The Patrol System | The Executive Board | The Town Meeting
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In the Patrol System, the troop or group divides into small groups, with every member playing a role. Patrols of four to six girls are recommended so that each girl gets a chance to participate and express her opinions.
Patrols may be organized by interests or by tasks - performing activities that feed into a project. Each patrol takes responsibility for some part of the total project. For example, one patrol can be responsible for set-up, another for clean-up.
In the executive board (also called steering committee), there is one leadership team for the whole troop or group called an executive board. This system often works well with smaller troops and groups. The board's main responsibility is to help make plans and assign jobs based on interests and needs.
The executive board usually has a president, a vice president, and a treasurer, and holds its own meetings to discuss troop or group matters. The number of officers can vary. The length of time each girl serves on the executive board should be limited so that all troop or group members can participate during the year. The girls decide how to pass their ideas and suggestions to the executive board throughout the year.
Under the town meeting system, business is discussed and decisions are made at meetings attended by all girls. As in the other two systems, everyone gets the chance to participate in decision making and leadership. This system usually requires a moderator who makes sure that everyone gets a chance to talk and that all ideas are considered.
In any governing system, rules can be adapted to fit the situation. Health and safety rules, however, must be strictly adhered to at all times.
**Information on this page courtesy of the Junior Girl Scout Leader Guide Book.**
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