Selecting Troop and Patrol Leadership

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ScoutmasterBob
Counselor

Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 79
Location: Woods Cross, Utah
Posted: 05 Aug 2004 09:09 am Post subject: Selecting Troop
and Patrol Leadership

When selecting Troop and Patrol leadership, how do you do it.

They are supposed to be elected by the Troop, but how do you
do it.

Secret ballot, show of hands, do you allow campaigning?

An important part of advancement is serving in a leadership
positon.
Share with us how your elections are held.
_________________
Bob Torkelson
Scoutmaster Troop 538
www.wx5troop538.homestead.com
Live The Oath!

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Kobalt
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 98
Location: Louisville, KY
Posted: 05 Aug 2004 11:10 am Post subject:

On the major positions, like ASPL, we usually allow a minute
for the Scout to explain why the would be good in that
position. We remind the Scouts that this is not a popularity
contest, then conduct a secret ballot.
_________________
John Baunach
Troop 42
"If it were easy, it would have been done before." -Jeana
Yeager, co-pilot of Voyager

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Guneukitschik
Life

Joined: 02 Aug 2004
Posts: 162
Location: Waynesboro, PA
Posted: 05 Aug 2004 12:23 pm Post subject:

For the major positions..we too allow a short plea so to speak
as to why they would be the best fit for the position.
Everything is done by secret ballot.

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BM_Crawford
Life

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 131
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 05 Aug 2004 04:55 pm Post subject:

We write down the name of the person we feel most suitible for
SPL and turn them in and the leaders calculate. For ASPL we
write down three names for each position and the names are
examined and calculated by the leaders. Patrols handle their
positions however they see fit (usually by show of hands.)

We use to have small one minute speaches for SPL and ASPL
possitions but that seems to have slipped away from us.
_________________
Brian Crawford
Troop 251

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[Bob White]

Nominees for SPL give a short speech as to why they want to serve in this position then the troop votes by secret ballot. The new SPL then selects all other troop offices.

The patrols elect the PL however the Patrol wants. It is their patrol after all. We give them suggestions as to some different methods they might consider, but they can do it however they want.

The PL then selects all other the Patrol positions of responsibility.

Hope this helps,
Bob White

[Rick Tyler]

Nominees for SPL give a short speech as to why they want to serve in this position then the troop votes by secret ballot. The new SPL then selects all other troop offices.

The patrols elect the PL however the Patrol wants. It is their patrol after all. We give them suggestions as to some different methods they might consider, but they can do it however they want.

The PL then selects all other the Patrol positions of responsibility.

Bob's troop follows BSA standards. I would only add two things: that the SPL appoints troop officers with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster. I don't think our Scoutmaster has ever overridden the SPL's wishes, but he does reserve that right. The SPL-elect who doesn't pick the Scoutmaster's brain before doing his appointments is not a wise leader. In our troop, the Quartermaster is a special job. We own lots of troop equipment (including nine canoes), so the job is a big one. We ask the Quartermaster's parent to assist him with organizing the stuff.

Second, we have an Assistant Scoutmaster sit in on each patrol's meeting and proctor the elections for Patrol Leader. The only reason for this is to insure that the boy who is elected is the one who got the most votes. (Also, frankly, to see that they really are voting and not engaging in a pillow fight instead.)