The Role of the Leader

ADULT LEADERS’ TRAINING GENERAL INTRODUCTORY COURSE

As one of a team, and after appropriate training, a leader is expected to:

Run a regular meeting for the unit, with a balanced & varied programme of activities

Keep records of activities Provide a safe environment for the youngsters Participate in trainings Attend district meetings Wear uniform Make or renew the Promise

Can I?  Each of these requirements helps leaders to

achieve the overall aim of Scouting/Guiding: “To help youngsters to develop emotionally,

mentally, physically and spiritually so that they can make a positive contribution to their community and the wider world”.

 But what do we need to be able to do all this?

A Leader Must enjoy working alongside young people Needs energy, enthusiasm, a big heart, and

an even bigger sense of humour Needs to have time to give (for the meeting,

planning, special events, records) Spends time building relationships with young

people

Qualities Leaders help young people with new

challenges and to live their lives to the full, so getting on well with people is a very necessary talent. A good relationship with the Leader will foster a youngster’s self-esteem and their ability to relate to others.

 Key building blocks of a good relationship between Leader and youngsters are:

HONESTY; TRUST; UNDERSTANDING; BELIEF IN THE INDIVIDUAL; CONSISTENCY; FAIRMINDEDNESS; TIME TO LISTEN

Help!! Do we have to do this all alone? Absolutely

not!! Help is always at hand!!

Scouting Personnel Scouting personnel (Trainers, Commissioners,

other Leaders) Friends/Teachers/Community (there are lots of

skilled people about!) Publications (material for your section;

practical books e.g. knotting; history of Scouting)

Internet (just be careful that site is bonafide… some info might not be correct)

Training (GIC; Basic; Woodbadge I & II)

Role As a Leader So I know my role as a leader, but  What am I supposed to achieve and where

am I leading the youngsters?  Scouting is much more than a club for young

people, Scouting is a worldwide, values-based, educational movement.

It has a clear purpose, and we are concerned with all young people regardless of origin, nationality, race, creed, physical or mental ability, gender, political or religious belief or sexual status, Scouting is barrier free.

Educational Movement We’re not just a club, we’re actually an

educational movement, and the Promise and Law, if applied in daily life, can make our world a better place. Adults in Scouting should help young people to apply the Scouting principles in their everyday life:

Duties Duty to self (develop their own gifts and talents,

responsible for who they become and what they do) Duty to others (share in development of society;

recognize and respect the dignity of other people; promote local, national and international peace, understanding and co-operation; protect the natural world)

Duty to God (seek spiritual life dimension and try to live in a religious way; develop personal discipline & training; create a more tolerant and caring society – Scouting is not a religious organization aligned to any particular religion; discover the need for prayer and worship, both personal and shared)

Different Faiths It is possible for young people to be unsure of

the existence of God and remain a member of the Scouting movement, but it is not possible for an atheist to hold a warrant as a leader.

 Scouting recognizes many different faiths and religions, leaders have a responsibility to understand a little about the religions of all young people in their care.

 How do I get these principles across to the youngsters, though?

Learn by doing!! Scouting will achieve its purpose and work

well when young people LEARN BY DOING in partnership with their leaders:  Taking part in activities Exploring the outdoors Participating in teams Taking responsibility

Scout Programme The Scouting Programme helps young people

to Learn by Doing through a progression of: Training Activities Awards

 that covers everything for every age group. Each part of the Programme is designed to meet the needs and skills of the relevant age group of each section (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts).

The Programme The Programme is based around helping young

people develop knowledge, skills and attitudes in the following six personal development areas:  Body Mind Faith and beliefs Relationships Community Surroundings

bearing in mind that each young person will develop at their own pace, but the important thing is that they do THEIR best.

Scouting succeeds when it is:  Fun Attractive to young people Fulfilling for adult members Trusted by parents and family Valued by society