I find myself most attracted to the Relational Leadership Model because I had used the exact same model (subconsciously) during my junior year of high school when I served as Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) for my Boy Scout Troop. As SPL, it was my duty to plan weekly Monday meetings, officiate monthly Patrol Leader Councils (The Troop is grouped by Patrols each holding about ten scouts from sixth grade to senior year of high school. Patrol Leader Councils are essentially the legislative body in the Troop where an elected representative from each patrol attends the monthly councils.), and lead and plan monthly campouts. In order fulfill each duty, I needed a cabinet of fellow scouts that I could trust. My relationships with scouts around my age enabled me to choose a cabinet of Assistant Patrol Leaders. It was my relationships I had formed that kept my "administration" a cohesive unit. Instead of shouldering every minute responsibility of leading the Troop, I utilized my Assistant Patrol Leaders' individual abilities and let them lead on a micro level with my oversight on a macro level. It was their duty to take on specific tasks (like teaching the first year scouts first aide or lead an ice breaker) while I organized each event appointing whom I believed to be the most compitent at the given task.
Hopefully this diagram helps those that have no idea as to what I am talking about....
Now to part 2:
Remembering that the Social Change Model is based on the combination of individual, group, and society's values, this image makes me realize that combining all three requires collaboration. We have to be like the figures on the top of the "steps" that are willing to reach down to pull others up. However, one person doing such is not enough. It requires a diverse and "colorful" team all working for the greater good. It requires the effort and devotion of more than just one person and a group of people each with unique talents and opportunities for leadership.
Glen! Your work as an SPL sounds really intense! I'm sure it was nice not having to do all of the work by yourself. Sometimes its hard letting other people take control, but I'm glad you were able to find a group of kids you could trust. The description of why you chose the picture was very clear! I hope the Social Change model can work just as good as the Relational Leadership model for you this year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathleen!
DeleteI was one of those patrol leaders you were talking about haha. As you already know I did scouts for 7 years culminating in my Eagle and I definitely understand where you're coming from with a lot of the stuff in your post. What kind of activities did your troop do? Ever go to Camp Parsons in Washington for a summer camp??
ReplyDeleteMy troop goes to the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation outside of Osceola, Missouri for our yearly summer camp. We have a lakefront program with water oriented merit badges. There is also a scuba activity patch that you can get at the pool. I went to a Bahama's Sea Base sailing trip the summer after my 8th grade graduation. Two years later I joined my troop on a trip to Philmont and instead of hiking we went on a trip called Cavalcade where we rode horses for an average of eight hours a day. It was really fun because we got to go to more stops with different activities, but it only lasted a week instead of two. We also got really sore....
DeleteMy troop goes on at least a one day overnight (sometimes two nights, or the option for people to arrive later or leave early) each month from August to June. January or February's camping trip is replaced by a "super trip" were we travel to a different city and stay in a hostel or hotel for three nights. Omaha is a big attraction because we sleep in the zoo for two nights. We have also gone on ski trips to Copper Mountain in Colorado. December's trip is replaced by rock climbing to 1 am and a sleep over there.
I really enjoyed reading how your leadership theory was incorporated prior to this class and how you were able to really use all the skills you learned and developed in your boy scout troop. I think that your experience and ability to use the leadership theory at a relatively young age of being a junior in high school will really help your leadership endeavors in college and beyond!
ReplyDeleteThanks Roshni!
DeleteGlen- you're experience with boy scouts is impressive! i admire how long you have stayed with them. I think that position will really help you with your future leadership roles. And as for the
ReplyDeleteSocial Change model, i agree! It is all about collaboration and combining all three values!
Thanks Carly!
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