Keeping the Troop Alive

The meetings are chaos, no one pays attention, and the Scoutmaster frowns at us. This is a common problem, and a nightmare for a Senior Patrol Leader. No one will listen, there is no respect for anyone. Pulling a troop out of a slump like this takes 3 things.

• Cooperation The SPL and the Scoutmaster need to hold a meeting and discull the issue. A plan needs to be made. They must cooperate together.
• Communication After the meeting with the Scoutmaster, a PLC scould be held. Review your plan with all the Patrol Leaders. Good communication is key here.
• Enthusiasm Yelling and getting upset at your troop isn't going to help. You have to be firm, yet positive and enthusiastic.

If you feel your troop is falling apart, the first person to contact is the Scoutmaster. Set up a meeting where you will have a couple hours to discuss and kick ideas around. Try to find the root of your problem. Is it only a couple of abnoxious scouts? Or is the program in general not exciting enough? With your Scoutmaster, try to devise a new program and plan out how you will execute it.

Soon after this meeting, hold a PLC. Let the Patrol Leaders see your plan and get imput from them. Have each PL set a personal and a patrol goal. Example: I will wear my uniform and not be as negative, I will help plan and encourage a patrol hike. To control your troop, you must have all the leaders working at it. Try to get the Patrol Leaders stoaked up and excited. Let them know they are expected to behave well and set an example.

Here are some ideas for revising a troop program:

• Begin a Patrol Competition. Design games where each patrol can earn points. Award patrols points for percentage of members in attendance at meetings and events, Scouts in uniform, and patrol spirit. Have a sheet that the Scribe uses to keep track of all the points. At the end of each month, the winning patrol gets a small award, a trinket they can hang off of thier flag. (The Scout's mothers love to make things like this) At the end of 6 months, have a grand prize for the winning patrol and present it at the next Court of Honor.
• At your meetings, have hands on activities. Something like... Give each patrol 4 coat hangers, a few feet of aluminum foil, and wire cutters/pliers. Give them 15 minutes to create the most unusual, useful, and least materials used. Each patrol can make as many things as they want. Award points for the best in each category. Points can go towards the Patrol Competition.
• Have a good merit badge class, like leather working, something that everyone can participate in.
• Also, give out individual awards. If a scout hasn't missed a meeting for 6 months, give him an award. You want to award for odd things too, like the dirtiest at a campout, most messed up hair. Don't be mean, and present it with humor.

The best way to get a troop going is to make it active and fun. Scouts and Patrols will want to do good to get the awards.

~~~ Attitude ~~~ This is the last thing I want to emphasize. Be positive! Shouting "Shut up!" rarely works, but thanking the Buffalo Patrol for being quite will work. Set the Example! Wear your uniform, encourage your patrol leaders to do the same. Who knows, you just may get an award for being an outstanding SPL.