Patrol Organization
We've talked a lot about the responsibilities of the Patrol Leader, and hinted at the fact that he's not alone in leading the patrol. At every turn you've heard that it's important to maintain the patrol's spirit and enthusiasm by doing things as a patrol, developing a sense of teamwork, and working together to get things done. Now we're going to get into the nuts and bolts of Patrol Organization.
You see, it's fine having all those things that make up Patrol Spirit, and doing your best as Patrol Leader to lead the patrol and make it a real patrol. But remember that teamwork means working together as a team. On real effective teams, every member of the team has a job to do, and he's counted on to do that job the best he can. Each member of the team knows that if one of them doesn't do his job, the whole team suffers.
So, to make your patrol a real patrol, you need to divide up the work of the patrol so each member has a job to do. You want to make each member feel as though he is a member of the group, and the job you give him must be important to the whole patrol. You also want to be a good leader for the patrol, so you'll want to make sure that each job goes to a Scout capable of doing the job. You have to find a job for each Scout, let him know what you expect from him, show him you have confidence he can do it, and trust him to do the job.
It sounds difficult, but that's what leadership is all about. A leader gets the job done by giving each member of the team a part of the job and letting him do it. That's what I meant when I said you weren't alone. If you've carefully cultivated the patrol's spirit, every member of the patrol will want to do whatever he can to help the patrol succeed. All you have to do is ask them.
So, let's look at some of the jobs you can give to members of the patrol:
Patrol Leader
Okay, hopefully you're not looking to give this job away, but it's still an important job we need to talk about.
Assistant Patrol Leader
This job is real important. This Scout is your right hand man. He knows the plan and helps you do your job. He's ready at a moments notice to take over the patrol when you have to be somewhere else.
Patrol Treasurer
Give this job to a Scout who is good at collecting dues, food money, and making sure the patrol's budget is handled properly.
Patrol Scribe
This one goes to a good writer. He's in charge of keeping notes about the patrol's plans and activities. Maybe he even keeps the patrol log so you have a record of what you've done. He also keeps the records for the patrol, tracking attendance, advancement, and everything else.
Patrol Quartermaster
Someone has to be in charge of making sure the patrol has the right equipment for meetings and activities. This Scout's the one. He's also in charge of the patrol flag, and any other pieces of equipment or trophies the patrol has.
Patrol Grubmaster
If you want to eat well on your campouts, you'll give this job to a Scout who can pick out the best. His job is to do the shopping for the patrol, making sure they have all the ingredients they'll need.
Patrol Hikemaster
This Scout keeps everyone moving on the trail. Not only does he know the way, but he makes it a lot more fun to get there.
Patrol Cheermaster
This is a job with two important tasks to perform. First, the Cheermaster leads the Patrol Cheer, which you use as often as possible. Second, he's in charge of keeping everyone's spirits up, reminding them that a Scout is cheerful.
Patrol Fireman
This Scout is in charge of making sure proper safety precautions are followed when the patrol builds a fire.
Patrol Medic
This Scout is in charge of making sure the patrol's first aid kit is properly equiped, that the patrol uses safe practices in meetings, at camp, and on the trail.
These are only suggestions, the jobs you have in your patrol will depend on the members of your patrol, what your patrol does, and what responsibilities you decide to give to each of them. You don't even have to use the names I used. You could come up with special names for each job that only your patrol knows. Imagine how much fun you'll have watching the SPL try to figure out exactly what a "Patrol Dorfmeister" does.