Senior Patrol Leader

The Boy Scouts of America has long recognized the senior patrol leader as the highest youth leadership position in a troop. They are the primary link between a troop’s Scouts and its adult leaders. They shoulder the responsibility for leading meetings of the troop and the patrol leaders’ council and provide valuable leadership in planning and carrying out the troop’s program of outdoor activities, service projects, and events.

Responsibilities

runs all troop meetings, events, activities, and the annual program planning
runs the (PLC) meetings
communicate with patrol leaders
keep relationship with scoutmaster
emails troop regarding upcoming meetings for planning
approves meeting minutes
appoints other troop junior leaders with the advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster
assigns duties and responsibilities to junior leaders
sets a good example
wears the Scout uniform correctly
lives by the Scout Oath and Law
shows Scout spirit

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

The assistant senior patrol leader is the second highest youth leadership position in the troop, working closely with the senior patrol leader to help the troop move forward. The assistant senior patrol leader acts as the senior patrol leader in the absence of the senior patrol leader or when called upon, and provides leadership to other youth leaders in the troop. The assistant senior patrol leader is appointed by the senior patrol leader under the guidance of the Scoutmaster.

Responsibilities

helps the senior patrol leader lead meetings and activities
runs the troop in the absence of the senior patrol leader
helps train and supervise the troop scribe, quartermaster, instructor, librarian, historian, webmaster, chaplain aide, and OA representative
serves as a member of the patrol leaders’ council (PLC)
sets a good example
wears the Scout uniform correctly
lives by the Scout Oath and Law
shows Scout spirit
lends a hand controlling the patrols and building patrol spirit

Patrol Leader

The patrol leader is the patrol’s key leader, representing the patrol at all patrol leaders’ council meetings and the annual program planning conference, and keeping patrol members informed of decisions made. Patrol leaders carry out planning, leading, and evaluating patrol meetings and activities, and assure patrols are prepared to participate in all troop activities. They keep their patrol intact so they can work together and share responsibilities to get things done. It is incumbent upon them to be a good example for the members of their patrol and the rest of the troop.

Responsibilities

plans and leads patrol meetings and activities
keeps patrol members informed
assigns each patrol member a specific duty
represents his patrol at all patrol leaders’ council meetings and the annual program planning conference
prepares the patrol to participate in all troop activities
works with other troop leaders to make the troop run well
knows the abilities of each patrol member
sets a good example
wears the Scout uniform correctly
lives by the Scout Oath and Law
shows and develops patrol spirit

Assistant Patrol Leader

The Assistant Patrol Leader is a youth member of a Boy Scout troop who is appointed by the Patrol Leader and leads the patrol in his absence. The position of Assistant Patrol Leader does not qualify for the leadership requirements for advancement.

Responsibilities

helps the Patrol Leader in planning and leading patrol meetings and activities
helps the Patrol Leader keep patrol members informed
assists the Patrol Leader in preparing the patrol to take part in all troop activities
arrives five minutes before the start of each patrol meeting
direct the patrol at meetings and activities
takes part in the patrol in absence of the Patrol Leader
represent the patrol at all patrol leaders’ council meetings in the absence of the Patrol Leader
prepares the patrol to participate in all troop activities
works with other troop leaders to make the troop run well
sets a good example
wears the Scout uniform correctly
lives by the Scout Oath and Law
shows and develops patrol spirit

Quartermaster

Quartermasters serve as the troop’s supply boss. They keep an inventory of troop equipment and see that the gear is in good condition. They work with patrol quartermasters as they check out equipment and return it. At meetings of the patrol leaders’ council they report on the status of equipment in need of replacement or repair. In carrying out their responsibilities, they may have the guidance of a member of the troop committee.

Responsibilities

keeps records on patrol and troop equipment
makes sure equipment is in good working condition
issues equipment and makes sure it is returned in good condition
makes suggestions for new or replacement items
works with the troop committee member responsible for equipment
sets a good example
wears the Scout uniform correctly
lives by the Scout Oath and Law
shows Scout spirit

Scribe

The scribe is the troop’s secretary. Though not a voting member, they attend meetings of the patrol leaders’ council and keep a record of the discussions. They cooperate with the patrol scribes to record attendance and dues payments at troop meetings and to maintain troop advancement records. The troop scribe may be assisted by a member of the troop committee.

Responsibilities

attends and keeps a log of patrol leaders’ council meetings
takes meeting minutes (notes)
sends meeting minutes to SPL for review, within three days of meeting
send approved meeting minutes to webmaster for posting on website
sets a good example
wears the Scout uniform correctly
lives by the Scout Oath and Law
shows Scout spirit

Chaplain Aide

Chaplain aides assist the troop chaplain (usually an adult from the troop committee or the chartered organization) in serving the religious needs of the troop. They lead the troop in opening or closing prayer and mealtime blessings. Chaplain aides ensure that religious holidays are considered during the troop’s program planning process and promote the BSA’s religious emblems program.

Responsibilities

assists the troop chaplain with religious services at troop activities
encourages troop members to strengthen their own relationships with God through personal prayer and devotion and participation in religious activities appropriate to their faith
tells Scouts about the Religious Emblems program for their faith at least once a year
helps recognize troop members who receive their religious emblems, (such as at a court of honor)
makes sure religious holidays are considered during the troop program planning process
helps plan for religious observance in troop activities
says grace at meals while camping or at other activities
helps promote annual Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath
sets a good example
wears the Scout uniform correctly
lives by the Scout Oath and Law
shows Scout spirit

Historian

The historian collects, assembles, and preserves troop photographs, news stories, trophies, flags, scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia, and makes materials available for Scouting activities, courts of honor, the media, and troop history projects.

Responsibilities

gathers photos and facts about troop activities and keeps them in a historical file or scrapbook, or sends to webmaster for posting on website
keeps information about former members of the troop
sets a good example
wears the Scout uniform correctly
lives by the Scout Oath and Law
shows Scout spirit

Librarian

Troop librarians oversee the care and use of troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor lists. They check out these materials to Scouts and leaders and maintain records to ensure that everything is returned. They may also suggest the acquisition of new literature and report the need to repair or replace any current holdings.

Responsibilities

sets up and takes care of the troop library
keeps records of books and pamphlets owned by the troop
adds new or replacement items as needed
keeps books and pamphlets available for borrowing
keeps a system for checking books and pamphlets in and out, and follows up on late returns
sets a good example
wears the Scout uniform correctly
lives by the Scout Oath and Law
shows Scout spirit

Webmaster

Troop webmasters are responsible for maintaining the troop’s website. They make sure that information posted on the website is correct and up to date and that the privacy of youth and adult troop members is protected. A member of the troop committee may assist them with their work.

Responsibilities

works with various unit members on needed topics
ensures the website is as youth-run as possible
maintains the website as needed
sets a good example
correctly wears the Scout uniform correctly
shows Scout spirit