Scouting, Volume 48, Number 1, January 1960 Page: 20
This periodical is part of the collection entitled: Scouting Magazine and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.
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IN SEPTEMBER, Front Line Stuff ran the letter
of Scoutmaster S.G., who told of having Patrol
Leader X, capable but with no patrol to lead—
the boys had moved or gone into Exploring. S.G.
also had a patrol with a poor leader, and reasoned
that if he could install the good leader in place
of the poor one, he would solve his dual problem
of salvaging a patrol and a patrol-less leader who
was losing interest. But how to do this and still
follow the rule that patrols elect their own leaders?
Here are typical excerpts from many letters re-
ceived on the patrol-less leader.
From A.M.Z., forty-three year veteran, South Bend,
Indiana: "Apparently the Scouts did not elect a good
patrol leader; therefore, it is up to the Scoutmaster to
step in and appoint one. The boy qualified to be patrol
leader should be appointed regardless of what the boys
want as they proved the one they picked could not do
the job. The boys do not run the troop; the Scout-
master is in charge and they are supposed to take orders
from him. Another solution would be to suggest to
Patrol Leader X that he try to recruit boys from his
school and Sunday school."
From Scout Mother R.G.C., Norwalk, Ohio: "/ would
ask both patrol leaders for a conference. When I had
both boys together I would explain how hard it is to
get another patrol together and ask the patrol leader
if he wouldn't like to have the patrol-less leader to give
him a lift. This way the patrol leader with the help of
the patrol-less leader wouldn't be groping in the dark."
From Den Mother J.D., Palacias, Texas: "Why not
let Patrol Leader X go in this weak patrol that needs a
good patrol leader, not as the leader but as one of the
patrol. If he is as fully qualified as you say he is, the
boys themselves will see this, and before you know it
they will settle the whole problem for you."
From Assistant District Commissioner R.D.S., Water-
loo, Iowa: "Your spare patrol leader might make a good
assistant senior patrol leader, perhaps with the specific
job of coaching patrol leaders."
From Post President C.H., Roanoke, Virginia: "Take
the patrol leader of the other patrol and tell him frankly
what the situation is. Tell him that Patrol Leader X is
better qualified. Maybe then he would volunteer to step
down and possibly take a lesser office."
From F.T., Greentree, California: "Split the patrol
between the two patrol leaders and the better leader
through competition will eventually bring the poor
leader up to par, thus making two good patrol leaders."
From Scoutmaster T.G., Brooklyn, New York: "Give
Patrol Leader X a troop job. After a few meetings
switch the other patrol leader into the troop job and
put Patrol Leader X in his place. At reorganization
time stress that any Scout in the troop may be elected
patrol leader if the patrol sees fit to elect him. Be sure
to point out that rank, skill, and initiative are most
important, not age and size."
From Scoutmaster E.C.P., Hartford, Connecticut:
"Appoint Patrol Leader X to the newly-created office of
assistant senior patrol leader. In that office have him,
as part of his duties, serve as an adviser or coach to
the patrol whose leader, is weak. In this way Patrol
Leader X is recognized fqr his exceptional ability and is
1saved' for Scouting and also the other patrol will gain
the help and experience that he has to offer
From Assistant Scoutmaster J.A.P., Hammond, In-
diana: "If Patrol Leader X is as good a Scout as Scout-
master S.G. indicates he is, the position of senior patrol
leader seems to be ideal for him. With a few words in
the right places he could be elected to this position by
the other patrol leaders. This would not only supply the
incentive necessary to keep Patrol Leader X in the troop
but will prevent any unnecessary hard feelings in the
troop caused by replacing a patrol leader elected by the
boys themselves."
20
SHOW SCOUTING S FUN TO A NEW BOY EVERY MONTH
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 48, Number 1, January 1960, periodical, January 1960; New Brunswick, New Jersey. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth329283/m1/22/: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.