Scouts

 What does Boy Leadership mean?

The Patrol System is one essential feature in which Scout training differs from that of all other organizations, and where the System is properly applied, it is absolutely bound to bring success. It cannot help itself!The formation of the boys into Patrols of from six to eight and training them as separate units each under its own responsible leader is the key to a good Troop. The Patrol is the unit of Scouting always, whether for work or for play, for discipline or for duty. – Lord R. S. Baden-Powell

Boy Troop Leadership Positions

Being a boy lead troop involves a very important integration of leadership positions allowing the troop to progress as well as the boy serving in each capacity as they make decisions. They learn, make mistakes and are coached when appropriate by the Assistant Scoutmaster’s as well as the Scoutmaster. Meetings involve learning new skills, working together as a troop and patrol to discuss previous and upcoming plans and how well they did and what they can do to help make it go smoother next time. Senior Patrol leaders and Patrol Leaders (Elected positions) are elected by the boys.  All other positions are appointed by the SPL. 

All of the positions serve a six month term.

Elections are held twice a year (August/February). Candidates for Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) are nominated and make speeches. All Scouts then vote by ballot to elect the SPL. Once SPL is elected, individual patrols elect their patrol leaders. Scouts interested in appointed positions (ie ASPL, QM, Scribe, Historian, Chaplain) should approach the newly elected SPL.

Patrol Leader

The patrol leader is the top leader of a patrol. He represents the patrol at all patrol leaders’ council meetings and the annual program planning conference and keeps patrol members informed of decisions made. He plays a key role in planning, leading,

and evaluating patrol meetings and activities and prepares the patrol to participate in all troop activities. The patrol leader learns about the abilities of other patrol members and full involves them in patrol and troop activities by assigning them specific tasks and responsibilities. He encourages patrol members to complete advancement requirements and sets a good example by continuing to pursue his own advancement.

Senior Patrol Leader

The senior patrol leader is the top leader of the troop. He is responsible for the troop’s overall operation. With guidance from the Scoutmaster, he takes charge of troop meetings, of the patrol leaders’ council, and of all troop activities, and he does

everything he can to help each patrol be successful. He is responsible for annual program planning conferences and assists the Scoutmaster in conducting troop leadership training. The senior patrol leader presides over the patrol leaders’ council

and works closely with each patrol leader to plan troop meetings and make arrangements for troop activities. All members of a troop vote by secret ballot to choose their senior patrol leader. Rank and age requirements to be a senior patrol leader are

determined by each troop, as is the schedule of elections. During a Scout’s time as senior patrol leader, he is not a member of any patrol but may participate with a Venture patrol in high-adventure activities.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

The assistant senior patrol leader works closely with the senior patrol leader to help the troop move forward and serves as acting senior patrol leader when the senior patrol leader is absent. Among his specific duties, the assistant senior patrol leader trains and provides direction to the troop quartermaster, scribe, historian, librarian, instructors, and Order of the Arrow representative. During his tenure as assistant senior patrol leader he is not a member of a patrol, but he may participate in the high-adventure activities of a Venture patrol. Large troops may have more than one assistant senior patrol leader, each appointed by the senior patrol leader.

Quartermaster

The quartermaster is the troop’s supply boss. He keeps an inventory of troop equipment and sees that the gear is in good condition. He works with patrol quartermasters as they check out equipment and return it, and at meetings of the patrol leaders’ council he reports on the status of equipment in need of replacement or repair. In carrying out his responsibilities, he may have the guidance of a member of the troop committee.

Scribe

The scribe is the troop’s secretary. Though not a voting member, he attends meetings of the patrol leaders’ council and keeps a record of the discussions. He cooperates with the patrol scribes to record attendance and dues payments at troop meetings and to maintain troop advancement records. A member of the troop committee may assist him with his work.

Write thank-you notes on a timely basis to those individuals who have conducted a District or Council event that the Troop attended, guest speakers, those who have donated gear to the Troop, our Chartered Organization, and to Maple Grove Christian Church.

The scribe also records and passes out camping beads after camping trip.

At each CoH during the scribes tenure he will present a summary of the camping beads earned from the last CoH.

Historian

The historian collects and preserves troop photographs, news stories, trophies, flags, scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia and makes materials available for Scouting activities, the media, and troop history projects. Will coordinate photographs for each event.

Historian will send the Troop webmaster a 1 paragraph trip report for each event (over 8 hours) that the Troop participates in. The paragraph should include event information such as: who (other than scouts), what, when, how, and where.

At each CoH during the historians tenure they will present a summary of the Troops activities from the last CoH.

Librarian

The troop librarian oversees the care and use of troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor lists. He checks out these materials to Scouts and leaders and maintains records to ensure that everything is returned. He may also suggest the acquisition of new literature and report the need to repair or replace any current holdings. Will track Eagle Scout Projects, their locations, and provide the webmaster with that information.

Chaplain Aide

The chaplain aide assists the troop chaplain (usually an adult from the troop committee or the chartered organization) in serving the religious needs of the troop. He ensures that religious holidays are considered during the troop’s program planning process and promotes the BSA’s religious emblems program.

Den Chief

The den chief works with a den of Cub Scouts and with their adult leaders. He takes part in den meetings, encourages Cub Scout advancement, and is a role model for younger boys. Serving as den chief can be a great leadership experience for a Boy Scout.

Webmaster

The troop webmaster is responsible for maintaining the troop’s website. He should make sure that information posted on the website is correct and up to date and that members’ and leaders’ privacy is protected. A member of the troop committee may assist him with his work.

Instructor

Instructor Each instructor is an older troop member proficient in a Scouting skill. He must also have the ability to teach that skill to others. An instructor typically teaches subjects that Scouts are eager to learn—especially those such as first aid, camping, and backpacking—that are required for outdoor activities and rank advancement. A troop can have more than one instructor.