont, and National Jamboree.

 

8. Has demonstrated exceptional Scout Spirit and willingness to follow the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

 

9. Has demonstrated that he understands and serves according to the Troop 48 Leadership Guidelines.

 

Prior to appointment to the Leadership Corps, each candidate must have demonstrated that he has satisfied these minimum requirements in a special Board of Review meeting, which will be attended by the Scoutmaster, two other adult leaders, and a member of the Leadership Corps.

 

10. Each member of the Leadership Corps is expected to maintain these minimum standards as long as they are members of the Leadership Corps.  These standards will be reviewed annually in a board of review meeting.

 

Additional Mandatory Requirements for the Sr. Patrol Leader Candidate:

 

11. In addition to having met Leadership Corps Requirements 1 through 10 above, the candidate for election to Sr. Patrol Leader must have served actively as a member of the Troop 48 Leadership Corps for at least six months and must have demonstrated satisfactory leadership.

 

 

 

TROOP 48, BSA -- LEADERSHIP GUIDELINES

September 5, 2006

 

The three highest BSA ranks -- Star, Life, and Eagle -- have leadership requirements that the Scout must complete.  The terms "leadership" and "management" are often used interchangeably, but generally these terms refer to the thoughts and actions required of the Scout when he is responsible for, or in charge of, some part of the Troop's program or organization.

 

As a leader, whether he is Patrol Leader, member of the Leadership Corps, Troop Quartermaster, or does any of numerous other jobs in Troop 48, he is responsible for specific activities and things.  He may also be responsible for the actions of other Scouts.  Some of the characteristics of a leadership role in a Scout Troop when the job is done well are:

 

1. The Scout who is a good leader plans ahead and has a vision of what needs to be done and how to get there.  As a leader, he needs to be out in front in his thinking and actions, and needs to support and reflect the thinking and actions of other Scouts and adult leaders.  He is good at following up on patrol and troop plans.

 

2. He takes the lead, works hard himself, and works hard to get things done through others.  His attitude toward Troop activities shows enthusiasm.  He conveys a sense of optimism and excitement when planning and announcing Troop activities.

 

3. He communicates well with other people -- other Scouts, adult leaders, parents, and people outside the troop.  Uses face-to-face discussions and announcements effectively.  Has good telephone and e-mail skills.  He initiates these communications when needed and without waiting to be asked.  He is willing to share his thoughts with others and ask for their advice.  He has demonstrated poise and "stage presence" when speaking before a group, either in a patrol or troop setting.

 

4. He maintains good relationships with other people.  He demonstrates good, positive attitudes toward other people.  He demonstrates good character.  He does these things by living the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.  Examples: "… to help other people at all times, …"  "A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent."

 

5. He proves that he is available to help others by responding in a positive and understanding manner when asked to help someone.  He is especially sensitive to the needs of newcomers to the Troop 48 family, and will go out of his way to help younger Scouts get established in his patrol or in the Troop.

 

6. His participation in the Scouting program is strong and reliable.  By taking part in Troop and other Scouting activities willingly and enthusiastically, he is setting an excellent example for others to follow.

 

7. He is committed and loyal to Scouting -- to his patrol and to his troop.  He is willing to give Scouting activities a high priority in his personal and family life, often deciding to take part in a Troop activity rather than some other attractive and compelling alternative.

 

8. He manages himself and his personal schedules well in order to participate in many activities such as school, church, sports, family vacations, work and chores at home, and part-time jobs.

 

9. His positive examples of strong leadership and active participation serve as a role model for other Scouts, and will influence others to follow him.  He is successful as a leader because his enthusiasm is catching.  People follow him because he enjoys what he is doing, knows where he is headed, and asks others to join him in Troop activities.

 

10. He knows how to get things done through others by asking them to help.  When necessary, he uses "pleasant persuasion" and humor to cause other people to want to help him.  He realizes that he will be more effective as a leader and will get more done if he doesn't try to do everything himself.  He is willing to accept results that are different from the norm by letting others do things their way. 

 

11. He understands that his image as a leader is important.  He wears the BSA uniform -- correctly.  His behavior and appearance reflect good character and strong support for the Scouting ideals.  His attitude toward other people shows respect for them, their feelings, and their beliefs.  He works hard at being sensitive and understanding where other people's needs and values are concerned.  He makes a strong effort to control his own feelings, not to become angry, and not to be critical of others in public.  He looks for opportunities to give praise to others in public -- to recognize good results.