The following is a list of the different positions that scouts can serve within the troop as well as the descriptions and responsibilities for each role.
Troop 809’s Youth Leadership
Boy Scouts is a boy-led program. That?s right, the Scouts decide what they would like to do, plan for the activity/event, and carry out their plan, it is their troop. The youth leadership in the troop is the single most important element of a troop. It is through this leadership that troop meetings are organized, outdoor events are planned and Scouts are recognized. There are no small roles to play. Every position within the troop is dependent on the other. Since the leadership positions are so important, Scouts interested in holding an elected or appointed office will need to submit an application (available on our website) to the Scoutmaster by the designated deadline. Upon election or appointment, all youth leaders are required to attend a Junior Leaders Training Course (JLT). This training course will instruct the Scout on how to build his team and describe his responsibilities and duties in his leadership position. The Scoutmaster typically administers this course. Star, Life and Eagle ranks are dependent on a Scout successfully serving in a leadership position stated in the requirement for each.
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster – A Scout 16 years old or older who supervises and supports other boy leaders as assigned by the Scoutmaster; 1-year Scoutmaster appointed term.
Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) – Top youth leader in the troop. He leads the patrol leaders? council and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed. He is also responsible for the patrol leaders and troop guides; 6-month term by Scout election.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) – Assists the SPL as directed, fills in for the senior patrol leader in his absence. He is also responsible for training and giving direction to the troop quartermaster, scribe, historian, librarian, and instructors; 6-month SPL appointed term.
Patrol Leader – Gives leadership to members of his patrol and represents them on the PLC; 6-month term elected by the patrol members. Each patrol will also have an assistant patrol leader who acts as patrol leader in case of the patrol leader?s absence; the assistant patrol leader is appointed by the patrol leader for a 6-month term.
Troop Guide – Advisor and guide to a new Scout patrol. Attends the patrol leaders? council meetings to represent the new Scout patrol. Works with the senior patrol leader to provide instruction and advancement for new Scouts; 1-year Scoutmaster appointed term.
Instructor – An older troop member proficient both in a Scouting skill (i.e. camping, cooking, first aid, knots) and in the ability to teach that skill to others; 1-year Scoutmaster appointed term.
Troop Historian – Collects and maintains troop memorabilia and information on current and former troop members; 6-month SPL appointed term.
Troop Librarian – Oversees the care and use of troop merit badge books, pamphlets, magazines, audio/visual aids, and merit badge counselor list for use by troop members; 6-month SPL appointed term.
Chaplain’s Aide – Assists in troop religious services and promotes religious emblems program; 6-month SPL appointed term.
Troop Quartermaster – Responsible for troop supplies and equipment and works closely with the adult quartermaster advisor; 6-month SPL appointed term.
Troop Scribe – the troop secretary. The scribe?s responsibilities include attending and maintaining a log of PLC meetings, record attendance at troop meetings and functions, record advancement in troop logs and work with the appropriate troop committee members responsible for records and advancement; 6-month SPL appointed term.
Den Chief – Works with a Cub Scout den as a guide; 1 -year Scoutmaster appointed term.
Organizing Association Representative – serves as the youth liaison between the local OA Lodge and the troop; 1-year Scoutmaster appointed term.
Bugler – provides music as scheduled for troop meetings/events; 6-month SPL appointment.
As a Scout is elected or appointed to a troop office/leadership position, the appropriate insignia will be provided by the troop and should be worn during the term. At the end of the leadership term of office the insignia should be removed.
Patrol Leaders’ Council – The patrol leaders’ council (PLC) is responsible for selecting, planning, and conducting the troop activities. The PLC is made up of the following voting members: senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader(s), patrol leaders, and troop guide(s.) The SPL may request other members of the troop be present at a PLC meeting, but they have no vote.
At its monthly meetings, the PLC organizes and assigns activity responsibilities for troop meetings and events. The troop committee interacts with the PLC through the Scoutmaster.
The troop’s activities are selected and planned at the annual program planning conference. The SPL and his PLC, the Scoutmaster, assistant Scoutmasters, and any other individuals the senior patrol leader feels is necessary to conduct the meeting will attend this conference. The troop’s yearly plan is then submitted to the troop committee by the July committee meeting for approval. The troop committee either approves the plan or makes alternative suggestions for the PLC to consider.
Current List of Troop 809’s Youth Leadership