The Trainer's Corner Blog

Why Bother With Leader Knots? January 8, 2009

Hello fellow Scouters,

Should you bother with leader recognition knots? Do they add any value to your Scouting program? Isn’t it really about the boys, not us leaders? I hear these questions a lot when I discuss leader recognition. I say it does matter! I believe that every Scouter should try to attain the knot for their position. If you serve at a den level or the pack level, there is a knot that you can earn. Here are some reasons why earning knots are important.

Quality – All of the leader recognition knots require training: required training for the position and attendance to either a Pow Wow/University of Scouting or four monthly roundtables. As a trainer, I know that training is key to developing a quality program. By following the guidelines of the leader recognition knots, you are getting the training needed to bring a quality program to your unit, either at the den level or pack level. And the individual requirements to earn the knots are all quality standards, as defined by National.

Consistency – We are charged with taking the program that National BSA has developed and bringing it to our units. Following the guidelines of BSA, as reinforced in the requirements for the leader’s recognition knots, help towards maintaining a program that is consistent with what National has devised. We are all meeting the same guidelines that National has determined is appropriate for our Scouting position.

Recognition – There is nothing wrong with us Scouters being recognized for our hard work. It’s a great way to encourage our leaders while awarding them for their efforts. And it sets a good example to our boys, as they see us in front of the pack being awarded for the program we’ve brought to them. And if the leaders themselves aren’t tracking their progress towards their knot, then someone at the pack committee level can. What a great way to surprise a leader, by presenting them with their recognition knot.

Roundtables – Most of the knots have a requirement to attend  four roundtables. Roundtables are an excellent way to get more training and network with other Scout leaders. Attending roundtables is a great way to further develop the skills of the Scouting leader. Since we are mid-way through the Cub Scout year, there still is time to get to four roundtable meetings. If you need help finding your district roundtable, please contact your Pack Trainer, Cubmaster, or Committee Chair.

Links – Here are some links to provide more information about leader knots.

1) Scouting Magazine – the latest (January/February 2009) issue of Scouting magazine had an excellent article on recognition knots. Here’s the link to this article.

2) Individual Requirements – You can print out the requirement for your specific position by looking for the “Progress Record” link under each of the individual knots at the U.S. Scouts website.

If you serve the youth in Scouting, it’s worthwhile to earn your leader recognition knots. If you serve at the pack level, and aren’t sure you’ve done anything to earn a knot, you have! Serve for two years, and get trained and go to roundtables, and you can qualify for the Cub Scouter knot. Some units don’t allow assistant den leaders to get knots, so if you are in this group, and you work hard and would like to be recognized, ask your unit to change your status to co-leader. If you are working hard for your boys, a title shouldn’t get in the way of being recognized for your efforts.

In Scouting,

– Scouter Jeff <><