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scout troop

Boy Scouts of America Troop Structure

The Scoutmaster

The scout troop has always been and will always be scout led. However, if there was one person that could challenge this notion, it would be the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster is responsible for upholding the reputation and program of the troop. Their decisions affect every youth, adult and each of their scouting futures. The Scoutmaster can be male or female, but must be at least 21 years old. The Scoutmaster is appointed by the head of the chartered organization.

                                                             THE SCOUTMASTER’S DUTIES

• GENERAL

Training and subsequently guiding the boy leaders of the troop. They work with the scouts and other adults to bring Scouting and the Spirit of Scouting to all boys. They use the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting.

• MEETINGS

The Scoutmaster is present at all troop meetings, and appoints a qualified substitute if not, to meet regularly with the patrol leaders’ council (PLC) for training and coordination with planning and carrying out troop activities. They conduct periodic sessions for parents to present more information on the program as well as encourage parents to participate and volunteer in Scouting. The Scoutmaster takes part in annual membership inventory and uniform inspection. This is so every scout gets their troop and scout membership card as well as prove that they have all of the pieces of the Class A uniform that is required for them to wear. The Scoutmaster also attends charter review meetings and the charter presentation so the troop stays connected with those funding it. They also attend Troop Committee meetings

• GUIDANCE

The Scoutmaster provides a recruiting plan for new members so that they are systematically and promptly registered. The Scoutmaster conducts conferences, Scoutmaster conferences, with each scout in order for them to advance in rank. The Scoutmaster cannot do everything himself, so he must delegate responsibilities to other adults and groups, like the assistant Scoutmasters and troop committee, so they have an active participation in troop operations. They also supervise troop elections.

• ACTIVITIES

The Scoutmaster is responsible for getting kids active in Scouting and have it stay that way. If they can get each Scout to spend at least 10 days and nights camping a year, they will have done their job. It is also their responsibility to have the troop participate in council and district events, like camporees and summer camp. They must build a strong Scouting program by using the proven methods provided in Scouting literature. It is their responsibility to make sure all activities are under qualified leadership, conducted in safe conditions, and these activities follow the policies of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America.

Assistant Scoutmasters

The Scoutmaster, with the help of the troop committee, recruits the assistant Scoutmaster(s). Each assistant is assigned a specific duty for the troop and reports back to the Scoutmaster. The Boy Scouts of America requires that there be at least two adults at any scouting event, the assistant Scoutmaster along with the Scoutmaster satisfies that requirement. An assistant Scoutmaster may be 18 years old, but at least one in the troop should be 21 or older, so that they can replace the Scoutmaster in his or her absence.

Assistant Scoutmasters are appointed for:

• NEW SCOUTS

• VARSITY SCOUTS

• VENTURE SCOUTS

A troop should recruit as many assistant Scoutmasters as possible. It has been found that many successful troops have three or more.

Patrols

The boys in the scout troop are divided into patrols. A patrol is a grouping boys who work together to accomplish tasks and activities both for the troop and themselves. Patrols can be made up of as little as 2 boys and as many as 15. 6-8 boys is considered the ideal patrol size. Each patrol elects its own boy leader, called a patrol leader. New scouts can join the troop as early as spring of their sixth grade year. These new scouts form their own patrols and are given a troop guide, sometimes two, in order to guide them through their first year in the scout troop. Venture patrol members must be at least 13 years old and want more challenging high-adventure experiences, like Philmont and Boundary Waters. Varsity patrol members must be 13 years old and want to participate in team sport activities.

Unlike Boys Scouts, both Varsity and Venture Scouting activities may include the participation of girls, but the young women may not register as team or crew members. When girls participate in Varsity and Venture activities, a woman 21 years of age or older must be present along with the adult male leader.

The Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC)

The scout troop is boy led by the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC). With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and his assistants, the patrol leaders' council is responsible for planning and conducting the troop's activities. The troop's activities are selected and planned at the annual program planning conference, one year in advance of the first campout. The troop's yearly plan is then submitted to the troop committee for approval. The troop committee either approves the plan or makes alternative suggestions for the patrol leaders' council to consider. At its monthly meetings, the patrol leaders' council organizes and assigns activity responsibilities for each patrol for the weekly troop meetings. The Scoutmaster is the troop committees voice to the troop.

The Troop's Youth Leaders

A ‘*’ designates a voting member of the PLC.

• SENIOR PATROL LEADER (SPL)*

He is the top junior leader in the troop. He leads the PLC and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints his own ASPL’s and other junior leaders as well as assigns specific responsibilities to patrols and scouts.

• ASSISTANT SENIOR PATROL LEADER (ASPL)*

He assumes the role of senior patrol leader in the event of his absence. He is also responsible for training and giving direction, as given by the SPL, to the quartermaster, scribe, troop historian, librarian, and instructors.

• TROOP HISTORIAN

He collects and maintains troop memorabilia and information on former troop members.

• LIBRARIAN

He keeps troop books, merit badge booklets, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor list available for use by all troop members.

• INSTRUCTOR

He teaches one or more advancement skills to troop members.

• CHAPLAIN AIDE

Opens and closes each PLC meeting with a prayer. He prepares a religious service for each Sunday, before the troop dismisses from a campout. He also assists, if not leads, in troop religious services and promotes religious emblems program.

• JUNIOR ASSISTANT SCOUTMASTER

A Scout 16 or older who supervises and supports other boy leaders as assigned.

• PATROL LEADER*

He is elected by the other members of the patrol. He gives leadership to members of his patrol and represents them on the patrol leaders' council.

• ASSISTANT PATROL LEADER

Assumes the patrol leader’s responsibilities in his absence.

• VENTURE CREW CHIEF*

Leader of a troop's Venture crew.

• VARSITY TEAM CAPTAIN*

Leader of a troop's Varsity team.

• TROOP GUIDE*

Advisor and guide to the new Scout patrol. He is appointed by the Scoutmaster, usually for rank advancement.

• DEN CHIEF

He works with a Cub Scout den as their guide. He ushers them into Boy Scouts. He is appointed by the Scoutmaster, usually for rank advancement.

• QUARTERMASTER

He is responsible for keeping all of the troop supplies and camping equipment ready for use. He is to make sure the equipment is cleaned after campouts and stored properly. He is appointed by the Scoutmaster, usually for rank advancement.

• SCRIBE

The scribe is the troop secretary. He takes notes on the PLC meeting and is the official vote counter for changes to the troop. He also takes attendance at troop meetings. He is considered part of the PLC, but he is not a voting member. He is appointed by the Scoutmaster, usually for rank advancement.

Troop Committee Meetings

The troop committee meeting is attended by all committee members and the Scoutmaster. Occasionally guests, such as the chartered organization representative and unit commissioner, will be invited. The Scoutmaster is not actually a member of the troop committee, and has no vote. The primary responsibility is to support the program of the troop. The cooperation between the troop and its committee is essential for the successful operation of the troop. If every committee member has an active assignment from meeting to meeting they will be feel as if they are contributing to the group and their work is important, so they will be more inclined to attend meetings.

Committee Members

Committee Chair

Charter Organization Rep

Scoutmaster

Advancement Chair

Treasurer

Outdoor Chair

Training Chair

Adult Volunteer Chair

Patrol Advisor Chair

Adult Quatermaster

Eagle Quest Chair

Webelos Transition Chair

High Adventure Chair

Life To Eagle Chair

Committee Member

Secretary

Suggested Troop Committee Meeting Agenda

1. Call the meeting to order – Chairperson

2. Welcome and introduction of new members and guests - Chairperson

3. Approval of previous meeting's minutes - Secretary

4. Reports

• Scoutmaster (troop progress, actions of patrol leaders' council, disciplinary problems, attendance, monthly outing plans, other troop needs)
• Secretary (newletter, additional resource surveys)
• Outdoor/Activities (outdoor plans, special activities, district and council activities, summer camp update)
• Treasurer (report on current financial standing, money-earning projects, Friends of Scouting)
• Advancement (troop advancement progress, boards of review, courts of honor)
• Chaplain (update on chaplain support to troop members, religious emblems program, participation of boys in the religious emblems program)
• Training (new training materials, youth leader and adult volunteer opportunities for training)
• Equipment Coordinator (status of new and existing troop equipment and of troop needs, new procedures for safe use and storage of equipment)

5. Old business (reports on task assignments from previous meeting)

6. New business (assign tasks as issues are discussed)

7. Announcements (including date of next month's troop committee meeting)

8. Adjournment

If everyone is prepared, troop committee meetings should not last longer than 1.5 hours. It is chairperson's responsibility to keep the meeting moving swiftly. There is no better way to discourage attendance than to conduct meetings that last too long with too little accomplished. The video The Barbecue: Working with the Troop Committee will also give some helpful hints on conducting committee meetings.