Transcript Slide 1
Module 04 of the series for Group Leaders NEXT 04 About this self tutoring module This interactive module is based on the New Zealand publication called “ An Operating Guide for Managing a Scout Group”. It is designed for Group Leaders who are unable to attend a training course, or who prefer to learn at their own pace at home. BACK There are 9 of these interactive modules in the series and they may be downloaded free of charge from this website: region1.scouts.org.nz/ Note: Click the BACK and NEXT buttons to navigate through this module. NEXT 04 A vital role in Scouts Group Leaders are without a doubt the most important of the leaders in SCOUTS, as without their support and leadership, the section leaders in the Scout Group will become despondent and eventually leave the Movement. Kea, Cub, Scout and Venturer Leaders are focussed on the day to day running of the sections in the Group. They seldom have time to look at their own personal development, recruitment strategies, the maintenance of equipment and property, and the growth of the Group as a whole. And that’s as it should be, because that’s the Group Leader’s role. BACK Position Descriptions for Group Leaders, Section Leaders and Zone Team Members are found in the appendix of the “Managing a Scout Group an Operations Guide” View your Key Tasks…… NEXT 04 Train and support the Leaders A ‘feature’ of Scouting is that for many appointees, being a leader in SCOUTS is their first experience of a leadership role. This means that training new leaders will be a top priority if you don’t want the sections to start failing while the new leaders try valiantly to cope with the new tasks and procedures that confront them. None of the tasks are particularly onerous for an experienced or partially experienced leader. BACK But when things go wrong, an inexperienced leader is bound to stress and often procrastinate, to the detriment of the section involved. Often Leaders will change sections. When this happens they need to retrain by attending the section specific parts of the Initial training course and the Practical Skills sessions for the new section. Cubs is not a slightly older Kea Club, and nor is Scouts a older Cub Pack. Each section is run quite differently to suit the age group. NEXT 04 Everyone should have a task Most people respond well to being given a responsibility, especially if it’s one they enjoy and agree to do. Another person may be a good organiser. Perhaps they organise the outings and camps etc. If you have four Cub Leaders working as a team, encourage them to become responsible for some specific parts of the meeting. The same applies to committee members. Try and give each a role and have them report on progress at each meeting. A person who is always early could be responsible for opening up the hall and setting up the ‘coming in’ game. Avoid appointing two or three people to organise something. A person good at detail work might keep track of award scheme progress. BACK Appoint one person and suggest they collaborate with several others if needed. NEXT 04 Mentors are valuable In addition to your Zone Leader and Zone Training Leader, have a look around the table at Zone meetings and see if there is another Group Leader who is well respected and who you feel comfortable with. Consider approaching them when you are puzzled or undecided about something and see if they can offer a few options. Sometimes you will find a tutor at training who you are comfortable with. Usually such people are only too happy to respond to your queries and help you decide what to do. BACK Look also for potential mentors for your new leaders. See who you think they might work comfortably with . Sometimes it’s better to offer two people as potential mentors and let the new Leader decide. You are not restricted to your own Group. Sometimes there are exceptional Leaders in nearby Groups who may be prepared to encourage and share their knowledge with your new leader. (talk to their own GL first though) NEXT 04 Acknowledging performance Informal recognition Formal Awards and Certificates If you are looking to keep self motivation high in your team and get excellent performance, then a simple “well done” when it’s merited is a great way to do it. Scouting acknowledges service by awarding certificates for 3 yrs and 5yrs service and at 5 yearly intervals thereafter. Request these from the Regional Office. But be specific. Mention the particular action or event that was good and then say so to the team or an individual. There are also ‘Awards’ for Good Service that may be made after 10 years, 15 years and 20 years service You might say “ Taylor, the outdoor exploration you organised tonight was great. The Cubs enjoyed themselves and learned something new. Well done”. BACK View the “Awards for Good Services application and the criteria for these awards is here. NEXT 04 Acknowledging performance Social Interaction A group of people needs social interaction in order to become a team and the wise Group Leader will look for ways to foster and build an effective team whose members enjoy each others company. There needs to be a balance between committee meetings, section nights, and social activities where partners or spouses and family members can be involved and acknowledged. BACK Ideas for social interaction Here are some ideas that may help bind the adults in the Group into an effective team: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Working bees and fundraisers BBQ for the Leaders’ families Midwinter Christmas Social Zone Social (book a table) Zone Award night (book a table) Group family camp Group picnic NEXT 04 Annual reviews with leaders Oh dear ! Scary stuff? Not really. We are talking about an informal chat with each leader in the Group towards the end of each year. Here are some starter questions How are you enjoying your role? What have you enjoyed the most this year? It might be in the kitchen while you are making a cup of tea, at a camp when the leader is free, or it might be after a meeting. We are talking about 10 to 15 minutes at the most. What would you change if you could? It’s mostly about you listening carefully and being non judgemental. It’s about finding out what the leader would like to do next and trying to accommodate those interests. If they want a change or training, organise it as soon as possible and tell them what you have arranged. Tell the other team members as well if appropriate. BACK Are you happy in your current role or would you like a change? What can I do to make things easier for you? NEXT 04 Check your understanding Click what you believe is the correct statement 1. Where would you find position descriptions for a Group Leader? In the back of the “An Operations Guide for Managing a Scout Group” found on the National Scout web site In the “An Introduction to Scouting for new leaders” booklet. 2. Some of your leaders are changing sections. Do they need retraining? No. Once they have done Initial and Practical training they can work in any section. Yes. They need to do the section specific topics in Initial training, and the same in the Practical skills section. BACK NEXT 04 Check your understanding Click what you believe is the correct statement 3. Service certificates available from the Regional office are due: After 5 years service and every 5 years after that. After 3 years service and then at 5 years and every 5 years after that. 4. Annual reviews are: A formal interview between the Leader and the Group Leader where a leader’s performance is reviewed. An informal and relaxed process where a Group Leaders finds out how the leader feels about the role and if any changes are needed. BACK NEXT 04 This module is complete Congratulations. You have completed the Group Leaders training module 4 Please click on this link and advise the Zone Training Leader. The modules in this series are: • GLs Support – 1. Scouts is a value based organisation • GLs Support - 2. The Group, the committee, the AGM and you • GLs Support - 3. Recruiting and inducting adult volunteers • GLs Support - 4. Supporting your Group team • GLs Support - 5. Leading by example • GLs Support - 6. You are not alone • GLs Support - 7. Communicating effectively • GLs Support - 8. Planning and development • GLs Support - 9. Protecting SCOUTS assets BACK EXIT Correct !!! Well done, you understand SCOUTS approach on this. BACK Correct !!! Well done, you understand SCOUTS approach on this. BACK Sorry ! Each section in Scouting uses different methods and techniques. For this reason when a leader changes sections they need to attend the ‘Programme’ and ‘Award Scheme‘ part of the Initial Training, and the Practical skills sessions for the new section. BACK Key Tasks for a Group Leader 1. To recruit and appoint leaders for each section and with the Zone Section Leaders assistance. 2. Organise attendance at training so that each section has sufficient competent and enthusiastic leaders who work as a team. 3. Observe the Risk Management Policy of the Movement and regularly promote and remind members of its importance. 4. Endeavour to build and maintain adequate membership levels by constant recruiting of both youth and leaders. 5. Encourage leaders to attend and complete: 1. the ‘Initial Training’ so they become competent leaders quickly. 2. the ‘Practical Training’ within 12 months of taking out a warrant. 6. Monitor the quality and balance of the section programmes on a regular basis. 7. Run at least one Group Council meeting for the leaders each school term 8. Ensure that the Group has an effective Committee that meets regularly and that they and the leaders work as one team. 9. Ensure that the Group membership, administrative records and financial records are kept current and in accordance with the rules and requirements of SCOUTS New Zealand. Keep in mind that number 9 can be delegated. BACK Sorry!!! That is not correct. Please try again. BACK Sorry!!! There is a generic leadership Position Description in the “An Introduction to Scouting for New Leaders” booklet, but it is intended for section leaders and doesn’t address all the functions that apply to the Group Leaders role. BACK