PATROLS, PATROL LEADER’S COUNCIL, & PATROL POSITIONS

Senior Patrol Leader

The senior patrol leader (SPL) is elected by the Scouts to represent them as the top youth leader in the troop. He runs all troop meetings, events, activities, the annual program planning conference, and the patrol leaders' council meeting. He appoints other troop youth leaders with the advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster. Senior Patrol Leader: Does Apply towards Positions of Responsibility towards the ranks of STAR, LIFE,& EAGLE.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

The assistant senior patrol leader (ASPL) is the second highest-ranking youth leader in the troop. He is appointed by the senior patrol leader with the approval of the Scoutmaster. The assistant senior patrol leader acts as the senior patrol leader in the absence of the senior patrol leader or when called upon. He also provides leadership to other youth leaders in the troop.  Assistant Senior Patrol Leader: Does Apply towards Positions of Responsibility towards the ranks of STAR, LIFE, & EAGLE.

Patrol Leader

The patrol leader is the elected leader of his patrol. He represents his patrol on the patrol leaders’ council and appoints the assistant patrol leader.  Patrol Leader: Does Apply towards Positions of Responsibility towards the ranks of STAR, LIFE, & EAGLE.

Troop Guide

The troop guide works with new Scouts. He helps them feel comfortable and earn their First Class in their first year. He teaches basic Scout skills and works with the patrol leader at patrol leaders’ council meetings. Serving as Guide can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop or a Varsity Scout Team, but in a Venturing Crew Ship it only counts for Star and Life.

Other troop leadership positions

Assistant Patrol Leader

The assistant patrol leader is appointed by the patrol leader and leads the patrol in his absence. He represents his patrol at patrol leaders’ council meetings when the patrol leader cannot attend. The assistant patrol leader position does not count towards leadership requirements for Star, Life, or Eagle.

Quartermaster

The quartermaster keeps track of troop equipment and sees that it is in good working order. He keeps records on patrol and troop equipment, makes sure equipment is in good working condition, and issues equipment and makes sure it is returned in good condition. (Appointed by the SPL) Serving as Quartermaster can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop or a Varsity Scout Team, but in a Venturing Crew Ship it onlycounts for Star and Life.

Scribe

The scribe keeps the troop records. He records the activities of the patrol leaders’council and keeps a record of dues, advancement, and Scout attendance at troop meetings. (Appointed by the SPL)

Historian

The historian preserves troop photographs, news stories, trophies, flags, scrapbooks, awards,and other memorabilia. (Appointed by the SPL) Serving as Historian can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop, but in a Varsity Scout Team or a Venturing Crew Ship it onlycounts for Star and Life.

Librarian

The librarian oversees the care and use of troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals,and merit badge counselor lists. (Appointed by the SPL)

Instructor

The instructor teaches Scouting skills.

Chaplain Aide

The chaplain aide works with the troop chaplain to meet the religious needs of Scouts in the troop. He also works to promote the religious emblems program. (Appointed by the SPL)

Den Chief

The den chief works with the Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, and den leaders in the Cub Scout Pack. Helps Cub Scouts advance through Cub Scout ranks and encourages CubScouts to join a Boy Scout troop upon graduation. Serving as Den Chief can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop or a Varsity Scout Team, but in a Venturing Crew Ship it only counts for Star and Life.

Junior Assistant Scoutmaster

The junior assistant Scoutmaster (JASM) serves in the capacity of an assistant Scoutmaster except where legal age and maturity are required. He must be at least 16 years old and not yet 18. He is appointed by the Scoutmaster because of his leadership ability.

Order of the Arrow Representative

The Order of the Arrow Representative is a youth liaison serving between the local Order of the Arrow (OA) lodge or chapter and his troop. In his unit, he helps meet the needs of the unit and will serve as a communication and programmatic link to and from Arrowmen, adult leaders and Scouts who are not presently members of the Order. (Appointed by the SPL)

Leave No Trace Trainer

Bugler

The Bugler should be able to make appropriate bugle calls, as requested, at troop activities. (Appointed by the SPL) Serving as Bugler can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star and Life but not Eagle.

Ranks requiring a Positions of Responsibility

Star Rank #5"While a First Class Scout, serve actively 4 months in one or more of the following positions..."

Life Rank #5 "While a Star Scout, serve actively 6 months in one or more of the positions of responsibility..."

Eagle Scout Rank #4 "While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of 6 months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility..." (reduced list)

See also:National Youth Leadership Training? (NYLT) - a fun, six-day outdoor learning course.

Patrol Leader’s Council Members

The Patrol Leader’s Council is made up of the Senior Patrol Leader, who presides over the meetings; the Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders, all Patrol Leaders, Troop Guides, and others as determined by your PLC. The patrol leaders' council plans the yearly troop program at the annual troop program planning conference. The PLC then meets monthly to develop plans for upcoming meetings and activities.  PLC meetings used to be called "GreenBar" meetings because of the green bars on some of the youth position patches.

~Tips for Patrol Leaders:

• -Keep Your Word. Don't make promises you can't keep.

• -Be Fair to All. A good leader shows no favorites.  Don't allow friendships to keep you from being fair to all members of your patrol.

• -Know who likes to do what, and assign duties to patrol members by what they like to do.
• -Be a Good Communicator. You don't need a commanding voice to be a good leader, but you must be willing to step out front with an effective "Let's go." A good leader knows how to get and give information so that everyone understands what's going on.

• -Be Flexible. Everything doesn't always go as planned. Be prepared to shift to "plan B" when "plan A" doesn't work.

• -Be Organized. The time you spend planning will be repaid many times over. At patrol meetings, record who agrees to do each task, and fill out the duty roster before going camping.

• -Delegate. Some leaders assume that the job will not get done unless they do it themselves. Most people like to be challenged with a task. Empower your patrol members to do things they have never tried.

• -Set an Example. The most important thing you can do is lead by example. Whatever you do, your patrol members are likely to do the same. A cheerful attitude can keep everyone's spirits up.

• -Be Consistent. Nothing is more confusing than a leader who is one way one moment and another way a short time later. If your patrol knows what to expect from you, they will more likely respond positively to your leadership.

• -Give Praise. The best way to get credit is to give it away. Often a "Nice job" is all the praise necessary to make a Scout feel he is contributing to the efforts of the patrol.

• -Ask for Help. Don't be embarrassed to ask for help. You have many resources at your disposal. When confronted with a situation you don't know how to handle, ask someone with more experience for some advice and direction.