THE PATROL ADVISOR

IN TROOP 174

 

As a Patrol Advisor you become a vital source of help to the Troop. You serve as an Assistant Scoutmaster, and you reduce the demand on the Scoutmaster’s time by accepting responsibility for the activities of one Patrol. You are in a position to stimulate advancement and can help assure a quality program in an expanding Troop by maintaining an adult - boy ratio that gives each individual boy valuable, individual contact with adults.

 

Your boy may be a leader or a member of a Patrol, and you could vitally increase the influence and values of that Patrol by serving as the Patrol Advisor. As a Patrol Advisor you’ll have fun - but even more you’ll have the satisfaction of helping a group of boys growing into manhood. You’ll strengthen a personal relationship with your son and his friends. You’ll come to understand them better. Your boy will find it easier to come to you for help in weathering the ups and downs of the turbulent adolescent years.

 

QUALIFICATIONS OF A PATROL ADVISOR

1. Good Character

2. Interest in Boys

3. Ability to coach a boy leader

4. Readiness to work with other adults for the good of the Patrol and Troop

5. Willingness to learn about Boy Scouting, particularly about the Patrol Method

6. Confidence that boys can take responsibility

7. Willingness to meet regularly with the Patrol

8. Willingness to meet with Troop Leaders to develop program and learn what is expected of the Patrol

9. Be registered as an Assistant Scoutmaster

 

THE PATROL ADVISOR AND THE PATROL LEADER

  1. You help the Patrol Leader plan ahead
  2. You counsel the Patrol Leader and encourage him to achieve Troop objectives through Patrol activities
  3. You back up the Patrol Leader with Scouts and Parents -- especially if he is young or inexperienced
  4. Working through the Patrol Leader, see that each boy has an important position in the Patrol and that he knows how to do his job and that he does it. EVERY BOY SHOULD BE IMPORTANT TO THE PATROL. (This may require working with Parents)
  5. You serve as the Patrol contact person to help get approval and cooperation of parents in Patrol activities
  6. With one to one counseling in leadership skills, you informally help the Patrol Leader build Patrol moral
  7. You help the Patrol Leader solve Patrol Problems - often by asking questions for which he finds the answers
  8. You see to it that the Patrol has a good place and time to meet, and that they meet regularly (at least twice a month).

 

THE PATROL ADVISOR AND THE PATROL MEETING

  1. You should be available for Patrol Meetings or assure that another Adult is present to assist at Patrol meetings
  2. Work with the Patrol Leader, before the meeting, to help him prepare good meeting plans
  3. At Patrol meetings, build the prestige of the Patrol Leader by remaining in the background
  4. You encourage advancement, and conduct SM Conferences
  5. You help, or obtain help, for the Patrol Leader when he is not qualified to pass off on a requirement
  6. You represent the Scoutmaster in supplying information to the Patrol Leader on program items and coming events
  7. You are a resource person for the Patrol - you do for all the boys what you would naturally do for your own son
  8. You help out whenever you can - but not by doing things that a boy can do for himself - you help the Patrol Leader lead
  9. Your effectiveness is measured by the Patrol Leaders success

 

Those Years of Your Sons Growth Are All Too Short and Gone Before You Can Say
I Wish I Had ...

 

THE PATROL ADVISOR AND THE OUTDOOR PROGRAM

 

  1. You provide the needed adult supervision for the outdoor program of the patrol
  2. You see that each patrol member takes an active part in the Troop and Patrol outdoor program - sometimes this may mean talking with the Scouts parents to explain the activity and to encourage their support for the program
  3. You encourage the Patrol to have their own active outdoor program and help them with adult details
  4. Perhaps the most important responsibility is to see that the Patrol Leader gets the Patrol prepared in advance of all activities

 

 

THE PATROL ADVISOR AND THE TROOP MEETING

 

Each Week the Patrol should have some assigned responsibility at Troop Meetings. The Patrol Advisor should be present for, and encourage the whole Patrol to take part in these assigned responsibilities:

1.       The Pre-Opening Patrol should prepare for and run the pre-opening activity from 6:45 to 7 PM.

2.       The Opening Patrol should be at the meeting by 6:30 PM and have the room set up by 6:45. They should plan and put on the Opening Ceremony at 7 PM.

3.       The Program Patrol should plan, prepare for, and put on the Troop Program for the evening (~20 Min.)

4.       The Closing Patrol should plan and conduct the closing ceremony at 8:30 PM, should stay after the meeting and put away flags and the troop box..

 

TROOP 174 GOALS FOR PATROL ADVISOR

 

  1. Strengthen the Troop Program by creating Strong Patrols.
  2. Have Patrol Meetings at least twice a month;
  3. Have an Outdoor Patrol Activity at least 4 times a year;
  4. Work with the Patrol Leader to create a really great Patrol which utilizes the Patrol Method.
  5. Track each boys activity and examine possible problems indicated by reduced activity;
  6. Try to assure that each boy feels important to the Patrol and good about his scouting experience;
  7. Keep Scoutmaster advised of Patrol Problems and concerns.

 

Leadership can be one of the most valuable skills learned in Scouting. However, without a lot of adult help, leadership can be very frustrating to a young Scout. Help make this experience enjoyable and beneficial to the Patrol Leaders of Troop 174. The Patrol Advisor provides encouragement, resources, and the structure and framework for the boys to use,

 

A good test is the eyes test.

When the Patrol Leader directs his Patrol to act and all eyes turn to him

 

--not you--

 

then you have fulfilled
your function as a

Patrol Advisor.