The document discusses the importance of delegating responsibilities as a Scoutmaster to focus on mentoring youth and achieving Scouting's mission. It recommends distributing duties to youth leaders like the Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders' Council, and patrol members. Assistant Scoutmasters, troop committee members, and parents can also take on roles to allow the Scoutmaster to act as a "keeper of the flame" by guiding the patrol method and leadership development through situational leadership styles and Scoutmaster conferences. The key responsibilities of a Scoutmaster are to provide continuity, keep the vision, and mentor youth as they advance through Scouting.

1. The Delegating
Scoutmaster
Steven Myers
Scoutmaster Troop One Akron
Central Region Area 4 Venturing Associate Advisor
myers@uakron.edu
University of Scouting, GTC, March 1, 2014
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2. Approximate Price $110 / Whitewater –or-- $95 / Canopy Tour
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3. SCOUTMASTER
Doing it ALONE?
Feel alone?
Are you a “one-man” show?
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4. TOO MUCH?
BURNOUT
LACK OF FOCUS
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5. What are the
duties of the
Scoutmaster
?
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6. WHAT’S IMPORTANT?
The Scouts
under your
charge
New in 2014
Volume 1
… each who deserves
a trained leader
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7. WHAT’S IMPORTANT?
THE MISSION OF THE BSA
IS
TO PREPARE YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE
ETHICAL AND MORAL CHOICES OVER
THEIR LIFETIMES BY INSTILLING IN
THEM THE VALUES OF THE SCOUT
OATH AND LAW
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8. WHAT’S NOT IMPORTANT?
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9. WHAT’S NOT IMPORTANT
EVERYTHING ELSE!
1. Don’t sweat the
small stuff
2. It’s all small stuff
(except for the
mission)
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10. The SM must move beyond
• Planning of …
– meetings
– Games
– Events
•
•
•
•
Outings
Making reservations
Taking money
Being involved in
fundraising
• Creating permission
slips
• Keeping records
• Teaching the troop
• Speaking to the
troop (except at
end)
• And so on and so
on…
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11. Give your jobs away
To youth leaders
SPL
PLC
Patrol members
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12. Train them, let them lead!
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13. Make up positions if necessary
ASPL
ASPL – New
ASPL – Exp
ASPL – V
Sr. TG
TG
Roving TG
TG-Summer
Camp director
Instructor
Patrol
Instructor
LNT Trainer
FA Trainer
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14. Give your jobs away
To Assistant Scoutmasters
ASM – New
ASM – Experienced
ASM – Venture
ASM – Patrol Advisor
ASM – physical arrangements (QM advisor)
ASM – camping coordinator (Scribe advisor)
ASM - OA liaison
ASM - Venturing Crew liaison
ASM – other (come on make them up!)
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15. Give your jobs away
To Troop Committee Members
Camping coordination
Advance Arrangements
Recruitment
Advancement
Retention
Training
Other – come on make them up …
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16. Give your jobs away
To Scout Parents
dinners
recruitment
dealing with new parents
fund raising
help with equipment
COH
other (come on make up some job descriptions… )
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17. Reward those you
delegate, those
you serve and who
serve you.
Scout of the Quarter
Scout of the Year
Scouter of the Quarter
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18. The only job a
Scoutmaster must not
delegate is
“keeper of the flame”
A leadership commitment to Scouting’s mission
as an integral part of the troop’s program
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19. Scoutmaster as the
Keeper of the Flame
SM

PLC

(tinder)
(kindling)
Patrol Method
(fuel)
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20. Know and use the leadership
styles of situational leadership
• Directing
• Hands in your pockets
• Guiding
• Coffee cup in your hand
• Coaching
• Butt in a chair, mouth
shut (mostly)
• “Go ask the SPL”
• Delegating
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21. So what must the
Scoutmaster
BE?
KNOW?
&
DO?
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24. Scoutmaster Value
• Provide continuity
• Keep the vision going
• Leave and carry forth the
legacy of scouting
• Mentor your youth leaders
• Mentor your scouts as they
advance
• Mentor your scouts
• Set the example
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25. Building Youth: Scoutmaster
Conferences
Rank conference
Main focus
Scout Oath
Scout to Second Class
Learning the skills, it’s all about
them.
Duty to Self
First Class
Are you ready to take on
leadership?
Duty to Others
Star
How are you learning to serve?
Life
LIFE-time commitment to
scouting ideals? Love. God.
Country.
Duty to God and Country
Eagle
Trail to Eagle
On my Honor
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