PL PATROL LEADER

Patrol Leaders are elected by the youth members in their Patrol or Unit. The Patrol Leader is responsible for:

  • Managing the Patrol

  • Attending Unit Council on behalf of the Patrol

  • Mentoring and training their Assistant Patrol Leaders

  • Ensuring the effective running of games and activities in the program

  • Supporting new members of the Patrol, including allocating them to an Assistant Patrol Leader

  • Communicating regularly with their Assistant Patrol Leaders to ensure issues are dealt with promptly and safely \

  • Setting a good example for the rest of the Unit

It is recommended that the Patrol Leader has completed formal training, such as a leadership course offered through Scouting, or relevant external training as approved by the Unit Council.


APL ASSISTANT PATROL LEADER

The Assistant Patrol Leader is a youth member elected by the Patrol. Their role is to support the Patrol Leader by managing a small group within the Patrol, and assisting the Patrol Leader as needed. The Assistant Patrol Leader is responsible for:

  • Supporting 2-3 allocated Scouts from their Patrol

  • Reporting issues to the Patrol Leader

  • Keeping track of attendance and the personal progression of their allocated Scouts

  • May attend Unit Council (at the discretion of the Unit)

  • Setting a good example for the rest of the Unit


THE UNIT LEADER

The Unit Leader is a youth member within the Unit who leads the program. They are not a member of a Home Patrol, but work closely with all of the Patrol Leaders. The Unit Leader is responsible for:

  • Ensuring the program runs smoothly and effectively o Chairing Unit Council meetings o Leading ceremonies

  • Acting as a role model for the rest of the Unit

  • Communicating with Scouts about activities and events

It is recommended that the Unit Leader has completed formal training, such as a leadership course offered through Scouting, or relevant external training as approved by the Unit Council.

It is highly recommended that all Units have at least one Unit Leader; however, in some Units (small or inexperienced Units particularly) this may not be practical. These Units are encouraged to work towards having a Unit Leader as soon as practical, and could encourage the Patrol Leaders to take on some of the duties of the Unit Leader in the interim.

It is recommended that Units do not have more Unit Leaders than Patrol Leaders, and would usually have no more than four Unit Leaders. The number of Unit Leaders in the Unit at any time is up to the Unit Council, but should be based on the size and need of the Unit, the experience level of the members of the Unit, and the potential development opportunity and leadership capacity for each Unit Leader candidate. Unlike Patrol Leaders, Unit Leader vacancies do not need to be filled if the Unit Council determines that it is not necessary for the benefit of the Unit, or for the personal progression of individuals within the Unit.


OTHER LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

One of the great things about being a Scout is that you do not need to hold a formal leadership position in your Unit to be a leader; every Scout will have an opportunity to lead. This could include leading an activity or game, suggesting a new way of managing the unit, leading the cooking of a camp meal, or supporting a new member of the Patrol.

The program is structured to make sure that all Scouts within it have the opportunity to develop leadership qualities and are empowered to progress personally as a leader.


THE UNIT COUNCIL

The Unit Council is the decision making body for the Unit. It drives the program, and deals with any issues that may arise within the Unit. The Unit Council is made up of the Unit Leader/s, Patrol Leaders, the Explorer Scouter/s and any other members as determined by the Unit. This may include Assistant Patrol Leaders and other experienced members of the Unit who do not hold leadership positions. The Unit Council will meet on a regular basis (it is recommended that they meet at least once per program cycle). Youth members are empowered to resolve issues themselves, with guidance and support from Scouters as required.

The location and timing of these meetings is up to the Council but is not restricted to the Scout hall. Meetings could be at your local cafe or on a Unit Council-only weekend away. When selecting a location and time, keep in mind that it does need to be productive, so try to minimise possible distractions.

The content of these meetings is up to the Unit Council, but will usually involve Plan > Do > Review > discussion around issues that have arisen within the Unit, Patrol formation, and programming.

When creating the agenda for a Unit Council, keep in mind that it should be interesting and youth led.