The Patrol Method

1. The Patrol Method

2. Why are we doing this? • The proper use of the Patrol Method is one that is critical to the success of the the entire Troop. • The ASM guides and mentors the Patrol in the ways of the Patrol Method. • Today we will cover the Patrol Method in Troop 283.

3. Patrol Structure • The SPL and his ASPL’s are the leaders of the Troop. The SM and ASM’s will work with each patrol to determine how they can best help the troop.

4. Patrol Structure continued… • Each Patrol needs to have certain key roles filled. Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe, Quartermaster and Grubmaster. • Each Patrol should also have its own Activities & Troop Responsibilities. • Each Patrol should have its own calendar of events.

5. Patrol Positions • Patrol Leader • The members of each patrol elect one of their own to serve as patrol leader. • The Patrol leader also assigns various duties to other members of the Patrol. • They work with the APL and patrol as a whole to plan Patrol activities and meetings.

6. Patrol Positions continued • Assistant Patrol Leader • The Assistant Patrol Leader takes charge of the patrol whenever the Patrol Leader is not available. • Monitor the advancement progress of patrol members. • May be given special assignments

7. Patrol Positions continued • Patrol Scribe • The scribe of a patrol keeps the log—a record of what goes on at each patrol meeting. • The scribe checks attendance and he may also be the patrol’s Internet webmaster, encouraging patrol members to use e-mail to communicate with one another.

8. Patrol Positions continued • Patrol Quartermaster • Responsible for the patrol equipment. He maintains inventory of all of the patrol gear and makes sure it is clean and ready for the patrol to use. • He checks out the gear for campouts and other patrol outings, and he makes sure everything is returned and properly stored afterward.

9. Patrol Positions continued • Patrol Grubmaster • Takes the lead in planning menus for hikes and campouts. Works with Patrol members to determine what the menu should be. • Writes out the menu, itemizing the ingredients, ensuring that purchases are made, and supervising food repackaging before a trip

10. Patrol Activities • One key of a successful Patrol is its activities it participates in outside of normal Troop functions. • These activities include Patrol Meetings, Outings, Campouts, and Service Projects.

11. Patrol Meetings • Patrol meetings may be held at any time and place. These meetings should take place outside of troop meetings. • Can be held at WCC, a members house or even an outside location • Typically there should be one or two Patrol meetings a month.

12. Patrol Meetings continued • Patrol meetings should be well-planned and FUN. • The Patrol Leader should report any information from the latest Patrol Leaders' Council meeting. • Could focus on planning upcoming activities, like campouts, merit badges, outings, etc.

13. Patrol Outings • Outings are designed to be a fun activity that helps to strengthen friendships and develop an even better Patrol. • Meeting for ice cream, go bowling, touring a museum, working on a merit badge, or even a short day hike.

14. Patrol Campouts • A Patrol can plan, organize, and staff their own overnight camping experience. • All members of the Patrol should be involved in the planning process, lead by the PL • The only limits are the scout’s imagination and their abilities.

15. Patrol Service Projects • Service is at the core of the Scouting program and Patrols can play a key part in that. • They can schedule a time to pick up trash along a trail, volunteer at the local food shelf, prepare meals for those in need.

16. Patrol Troop Responsibilities • Each Patrol is responsible for helping the Troop to function. • Patrols need to help at Troop Meetings, Troop Campouts, Troop Service Projects, and Special Events • By sharing the workload for these events, the Troop functions more smoothly.

17. Troop Meetings • Each Patrol will be asked to plan and facilitate a portion of at least 2 Troop Meetings. They will be the Program Patrol for that month. • The Patrol will use the theme chosen by the PLC and the Troop Meeting guides to help them plan the meetings.

18. Troop Campouts • Each Patrol will be asked to “sponsor” a monthly troop campout. • The Patrol will be in charge of deciding the activities, theme, and style of campout. • They will ned to work with their ASM and the Outdoor chair to coordinate and organize the event

19. Troop Service Project • Each Patrol will be asked to “sponsor” a monthly troop service project. • The Patrol will be in charge of creating the communications and helping to recruit scouts to man the event.

20. Troop Special Events • A Patrol or group of Patrols may be asked to organize and lead a special Troop Event • Examples include, COH, Sunday Wreath Sales, Scout Sunday, etc.. • This will need to be decided by the Troop Committee and the PLC

21. Patrol Calendar • The Patrol Calendar needs to synchronize with the Troop calendar and should include Patrol meetings, outings, service projects and campouts. • All of these events must be approved by a Scoutmaster and must follow the guidelines to safe scouting

22. National Honor Patrol • To encourage patrols to have identity, spirit, be active, to do Good Turns and service projects, complete rank advancement, wear the uniform, be organized, participate with the troop, and grow. • Requirements in your binder.

23. Questions • What questions do you have about The Troop 283 Patrol Plan? Thank you!

24. Mentoring for ASM’s

25. Mentoring • “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” - William Arthur Ward

26. Insert BSA Patrol Method Film Strip here

27. What is Mentoring? • A mentor must believe in their mentee. • Mentors help fill their knowledge gaps and seek opportunities to help them grow and excel. • A mentor is someone with whom they can let down their guard, share their insecurities, and ask the ‘stupid’ questions we all have sometimes.”

28. Differences Between Coaching & Mentoring

29. 2 Way Learning • You’ll often be surprised at how much you learn from your mentees. • Mentoring really goes both ways; when different generations come together, their blend of skills can be highly complementary.

30. Commitment • Being a mentor is a commitment. • If you’re offering to help someone, you need to follow through with that promise by being there for them when needed & when promised. • As a mentor, you’re someone who knows something your mentee doesn’t, and you care enough to help them learn and succeed.

31. Be a Role Model • Your goal is to not only provide direction and advice, but to get your mentee to act upon them. • Conversations can be motivating, but few things are more impactful than to lead by example. • A mentor’s mantra must be: “Do as I do, not just as I say.”

32. Listen-First, Second and Third • One of your jobs as a mentor is to provide advice & encouragement, but in order to do so, you need to make the time to listen and understand the situation. • Any mentor that is worth their weight spends considerably more time listening than they do speaking.

33. Open Minded & Compassionate • To be able to provide valuable guidance and advice that is well received, it is necessary to first understand the mentee’s needs, wants, feelings, et cetera. • This can only come in the form of deep and implicit empathy.

34. Patience • The mentee needs and wants direction, but often times this requires a bit of constructive criticism, which can be hard to take.  • It is vital that a mentor be a patient soul, because tempers may flare, and quick fixes are few and far between.

35. Negative & False Cycle“Natural” Negative Attitude Negative Actions Negative Talk Emotional Reaction Negative Thinking Broken Relationship Secondary Emotions

36. “Supernatural” Cycle Positive Attitude Positive Actions Positive Talk Emotional Reinforcement Positive Assumption Growing Relationship Joy

37. Maintaining Relationship Quality • Goal clarity • The ability to create and manage rapport • Understanding of the role and its boundaries • Voluntarism • Basic competencies on the part of the mentor and mentee • Proactive behaviors by mentee and developmental behaviors by the mentor • Measurement and review

38. Care about the relationship • Invest yourself in your mentee and you’ll get so much more out of the experience. • You are developing a relationship that can last a lifetime, it is worth the time and effort.

39. The Learning Conversation • Reaffirmation • Identifying the issue • Building mutual understanding • Exploring alternative solutions • Final check

40. Scoutmaster Review Process • Once every 6 months, sit down with scout and check in. • Helps to determine if a Scout is active. • Complete form and keep a copy, review with scout at next review.

41. Benefits of Mentoring • For the mentee • Improved knowledge and skills • Greater confidence and well-being • For the mentor • Greater satisfaction • New knowledge and skills • Leadership development • For Scouting • Improved morale, motivation, and relationships

42. Questions • What questions do you have about Mentoring? • Thank you!