The Patrol Leader's Notebook
 3.
Sharing Leadership
One of the great secrets of successful Patrol leadership is to
share leadership with members of your Patrol. As Patrol Leader you
are not expected to be the best at everything. Maybe your Second
or number three in the Patrol is a better hiker than you are, or
is more interested in orienteering than you - so let him take charge
of the planning and organisation of the Patrol hikes or orienteering
exercises. In a strange way, the more you share your leadership,
the stronger will be the Patrol, and the more firmly your position
as Patrol Leader will be entrenched.
In your regular planning, look at the jobs that have to be done
and other functions which can be undertaken. Assign these to Patrol
members.
What are the responsibilities which can be shared out in the Patrol?
Duty 1. Patrol Leader: That's you - and your job is to lead.
This is a job in itself, so you will normally not take on any other
duty.
Duty 2. Patrol Second: This Patrol member is so important
we will devote a chapter to him on his own. He might take on another
job if he is particularly skilful or would like to.
Other essential duties:
Duty 3. Patrol Den Keeper: If your Patrol has a den, or
when it gets a den, this Scout is in charge of keeping the den or
Patrol corner in good shape.
Duty 4. Scribe: The Patrol Scribe keeps the special Patrol
Logbook in which is recorded all the special happenings of the Patrol.
He also records the details of the Patrol-in-Council meetings when
the Patrol meets to make decisions. Some Patrol Scribes produce
a monthly or quarterly Patrol newssheet for members and their parents.
Duty 5. Patrol Treasurer: He collects Patrol subscriptions
and keeps a record. He will operate a building society or bank account
for the Patrol.
Duty 6. Patrol Gearmaster: This member of the Patrol will
look after, and take charge of Patrol equipment i.e. camping equipment,
training equipment (ropes and staves and triangular bandages and
compasses), keeping them in good condition, and making sure they
don't get lost.
Duty 7. Patrol First Aider: This duty goes to the member
of the Patrol with the most interest and expertise in First Aid.
He will collect together a First Aid Kit and look after the cuts
and scratches in the Patrol. The kit will be used on camps and hikes.
Duty 8. Patrol Record Keeper: Every Organisation must keep
records. The Patrol will have an attendance register, address book,
list of equipment and such records to keep.
Duty 9. Patrol Notice Board: A well kept noticeboard in
your Patrol den or Patrol corner is essential for good communications.
Duty 10. Patrol Box Keeper: Your Patrol Box will accompany
you everywhere, and needs to be equipped and kept well - and someone
needs to he sure it is always around.
Duties which can also be undertaken:
Patrol Grubmaster: Responsible for planning and buying of
food for camps, hikes and Patrol meetings.
Patrol Librarian: builds up a library of training books
and charts and keep good care of them.
Patrol Cheermaster: If you have the right sort of cheery
outgoing type of Scout this is a useful person to have. He will
lead the Patrol in its Patrol yell and song; will probably lead
the Patrol campfires and singing on the hiking trail.
Patrol Public Relations: This member will look after the
Patrol noticeboard; will set up an information Communication network
to contact the Patrol quickly if necessary; he might also be the
Patrol Photographer.
Patrol Hikemaster and Patrol Campmaster: These two
Patrol members will be the experts in hiking and camping, and will
lead the planning of Patrol hikes and camps.
Now this list is not final. You might decide - because you have
Patrol members with particular skills, or because there is a need
for the good running of your Patrol - to appoint other duties. I
have known that Scouts also fill the following roles in their Patrols:
Patrol Instructor: in charge of instructing in skills.
Patrol Historian: researching the history of the Patrol.
Patrol Chaplain Aide: says prayers and leads the religious
activities in the Patrol.
Patrol Musician: if you have a guitar player or a musician
of any sort, duty can he fitted in.
Patrol Photographer: a member who is keen on photography.
Patrol Badge Collector: this chap will collect and make
a display of badges from other Districts, Areas and countries.
With all these things to be done, clearly some Patrol members will
undertake more than one job.
It is a good idea when giving responsibility to look for and people
who are keen, sometimes it is necessary to persuade people to do
jobs.
Next: The Patrol Leader and Second
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