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Knowing and Using the Resources of the
Group
Most of the members of the Owl
Patrol were new Scouts. Harry, the patrol leader, thought the
Scouts should be trained to pitch tents just before their first
camping. He picked Phil to run the demonstration because he was
aggressive and always seemed sure of himself. Much to Harry's
surprise, Phil's tent pitching demonstration was a bust. It was
pretty clear to all that Phil didn't know which part of the tent
to fasten down and which part to put up in the air. But Bob,
another patrol member, helped Phil out and soon had it going
right. Then Bob helped the others set up their tents. Later on,
Harry learned that Bob had done a lot of weekend camping with
his family and knew a lot about tents. But why had he picked
Phil to do the demonstration? Harry probably thought that Phil,
being as confident as he was, could handle it. It never occurred
to him that Phil didn't know anything about tents. And because
Bob was quieter, it didn't enter Harry's mind that he had some
skills. Harry didn't learn about Bob's knowledge and skill as a
camper until it was almost too late. How could he have avoided
embarrassing Phil in front of the patrol? As patrol leader,
Harry needed to know what resources were available to him. A
resource is a thing you can use. A book, a tool, a piece of
wood, or a handful of sand may be a resource.
People can also be resources,
because: They know how to do things.
• They have information or knowledge.
• They know how and where to get other resources.
Every member of every group is some kind of resource. Not
everyone has something to give to every job, but each member of
a group should be encouraged to add what he can. From our
example, it is clear that Harry needed to learn the resources of
each of the members of his patrol. How might he have done this?
Here are four ways:
Through observation. In the
case of Phil, Harry had seen him as a resource because he was
always self confident. But he was the wrong resource for that
job. Later, Harry learned that Bob knew a lot about putting up
tents. But the big disadvantage of this method is that it takes
so long. You may make a lot of mistakes before you find out what
resources everyone has. You may find out various Scouts'
interests and skills by casual talk with them. Or you may hear
about it from some other per son. But this is also a slow way to
find out what you need to know. You can
ask questions. Harry might have
asked his patrol who had experience in tent pitching. He
probably would have discovered Bob's skill in this way. Give
each member of the group a resource sheet with specific
questions on it. For instance, it could read, "Check below all
of the skills you think you are pretty good at: knot tying,
nature lore, hiking, cooking, etc." The resource sheet might
also include a suggestion that members of the group show which
skills they think they could help others to learn. However you
find the resources in your group, make
notes of them in your notebook or keep a card file of
personal resources. Don't trust your
memory.
How much do you know about the
Scouts in your patrol or troop?
What would it be helpful to know?
Their special skills?
Their past experiences?
Their hopes and fears?
Their weaknesses as well as their
strengths?
Goals?
Attitudes?
Find out these things and keep are
cord. It may be that you will sometimes find ways to strengthen
other Scouts by helping them learn to do things they have had
little chance to do. You may give them experiences doing things
they may have been afraid to do. In such ways your resource
knowledge works to benefit each Scout.
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