The purpose of Troop Leadership Skills for Troops course is to teach Scouts with leadership positions about their new roles and how to most effectively reach success in that role. It is intended to help Boy Scouts in leadership positions within their troop understand their responsibilities and to equip them with organizational and leadership skills to fulfill those responsibilities.
The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is the leader of the Troop (the Scoutmaster serves in an advisory/guidance role). The SPL is responsible for the Troop’s overall operation. He is in charge of Troop meetings, heads the Patrol Leaders’ Council, and is in charge of all Troop activities. He does everything he can to help each patrol be successful. He is responsible for annual program planning conferences and assists the Scoutmaster in conducting the Troop Junior Leadership Training. The SPL presides over the Patrol Leaders’ Council and works closely with each Patrol Leader to plan Troop meetings and make arrangements for Troop activities. All Scouts vote by secret ballot to choose their SPL. Rank and age requirements to be an SPL are determined by the Troop, as is the schedule of elections. During a Scout’s tas SPL, he is not officially a member of any patrol.
The SPL appoints one or more Assistant Senior Patrol Leader(s) (ASPL) with the approval of the Scoutmaster. Among the ASPL’s specific duties are providing training and guidance for the Troop’s Quartermaster, Scribe, Order of the Arrow Representative, Historian, Librarian, and Instructors. He serves in place of the SPL at meetings and events when the senior patrol leader cannot be present. The ASPL is not officially a member of any patrol.
Each new Scout Patrol in the Troop should have its own Troop Guide. The Troop Guide is aolder Scout who holds the rank of First Class or higher, has strong teaching skills, and possesses the patience to work with new Scouts. As a mentor to the Patrol Leader of the new Scout Patrol, he provides direction for the Patrol Leader and helps him with his responsibilities. The Troop Guide accompanies the new Scout patrol on campouts and makes himself available to assist the new Scouts as they learn fundamental Scouting skills.
Each Patrol Leader appoints an Assistant Patrol Leader (APL) to serve concurrently with the Patrol Leader’s term of office. The APL helps in leading the Patrol and substitutes for the Patrol Leader whenever the Patrol Leader cannot be present. The APL should attend Junior Leadership Training and Patrol Leaders’ Council meetings whenever possible.
Each new Scout Patrol in the Troop should have its own Troop Guide. The Troop Guide is aolder Scout who holds the rank of First Class or higher, has strong teaching skills, and possesses the patience to work with new Scouts. As a mentor to the Patrol Leader of the new Scout Patrol, he provides direction for the Patrol Leader and helps him with his responsibilities. The Troop Guide accompanies the new Scout patrol on campouts and makes himself available to assist the new Scouts as they learn fundamental Scouting skills.
The Chaplain Aide assists the Troop Chaplain (an adult from the Troop Committee or the Chartered Organization) in conducting the Troop’s religious observances. He sees that religious holidays are considered during program planning, and he promotes the religious emblems program. He encourages Troop members to strengthen their own relationship with God through personal prayer and devotions and participation in religious activities. He serves as the youth coordinator for the observance of the annual Scout Sunday each February. He is sensitive to the various theological and religious positions embraced by the faiths represented in the Troop, and acts accordingly.
The Troop Historian collects and preserves Troop photographs, news stories, trophies, flags, scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia. He may also gather and organize information about the Troop’s former members and leaders, and make those materials available for Scouting activities, media contacts, and Troop history projects. Troop displays prepared by the Historian can be used during Courts of Honor, Troop open houses, and other special Scouting occasions.
Librarian
The Troop Librarian oversees the care and use of Troop books, Merit Badge pamphlets, magazines, audio/visual aids, computer recorders, and lists of Merit Badge Counselors. He checks out these materials to Scouts and Leaders and maintains records to ensure that all items are returned. He may also suggest the purchase of new literature and report the need to repair or replace any current items..
Each Troop Instructor is an older Troop member who is proficient in Scouting skills and has the ability to teach those skills to others. The subjects that Instructors may wish to teach include any of the areas that Scouts want to master, especially those such as first aid, camping, backpacking, orienteering, and others required for outdoor activities and rank advancement. The Troop may have more than one Instructor.
An Order of the Arrow (OA) Representative can be appointed by the SPL to be a link between the Troop and the local Order of the Arrow lodge. By enhancing the image of the Order as a service arm to the Troop, the Representative promotes the OA, urges Scouts to take part in resident camping, and encourages older Scouts to seek out opportunities for high adventure. The OA Representative assists with leadership skills training in the Troop and supports fellow Arrowmen undertaking unit leadership roles. He reports to the ASPL.
Quartermaster
The Troop Quartermaster is the Troop’s equipment manager. He keeps an inventory of Troop equipment and sees that the gear is in good condition. He works the Patrols as they check out equipment and return it, and at meetings of the Patrol Leaders’ Council, reports on the status of equipment in need of replacement and repair. In carrying out his responsibilities he may have the guidance of the Troop Committee’s Equipment Chair.
Webmaster
The troop webmaster is responsible for maintaining the troop’s website. He should make sure that information posted on the website is correct and up to date and that members’ and leaders’ privacy is protected. A member of the troop committee may assist him with his work.
Scribe
The Scribe is the Troop’s secretary. He keeps the minutes of the Patrol Leaders’ Council meetings but is not a voting member of the Council. The Scribe may also keep attendance records of other Troop activities, such as campouts and service projects. During Troop meetings, he works with the Patrols to ensure the accurate recording of attendance and payment of dues, and can help keep advancement records up-to-date.
Leave No Trace Trainer
The Leave No Trace Trainer specializes in teaching Leave No Trace principles and ensuring that the troop follows these principles on outings. He can also help Scoutsearn the Leave No Trace award. He should have a thorough understanding of andcommitment to Leave No Trace. Ideally, he should have completed Leave No Tracetraining and earned the Camping and Environmental Science merit badges.
Bugler
From time to time the Troop may have a Troop Bugler.
TROOP PATROL