Cubs leaders -- talk to me about your sixers?

[Strix]

We are rather disorganised and trying to get things under control.

What do you do to develop/encourage your sixers?
How often do your sixers change?
What criteria do you use to select the sixers?

We try to give them a bit of responsibility, they sort the flag out for flagbreak, we sometimes hold a little meeting with them in a different room and discuss what games and activities they would like to do etc.

They would generally only change when they become Senior Sixers and then go up to Scouts

Sixers are usually the older ones who are quite responsible, possibly having been seconders first. They have their own sixer and seconders camp plus we often split into sixes for games and badge work and they are then in charge of heading the group

I've not helped at Cubs in about ten years (went back to guiding) but we used to hold a sixers and seconders meeting so they could plan some of the meetings. Sixers were the ones who had been there the longest.

There's a little booklet on the scouting website that you can download especially for sixers.

Sorry about my slow return. But thanks for the replies. What is the booklet called?

We seem to rotate them every turn without really much attention to actually developing the leadership skills. So I'm trying to get a handle on what we should be doing. The sixer/seconder meeting is a good idea.

What do you do to develop/encourage your sixers?
If we're having a trip away and the cubs are voting on activities or suggesting food or activities, then they're the ones who we will sit down and plan with in more detail, so they learn to represent their sixes. In team games, or if we're doing orienteering or something requiring groups, they'll be the ones who are 'in charge' although we always emphasise how this means they should ensure everyone gets a voice and a chance to talk and there isn't messing around, not controlling everything.

How often do your sixers change?
Only when needed- if they're leaving, moving or going up.

What criteria do you use to select the sixers?
They must be fairly responsible and come regularly. They shouldn't dominate conversations, confidence is key, but allowing people to talk, taking on their ideas and listening well is very important. A good way of finding the sixers which we use, is to see who is talking to and helping out anyone new, who's taking charge if something goes wrong, who's asking for help on behalf of other people in their group? They've normally been there for a bit, not necessarily the longest.