Leadership positions and advancement

[papabear]

Several Scouts in our troop hold leadership positions for rank advancement but don't seem to be doing anything within the position. Examples: historian, scribe, librarian, chaplain aide. I have seen Scouts hold these position but I don't see the results of their work. Does holding a position (in name only) without actually doing anything qualify as fullfilling the requirement. Can a Scout be turned down for advancement if he is not actually serving in the position?

[pipestone1991]

Several Scouts in our troop hold leadership positions for rank advancement but don't seem to be doing anything within the position. Examples: historian, scribe, librarian, chaplain aide. I have seen Scouts hold these position but I don't see the results of their work. Does holding a position (in name only) without actually doing anything qualify as fullfilling the requirement. Can a Scout be turned down for advancement if he is not actually serving in the position?

No it does not. Jobs like historian & librarian are jobs that require very, very little work while the other two do require effort. The Chaplain's Aide should have a service at the end of every campout and also lead prayre when noother scout volunteers. Scribe should be recording things that are emntioned durting meetings.

[jr56]

The scoutmaster should have a specific expectation of the duties associated with every POR. If the scout is not fulfilling them, they should be repeatedly educated, coached, and encouraged to do so. If the boy doesn't put forth any effort to fulfill the position, then he needs to be removed, and another boy put in that position. If he is allowed to complete the term of office, then he has completed that requirement, even if he didn't do anything.

[Fibonacci]

Our troop Historian puts together a Power Point slide show for every Court of Honor. He either attends all outings or gets photos from someone who attends. He doesn't spend much time in front of the troop displaying traditional leadership like the SPL, but his role is very important and visible.

The current Librarian has taken a more active role with his position, bringing the newly organized troop mb pamphlets to every meeting and helping new Scouts with the system.

At our last two Eagle ceremonies, our Chaplain Aide has been asked to do the Opening & Closing prayers (Invocation & Benediction?) He does a really nice job.

[joat]

It’s easy to blame the Scout for not doing “the job”. If a Scout has not been given a written description of the responsibilities or has not been trained for the position, it should not be surprising if not much is accomplished. It should be readily apparent after a week or two if the Scout is putting forth any effort. The Scoutmaster and SPL have their own responsibility to meet with, train, encourage, and counsel a Scout holding position of responsibility. If this is being done and the Scout is putting forth no effort, they have a further responsibility to remove the Scout from the position. The SM has failed in his own position if after six months the position responsibilities have not been fulfilled.

[milominderbinder2]

Several Scouts in our troop hold leadership positions for rank advancement but don't seem to be doing anything within the position. Examples: historian, scribe, librarian, chaplain aide. I have seen Scouts hold these position but I don't see the results of their work. Does holding a position (in name only) without actually doing anything qualify as fullfilling the requirement. Can a Scout be turned down for advancement if he is not actually serving in the position?

Yes, if you as an employer hire someone to work a job and have them do nothing, they still get paid. If you put a Scout in a position without training or clear goals, or follow-up, he will probably not do well.

You have big problems but they are not with the Scouts.

Papabear, I am going out on a limb here but this does not sound like the adults are presenting the program right to the Scouts.

The Historian is a very busy position. He either must attend every activity or get photos and notes from others who did attend. He is constantly compiling his materials for the two courts of honors he will present at during his 6 months.

The Librarian is equally busy. He does far more than organize merit badge pamphlets.

The scribe takes notes at the 6 PLCs during his term, keeps advancement records for the troop, and so much more.

Also check out all that the Chaplain's Aid does.

If the Wikipedia were working I would say to check out:

http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php?ti ... _Historian

http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php?ti ... _Librarian

http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php?title=Troop_Scribe

etc.

With the Wiki down, why not take the Troop Committee training at:

http://olc.scouting.org/

Wait until you see all that the boys are supposed to be doing.

- Craig

[joat]

Troop Librarian is no more an easy job than any other position. The effort required to succeed in any position is determined by the duties defined for the position. If the librarian job is nothing more than keeping the merit badge books in a shoebox, well, what do you expect the boy to do?

Try a different job description:
Librarian -
• Oversee the care and use of troop materials including:
MB pamphlets, magazines, printed resources, Scout’s own materials, skit scripts, COH ideas, topo maps, trail info, camp gadget plans or drawings, summer camp brochures or CDs, sheet music or song lyrics, music CD’s, OA info, camporee booklet, troop games list/rules, troop recipe list, Boys’ Life and Scouter magazine collection, troop copy of Field Guide, tree-finder book, SM Handbook, Troop Committee Guidebook, Requirements book, A Time to Tell video, MB counselor list, owner’s manuals & receipts for troop equipment.

• Maintain a catalog of the troop library resources.
• Maintain a check-out system to ensure return of materials.
• Check out materials to Scouts and adult leaders.
• Follow up on late returns.
• Identify new revisions to MB pamphlets.
• Purchase new and replacement items as needed.
• Repair books and materials as needed.
Troop Librarian can be a great position of responsibility. It’s only “light” if it is treated lightly.

[smtroop168]

All these "staff" positions (librarian etc) to the SPL are called "Positions of Responsibility" in the Rank requirements not Leadership Positions. They have specific job requirements. We've covered what to do if they don't "do the job" in another forum thread.

[riverwalk]

For a position of responsibility, DON'T leave out Den Chief. That's a spot that will involve time and effort on the part of the Scout, and help them learn to be part of a leadership team, if used properly. Too many Troops in my area fall short of promoting this as a way for more Scouts to have a "PofR".

[milominderbinder2]

Meritbadge.org is back up now.

Please see the Positions of Responsibility:

http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php?ti ... onsibility

If a troop follows the BSA program, each of these are very busy positions.

I could find no other site that has the exact BSA wording.

- Craig

[scouter01]

Make sure they want to do the positions, because I practically got forced into my current position... :/