TROOP ORGANIZATION AND ROLES

TROOP ORGANIZATION

Patrols of 8 Scouts are lead by a Patrol Leader that they elect.  Patrol Leaders lead outings, lead Scout Skills training, and oversee their member's advancement.

A Boy Lead Troop

TROOP LEADERSHIP POSITIONS (Youth)

• Senior Patrol leader
• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
• Troop Guide
• Patrol leader
• Ast Patrol leader
• Instructor
• Chaplain Aide
• Den Chief
• Scribe
• Librarian
• Historian
• Quartermaster
• Venture Patrol Leader
• Junior Assistant Scoutmaster

SENIOR PATROL LEADER

"Each troop sets its own age, rank and other qualification standards for its senior patrol leader, though these may be temporarily waived if a troop is newly organized. A senior patrol leader serves from one troop election to the next, usually for a period of six to 12 months. In most troops, voting is done by secret ballot. All youth members of the troop are eligible to vote.
The senior patrol leader of an established troop is often selected from among the most experienced Scouts of a certain age and rank. In a new troop or a troop with older members, Scouts are likely to choose as their senior patrol leader someone they respect and believe will provide effective leadership." (The Senior Patrol leader Handbook pg 9)

"A senior patrol leader is not a member of a patrol but you may participate with a patrol such as the troop's Venture patrol.

The patrol leader's council may offer candidates for senior patrol leader the opportunity to appear before the troop to discuss their qualifications and reasons for seeking the office. This provides good practice for the candidates and enables those who do not know them well, younger Scouts in particular, to gain a better sense of what they propose to do for the troop.

Senior Patrol Leader Duties

• Run all troop meetings, events, activities, and the annual program planning conference.
• NOTE: The Senior Patrol Leader along with the Scoutmaster are to present the Annual Program Plan to the Troop Committee and the Charter Organization Representative.
• Chair meetings of the PLC
• Delegate duties and responsibilities to other youth leaders.
• Assist the Scoutmaster with troop leadership training.
• Set a good example
• Wear the Scout uniform correctly...A Patrol Emblem should not be worn while in office.
  Shows Scout spirit." (The Senior Patrol leader Handbook pg 10)

Ast Senior Patrol Leader

• Appointed by the SPL; Appoints and trains troop members to serve in the troop's other youth leader positions (with the advice and council of the Scoutmaster).

References:(Senior Patrol Leader Handbook pg 9-10)

ROLES OF THE PARENT:

Before joining, attend a Troop meeting with son.  Attend Parent Orientation.  Be informed of outings and provide transportation and opportunities for the Scout to earn his own way through earning an allowance at home and participating in Troop fundraisers.  Help Scout pay for Summer Camp.  Be present at Courts of Honor. Provide support or assistance when requested by the Troop Committee.  Understand that in a Boy Lead organization, the Boys choose their levels of fun and their own leadership.

Adults can intervene for health/safety reasons.   BSA Policy issues may be brought to the attention of the Scoutmaster.

Youth protection issues go to the Scout Executive (Professional Scouter)

Adults may participate with their son at predesignated Family/Troop outings, for a majority of the time, the Scouts need their own independence away from the parent to appreciate the full benefit of Scouting.

Charter Organization Representative

• Is a member of the charter organization and serves as head of the “Scouting Department”
• Secures a troop committee chair: 1)encourages training, 2) maintains a close liaison
• Helps recruit other adult leaders
• Provides adequate meeting facilities
• Encourages service to the charter organization
• Serves as liaison between Troop and FUMC
• Is active and involved member in the district committee

ROLES OF THE TROOP COMMITTEE

• The Troop Committee shall be composed of a parents that are approved by the Charter Organization Representative.  BSA Policy states that a minimum of 3 committee members are required.  Various administrative aspects that are not appropriate for a youth to conduct are to be handled by the Troop committee:
• Supports the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters in carrying out the Scouting program and working with individual boys and problems that may affect the overall troop program, including boy behavioral problems or special needs that some boys may require
• Recruits adults for leadership positions in the troop and approved by the COR
• Ensures the troop qualifies for the Quality Unit award each year
• Is responsible for finances, adequate funds, and disbursements in line with the approved budget plan
• Obtains, maintains, and properly cares for troop property

SCOUTMASTER

General

• Appointed by the Charter Organization Representative
• Trains and guides boy leaders and conduct TLT after each troop election
• Trains and delegate as much as possible to Assistant Scoutmasters (future Scoutmasters)
• Uses the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting
• Conducts Scoutmaster conferences for all rank advancements
• Has access to Troop master records for reports and patrol maintenance

Meetings

• Meets regularly with the patrol leaders’ council for training and coordination in planning troop activities
• Attends all troop meetings or when necessary, arrange for a qualified adult to substitute if needed
• Attends troop committee meetings
• Attends the monthly district roundtable or sends a representative

Activities

• Plans for enough outings each year to qualify for the Quality Unit award
• Participates in council and district events as much as possible
• Builds a strong program by using proven methods presented in Scouting literature
• Conducts all activities under qualified leadership, safe conditions, and the policies of the chartered organization and the Boy scouts of America
• Supervises troop elections for the Order of the Arrow
• Conducts NEW PARENT ORIENTATION (training guide)

ASSISTANT SCOUTMASTERS

• Assist the Scoutmaster as needed, including but not limited to, coaching skill development and helping with rank advancement activities, assisting with safety and discipline on outings, and conducting scoutmaster conferences as delegated by the scoutmaster
• There may be specialized duties assigned (e.g. patrol advisor, outdoor program coordinator, quartermaster advisor, chaplain’s aide)
• Help with service projects
• May be asked to organize outings and manage monthly Scout meetings
• Can also serve as a merit badge counselor
• Should attend district roundtables
• The Outdoor/Activities and Equipment Coordinators and Chaplain should be active ASM’s

OUTDOOR/ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR (SHOULD BE AN ASM AND TRAINED)

• Help in securing permission to use camping sites
• Secure tour permits for all troop activities (doc)
• Serve as transportation coordinator
• Ensure a “Quality Unit” outdoor program
• Promote outings and high adventure opportunities
• Promote summer camp and manage Scout registration (doc)
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting

EQUIPMENT COORDINATOR (SHOULD BE AN ASM AND TRAINED)

• Supervise and help the troop procure camping equipment
• Work with the quartermasters on inventory and proper storage and maintenance of all troop equipment - check equipment before and after outings using patrol box and tent assignment lists (docs)
• Make periodic safety checks on all troop camping gear, and encourage troops in the safe use of all outdoor equipment
• Obtain the annual bus maintenance/inspection and other bus required maintenance
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting

CHAPLAIN 

• Provide a spiritual tone for the troop meetings and activities by emphasizing “Scout Spirit” as outlined in the Tenderfoot section of the Handbook.
• Give guidance to the chaplain’s aide
• Promote regular participation of each member in the activities of the religious organization of his choice and encourage Boy Scouts to earn their appropriate religious emblems
• Assist with scout songs and skits (library)
• Nominate scouts and adults for spiritual awards
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting

CHAIR

• Organize the committee to see that all functions are delegated, coordinated, and completed
• Ensure top-notch, trained individuals for camp leadership
• Keep a list of all adult troop positions and ask the Scoutmaster for his adult leader needs (doc)
• Maintain a close relationship with the chartered organization representative and the Scoutmaster
• Interpret national and local policies to the troop
• Prepare monthly troop committee meeting agendas
• Call, preside over, and promote attendance at the monthly troop committee meetings
• Attend the monthly district roundtable or send a representative
• Arrange the annual Troop re-charter and submit to the Council on time – Quality Unit (doc)
• Has access to Troop master records for membership maintenance
• New adults – introduction to the troop, uses troop resource survey and recruits adults
• Registers Adult and Scout applications with the Council (doc)
• Determine adult awards and maintain a list of adult awards, updated every December (doc)
• Review the Treasurer’s monthly bank statement and reconciliation
• Input “Good Turn” information from service projects – Troop and Eagle projects
• Keeps electronic copies of all Troop documents – “document library”
• Webmaster – maintains Troop web site and Troop master
• Fund Raisers: Plan and request approval from council

 ASSISTANT CHAIR

• Assist Chair when needed
• Help with fund raisers

 SECRETARY

• Keep minutes of meeting and send out committee meeting notices (doc).
• Prepare a family newsletter of troop events and activities (doc)
• Work with the troop Historian, Librarian, and Historian to organize the troop closet and display case
• Handle troop publicity and send cards and thank you letters
• Take annual troop pictures – March

TREASURER

• Handle all troop funds. Pay bills on recommendation of the Scoutmaster, Committee Chair or the  authorization of the troop committee.
• Maintain Troop checking/saving bank accounts
• Keep adequate financial records and Scout accounts (doc)
• Lead in the preparation of the annual troop budget (doc)
• Provide financial records for audits
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting (doc)

ADVANCEMENT COORDINATOR

• Have a working knowledge of all advancement requirements and procedures (unit, district, and council)
• Encourage Scouts to advance in rank
• Arrange troop boards of review and Courts of Honor- coordinate with the Scoutmaster
• Develop and maintain a registered merit badge counselor list (doc)
• Has access to Troop master records to update rank advancements
• Make a prompt report on the correct form to the council service center when a troop board of review is held.  Secure badges and certificates
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting

LIFE TO EAGLE COORDINATOR

• Meet with a new Life Scout and explain the requirements for the rank of Eagle
• Fine tune Eagle project ideas and monitor Eagle project progress
• Help the Scout plan out the completion of the remaining required merit badges
• Outline the Eagle application requirements and recommendations
• Help the Scout prepare for the Eagle board of review

TRAINING COORDINATOR

• Have a working knowledge of the training plan for the troop. Basically, this includes orientation (all parents), Fast Start, New Leader Essentials, Specific, supplement and advanced training programs
• Work with the committee chair and troop committee to determine and implement a training program for every adult in the troop
• Coordinate and provide orientation, Fast Start, Youth Protections, New Leader Essentials and Troop Committee Challenge training for new or existing adults leaders through the troop committee
• Promote leaders’ attendance at basic training, supplemental and advanced training, monthly roundtables, and University of Scouting to meet individual training plan
• Develop a library of current book/videos to set up a program for training adults
• Communicate and coordinate training activities with the District Training Chairperson and participate in district training activities as needed
• Record training attainment for individual leaders and keep troop records as providing the District Training Chairperson and the local Council office with the same information (doc)
• Encourage leaders to complete the requirements for the appropriate training award for their position and facilitate recognition at Roundtable or at the appropriate troop meeting
• After being Fast Start, basic trained for your position and attending the Training Development Conference, work with the District Training chairperson to present training at the unit level
• Report to the troop committee monthly at the committee meeting the progress of the training plan – copy to the Chair and Scoutmaster for reference

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

• Develop a plan for year-round membership flow into the troop (doc) and implement the plan
• Work closely with Cub masters and Webelos den leaders of neighboring Cub Scout packs to develop a list of second year Webelos and inform them about Troop and its activities.
• Assist the Scoutmaster in developing and recruiting Den Chiefs - Fall
• Keep in contact with district membership person for Pack contacts
• Invite Webelos dens to visit a troop meeting and attend the Webelos outing - Fall and Spring
• When Webelos and their parents visit Troop (inform SM) and have a meeting with the parents (doc) and answer questions
• Encourage Scouts to invite their friends to join the troop
• Assist in the crossover ceremonies from Webelos Scouts to Boy Scouts
• Complete the crossover summary form (doc from Chairman)) and attach the required documents for the Chair and treasurer to complete Scout registrations - March
• Assist in the new parent meeting (doc) - March
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting
• Troop T-Shirts, Troop Neckerchiefs, Troop Unit Numbers
• Coordinate New Member Orientation Training by SM
• Webelos II Transition Fall Presentation by SM