SPL done. Whats next?

[t305spl]

As of June 1st I have served my maximum term I can serve as an SPL. As most of you know I have had some trouble with my troop. I have done a lot for my troop and headed many things we did. Now they just told me that i am done in June.(I would have liked to know this a long long time ago) They want to take me and put me back into the patrol mix like I did when I started Boy Scouting 5 years ago. To me thats unfair. People who have become SPL's have worked hard to get to the positon and then worked harder once in the position. Now to be dropped back into the patrol mix would seem to me like pushing me back to where I started. What do SPL's do once their term is up? What position in the troop does the SPL then take over?

[wagionvigil]

jr. Asst Sm, Instructor,Troop Guide,OA Troop Rep.

[t305spl]

Thanks Wagion. Those were the ones I thaught would be best.

[ASM-142]

Remember just because you want to be in a Position does not mean that it will happen. The SPL is elected by the troop and then appoints scouts to troop positions. The Scoutmaster can appoint a JASM.

To get back into the patrol mix may be a good thing. Here scouts can learn from your experience and you can learn things that you may of forgotten.

[Scouting179]

Everyone in the troop should be in a patrol. However, that does not mean you're functioning like when you first joined. Try to give back to the newer Scouts all you've learned; just as people did when you were new.

As try postions and activities, OA, Crews, etc that will broaden your exposure.

[Lynda J]

Just because you have served as SPL does not mean you are through helping with the troop. Our best SPL went back to being "a member of the patrol" He is helping with the other boys and helping teach what he has learned.
I have a problem with the thinking that once you have been SPL you shouldn't have to go back to simply being a "lowly" patrol member.
Yes advancing in responsibility is one thing we teach but so is being part of the group.
Like with me. Simply because I directed day camp does not mean I am to good or to advanced to go back and work with a unit.
Go back and give to your patrol. Help make it the best patrol in your troop.

[evmori]

t305spl,
Whatever position you end up with or don't end up with, you should do to the best of your ability. You need to be the one who sets the example.

[t305spl]

They want to take me and put me back into the patrol mix like I did when I started Boy Scouting 5 years ago. To me thats unfair. People who have become SPL's have worked hard to get to the positon and then worked harder once in the position. Now to be dropped back into the patrol mix would seem to me like pushing me back to where I started

#1 An SPL is not a member of a single patrol. (In some troops he is the PL of the Senior Scout Patrol)
#2 If I were to go back to my original patrol I would be in a different troop.(I entered into this troop and after registering in it from a different troop I was nominated by committee to be SPL that was 3 years ago now)
#3 I dont want to be back in the patrol setting because I would like to help the whole troop not 7 other scouts. I want to help 35 instead learn what I learned. I want to teach everyone the scouting skills not just help 7.
#4 I had no plan on just leaving after my term my original post was asking for troop positions so I could help the whole troop not one single patrol. (I also dislike the fact that many former SPL's leave and you hardly see them again until there Eagle Project or Eagle COH.)

[wagionvigil]

You can use your experience to help the other scouts. I was Lodge Adv for three years then I went to Ordeal Adv. where I started 6 years earlier. I used my experience to make things work. You can do the same. Don't think of it in any way except that you will make your patrol the best.

[BM_Crawford]

After I was SPL I was a big leader in the troop and still am. You don't even need a position to lead people. All you need to be active and someone who is willing to give support and help others. There isn't anything wrong with being a Patrol Leader. The only reason I didn't go back to that is because I became very involved with being a troop guide and I actually almost enjoyed that just as much as being the SPL. People are different and their stregnths lie in different places.

Actually one of my good freinds who just earned his Eagle never was a Senior Patrol Leader. He was an ASPL once and was a Patrol Leader several times. I am much more outspoken than he is so SPL was a better possition for me but in my opinion my abilities were no greater than his its just where we fit better.

[t305spl]

I understand Brian I am the same as you in a sense. I am finsihing my term and dont want to hold a PL spot but another one that can help the entire unit.

[BM_Crawford]

Yes, SPL is a thrill I can't deny that, and I'd never give it up given the chance but luckily there are so many possitions that fits whatever personality you have!

[ASM-142]

You do not need to hold a position of responsibility to be a leader. part of being a leader is setting an example for everyone else. This can be done while as part of a patrol or in a troop overall. Because you will be part of a patrol does not mean that you can not teach the other 35 boys.

[t305spl]

I would like a position that my job is to teach the entire troop. I understand all that I just want a position where I am assigned to teach certain things.

[ASM-142]

I would like a position that my job is to teach the entire troop. I understand all that I just want a position where I am assigned to teach certain things.

What I was saying is that you can teach the entire troop without having a "position." A scout should not need to hold a position to help other scouts.

[BM_Crawford]

I agree with ASM-142 about not needing to have a possition to teach, however if you are looking for a possition to teach, I would look into Troop Instructor.

[t305spl]

That is the one position I have requested. Right now I am the only one in the troop teaching anything because I am the only one that knows the stuff well enough to teach it. Every now and then I have others teach somethings that they feel comfortable teaching and I always give other scouts the job of MC to help learn leadership skills like public speaking. But I do well over 75% of it. I dont want to throw someone thats green into the position of SPL and then go back to a patrol. I would like the position of troop instructor that way the new SPL knows that its my job to help teach and he knows that he has someone to help him. I know you dont need to be in a leadership position to help but I want a position where I know it is my job to help where help is needed. I want to help them learn everything I learned the way I learned it.

[ASM-142]

I may be wrong, but it sounds like you want a position to have credit for having a position.

[t305spl]

Actually I have fulfilled my time for Star, Life, and Eagle. I also have served in a leadership position for all my years in scouting. I am a leader and always have been. I just dont want credit that is certainly incorrect I know I can help and thats all I want to do but I want the job to help on a larger scale.

[ASM-142]

As I said earlier you do not need a position or a title to help all other scouts. Not having a position should not stop that from happening.