Positions of the BSA

From Scouting

Position Name Date Started Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) Assistant SPL (ASPL)

Patrol Leader (PL)

New Boys Assistant PL (APL)

Quartermaster

Den Chief

Instructor

JASM

Troop Guide Scribe Troop Historian Librarian Chaplin Aid Order of the Arrow Troop Representative Bugler Junior Webmaster (Scribe) Webmaster Editor-in-Chief

Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) Elected By: Troop members Reports to: Scoutmaster Responsibilities: • Works with: o Patrol Leaders o Assistant SPLs • Chairs the Patrol Leader's Council • Plan's All the troop activates and either runs or appoints people who can run them • Represents the Troop at the Leaders and the Committee meeting • Appoints w/ Scoutmaster consent: o ASPL o Instructor(s) o Quartermaster(s) o Scribe(s) – Main and Junior Webmaster o Librarian o Historian o Chaplin's Aide o Order of The Arrow Troop Representative o Bugler • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit

Qualifications: Be of the First Class Rank or more Has server one-six month term as a Patrol Leader Approve to be a candidate by SM Voted by Troop members

Fulfills: Star - 5 Life - 5 Eagle - 4 Palm - 3

Recommended Attending JLTC before or During Term Attend Junior Leader Training run by Troop

Term 6 months

Notes A scout should only serve one term as SPL, in order to allow as many people as possible to be in the position

Assistant SPL (ASPL) Appointed by: Senior Patrol Leader Reports to: Senior Patrol Leader Responsibilities: • Works with: o Instructor(s) o Quartermaster(s) o Scribe(s) – Main and Junior Webmaster o Librarian o Historian o Chaplin's Aid o Order of The Arrow Troop Representative o Bugler • Works with the SPL and Stands in for him at Activities • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit • Serves on the PLC

Qualifications: Be a candidate For SPL Be of First Class Rank or higher Approved to be a candidate by Scoutmaster

Fulfills: Star – 5 Life – 5 Eagle – 4 Palm - 3

Recommended Attend Junior Leader Training run by Troop

Term During 1 SPL Term

Notes A SPL may have more than one ASPL if he wishes

Patrol Leader (PL) Elected Position: By troop or patrol members Reports to: Senior Patrol Leader Responsibilities: • Plans Patrol Activities • Helps With Advancement • Represents Patrol at PLC • Appoints: o Assistant Patrol Leader o Patrol Scribe o Grubmaster o Patrol Quatermaster o Cheermaster o Chief Cook • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit

Qualifications: Be of First Class Rank or higher Approved to be a candidate by Scoutmaster

Fulfills: Star - 5 Life - 5 Eagle - 4 Palm - 3

Recommended Attending Junior Leader Training run by Troop

Term 6 months

Notes An ASM could be given responsibility over a certain patrol, to secure its well being and oversee patrol meetings, especially the new boy patrol

PL of New Boys Patrol Appointed Position: Scoutmaster and SPL Reports to: SPL and Troop Guide Responsibilities: • Plans Patrol Activities • Helps With Advancement • Represents Patrol at PLC • Appoints: o Patrol Scribe o Grubmaster o Patrol Quatermaster o Cheermaster o Chief Cook • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit

Qualifications: First Class To be determined by the scoutmaster

Fulfills: Star - 5 Life - 5 Eagle – 4 Palm - 3

Recommended Attending Junior Leader Training run by Troop

Term Until SM and the PLC dissolve new boy patrol back into the troop

Notes An ASM is often given responsibility over the new boy patrol, in order to give them special attention

Assistant PL (APL) Appointed by: Patrol Leader Reports to: Patrol Leader Responsibilities: • Assist the patrol leader in all of his duties • Stand in for patrol leader where and when the PL needs it (at Troop and PLC meetings) • Helps the patrol leader plan and steer patrol meetings and activities. Helps him keep patrol members informed. • Helps the patrol get ready for all troop activities. • Represents his patrol at patrol leaders' council meetings when the patrol leader cannot attend. • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit

Qualifications:

Fulfills: It is up to the scoutmaster and the committee if this counts for an upper rank

Recommended Attending Junior Leader Training run by Troop

Term Until the patrols are reorganized

Notes

Quartermaster Appointed By: SPL w/Scoutmaster's consent Reports to: ASPL

Responsibilities: • Keeps track of troop equipment: o In good repair o In good order o Lends out and sees it return • Serves on the PLC • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit

Qualifications: First Class

Fulfills: Star - 5 Life - 5 Eagle – 4 Palm - 3

Recommended Attending Junior Leader Training run by Troop

Term Till next election, removal, or will to change Either 6 months or until a new quartermaster can take his place, whichever is most perdent

Notes You may have more than one QM at the same level

Den Chief Appointed by: Scoutmaster and Cubmaster Reports to: Scoutmaster and Den leader Responsibilities: • Helps out a Den and it’s pack with any activities they participate in • Serve as a liaison between the den and the troop • Present and teach about the boy scouts to the graduating WEBLOS • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit

Qualifications:

Fulfills: Star - 5 Life - 5 Eagle – 4 Palm - 3

Recommended Attending Junior Leader Training run by Troop Go to District- or Council-Run Den Chief training

Term Serves until the den has bridged into the troop, or later if needed

Notes Each den should only have one den chief, but a pack may have according to the number of dens To show a scout is a Den chief, a den chief band is to be worn around the left shoulder, and under the epilate

Instructor Appointed By: SPL w/Scoutmaster's consent Reports to: ASPL

Responsibilities: • Instruct Scout Skills as needed (Tenderfoot to First Class, Merit Badges) • Prepares well in advance for each • Serves on the PLC • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit

Qualifications: Be first class or higher Be an experienced member of the troop

Fulfills: Star – 5 Life – 5 Eagle – 4 Palm - 3

Recommended Attending Junior Leader Training run by Troop

Term Till next election, removal, or will to change Either 6 months or until a new instructor can take his place, whichever is most perdent

Notes Multiple instructors are a nice thing to have, but not necessary

JASM Appointed by: Scoutmaster Reports to: Scoutmaster Responsibilities: • Works with: o Assistant Scoutmasters o SPL for whatever is necessary • Does everything an assistant scoutmaster does except things age prevents him to. • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit

Qualifications: Over 16, but under 18 Approved by BSA

Fulfills: Star - 5 Life - 5 Eagle – 4 Palm - 3

Recommended Attending Junior Leader Training run by Troop

Term Until he becomes 18

Notes

Troop Guide Appointed Position: Scoutmaster Reports to: Assistant Scoutmaster in charge of new boys Responsibilities: • Works with the patrol leader -new boys in order to protect them from the abuse of the older experienced scouts • Guide new scouts to becoming part of the troop • Serves on the PLC • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit

Qualifications First Class Been SPL Before

Fulfills: Star - 5 Life - 5 Eagle – 4 Palm – 3

Recommended Attending Junior Leader Training run by Troop

Term Until the next election, removal, or will to change Either 6 months or until a new troop guide can take his place, whichever is most perdent Notes

Scribe Appointed By: SPL w/Scoutmaster's consent Reports to: ASPL Responsibilities: • Attends every event and records: o Attendance o Payment o Advancement • Works with: o Junior Webmaster and Troop Webmaster to take announcements and publish them o Troop newsletter editor-in-chief • Be a writer on the Troop newsletter • Serves on the PLC • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit

Qualifications:

Fulfills: Star - 5 Life - 5 Eagle – 4 Palm - 3

Recommended Attending Junior Leader Training run by Troop

Term Till next election, removal, or will to change Either 6 months or until a new scribe can take his place, whichever is most perdent

Notes Having 2 scribes is recommended. Ways to tell the difference: one is main, the assistant; one is for the newsletter, one is in charge of the website. Being an assistant is a great position for a young scout.

Troop Historian Appointed By: SPL w/Scoutmaster's consent Reports to: ASPL Responsibilities: • Organizes and Keeps track of all the Awards the troop receives • Gathers pictures & info in scrapbooks • Works With Junior Webmaster on the history page of the troop • Serves as A member on the PLC • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit

Qualifications: First class

Fulfills: Star - 5 Life - 5 Eagle – 4 Palm - 3

Recommended Attending Junior Leader Training run by Troop

Term Till next election, removal, or will to change Either 6 months or until a new troop historian can take his place, whichever is most perdent

Notes Troop Historian is Great for scout who is a local history buff, but may want to be reserved for a 2nd-year or later scout

Librarian Appointed By: SPL w/Scoutmaster's consent Reports to: ASPL

Responsibilities: • Keeps track of all the reference material the troop has • Keeps a system for all Ins and Outs • Serves on the PLC • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit

Qualifications:

Fulfills: Star - 5 Life - 5 Eagle – 4 Palm - 3

Recommended Attending Junior Leader Training run by Troop

Term Till next election, removal, or will to change Either 6 months or until a new quartermaster can take his place, whichever is most perdent

Notes Excellent position for a person who never had one before

Chaplin Aid Appointed By: SPL w/Scoutmaster's consent Reports to: ASPL Responsibilities: • Works with the Troop Chaplin • Informs troop of religious events, holidays and Awards • Encourages Grace at Meals • Has inter-denomination services on weekends • Serves as A member on the PLC • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit

Qualifications: First Class

Fulfills: Star - 5 Life - 5 Eagle – 4 Palm - 3

Recommended Attending Junior Leader Training run by Troop

Term Till next election, removal, or will to change Either 6 months or until a new Chaplin’s Aide can take his place, whichever is most perdent

Notes

Order of the Arrow Troop Representative (OATR) Appointed by: SPL w/SM’s concert Reports to: SPL and chapter/lodge OATR committee chairman Responsibilities: • Must now the requirements for joining the order • Be active in both, the troop and the chapter and/or lodge • Helps out at Troop OA Elections • Go on troop camping trips, as well as bring other OA members along with him • Be a representative of the Troop in the OA • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit

Qualifications: Member of The Order of the Arrow and the Troop in good standing

Fulfills: Star - 5 Life - 5 Eagle – 4 Palm - 3

Recommended Attending Junior Leader Training run by Troop Attend OATR Training run by the chapter or the lodge

Term Till next election, removal, or will to change Either 6 months or until a new quartermaster can take his place, whichever is most perdent

Notes To be a member of the Order of the Arrow, you need to the following 1. Be at least first class or higher 2. 15 nights of camping (including 1 week at a summer camp) in the last 2 years 3. Be elected by a certain number of peers 4. Must pass the ordeal The OATR may also serve on his local chapter’s and/or lodge’s OATR committee and may even become the respective committee chairperson From the OA perspective, the OATR has these responsibilities: 1. Must now the requirements for joining the order 2. Be active in both, the troop and the chapter and/or lodge 3. Should go on OA weekends when he can, to encourage and congratulate the candidates 4. Go on help out OA activities, as well as bring other OA members along with him 5. Helps out other members of troop advance to ordeal and brotherhood in the OA 6. Be a representative of the OA in the Troop Bugler Appointed by: SPL, with Scoutmaster’s Approval Reports to: ASPL Responsibilities: • Plays the bugle at Ceremonies

Qualifications: Plays the bugle

Fulfills: Star - 5 Life - 5 Eagle – 4 Palm - 3

Recommended Attending Junior Leader Training run by Troop

Term Till next election, removal, or will to change Either 6 months or until a new bugler can take his place, whichever is most perdent

Notes Fulfils Requirement #6 of the Bugling Merit Badge

Junior Webmaster Appointed by: SPL, with Scoutmaster’s Approval Reports to: ASPL Responsibilities: • Keeps website Scout-Related and Scouter-Friendly • Works with: o Troop Webmaster (ASM or Committee Member) o The Chief Scribe o OA Troop Rep (for OA Announcements) o Historian (for topic related pages [ex. Anniversary, troop history]) • Keeps Website up to standard • Periodically update the website with announcements • Set’s a good example • Enthusiastically wear’s the uniform correctly • Shows scout spirit

Qualifications: Eligible for scribe Knows what is acceptable on the web Knows how to create, run, update, etc websites

Fulfills: Star - 5 Life - 5 Eagle – 4 Palm - 3

Recommended Attending Junior Leader Training run by Troop HTML and Java knowledge

Term Till next election, removal, or will to change Either 6 months or until a new quartermaster can take his place, whichever is most perdent

Notes Counts as a Scribe position for the purposes of upper rank requirements

Decision Boards Patrol Leader’s Council (PLC) This is the leading body of the troop. Chaired by the SPL and Guided by the Scoutmaster(s), this body makes all the decisions that affect the troop in matters of program. After a meeting, the SPL and SM report the decisions to the committee, and to the rest of the troop. The council is responsible for program, rank advancement (tenderfoot through life, and merit badges) and ensuring a good relation with other scouting groups (relative Pack, OA Chapter, and other troops), their meetings are open to everyone in the troop (scouts and leaders), but mainly have: SM, Committee Chair. Guide Veto Power SPL. Chair Votes in a tie Breaker PL All Patrol Leaders (APLs may sub-in) representing their respective patrol. Permanent Voting ability Junior Leader Positions: Instructor(s), Quartermaster(s), Scribe(s) – Main and Junior Webmaster, Librarian, Historian, Chaplin's Aid, Order of The Arrow Troop Representative, Bugler Voting in certain situations ASPL Represent missing Junior Leaders in their absence and Chair’s the council in The SPL’s absence When not an Acting SPL, this person has voting ability, when he is, he only votes in a tie. Troop Guide ASM(s), JASM(s) Guides

Committee Made up of parents and guardians of members of the troop. With their own chairman, this board makes decisions for the troop pertaining to money. Committee is responsible for fundraising, rank advancement (in particular board of reviews and eagle advancement), and ensuring a successful program and a good relation with the sponsoring institution. Meetings are open to all, but the main people who show is: Committee Chair Runs the meetings SM, SPL Guide Becomes the voice of the boys Treasurer Chaplin Institutional Representative Advancement Chair ASM Other volunteers Fund Rasing, Board of Review, eagle coordinator, Service coordinator, secretary (membership) Individual jobs

Troop Media Options

Run by boys of the Troop. Keeps members informed with announcements, articles, stories, etc. Publish documents created by the any member of the troop.

Troop newsletter Editor-in-Chief ASM or Committee member Scribe

Troop website Webmaster ASM or Committee member Junior Webmaster

The Branches of Scouting

Red, Boy Scout Troop Boy Scouts First and Main Branch. Every other branch is based somehow on this one. These boys where red epilates on the Tan Uniform.

Orange, Varsity Scout Team The Sports-active Branch. A boy on a Team that participates in all of sporting activities. These boys where Orange epilates on the Tan Uniform

Yellow/Gold The Employed Branch. All People who work directly for a Council and/or District (Scout shops). These People where yellow epilates on the Tan Uniform

Green, Venture Scouts Crew The Camping Branch. Boys, Girls, and Adults that are Very active in camping, rock climbing, COPE-ing and/or working at a camp (i.e. Summer camp councilors). A boy may join Venture Scouting when he becomes first class and at least the Age of 14. These people where Green epilates on the Tan Uniform or the Green Uniform

Blue, Cub Scout Pack The Young Branch. . Boys from 6-11 years old (1-5th grade) are allowed to participate in Cub scouts. Boys are encouraged to do their best; taught about teamwork, nature, and the citizenship. Boys 9 and 10 years old (4th and 5th grade) join a WEBLOS den and Learn from a range of 20 activities and about the ways of the Boy Scouts. Upon receiving the arrow of light award, becoming 11 or completing the 5th grade, a boy may become a Boy Scout. These boys where blue epilates on the Tan Uniform or a Blue Uniform

Silver The Top Branch. Anyone who works for or with National/Regional Boy Scouts Offices. These boys where Silver epilates on the Tan Uniform

Sash The Honor Branch. Member of the Order of the Arrow are those campers who have been elected by their peers to be part of the Brotherhood of Cheerful Service. These boys where a sash through the right epilate of the Tan Uniform, or over the right shoulder of another uniform or ordinary shorts

Once a year, a chosen representative from each branch goes to Washington to speak in front of Congress and The President.

Geographic Level Breakdown

Chartered organization The sponsoring organization of the Troop.

Council Manages local shops, programs, records, resources, etc. Runs a camp for the Packs, Troop, Crews, and OA Activates to be done in the area the council is responsible for. Can be the size of a county, or part of a state.

Lodge Conducts all the OA Activities, records, and resources of Service in the area of a council.

District Functions as a local part of the council. Runs training, events and roundtables for each branch. Size of a couple of villages or a town

Chapter OA equivalent to a District

Region Collection of local Councils in a certain area of the country. Runs Nation Boy Scout Camping Training, High Adventure camping, etc. Size of a couple of states

Section Collection of Lodges from a certain area of a Region. People from lodges vote for a section chief, to be a representative to the National Lodge and to decide our National and Regional OA Leadership

National The National Council is in charge of Boy Scouts across the nation and overseas (for American children on Bases in other countries). Each branch has representatives from across the nation. The council also sends representatives to the World Scouting Organization in London

Programs Troop run training Twice a year, the troop runs Junior Leader Training to help out their boys.

JLTC Once a year, the Council runs a Junior Leader Training Conference. 64 boys from across a council’s area (no more than 2 a troop) to teach a boy 12 different points in Leadership.

OATR Training Lodge- or Chapter-run training to teach and help an OATR with his Duties

Positions Guide

Resources used for this book in 2005: http://www.geocities.com/bpc192/ http://www.troop7.org/Leaders/APL.html http://www.bsatroop99.com/Leadershippositions.htm http://www.scouting.org/ The Order of the Arrow – Troop/Team Representative Training and Information Packet Junior Leader Handbook Boy’s Scout Handbook Scoutmaster junior leader training kit http://www.geocities.com/troop_152/information/jobs.html http://www.scouttroops.org/ga/bsa/1111/AdultLeaderPositions.htm http://www.troop81wexford.org/Troop81/positions.htm http://members.cox.net/troop10/junior_leaders_job_descriptions.htm