Troop 520 What Can I Do As A Scout To Strengthen The Troop? Chartered by VFW Post 4015, Newberg, OR.
What Can I Do As A Scout To Strengthen The Troop? Leadership is not only knowing what you need to do to succeed but also knowing what to do if things go wrong. Working well with others is perhaps the most important life skill that you can learn. You will gain confidence by being entrusted with power and in leading your peers. You will learn that your leadership style needs to evolve from Explaining, to Demonstrating, to Guiding, and finally to Enabling as the group develops into a working team. A Boy Scout Troop is a microcosm of democracy-in-action. Its key leaders are elected by their peers, and then provide direction through the Troop s essential operating units: Its PATROLS. The Patrol Method is not a way of running a Scout troop; it is the ONLY way of running a Scout Troop. Without The Patrol Method, there is no Scouting. - Lord Robert S.S. Baden-Powell of Gilwell With the Scoutmaster s guidance, Scouts form themselves into Patrols, plan the Troop s annual, monthly, and individual meeting programs, and bring these to life. For this to happen, the Troop relies on Scouts serving in key positions of responsibility, to make up the PATROL LEADERS COUNCIL (aka PLC ). The PLC is the primary operational/program decision-making body of the Troop. Think you ve got what it takes to be a leader? 2 Document Rev. 1, 29-Oct-2014
Youth Job Descriptions Senior Patrol Leader: Engage older scouts in troop activities by asking them to lead specific training activities, merit badge leadership for sub-group, arrange field trip on a topic of their interest they would like to share, etc. Creates an agenda for and runs all troop meetings, activities, and the annual program planning meeting. o Completes this Annual Troop Planning Guide with monthly themes and preliminary activities of each weekly meeting. This is typically complete 3 months in advanced at quarterly planning meetings. o Reviews this completed Troop Meeting Outline with SM or ASM before start of meeting. o Appoints a Camping Chair to each of the campouts planned. Runs the patrol leader s council (green bar) meeting. If he can t go to the meeting he makes sure the ASPL or someone else is there with the agenda. o Completes the Green bar agenda outline and hands out copy to entire Green Bar 1 day before the start of the meeting. o Publishes this monthly agenda on website under forum for Green Bar meetings 1 day before start of meeting with notification sent to scribe and Green Bar committee. Appoints ASPL, Troop Quartermaster, Scribe, Librarian, Troop Guide(s) and Den Chief(s) with the counsel of the Scoutmaster. Assigns duties and responsibilities to others. Calls the patrol leaders at least 72 hours before a meeting with any information they need to pass on to their patrols. o Send weekly meeting announcements, via Scoutlander that contains an overview of Activates / Merit Badges / Planning / etc. that will be accomplished. Works closely with the Scoutmaster on all troop activities, by meeting weekly. o Also uses e-mail, text and meets with SM and Troop Mentors, as needed, outside of meetings to help with planning of activities, lessons and/or events. Meets with the patrol leaders for 5-10 minutes after each weekly meeting to coordinate. o Assign various patrol and assistant patrol leaders tasks that help in planning activities, campouts etc. on the Troop calendar. Candidate approved by the Scoutmaster, is at least 1st Class, and preferably has attended leadership training. Sets a good example, and wears the Scout uniform correctly at all scout Reports to the Scoutmaster. 3 Document Rev. 1, 29-Oct-2014
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader: Attends the monthly patrol leader s council (green bar) meeting. Follows the guidelines for the senior patrol leader s responsibilities and qualifications. Trains and gives direction to the Troop Quartermaster, Scribe, Historian, and Librarian. Sets a good example, and wears the Scout uniform correctly at all scout Reports to the Senior Patrol Leader. Patrol Leader: Creates an agenda for and runs the weekly patrol meeting and activities. Represents his patrol at the monthly patrol leader s council (green bar) meeting, and gives a report to his patrol during the weekly meeting. If he can t go to a meeting he makes sure his Assistant Patrol leader can or appoints someone else to take over, and gives them his notes or agenda. Then follows up with that person to find out what went on and what needs to be ready for the next meeting. Calls his patrol at least 48 hours before the meeting with any new or important information, and also to make sure everything is ready for the meeting or outing. Sets a good example, and wears the Scout uniform correctly at all scout Reports to the Senior Patrol Leader. Assistant Patrol Leader: Follows the guidelines set for the patrol leader, & attends the patrol leader council meeting. Leads the patrol in the patrol leader s absence, and helps him when he is present. Sets a good example, and wears the Scout uniform correctly at all scout Reports to the patrol leader. Historian: Collects and maintains troop information about meetings, outings, & service projects by taking pictures, and collecting literature, then putting them in an album with notations of location and who attended, including adults. (The Camping Chair can help you with attendance). o Publishes 1 to 4 pictures on public website displaying what we do as a troop o Archives the bulk of pictures on Troop picture archive system. 4 Document Rev. 1, 29-Oct-2014
o Sends out announcements from time to time via Scoutlander notifying troop of new publications of Troop activities on the website or other sources. Sets a good example. Reports to the assistant senior patrol leader. Librarian: Keeps a record of troop books, pamphlets, videos, etc. o Maintains Troop song book. o Leads Troop in Vesper and other patrol building songs / skits. o Plans campsite activities on camp outs and summer camp. When not able to attend a campout the librarian writes an agenda for the campfire and gives to replacement. Puts a pocket and card in each new book, and adds the title to the current list of articles owned by the troop. Report lost or missing books to the ASPL. Checks books in and out. Sets a good example, and wear the Scout uniform correctly at all scout Reports to the assistant senior patrol leader. Troop Guide: Introduces new Scouts to the troop program, and shields them from harassment. Helps new Scouts achieve first class in their first year or two. o Meets with each scout to review their advancements. o Motivates scouts to participate in the Troop. o Learns what new scouts want to do and becomes their advocate in Green Bar. o Arranges activities allowing new scouts to learn and achieve First Class advancement. Coaches the patrol leader on his duties. Assists the Patrol Advisor with training of the boys. Sets a good example, and wears the Scout uniform correctly at all scout events. Reports to the Patrol Advisor for the new patrol. Quartermaster: Keeps records of troop/patrol equipment and makes sure it s in good working condition. o Maintains equipment lists with master copies stored on website. Issues equipment and makes sure it s returned in good condition. o Reports dirty or broken equipment to ASPL & camping/outdoor coordinator. o Makes suggestions for improvements of equipment and the management of it. 5 Document Rev. 1, 29-Oct-2014
Makes suggestions for new or replacement items to the camping/outdoor coordinator. o Prepares a budget and identifies new equipment to be purchased. o Ultimately is responsible for overseeing all steps to maintain & replace equipment. Sets a good example, and wears the Scout uniform correctly at all scout Reports to the assistant senior patrol leader. Scribe: Attends and keeps a record of the patrol leader s council meeting. o Prepares with help from SPL agenda for Green Bar meeting. Sends to Troop at least 1 day before the Green Bar meeting. o Takes notes and publishes Green Bar meetings minutes once a month or as needed. o Publishes Green Bar meeting minutes on website forum for Green Bar Minutes. o Send out notices of minutes published, via Scoutlander, to entire troop. Creates a schedule of meeting topics and monthly activities to hand out to the members. o Works with the SPL to collect and publish topics to be discussed at monthly Green Bar meetings. o Maintains website calendar of all events and changes to the events as they near. o Sends out notices via Scoutlander of any changes to Troop calendar. Records individual Scout attendance at troop meetings and activities. o Produces a check list of names that are checked off as attending each weekly meeting / event / activity and turned into the Activities chair. Distributes and collects permission slips; collects money-turns both in to adult camping coordinator or adult treasurer as indicated. o Works with Campout Coordinator to collect and maintain proof of annual medical exams, permission slips and any other information required to be kept in Emergency Binder. Sets a good example, and wears the Scout uniform correctly at all scout Reports to the assistant senior patrol leader. 6 Document Rev. 1, 29-Oct-2014
Den Chief: Knows the purpose of Cub Scouting. Helps Cub Scouts advance through rank & assists with activities in the den meetings. Encourage Cub Scouts to join a Boy Scout troop. o Maintains communication with each Cub Scout troop s Scout Master. o Offers help where needed in Cub Scout activities throughout year. o Attends Weblos Den meetings to talk about Boy scouts and invite them to Weblos woods. Attends Den Chief training before working with a den. Sets a good example, and wears the Scout uniform correctly at all scout Reports to Den Leader (pack), and the Assistant Scoutmaster for the new patrol (troop). Instructor: Each instructor is an older troop member proficient in a Scouting skill. He must also have the ability to teach that skill to others. An instructor typically teaches subjects that Scouts are eager to learn especially those such as first aid, camping, and backpacking that are required for outdoor activities and rank advancement. A troop can have more than one instructor. 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 Scouts learn the Leave No Trace award. He should have a thorough understanding of and commitment to Leave No Trace. Ideally, he should have completed Leave No Trace training and earned the Camping and Environmental Science merit badges. Chaplain Aide: The chaplain aide assists the troop chaplain (usually an adult from the troop committee or the chartered organization) in serving the religious needs of the troop. He ensures that religious holidays are considered during the troop s program planning process and promotes the BSA s religious emblems program. Bugler: The bugler plays the bugle (or a similar interest) to mark key moments during the day on troop outings, such as reveille and lights out. He must know the required bugle calls and should ideally have earned the Bugling merit badge. 7 Document Rev. 1, 29-Oct-2014
Order of the Arrow Troop Representative: The Order of the Arrow representative serves as a communication 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, he promotes the Order, encourages Scouts to take part in all sorts of camping opportunities, and helps pave the way for older Scouts to become involved in high-adventure programs. The OA troop representative assists with leadership skills training. He reports to the assistant senior patrol leader. Troop 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. Junior assistant Scoutmaster: A Scout at least 16 years of age who has shown outstanding leadership skills may be appointed by the senior patrol leader, with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster, to serve as a junior assistant Scoutmaster. These young men (a troop may have more than one junior assistant Scoutmaster) follow the guidance of the Scoutmaster in providing support and supervision to other boy leaders in the troop. Upon his 18th birthday, a junior assistant Scoutmaster will be eligible to become an assistant Scoutmaster. Offices held for 6 month terms. Elections held and appointments made during the last meeting in October and March. After discussing the job description with parents (remember this will be a commitment for them as well since they need to get you to the meetings), the boys may sign up for the desired positions during October and March. SPL candidates are approved by the Scoutmaster. Voting is to be done by secret ballot. The troop votes for SPL. The patrols vote for their own Patrol leaders. The Patrol Leader selects his Assistant Patrol leader. The remaining positions are on a volunteer basis and appointed by the new SPL with advice from the Scoutmaster. If a scout is not fulfilling his duties, and has been counseled without success, with the SPL and the Scoutmasters approval, the right to hold that leadership position will be removed. 8 Document Rev. 1, 29-Oct-2014