The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) runs the troop. This scout presides over all meetings and activities, and is the leader of the Patrol Leader's Council (PLC). This scout must be at least First Class; a Star or Life Scout will probably be more successful. We strongly encourage Scouts who are, or would like to be, SPL to tak one of the council level advanced training courses such as Nagatamen. The SPL appoints the following junior leaders, with the approval of the Scoutmaster:
• Scribe(s)
• Quartermasters(s)
• Librarian(s)
• Historian(s)
• Chaplain's AideAlternately, and in conference with the Scoutmaster, the SPL may choose to have these offices elected by the Troop.
The SPL is elected by the Troop youth membership to a one-year term, and may be reelected with the approval of the Scoutmaster. The SPL may be elected by universal acclaim, or, if there is more than one candidate, by secret ballot.
If a balloted election is held, a simple majority (at least 510f all votes cast) elects the SPL. Only registered Boy Scouts (not adults) may vote in Troop elections, and a quorum must be present to hold an election (670f the Troop).
The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) runs the troop in the absence of the SPL. He is usually also given other duties (e.g. overseeing the Troop Guides and the advancement program, uniform inspection, coop stick). The ASPL is appointed by the SPL with the approval of the Scoutmaster, and should hold at least the First Class rank. We recommend that Scouts who are, or would like to be, ASPL to take one of the Council level advanced training courses such as Nagatamen.
This is the most demanding and difficult position in the Troop. These boys are the frontline managers in the Troop. Patrol Leaders (PLs) are elected by their patrols either by acclaim or secret ballot as necessary. The PL appoints his Assistant Patrol Leader (APL). There is no rank requirement for these officers. The Patrol leader is responsible for holding at least one patrol meeting per month (at a time and place different from regular Troop meetings). The patrol leader is responsible for representing his patrol at the PLC, for communications within his patrol, for planning outings with his patrol and planning for their participation in Troop outings, and for ensuring that all members of his patrol are advancing. Note that being responsible means that he should see to it that all of these things happen, not that he must do all these things personally. See the discussions on leadership and delegation in the Junior Leader Handbook.
The Scribe records attendance at each meeting and collects Troop dues. When there is a Troop outing requiring payment and/or reservations, the Scribe maintains a list of who plans to attend and who has paid. In addition, the Scribe is responsible for all Troop correspondence such as invitations, thank you notes, etc. The Scribe may also be responsible for the Troop newsletter. The Scribe is usually of First Class rank or higher. There may be one or more assistant Scribes as needed. This Scout in this position works with the Troop treasurer.
The Quartermaster is responsible for keeping track of Troop property. He maintains records of who has borrowed Troop equipment, and the condition and completeness of each item or type of item. The QM advises the SPL or Scoutmaster when something needs to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced. The QM is usually of First Class rank or higher. The Scout in this position works with an Assistant Scoutmaster or Troop committee member who has agreed to be responsible for Troop property.
The Librarian maintains the Troop's collection of Merit Badge booklets and handbooks, plus any other printed material, maps, etc. that belong to the Troop. The Librarian sees to it that there is a checkout system in place, that the collection is up-to-date and complete, and arranges to repair or replace out-of-date or damaged books and other items. The Librarian is usually of First Class rank or higher.
The Historian gathers facts and pictures about Troop activities, maintains scrapbooks and displays, and assists Troop leaders make use of historical materials. The Historian is usually of First Class rank or higher.
The Photographer wears a Historian shoulder patch and works with the Historian in preparing and maintaining the Troop memorabilia collection. He is responsible for recording Troop activities with his camera and preparing displays for Courts of Honor and other events.
The Chaplain's Aid plans and carries out religious services at Troop activities. He also tells Troop members about religious emblem program of their faith and how to earn one. This Scout works with the Troop Chaplain.
Troop Guides are appointed by either the Assistant Scoutmaster for New Boys or the Scoutmaster to work with the New Boy Patrol(s). There should be at least one Guide for every New Boy Patrol. There may be additional Guides in charge of recruiting or other responsibilities having to do with recruiting and retaining new members. The Guide(s) is/are are responsible for making sure the New Boy Patrol(s) is/are included in all Troop activities, that they are planning for patrol and Troop outings, that they receive Troop communications, and that they are working on their advancements. Guides work with the Patrol Leader to guide and teach him how to be a good leader, and to ensure that the Patrol is participating and advancing. They do not run the patrol. Troop Guides are usually older Scouts (13+) and have at least First Class rank.
An Instructor is a Scout who serves the Troop by teaching younger Scouts. Appointed by the SPL or the Scoutmaster, the Instructor may be of any rank, but must have special knowledge in some field of Scoutcraft (e.g., first aid, pioneering, cooking, etc.) and be willing to teach the other members of the Troop on an ongoing basis.
The OA representative must be at least an Ordeal member of the Order. He represents the Troop to the local OA Chapter, and informs the Troop about OA activities and opportunities as they arise. The OA representative is appointed by the Scoutmaster or his designated assistant.
The Junior Assistant Scoutmaster is a Scout of exceptional maturity and achievement who is appointed by the Scoutmaster to hold an Assistant Scoutmaster position. Their duties are as appointed by the Scoutmaster and Troop Committee, and are the same as would be assumed by any other ASM (exceptions: they do not drive on Troop outings and do not count as adult leadership for Youth Protection purposes). These boys must either be a Life or Eagle Scout and at least 16 years old.
A Den Chief is a Scout who meets and works with a Cub Scout Den as a junior leader and assistant to the adult leadership. This is a position of tremendous responsibility, since the Scout is serving as an ambassador from Boy Scouts and his Troop to the Cub Scout Pack and Den. He should be mature and enjoy working with younger boys. Den Chiefs volunteer for the position, and are confirmed by the Scoutmaster, Den Leader, and Cubmaster. A Den Chief is usually of First Class rank or higher, and should be at least 12. A separate publication, The Den Chief Handbook contains the requirements for this position.
• With the exception Assistant Senior Patrol leader, "assistant" positions, e.g., assistant Scribe, photographer, Assistant Patrol Leader, etc., do not qualify as "positions of responsibility" for advancement purposes.
• All leaders in the Troop have vital functions and tasks to perform. These are genuine responsibilities, not just honors and titles (check the Junior Leader Handbook for details). Scouts elected or appointed to positions of leadership are expected to fulfill their responsibilities to the very best of their ability.
• Upon acceptance of their election or appointment, they promise themselves, one another, the Troop (their friends and peers) and their leaders that they will fulfill all of their duties. These duties, which will be taught in detail, are specific for each position, but all include proper uniform, attendance and participation in Troop activities and meetings. This is especially important for members of the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC), which is responsible for what actually happens during Troop activities and meetings.
• Insofar as possible, no boy should hold more than one office at a time. In no case can the SPL or ASPL also be PL or APL.
• If the boy leaders do not function, one or more of the Patrols, or even the entire Troop, will cease functioning as well. Boys who do not fulfill their elected or appointed duties will not receive leadership credit for advancement. If a boy discovers that he does not enjoy leadership or cannot keep up with his responsibilities, it is best to step down for the good of the Troop. (See Also: the section under Meetings & Attendance concerning leaders who must absent themselves from the Troop for sports participation or other reasons).
• Youth leaders who are not functioning, either through lack of participation or for other reasons, can be removed from their office by unanimous vote of the Patrol Leaders Council and approval of the Scoutmaster. Releasing a leader is an extremely grave undertaking and is subject to due process. In order to release a leader:
(1) The boy in question must be notified in writing at least two weeks in advance of the projected PLC meeting that he is being considered for release. The letter must outline the reason(s) that the PLC is considering the release and invite a response (with deadline).
(2) After considering the situation and the leader's response (if any), the PLC will vote on the proposal to release the leader. Any decision to release a leader must be unanimous.