by RWSmith » Fri Oct 15, 2004 9:58 am
Heidi,
I was sent the following e-mail and asked to post it...
Dear Sir: For some reason I cannot post to the net (i'm new and password won't work and I can't figure out yet how to contact webmaster). Would you please pass this on to the "bulletin board" for the scoutmaster's question at meritbadge.com (Heidi scout)? He (she?) asked about scoutmaster-assigned leadership projects. It may be of help.
About 7 or 8 years ago when my son became a new First Class scout, he found out that there would be no leadership positions available for months. (He already completed the required merit badges). He pondered this thing about a "scoutmaster-assigned leadership project". He spoke with the scoutmaster about his doing a leadership project to fulfill the requirement for Star. My son initiated the conversation with the scoutmaster and presented his idea on something that the troop needed. It was for a Troop Information Board for camporees, and our troop had just lost a bunch of points for not having one at the previous camporee. My son even made a cardboard model to "sell" his idea -- or risk waiting those many months to try for a position. (the troop had elections every six months) Besides the model, he made a list of materials which he ended up using as the basis for his budget for the project. The scoutmaster liked the idea, and gave him the assignment.
It took my son the entire four months to complete the project -- it was a huge board (4' x 4' opening up to 4' x 8') and displayed camp information (required at our camporees). It was made of 1/4" plywood in frames of 1/3's and quarter rounds. He used simple tools, not s skilled carpenter's work, but finished nicely with large painted troop number, painted BSA eagle, and many, many coats of polyurethane. He pre-posted rules for safety (weatherproofed), outdoor code, and other stuff that he researched. He spent quite a bit of time and attention to design of the board so that it would take foul weather, including brass hinges so that rust would not be a problem, and poly-something plastic with velcro to cover paper postings (while enabling access). He put in touches like big clips for patrol leaders (for menu, patrol duty assignments), space for a map, the chaplain's "prayer of the day", and leader's area. He wrapped the board in brown paper for his presentation to the troop. He first said a prayer that he wrote which asked for blessings for its use then unwrapped the board. One of the assistant scoutmasters told him it looked like something out of Boys Life!
Our son learned much from the project, including how to coordinate with others (patrol leaders, SPL and his staff, and troop leaders). His research of past camporee rules and point systems, camp safety, and even a little about troop organization helped him grow in leadership too. It helped not just the troop, but gave my son great training for skills he needed to acquire so that he could to do his big Eagle project that came a year later. The other boys also saw that my son worked well with them on something that the troop needed, and didn't just do the minimum. He had no problem getting elected to a position after that. This was one of those experiences where he he had to "earn respect" before he was accepted as a leader. Scoutmaster-assigned projects serve the needs of the troop, not to the community. Service serves the community.
Epilogue: The troop is still using the board. Since that time, I've seen the troop acquire picnic tables with beautifully decorated tops, patrol chow boxes, and new shelves for organizing camping gear.
As a side note, I was happy to get his huge thing off my dining room table (for months!), but happier that I let my son find his own way to get his leadership done for that rank. I hold dear those memories of how our son learned to put aside obstacles and meet challenges.
Yours in scouting,
Screech'n Owl
