The Scoutmaster or Cubmaster and their responsibilities as the face of the unit to the cub and boy scout program.
Transcript:
In my opinion the success of the troop or pack is in the hands of the scoutmaster or cub master.
Of course there are circumstances outside of the leader’s control, as local populations change, and sports groups outside scouting that can make recruitment easier or harder.
But the unit leader is the one that needs to steer the ship. While it is a boy led program, there are parameters placed on everyone in life, and simply throwing up your hands and saying the boys are in charge does a disservice to the boys as well as the program.
Now, I’m one of those leaders who has drunk the cool aid. I’ve taken training, I have earned a bunch of knots and awards, but the reality is I am a pragmatic cool aid drinker.
Almost all of what I have done over the years is to enhance and enrich and promote the program, not to obtain accolades for myself.
As a leader, it’s important to put the program first where you can. I believe in the program, and what it achieves for the boys, and that is my guiding principle.
As a scoutmaster, when the cubs are running a program such as pinewood derby of a cub parent weekend, I try and show up. Crossing over ceremonies, I am there. If the cub group asks for something, and it’s possible, I make it happen. The cubs leaders, and in some cases the cubs know my face, if not my name.
Within my own program, if a scout is having an Eagle work day, I try and show up. If they are lagging behind on getting to Scout rank at the Boy Scout level or to Arrow of Light at the cub level, as much as possible I facilitate this happening.
Walk the walk, talk the talk.
Shake the hands of the parents, engage with the scouts, help out at district activities, take training necessary to make you successful.
The old adage that’s it’s only an hour a week, haunt many within the program. It’s of course a lie. If you plan on only doing an hour, and not doing the outreach, the training, making yourself accessable, and the preparation then you are dooming your unit to failure.
The adults see it, the boys see right through it, and when it’s time to sign up for next year, or have their friends join the program they have a tough decision.
Your job is to make it an easy decision, but this can be a lot of hard work. Do what it takes to make it successful. This is what works for me.
Take what you like and leave the rest, and as we say in Woodbadge, feedback is a gift, leave yours below in the comments, with the hope we can all learn together.
I’m Scoutmaster Dave, and this was a bit on the face of the unit.
