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How do you decide who is right for the job?
I think it’s a mistake to select a new Scoutmaster as you would hire an employee with interviews, applications, etc. This is something very, very different.
I wouldn’t choose a new Scoutmaster based on knowledge of the outdoors, training, or experience because those are very insignificant aspects of the work. There are lots of trained, experienced, meritorious volunteers who may or may not get the spirit of the work or be particularly well suited to the role.
I’ll tell you a method that just may work, one that Admiral Byrd applied to choose an Eagle Scout to accompany him on his exploration of Antarctica.
I’ll also answer emails about adding to merit badge requirements and whether we should subsidize cub Scouts whose parents aren’t helping the pack.
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Got any advice on a new committee chair? We got some sucker to step up as SM (me), we’ve got about 6 months to recruit and train a new CC…
Kevin,
Congratulations on being chosen as your troop’s Scoutmaster! As long as you keep everything in perspective (and follow Clarke’s sage advice), you’ll do just great.
Clarke suggested I help out with the committee chair question.
First, get together with your chartered organization representative to talk about the selection process. Ultimately, it’s up to the CR to select the committee chair, but depending on the CR’s level of involvement with the troop, you may need to do the legwork. It has to be someone who can work closely with both of you and is in agreement with your unit’s operation and with Scouting’s aims and methods. (Think of the SM, CC and CR as a three-legged stool.)
Look around at your current committee members. Who do you see showing up at troop committee meetings month after month? Who participates in discussions? Who comes on campouts and understands the outdoor program? Who has a knack for organization, delegation and interpersonal communications? These are all key factors. If the parent of an incoming Scout was the CC of their pack, there’s a prospect for you. (I usually don’t expect parents of crossovers to step right up, especially if they are still involved in the pack, but if they show interest, don’t let the grass get brown, as the saying goes.)
The committee chair needs to be able to support the rest of the committee and the Scoutmaster, providing resources and making their job easier. It’s also helpful if they can recruit parents to help in ongoing or one-time roles.
Training is important but that can come later. Every committee member should have taken at least the online troop committee training anyway. Wood Badge is a definite plus.
You could use the Admiral Byrd example from the podcast, asking current committee members who they’d recommend and seeing if there are any trends. Also check with your outgoing committee chair and see who he or she would recommend. (You didn’t say if that was you, but I’m guessing it might be.)
I hope this is helpful. Let me know if I can help with anything specific, and good luck!
Wait….we are chosen? I though we were randomly picked out of a crowd.
I didn’t seek to be SM, it just sorta happened.