How do you conduct unit elections?

[Eagle94-A1 2687]

Ok, just curious how does your unit conduct unit elections?  Specifically do you allow folks to nominate themselves for the positions, or must they be nominated by someone else?

 

I ask because I witnessed my son's troop elections for the first, and it was "interesting."  Folks could not nominate themselves, they had to be nominated by someone else.  In some cases those nominated didn't want the job, but felt pressure or obligated to run anyway. In other cases some who were nominated, felt obligated to nominate the person who nominated them. Long election.

 

Then, when the SPL and PLs were elected, nominations for the various appointed positions occurred. repeat of the above except no voting, and final decision was not made that night, nor the following week.  I am hoping the SPL and SM, as well as the PLs and SM, talk this week to get the appointments made. Apparently last time all the appointments were made by the SM, and that didn't work out.

 

See I'm used to the following when doing unit elections.

 

1) If you wanted to change patrols, here's your chance. Exception: those who were voted into the Leadership Corps. The LC members voted on who joined them. And there were requirements, specificallly had to be a PL for a least a term, usually 2+ terms

 

2) Once patrols were reformed, PLs elected. PLs then appointed their APLs. Normally there wasn't a lot of moving about and PLs would usually be reelected. Occasionally a PL would not get reelected, but more often they moved up to the Leadership Corps after their second term.  Exception to this was the LC again. Their PL was appointed. more below.

 

3) Once the patrols were formed, vote on SPL. Since we were an established troop with a cadre of older Scouts in the LC usually it was LC members running. However anyone who was First Class and was a PL for a term could run. First Class because they had mastered all the basic Scout Skills. Been a PL because they needed the leadership expereince as well as an idea on what the PLs were facing. My recollection is that only 1 former PL ran for SPL without being in the LC for 6 months. he just moved up to the LC, and was encouraged by his patrol to run for SPL.

 

4) SPL talked to the LC members about who wanted to do what, and got SM's approval for his appointments. I don't recall anyone ever being denied by the SM.  Since the ASPL is responsible for the QM, Instructiors, etc, the ASPL was de facto PL of the Leadership Corps.

 

SOOOOOO How does your troop do it.

 

 

[Sentinel947 1205]

That's a mess....

 

Officially, Scouts elect their PLs. They elect an SPL. SPL appoints all other necessary positions under the guidance of the Scoutmaster...

 

Getting out of theory land....

 

Patrols elect PLs. Then my scouts sign up for the positions they want. The Scouts vote. Takes maybe 45 minutes if any of the Scouts want to give Speeches.

[Eagle94-A1 2687]

Mess is an understatement.  I think one new leader said "fiasco."  But the Scouts elected their SPL and PLs and have to live with it.

 

Forgot to add, Only the Troop Guide position was appointed last nite. That's becasue the NSP needed MAJOR help preparing for the upcoming camp out.

[Krampus 696]

Our unit does this:

• Scouts asked to review the position descriptions and job summary prior to submitting candidacy. 
• Scouts nominate themselves. SPL and PL, APL, PQM and PScribe are elected. All other roles appointed. 
• Complete a quick form for which three positions they want in rank order. Brief statement why they want the role and what they will do if elected. PLs and SPLs asked to have a one minute speech prepared.
• Complete a personal objectives list for the position they want. Role description tells them their role, the personal objectives forces them to develop measurable milestones for their role.
• If elected they fill the role immediately. There is a transition of 1-2 weeks between leaders.
• New SPL meets with SM to review appointed positions and assignments made.
• Personal objectives are used to remind Scouts of their "campaign promises" and how to measure if they've been successful in their role.
• SMCs for leaders who are struggling or need help. Patrol Advisors assigned to all patrols.
• PLs and SPL have a copy of the Leader Handbook.

That's pretty much it.

[NJCubScouter 1389]

In our troop SPL candidates nominate themselves. The appointment process (ASPL, QM, Scribe etc.) seems to work differently every year. Patrols are generally re-formed (if necessary) the week or so after the SPL election.

[Eagle94-A1 2687]

One more question, who buys the POR patches for your unit: each Scout or the unit?

 

Growing up, the troop did a ceremony and issued the POR patches. If you already had the POR patch, you were expected to reuse it.

 

Here, it seems the Scouts are expected to get their patches. It can be challenging for some since the nearest Scouting distributer is about 45 minutes in one direction.

[NJCubScouter 1389]

Our troop always buys the POR patches. They are generally handed to the recipient with no ceremony whatsoever, which I don't really like. I think we should at least do what we do when a Scout passes a BOR for a rank during a meeting: At the closing ceremony he is called up by the SPL who congratulates him (and gives him the rank patch if we have an extra lying around, in which case he isn't supposed to get another one at the COH, but that system doesn't always work the way its supposed to.) The POR patches should probably be given out the same way.

 

I seem to remember that when I was a Scout, the POR patches were given out immediately but then at the next COH the SPL would award the new POR-holders with an official BSA certificate that I think was called a "warrant of office" or something like that. Presumably these were purchased at the Scout Shop.

[gumbymaster 98]

My Son's troop ... (16-20 active boys, only 3 or 4 above first class, intermittent frequency 6-9 month terms)

 

A position was called

Boys who were interested in the position got ~ 1 minute to speak in front of the Troop ... why they wanted the position, why the troop should elect them, etc., and then the troop made a quick vote and tally.

All positions were elected, and not necessarily in the most logical order.

 

When I was a youth ... (40-60 active boys, good mix of ranks, 6 month terms)

The week before, Scouts interested in SPL would get to make their case.

The election was held at the start of the next meeting, and over the course of a normal meeting, the new SPL talked with and selected the rest of his leadership team (2 ASPLs - indoor and outdoor program, a Scribe, the Troop QM, sometimes a Librarian or Historian, maybe additional positions, not usually).

Once the new leadership corps had been determined; scouts requesting a patrol transfer were reviewed.

Near the end of the meeting, the "new" patrols were announced, and in patrol corners, those interested in patrol leadership were able to make their case.  Patrol Leader elections were held at the next meeting - patrols worked out for themselves if they elected or appointed the other patrol leadership positions.

 

In general, it just needs to be a process which the youth members take ownership of, believe to be generally fair, and which in the long term provide opportunities for leadership for those who want/need them.

[fred johnson 936]

In general, it just needs to be a process which the youth members take ownership of, believe to be generally fair, and which in the long term provide opportunities for leadership for those who want/need them.

I strongly agree.  Scout ownership.  Fair.  ... I've seen too often troops creating a balloting process, printing ballots and having an overly formal election, with lots of adult leader involvement.  

 

 

 

One more question, who buys the POR patches for your unit: each Scout or the unit?

 

Our previous scoutmaster just had a box of position patches.  As kids got elected / appointed, he'd open the box and hand them their new position patch and a handshake.  ... IMHO, there should be a bit of ceremony such as at the the closing flag ceremony of the troop election night, thank the previous leaders and welcome the new leaders (handing them their new position patches too).

[Stosh 3452]

My boys provide the adults with a courtesy announcement whenever there is a leadership change in the patrols/troop.  It's up to them how they go about making leader selections.  The positions don't change very often.