Senior Patrol Leader

                                
The senior patrol leader is elected by the Scouts to represent them as the top junior leader in the troop.

Reports to: Scoutmaster, must be at least 14 years old and Star or higher in rank

1. Runs all the troop meetings, events, activities and the annual program planning conference.
2. Runs the monthly patrol leader's council meeting.
3. Appoints other troop junior leader with the advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster.
4. Assign duties and responsibilities to junior leaders.
5. Assists the Scoutmaster with junior leader training.
6. Sets a good example.
7. Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly.
8. Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
9. Shows Scout spirit.

Assistant Senior Patrol

1. Helps the senior patrol leader lead meetings and activities.
2. Runs the troop in the absence of the senior patrol leader.
3. Helps train and supervise the troop scribe, quartermaster,
4. instructors, librarian, historian and chaplain aide.
5. Serves as a member of the patrol leaders' council that meets monthly
6. Sets a good example
7. Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly
8. Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
9. Shows Scout spirit.

Patrol Leader

Reports to: Senior Patrol Leader

1. Plan and lead patrol meetings and activities.
2. Keep patrol members informed.
3. Assign each patrol member a specific duty.
4. Represent your patrol at all patrol leaders' council monthly meetings and the annual program planning conference.
5. Prepare the patrol to participate in all troop activities.
6. Work with other troop leaders to make the troop run well.
7. Know the abilities of each patrol member.
8. Set a good example.
9. Wear the Scout uniform correctly.
10. Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
11. Show and develop patrol spirit.

The assistant patrol leader is appointed by the patrol and leads the patrol in his absence.

Reports to: Patrol leader.

1. Helps the patrol leader plan and steer patrol meetings and activities.
2. Helps him keep patrol members informed.
3. Helps the patrol get ready for all troop activities.
4. Represents his patrol at patrol leaders' council meetings when the patrol leader cannot attend.

The quartermaster keeps track of troop equipment and sees that it is in good working order.

Reports to: the assistant senior patrol leader

Quartermaster duties:

1. Keeps records on patrol and troop equipment.
2. Makes sure equipment is in good working condition.
3. Issues equipment and makes sure it's returned in good condition.
4. Makes suggestions for new or replacement items.
5. Works with the troop committee member responsible for equipment.
6. Sets a good example.
7. Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly.
8. Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
9. Shows Scout spirit

The historian keeps a historical record or scrapbook of troop activities.

Reports to: the assistant senior patrol leader

Historian duties:

1. Gathers pictures and facts about past troop activities and keeps them in a historical file or scrapbook.
2. Takes care of troop trophies, ribbons and souvenirs of troop activities.
3. Keeps information about former members of the troop.
4. Sets a good example.
5. Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly.
6. Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
7. Shows Scout spirit.

The den chief works with the Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts and den leaders in the Cub Scout pack.

Reports to: the den leader in the pack and the assistant Scoutmaster for the new Scout patrol in the troop.

Den Chief duties:

1. Knows the purposes of Cub Scouting.
2. Helps Cub Scouts advance through Cub Scout ranks.
3. Encourages Cub Scouts to join a Boy Scout troop upon graduation.
4. Assists with activities in the den meetings.
5. Is a friend to the boys in the den.
6. Helps out at weekly den meetings and monthly pack meetings.
7. Meets with adult members of the den, pack and troop as necessary.
8. Sets a good example.
9. Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly.
10. Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
11. Shows Scout spirit.

The troop guide works with new Scouts. He helps them feel comfortable and earn their First Class rank in their first year.

Reports to: The assistant Scoutmaster for the new Scout patrol in the troop.

Troop Guide duties:

1. Introduces new Scouts to troop operations.
2. Guides new Scouts through early Scouting activities.
3. Shields new Scouts from harassment by older Scouts.
4. Helps new Scouts earn First Class rank in their first year.
5. Teaches basic Scout skills.
6. Coaches the patrol leader of the new Scout patrol on his duties.
7. Works with the patrol leader at patrol leaders' council meetings.
8. Attends patrol leaders' council meetings with the patrol leader of the new Scout patrol.
9. Assists the assistant Scoutmaster with training.
10. Counsels individual Scouts on Scouting challenges.
11. Sets a good example.
12. Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly.
13. Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
14. Shows Scout spirit.

Other Scout Leadership Position :
Scribe, Librarian, OA Rep., Instructor

Chaplain's Aide 

If a Scout accepts the position of Chaplain's Aide, he will be expected to do demonstrate leadership by doing most of the following:

Specific Duties:

• Keep troop leaders appraised of religious holidays when planning activities.  
• Assist chaplain or religious coordinator in meeting the religious needs of troop members. 
• Hospital visits to any Scouts or leaders, if necessary. 
• Encourage saying grace at meals while camping or on activities.  
• Tell troop members about religious emblem program for their own individual faith.  
• Set a good example.  
• Wear the uniform correctly.  
• Live by the Scout Oath and Law.   
• Coordinate Service Outings such as Scouting for Food.  
• Give an inspirational moment at each Troop meeting, such as read a non-denominational, yet  spiritual poem or verse.  
• Give invocation before Potluck Troop dinners.  
• Write small articles to be submitted to the Troop newsletter or web site. 

Scribe

If a Scout accepts the position of Scribe, he will be expected to do demonstrate leadership by doing some of the following:

Specific Duties: 

• Take attendance at each Troop meeting.  
• Scouts should hand Blue merit badge cards to Scribe to record and file in Advancement Adults Binder and then be entered into Troop Master.  
• Gather articles for the web site or Troop newsletter.  
• Work with Advancement Chair to plan Court of Honor  
• After Court of Honor distribute the missing awards to boys.  
• Serve as Assistant MC at Court of Honor  
• Help with Troop website regarding upcoming events 

Historian

If a Scout accepts the position of Historian, he will be expected to do demonstrate leadership by doing some of the following:

Specific Duties: 

• Collect evaluations of outings and camp outs  
• Have a “On this day in history…….” minute for each Troop meeting  
• Take care of the Boy Scout display case in the school  
• Take photos or distribute disposable cameras at all scout functions  
• Take care of the photo album  
• Help with Troop website regarding all PAST events   
• Make picture boards to use at recruiting events 

OA Representative

If a Scout accepts the position of OA Rep, he will be expected to do demonstrate leadership by doing some of the following:

Specific Duties: 

• Get OA moving in the Troop  
• Handle arrangements to get the OA elections  
• Teach everyone what OA is all about  
• Support OA throughout the year  
• Have an OA presentation at the Court of Honor  
• Brotherhood Vigil  
• Inform new Scouts about OA on an ongoing basis 

Librarian

If a Scout accepts the position of Librarian, he will be expected to do demonstrate leadership by doing some of the following:

Specific Duties: 

• Take an inventory of everything in the current library  
• Distribute inventory list to Scouts and leaders   
• Replace any outdated merit badge books  
• Set up a system for checking the books out of the library  
• Bring books to each Troop meeting   
• Suggest new books to add to library  
• Assist with website regarding the things that stay on the web site permanently such as packing lists or permits  

Ten Tips for Being a Good Leader

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

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.

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.

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.

Training for Scout Leaders

Scouting takes pride in giving youth members unique leadership opportunities and training. Patrol leaders may have the opportunity to participate in all or some of the following leadership training.

Introduction to Leadership 

This is the first step of leadership training. It is usually conducted by the Scoutmaster within a few days after a troop election. It may last no more than an hour, but it should cover the responsibilities of a patrol leader and the needs for upcoming events within the troop.

Troop Junior Leader Training 

This is a daylong training conference conducted by the Scoutmaster and senior patrol leader. Its purpose is to reinforce the patrol method and to allow members of the patrol leaders' council to set goals for themselves, their patrols, and their troop.

Council Junior Leader Training 

Many councils offer weeklong junior leader training conferences at their camps for key troop leaders. This course supplements troop training and introduces leadership skills in an outdoor environment.

National Junior Leader Instructor Camp 

This program focuses on helping Scouts develop teaching skills that they can use to conduct council junior leader training conferences. It is offered through the Philmont Training Center every summer.

National Leadership Seminars 

These Order of the Arrow leadership seminars take place over a weekend and focus primarily on the skills and attributes of leadership. Youth participants should be at least 15 years of age or a lodge officer.