The BSA’s official uniform includes a Scout shirt, Scout pants or Scout shorts, Scout belt, Scout socks, and shoes or hiking boots. Your troop may also elect to wear a cap or broad-brimmed hat. Your uniform may be brand-new, or it might have been worn by others for many troop activities. Proudly wear your uniform to troop meetings, ceremonies such as courts of honor, and most other indoor troop functions. When you’re headed outdoors, you can pull on a T-shirt with Scout pants or shorts, or wear other clothing that is right for the events of the day. 32502 ISBN 978-0-8395-2502-8 ©2008 Boy Scouts of America 2010 Printing Contents Opportunity and Challenge— 7 Welcome to the Position of Patrol Leader 23 Building Patrol Spirit 35 Your Patrol and Your Troop 59 Leading Patrol Meetings 69 Leading Patrol Activities 89 Being a Good Leader 115 Other Patrol Leadership Positions 1 C H A P T E R O N E Opportunity and Challenge— Welcome to the Position of Patrol Leader 7 First Things First 8 What Is Expected of Me? 9 What Tools Do I Have? 9 Introduction to Leadership Training 9 Troop Leadership Training 10 Scouting Literature 10 Other Patrol Leaders 10 Other Patrol Members 10 Other Troop Leaders 12 How Will I Know I Am Leading Well? 13 Tips to Get You Started 18 Your Patrol 19 Patrol Members 20 Troop Leaders 7 OPPORTUNITY AND CHALLENGE Congratulations! The members of your patrol have elected you to be their leader. They’ve given you a pat on the back, put their trust in you, and wished you good luck. You have just received one of the best positions in Scouting. It will be challenging, exciting, and sometimes perhaps a little frustrating, but as you explore ways to lead the members of the patrol, you will discover the many rewards of being a patrol leader. You will learn a great deal and have plenty of fun. Along the way, you will enjoy some of the most satisfying experiences of Scouting. The patrol will look to you for guidance. The Scoutmaster and other troop leaders expect you to do your best. They want you to be successful, so you can expect their help as well. You want to be the most effective patrol leader you can be. You were elected because your fellow Scouts trust you and believe that you will help the troop be successful and help them have a better Scouting experience. Good leaders accept leadership roles because they want to make a difference. Good leaders are servant leaders. They focus on helping others succeed. Perhaps you are a little nervous about how you will fulfill your new responsibilities. You may be unsure of exactly what to do and when. Those are reasonable concerns. Most new patrol leaders have them. They are signs that you care about the patrol and the troop, and that you want to do your best. Are you ready to get started? Then let’s begin. First Things First Have confidence that leading a patrol is a responsibility that you can handle. Yes, you are a new patrol leader, but you are also the same person you were before you were elected. Members of your patrol saw something in you that convinced them you would be a good leader. You probably have many leadership skills already, even if you have not had many chances to use them, and you probably have many questions about your new position. This handbook will help you learn what it takes to be a great patrol leader. 8 THE PATROL LEADER HANDbOOk What Is Expected of Me? While you are a patrol leader, your troop and patrol are going to count on you to live up to some clear expectations. They will look to you to: • Represent the patrol at all patrol leaders’ council meet- ings and the annual program planning conference. • Keep patrol members informed of decisions made by the patrol leaders’ council. • Play a key role in planning, leading, and evaluating patrol meetings and activities. • Help the patrol prepare to par- • Set a good example by ticipate in all troop activities. having a positive attitude, • Learn about the abilities wearing the Scout uniform, of other patrol members showing patrol spirit, and and fully involve them in expecting the best from patrol and troop activities yourself and others. by assigning them specific • Devote the time necessary tasks and responsibilities. to be an effective leader. • Attend troop leadership • Work with others in the training and continue to troop to make the troop go. work on advancement. • Live by the Scout Oath • Encourage patrol members and Law. to complete their own • Solicit ideas and concerns advancement requirements. from patrol members so they • Recruit new members to have input to the planning maintain a full patrol. and operation of the patrol.