THE SENIOR AND THE SENIOR SECTION STRUCTURE

INTRODUCTION: 

In 1889 , the founder Sir William Smith , said ‘Christ wants the whole Boy, as a Boy , not the  whole Boy as a Man, not even part of the Boy as a Man and the other part as a Boy, but the whole restless,  eager ,happy Boy , as a Boy and nothing else’ . It is therefore very important for us to take interest in the seniors  that will be the leader of tomorrow. The BB cannot exist without the Boy. Somebody said, and it is a reasonable  fact, ‘’No Boys, No Boys’ Brigade.’’ It is obvious that the BB fulfill secular objectives through intensive attention  on the spiritual growth of the Boys. It has been discovered that all individuals, Boys not exempted, have five  basic common needs. They are:  

1. Physiological Needs – food, water, sleep, shelter, clothing 

2. Safety Needs – security, protection from danger  

3. Social Needs – belonging, loved, friendship  

4. Self-Esteem Needs – self- respect, status, recognition, identity

5. Self- Realisation Needs – growth, personal development, accomplishment

With these needs in mind, one should be able to understand what life is like when viewed through the eyes and  personality of a teenager or a young man. 

THE SENIOR AGE GROUP {16- 19 YEARS} 

The Boys’ Brigade Officers Manual (1971 Edition, page 15) posit that the status of senior is given during the section of the boys “16th Birthday to the end of the session in which the Boy becomes 18 years of age” Seniors play an important role in the BB Company while the status of senior is given to a Boy at the beginning  of the session in which he reaches 16 yrs of age. This implies that every 16-year-old Boy will be given a special  recognition as a senior. This is the age group that is considered in the youth work as the most delicate age, the  fact remains that they are the bridge between adolescent and adulthood; hence they are characteristically  willing to have their freedom of movement, thought, association, decision etc. However, in having these right and  freedom, they needed to be guided towards achieving their desires within the Organization.  

CHARACTERISTICS OF A SENIOR BOY 

The Senior Boy are in transition stage – from Boyhood to Adulthood, characterized by:

1. Intense physical changes—broadened chest and shoulders, secondary reproductive development etc.

2. Behavioural development—the development of a district personal identity. 

3. Agility and strength. 

4. Mental alertness 

5. Search for spiritual identity. 

FORMATION OF THE SENIOR SECTION 

The senior section is usually constituted during first Enrolment of the company alongside other sections. A boys’  Brigade Company may exist without a senior section, or a company section or even without both. There are many  companies in the Boys’ Brigade, which run only on the junior sector or junior section and company section. Although  this is not so popular in the Boys’ Brigade Nigeria. The boy’s brigade allows that, in companies without the senior  section, Boys will remain in the company section until they are 18 years of age. Before a senior section is formed,  officers should think through all the ramifications very carefully and should undertake a reveal of the situation  each year. A senior section should not be formed just because the Brigade recommends it. 

If the senior is to be helped to take his place in the church and the wider communities, then the senior section must  be onward and outward looking, preparing the senior section boys for the time he will be discharged from the  company. 

SENIORS PROGRAMMING 

It should be borne in mind that the prime purpose of work with the seniors is to provide a bridge between them  and the church. Having considered all the objectives and aims of planning for the seniors. It is important that all  these programmes must be based on the methods of the BB which are discipline and religion; the methods are  further divided as shown in the diagram below:

ELEMENT OF PROGRAMMING: It is pertinent to consider the following factors that are necessary for successful  programming; 

1. Timing  

2. Goals and Objectives  

3. Target Audience  

4. Variety of programme  

5. Finance  

6. Venue  

7. Facilitator 

THE PURPOSE OF THE SENIOR SECTION 

The purpose of this section is the same as that of other sections of the company and this purpose is as expressed  in the object of the Boys’ Brigade. It should be the aim of the senior section to complete the work already  commenced at an earlier stage in a Boys’ life and to pass him into the full life of the church. In order to achieve the above, the Senior Section aside continuing training begun in other Sections of the company,  should now adopt a different emphasis on the training with new techniques adopted also. The Seniors should be  trained for Christian leadership according to individual’s ability and service to the Community in all aspects  should be encouraged. 

SENIOR SECTION UNIFORM 

• Navy Blue long sleeve jacket (with four pockets with cover and shoulder flap) 

• White Long Sleeve shirt 

• Black Tie 

• White trousers/skirt

• Haversack (except Staff-Sergeant) 

• Field Service Cap 

• BB Belt  

• Black lace-up shoe and black socks. 

IMPORTANCE OF SENIOR SECTION 

Seniors are important to the BB Company for many reasons. This includes 

1. They are vital to the fulfilment of the Brigade’s noble objective. 

2. They can provide stability and a balance of age and experience amongst the Boys. 3. They are often the best line of communication between the Boys and the Officers. 4. They can assist in company organization and programme planning. 

5. They are able to take on various leadership roles, depending on each individual’s own maturity  and sense of leadership. 

6. They are central to the spirit and morale of the Company. 

7. They provide challenge to other Boy’s and encourage them to become active seniors. 

SUPERVISION/LEADERSHIP OF THE SENIORS 

The overall responsibility for Senior Section entirely lies with the Company captains. However, the day  to day running/administration should be delegated to other Officers, a senior Lieutenant (where  applicable) should be detailed as Officers In Charge. 

OFFICERS IN THE SENIOR SECTION SHOULD BE  

1. Men/Women who can lead, probably from behind, rather than command. 

2. Men/Women who can enthuse rather than announce. 

3. Men/Women who can think in terms of today rather than “when I was their age….”

4. Men/Women who can discuss rather than lecture. 

WORKING WITH THE SENIORS  

The key words when working with the seniors are

FLEXIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION 

• FLEXIBILITY OF THE OFFICERS 

• MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION FROM THE SENIORS 

The officer’s attitude towards the senior is the most important factor. Seniors are young adults, not children, and should be treated as such. Seniors should be encouraged and enabled to participate in the planning of their programme and carry them out. Senior officers should aim to enable the seniors to run their own activities. Seniors should call on the officers for advice and support where necessary. Mistakes will happen occasionally. However, this is a necessary part of the learning process for both seniors and staff. 

Full and active participation by the seniors themselves is an essential part of senior’s work in the Brigade. Senior Officers must be flexible in their approach. Many learning techniques that are effective with younger Boy’s and not relevant in the senior’s age group. 

CONCLUSION 

Seniors are at transitional stages in their lives; they will be making decisions affecting their future. Teach them that they can only found in a personal relationship with our creator. Start teaching your senior from childhood. Explain that the closer they are to God, the closer they will be to fulfilling their life’s purpose. So I encourage you to just keep plugging away at training and preparing your seniors for their adult lives. Live by the word. Be sensitive to God’s Spirit. Then your decisions will be sound. Your children will be ready when God calls them out from their parent’s home and into adulthood. They will be ready to make their mark for the Lord Jesus Christ. As they impact their world, they will be mightily blessed by God.

Help your seniors to focus on discovering who they are. Guide them to understand who God called them to be. Encourage them not to focus on who they want to be with.