1. Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST)
“The badge of office presented to a scout who is accepting a leadership position does not automatically make the scout a good leader.”

2. ILST New syllabus introduced in 2017 (edited Jul 2018)
Who is using it?
ILST is your opportunity to set the stage and ensure success for new PLC’s
If not using it, youth only learn ways and means of programs and leadership they’ve witnessed without insight to benchmark programs, options, improvement opportunities, and expectations
Learning opportunity for new adult leaders too!

3. What’s New
Removed obsolete material, added new material, and changed the format to make it easier to use
Reflective questions and key teaching points highlighted with text-bars for quick-look and easy-reference (used to be buried)
In general, much more user friendly for the instructor/facilitator

4. Example

5. What’s Covered Module One, Troop Organization
Description of leadership positions in the troop, roles and responsibilities (expectations), troop organization
Introduces concepts of vision and servant leadership
Module Two, Tools of Leadership
Communications, planning, and teaching EDGE
Module Three, Leadership and Teamwork
Teams and team characteristics, stages of team and leadership development, inclusion/using your team
More in-depth review of vision, and ethics and values of a leader

6. What’s Covered (Con’t)
Includes important tips for preparing the SPL to be SPL and to help lead the course
Scoutmaster meets with SPL in advance
Includes reflective questions and teaching points for the facilitator/instructor
Group Games (with a purpose)
Includes games intended to reinforce key points
Alternate games to eliminate redundancy ILST to ILST
Keeps scouts moving around – help with boredom

7. Why Use Syllabus? Scoutmaster is the youth leadership coach
Responsibility to make sure scouts in a leadership position have all the necessary tools—ILST syllabus facilitates this process
Training scouts to be leaders is an ongoing process but ILST is the launch pad—ED of EDGE
Leadership can be frustrating and disappointing for a scout who is not given the knowledge, skills, and encouragement to succeed
Two other purposes are to get youth leaders to establish goals for their tenure and to enable the effective formation of the new PLC leadership team
ILST is a prerequisite for NYLT, NAYLE, and Kodiak Challenge Trek

8. Who Should Participate?
Every scout in leadership positions—both elected and appointed
In smaller units may be every scout
Scouts who already attended ILST in the past
One of the goals is effective formation of the PLC—hard to do if key players are not there
Use them as trainers and as game facilitators
Other Scouters – youth protection, their own learning, and you need a replacement some day
Allows for breakout opportunities and load sharing as well

9. How to Run It
Troop setting with SM, SPL, trained scouts, and other adult leaders
Timing Options
Modules on three different days
One session, but with adequate breaks
Risk boredom and overload. Scouts also don’t benefit from adequate think time for goal development and reflection
Leadership campout/outing with meals and other activities interspersed between modules
Generally should not be offered by districts and councils—detracts from PLC team building

10. Keys to Success
Scoutmaster/instructors need to familiarize themselves with material and key points
Make part of annual plan (every election)
Meet with new SPL before ILST
SM/SPL discussion topics are in the ILST syllabus
Prepare weeks in advance
Create presentation material (see starter package on Patriot webpage
Accumulate game resources
Arrange trainers
Practice presentations and games (rules/objectives/questions/teaching points)

11. Resources
ILST Syllabus (with Jul 2018 edits)
Position Description Cards
2017 SPL Handbook (scout store)
2017 Patrol Leader Handbooks (scout store)
2017 Outdoor Ethics Guide Handbook (scout store)
Created for this newly added leadership position
Patriot ILST Slides

12. Questions?