Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) David Mitchko Mercer Area District Commissioner What happened to JLT and TLT ? • Troop Leadership Training (TLT#34306) 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 #511016WB, 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. Why Conduct ILST? • A Scoutmaster can’t 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 Scoutmaster’s first training of and then providing coaching and advice to the boys. • Having the boys decide things for themselves supports the BSA’s 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 Scoutmaster’s most important job” - Robert S.S. Baden-Powell Course Overview • Module One—Troop 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 Two—Tools of the Trade covers some core skill sets to help the Scout lead, including communicating, planning, and teaching. • Module Three—Leadership 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. 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 Games and Activities • • • • Module 1 Troop Organization Balloon Toss Yurt Circle Helium Stick Willow in the Wind • • • • Alternate Games • Everybody Up • Blindfold Walk • Pirates and Cannibals • Human Train Track • Match the Example • Silent Puzzle Module 2 Tools of the Trade Telephone Game The Whole Picture Planning EDGE Instruction Module 3 Leadership and Teamwork • Integrity Game • The Potato Game A reflection follows each game to bring out the teaching points 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 Scoutmaster’s 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!
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