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Leadership PDF Print E-mail

Highlights: 

We instill in our Scouts the importance of leadership

A good leader is honest and trustworthy

Our Scouts develop the resourcefulness to lead themselves

 

A leader is recognized as a leader first and foremost because they are trusted and respected.  A leader must first possess the skills of responsible citizenship, civic involvement, and respect for consensus before they can properly lead.  Being a good leader involves standing up for your own beliefs, while encouraging others to stand up for theirs.boy looking into the distance

 

As our Scouts grow, we encourage them to take on added responsibilities including leadership positions.

 

Leadership Drives the Result

 

Our Scouts want to have FUN, want to effect change in the world, and want to help others.  If Scouts lose excitement or motivation, then leadership is lacking.  We want committed, excited people to become our Team Counselors, Counselors, and Team Leaders.  People who can motivate our Scouts to be the best they can.  That is why our leadership works to help our Scouts acquire the knowledge to lead themselves.  Leadership should not be confused with the ability to get things done.  Getting things done is secondary to doing so with character.

 

When asked what was the number one trait looked for in a leader, the majority of corporations said “ethics.”  A person can be strong but lack ethics, or be ethical but lack strength.  We want strong, ethical leaders who are the kind of people other Scouts will admire.  A leader does not become a leader by announcing they are in charge or by coercing people to follow them.  A leader must first be a leader of character.  Leaders are inspirational and people follow them naturally, sometimes without a word.  A leader who does not inspire that kind of loyalty is not a leader of character. Character can be changed, though very slowly, and can even change dramatically over time.  Our Scout Programs enhance the character instilled by parents in our Scouts.two teens pointing forward

 

Our Leadership Style

We want our Scouts to be true action leaders of people, as opposed to political leadership, which is centered on who is on their “side” and who is not.  Leadership has devolved into salesmanship in far too many instances.  We want our Scouts to be the leader who picks up the standard and says “follow me.”  We need brave people unafraid to live by their ideals, and that is what we instill in our Scouts. 

 

One of ways the Scout Programs of Adventure Scouts USA distinguish themselves is through our unique view of leadership.  Group consensus and participation is an innovative leadership style we practice everyday.  Our Scouts choose, organize, and lead their own programs.

 

Because of this, the Scout Programs of Adventure Scouts USA are truly “Scout” Programs.  The decisions and innovations are being made locally by the Scouts, for the Scouts.  They pick their own activities because they are the ones participating in them, and their own uniforms because they are the ones wearing them. 

 

This kind of leadership style is evident in the meetings, programs, and activities our Scouts participate in.  They are FUN because our Scouts choose them.

 

Similarly, our Scouts get more responsibility when their fellow Scouts believe they are worthy of more.  Our Scout Programs’ activities encourage many qualities including those of teamwork, humility and perseverance.  As a part of the Scout demonstrating they are deserving of additional responsibility, they have the opportunity to develop their own personal achievement plan and if they choose, to serve in positions of leadership, such as the Team Leader position.  They also have the continuing responsibility of caring for the well-being of the members of their family, friends and their fellow Scouts.  Helping and valuing others we believe contributes to development of living a life of purpose.

 

Team Leaders

 

Team Leaders facilitate our meetings.  These leaders are Scouts who take on the responsibility of facilitating the meeting and making sure every voice is heard.  They encourage all Scouts on their team to contribute ideas during brainstorming, and to ensure they are involved in each activity.  When all opinions have been voiced, the results are gathered, and the Scouts vote.  Decisions are made via consensus – an issue is discussed until all our Scouts agree.

 

Just like in Camelot, we use a “round table” method.  Chairs, during our team meetings, are  set up in a circle for a specific reason.  Everyone looks at ea ch other while discussing an issue because everyone’s opinion is important and everyone’s vote is counted.  All our Scouts are equals.

 

After a decision has been made, Team Leaders coordinate the activity.  One of their main responsibilities is delegation.  They make sure every Scout has a role, and that everyone is involved at every level.  Some Scouts may be in charge of budgeting, others of obtaining supplies, and still others of finding a location.

 

Every single Scout has a role and a responsibility, which is why it is crucial to make sure the Scout given the task has all needed information and the authority to complete their responsibility.  Scouts develop practical life skills by making choices on their own by managing allocated money, making substitutions if necessary, and learning how to get things done.

 

In this way, an important responsibility of our Team Leaders is to make sure their fellow Scouts are in a position to succeed.

 

Each has a different part to play.  By taking responsibility for certain tasks and seeing them through, our Scouts add to the FUN and success of their adventures while developing leadership skills which last a lifetime.

 

Leadership Skills

 

Leadership skills acquired are both individual and group skills.  Our Scouts acquire the knowledge of how to lead in their own lives, in our Scout Programs, and how to lead via consensus.  Our Scouts acquire knowledge of the difference between leading in their own personal lives and leading many people by the dictates of the democratic theory.

 
Adventure Scouts USA