SPL Elections

[onebearscout]

Our troop is young, and our oldest scouts are barely 14. Only 3 of about 25 boys have been SPL, but one in particular wishes to run again. He is very popular and would probably be elected. However, as a rule, I have tried to allow new boys to have the SPL experience, so have never let prior SPL's be elected again. I "balance" the outcome toward a new fellow, even though he is not as popular. I am torn though between totally letting the boys choose their leader,and letting all qualified boys run and be elected. Any thoughts or experience with this issue?

[Bob White]

Troop elections for SPL are determined by the boys, acoording to every resouce of the BSA I know of. If you want to take a scout out of the running consider giving him another office to help him realize his value to the troop.

[dancinfox]

I let my troop elect their Senior Patrol Leader every six months. If they choose to elect one for a second or third time, it becomes their choice. I always run a Junior Leader Training about 3 to 4 weeks after a election to train the new leaders and let them know what is expected of them. Good or bad, the Senior Patrol Leader runs the show and the Patrol Leaders Council sets what the troop does.

[jmcquillan]

I always encouraged the PLC to set election guidelines that did not permit on Scout to serve consecutive terms. They've gone along with that, because they all would like a shot at the position themselves someday. They do, however, allow for a Scout to be re-elected to a second term after he's sat out for one term.

[onebearscout]

Thanks, all. I have given the prior SPL a key position. I like the idea of sitting out a term too, only our terms have been one year as SPL, and his appointed office holders, like ASPL, QM, etc. I also like that the boys vote, and come what may, whoever is elected is the one. The problem with this comes from some key commmitte members, ASM's, and some of the other boys too (the old argument that it is "really just a popularity contest"). This I have countered with "Well, that's the democratic process, and so it the national election". So, thank you, everyone, we will work on this as we go ahead.