Troop Leadership Training (TLT)

1
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops
(ILST)
David Mitchko Mercer Area District Commissioner
2
What happened to JLT and TLT ?

• Troop Leadership Training (TLT34306) replaced
  the Scoutmaster Junior Leader Training Kit, which
  focused on general leadership skills, team
  building and conflict resolution.
• Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops
  (ILST 511-016WB, 2011 printing) replaced TLT,
  which focused the youth leaders on what their
  jobs were and the ways they can become more
  involved with running the troop.
• The problem with TLT is that the course material
  was very weak and it got rid of all the games
  that were in JLT.
• Some Scoutmasters chose to continue teaching JLT,
  while others adapted TLT by combining what worked
  from both courses.

3
Why Conduct ILST?

• A Scoutmaster cant expect the youth leaders in
  his troop to know what their jobs are unless they
  have been told.
• The concept of boy run is very dependant on
  the Scoutmasters first training of and then
  providing coaching and advice to the boys.
• Having the boys decide things for themselves
  supports the BSAs mission.
• ILST fits in with the following leadership
  courses National Youth Leadership Training
  (NYLT) and National Advanced Youth Leadership
  Experience (NAYL)
• ILST is the first step in the Youth Training
  Continuum
• Scouts must take ILST to earn their TRAINED
  patch.
• Training boy leaders to run their troop
• is the Scoutmasters most important job
• - Robert
  S.S. Baden-Powell

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Course Overview

• Module OneTroop Organization includes a
  description of each leadership position in the
  troop, including roles and responsibilities,
  troop organization, and introductions to vision
  and servant leadership.
• Module TwoTools of the Trade covers some core
  skill sets to help the Scout lead, including
  communicating, planning, and teaching.
• Module ThreeLeadership and Teamwork
  incorporates additional leadership tools for the
  Scout, including discussions of teams and team
  characteristics, the stages of team development
  and leadership, inclusion/using your team, ethics
  and values of a leader, and a more in-depth
  review of vision.

5
Course Preparation and Timing

• Involve the SPL as much as possible
• Up front coaching and mentoring
• The SPL helps teach the course if possible
• Let him know what is expected of him
• Run the course a few weeks after holding
  elections
• Candidates should know dates of the course
  beforehand
• Personal coaching of new scout leaders right
  after elections
• Know how to conduct a reflection
• Assemble all the needed materials and handouts
• Become familiar with the course, its activities
  and games

6
Games and Activities

• Module 1
• Troop Organization
• Balloon Toss
• Yurt Circle
• Helium Stick
• Willow in the Wind

• Module 2
• Tools of the Trade
• Telephone Game
• The Whole Picture
• Planning
• EDGE Instruction

• Module 3
• Leadership and
• Teamwork
• Integrity Game
• The Potato Game

• Alternate Games
• Everybody Up
• Blindfold Walk
• Pirates and Cannibals
• Human Train Track
• Match the Example
• Silent Puzzle

A reflection follows each game to bring out the
teaching points
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Course Delivery Options

• Course may be conducted over three different
  days, one module at a time.
• The hour before your regular troop meetings
• Single-day format can also be used and is
  preferred
• Include several breaks
• Course can be conducted during a weekend camping
  trip
• Plan other activities during the weekend
• Have the adults cook the meals
• Make the course a fun event that the entire troop
  looks forward to
• Hold yearly planning meeting concurrently
• Conduct the course during Summer Camp
• After dinner for three evenings

8
Scoutmasters Role

• The ILST syllabus is very clear that the
  Scoutmaster must be actively involved in
  conducting this training.
• A Scoutmaster must be aware of their role as a
  leader in a troop
• to ensure that the rules and standards of the
  chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of
  America are followed
• to serve as a mentor and role model to the Scouts
• to train Scout leaders.
• ILST can only be effective if the Scoutmaster
  does the preparation and personal coaching
  required. ILST must be a part of what a
  Scoutmaster does to train the scout leaders.
• Boy Run starts with the Scoutmaster!