Leadership Meeting October 20 addendum

Purpose of the meeting discussed: This meeting was called to discuss the leadership of the first year scouts. Also discussed were the challenges for the adult leaders and the evolving transition from an adult led troop to a scout led troop. Identified were the challenges with leadership thus far and solutions to make the first year scouts more productive and goal-directed.

First year leadership structure: This established to be Matthew Sabo (Patrol leader) followed by Andrew Moore and Joe Morris. Matthew stated that he wants the co-leaders to have an active role in achieving the goals of the troop and helping the first year's progress. Joe Morris has asked to be changed from scribe to alternate duty. Edward discussed the desire by adult leaders to transition the active leadership, including weekly meetings, to the boys. Ways to facilitate this goal were discussed. Edward Brouwer asked that Matthew Sabo clarify who is the assistant patrol leader and report that to the scoutmaster. It was decided that the first years need assistance with organization of their time and activities. Part of this problem was that the assistant (Mandy?) has not been at the meetings to help. It was decided that the first years and leaders would meet every Monday, regardless of if there is a troop wide meeting to ensure progress and discuss leadership steps. This is likely to include extra meetings for the first years. This approved by those present. Marshall Angle will also assist the boys due to his background.

Troop Meeting agendas: Problems were identified with the lack of clear expectations for the first years and the lack of clear time available on Mondays. Matthew Sabo presented that he had agendas for the meetings, but these could not be accomplished due to other activities with the troop. It was decided that the first years should map out the requirements for Tenderfoot rank and ensure that all steps could be accomplished by December Court of Honor. This will require time needed for whole troop activities on Mondays and other needed time for projects. Matthew was in agreement to review the handbook to ensure all first years had the needed requirements completed and signed off.

Along these lines, Matthew was aware of the redundancy of projects between ranks and that multiple steps can be achieved easily.

Monday Meeting Structure: The anatomy of the Monday meetings was discussed in effort to make these more productive and enjoyable. To achieve the goal above, the meeting activity timeline between 6:30 -8:00 pm was discussed. The adult leaders were tasked with blocking out the time needed for all troop members and to communicate what time the first years would have to achieve their specific requirements. Marshall Angle expressed his strong desire to have the boys complete the opening and closing outdoors by the flagpole and to add songs and the oath/motto to help make the meeting better.

Scout involvement: Edward Brouwer discussed the need for the patrol leader or the delegated scout to contact scouts not at meetings to review missing material and assist with keeping on tract. Discussion about the best way to contact the adult leaders and the other scouts assisted in the leaders knowing who to call. Also, Matthew is to seek out who is interested in being the first year scribe and letting Edward Brouwer know who this is.

Closing: Edward Brouwer emphasized that he has a goal for all boys to be Eagle scouts by the age of 15. He also thanked the parents for support and the boys that wanted to be leaders or have been for their work.

Next Meeting to be determined. Meeting adjourned.