Scoutmaster Podcast 136 – Scoutmaster Panel Discussion with Enoch

Comments

1. Frank Maynard says

   September 17, 2012 at 12:53 am

   Your panel discussion with the Life Scout Enoch was a great look into Scouting from the perspective of a young man who came into Scouting specifically seeking what Scouting has to offer, rather than being pushed across a bridge into Boy Scouts.

   Since most of our boys come to us from Cub Scouts, where the experience is substantially different, we invariably get those who realize they don’t really want to be there and don’t quite get, or want, the promise of Scouting. While most boys fit right in and enjoy their experience, that’s not always the case, and it’s rare that we have boys join from outside unless we specifically recruit.

   The troop that Enoch joined sounds a bit too much adult run, and he is wise to have realized this. I attribute this to his having read the Scout handbook from cover to cover. If only the Scoutmaster and assistants would do the same, they would have a much better understanding of what Scouting promises the boy. When an involved and engaged Scout reads one thing in his handbook but finds it practiced differently in his troop, he’s got to wonder if he’s in the same program. In Enoch’s case in particular, I’m referring to some of the rules his troop had about the makeup of patrols and the terms of election of the senior patrol leader. These are things that the troop need not make rules about – let the program work its magic. The best approach is to leave it up to the boys, which is where the power lies.

   I’m also excited about Enoch’s unique Eagle project as well and wish him great success in achieving it. As you and Walter know, I’m also an amateur radio operator, licensed since I was a teenager myself, and take every opportunity to join Scouting and amateur radio. Like Enoch, I’m also a Skywarn-trained weather spotter. Building and operating a repeater is an enormous task, often undertaken only by radio clubs and other large organizations. Best of luck and 73.

2. Larry Geiger says

   September 11, 2012 at 4:01 pm

   “Always be recruiting.” Every Troop is always six years away, at most, from disappearing! Two years without new Scouts and a Troop is about half dead. Four years and it’s essentially gone.

3. Michael S. Malone says

   September 11, 2012 at 1:46 pm

   Is THAT what you’re looking for?

   • Michael S. Malone says

     September 12, 2012 at 2:27 am

     Clarke, the above was meant for the t-shirt section.

     MM

4. Bucky Callas says

   September 11, 2012 at 12:15 pm

   It is understandable. Good leadership is almost always appreciated.
   The SPL you mentioned is doing a fine job no doubt, but the time is really short and all who are qualified should be given the chance at that position.
   Don’t let his leadership abilities wane, just because he does not have the top post anymore.
   Keep him involved in other leadership roles.
   It is very easy for a Troop to slide into the deceptive comfortable position of fixed leadership, when all the time we need to be filling our ranks with new recruits. Many a time in my youth the “click” mentality ruined a perfect Troop or Post.
   A unit must always be bringing in new members to stay fresh and vibrant.
   My beloved Troop “Lucky” 13 / 213 recently folded after 47 years.
   At the end we had more skilled adult and young adult leaders, but only 2 boys. Always be recruiting.

5. Bill Macfarlane says

   September 10, 2012 at 2:03 pm

   Kudos to Enoch for trying something different! Nothing bugs me more in the troop than doing the same thing over and over again.

   It’s too bad the troop did not have the choice to re-elect this fine young man as SPL. Though I have never have set “term limits” there have been times I’ve often wished a SPL would run for office again after only a year in office.