Youth Leadership Positions

Leadership development is a key part of the Scouts BSA program. Like other elements of the Boy Scouts of America these positions are a part of the learning and development process. One of the key tenants of the organization is having a place to learn, grow, and sometimes fail in a safe way, while being supported and mentored. On this page you will find helpful discriptions of various positions.

Senior Patrol Leader: 

  • Lead PLC meetings
  • Work with Patrol leaders to plan activities and outings
    • Gauge troop interest in various activities
    • Help plan annual/semi-annual calendar
  • Mentor and assist Patrol leaders with meeting planning
  • Supervise outings
    • Organize pack-up
    • Make and institute schedule of events
    • Be the troop representative at Summer and/or Winter Camp roundtables 
    • Be aware of the location of the Troop first aid kit and paperwork while on outings
    • Communicate to the the Troop the emergency plan for each outing 

 

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader:

  • Step in for SPL as needed
  • Assist SPL as needed (right hand woman)
  • Mentor and supervise
    • Quartermaster
    • Historian
    • Chaplain Aide
    • Librarian
    • Webmaster
    • OA rep
    • Troop Guide
    • Scribe
    • Etc
  • Ensure Scouts holding those positions are fulfilling their responsibility and will get credit for their service

 

Patrol Leaders:

  • Attend and participate at PLC
  • Poll their Patrol to determine interest in a variety of events
  • Organize Troop meeting 1x per month
    • Arrange for patrol members to lead
      • Opening
      • Activity
      • Game
    • Ensure all necessary materials are at the meeting
    • Communicate with SPL and adult leaders to confirm meeting plan
  • Supervise patrol on outings
  • Optionally, help organize and lead patrol outings and/or meetings
  • Arrange for a substitute as needed for PLC meetings or meeting being led by your patrol

 

Quartermaster:

  • Work with Troop Equipment Chair (Greg Bailey) to ensure we have necessary equipment
  • Check out tents and other equipment to Scouts for outings. ENSURE EQUIPMENT IS RETURNED IN GOOD CONDITION.
  • Create and maintain an online record of any equipment checked out
  • Lead the retrieval of gear from the trailer for outings and subsequent return of gear
  • Recommend any new needed gear
  • Inspect the troop gear when returned for cleanliness and needed repairs
  • Work with Adult Equipment chair to repair any equipment that’s damaged
  • Lead the organization of the trailer
  • Arrange for a substitute for any outings not attending
  • Work with Historian to ensure record of Troop Eagle Scouts maintained
  • Check the air in the trailer spare tire before outings that will use the Troop trailer
  • Check the fire extinguisher in the Troop trailer before outings that will use the Troop trailer

 

Scribe:

  • Attend and take notes at PLC meetings
  • Communicate with adult leaders the necessary information for upcoming meetings to be included in Troop meeting notes
  • Communicate with the Adult Activities Chair (Ruben Madrid) to facilitate the planning of activities. 
  • Take attendance at meetings and report the same to Adult Leaders. 
  • Arrange for a substitute as needed
  • Assist the Scoutmaster with turning in Troop paperwork at Summer and/or Winter Camps
  • Collect permission forms from Scouts as needed
  • Be aware of the location of the permission forms and medical forms while on outings

 

Historian:

  • Maintain a record of past Troop activities
    • Campsites used, review of same
    • Special Equipment needed
    • Any improvements if outing is to be repeated
  • Photographic documentation of troop events – activities, outings, COH etc. 
    • Update social media when appropriate
  • Work with Quartermaster to ensure record of Troop Eagle Scouts maintained

 

Chaplain Aide:

  • Lead an opening or closing reflection/prayer at meetings and COHs
  • Lead Devotional or Scout’s own service on outings
  • Ensure that all Scouts are welcomed to the Troop and made to feel included
  • Promote Scout attendance of Vespers at Summer and/or Winter Camp
  • Help plan, attend, and promote Troop attendance of Scout Sunday
  • Ensure PLC is aware of Scout Sunday to prevent conflicts with Troop activities.
  • Encourage Scouts to earn their appropriate religious emblems 

 

Troop Guide:

  • Work with newest Scouts to teach them basic Scout skills
    • Familiarize them with the workings of the Troop
    • Lead them through the initial ranks
  • Work with the Adult Leaders to ensure that Scouts up to first class are being provided opportunities to advance
  • Attend outings and help with advancement requirements
  • Work with new recruits to encourage them to join the Troop
  • Attend PLC and work with PLC to ensure advancement opportunities are worked into meetings
  • Meet with Scouts who are ready for a SMC to ensure that all skills have been adequately mastered.

 

Order of the Arrow Rep:

  • Ensure PLC is aware of all OA events and outings to prevent conflicts with Troop activities.
  • Announce/advertise OA events and activities to members of the OA in the Troop
    • Registration dates
    • Schedule
  • Encourage service within the Troop
  • Encourage participation in OA events
  • Organize, announce, and help run OA elections
  • Answer Troop member questions about OA

 

Webmaster:

  • This is a position we haven’t had yet. In order to take this position, a Scout should have excellent computer skills and be intending to create a website for the Troop. 

 

Librarian:

  • Maintain the Troop Library
  • Publicize the books and magazines in the Library to the members of the Troop
  • Lend out books and magazines and keep an online record of borrowing
  • Recommend other books that might be useful
  • Publicize and maintain the Troop uniform library
  • Ensure new scouts get access to the electronic library
  • Research Weather – report to PLC of projected weather at proposed outings, report to Troop the forecast at imminent outings.

Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops, commonly known as ILST, is a training that can be implemented at the Council, District, or even Unit level.

Click on the picture to go to the BSA's website for the ILST resources.

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