YOUTH LEADERSHIP

Positions of Responsibility

There is a time proven way to run a Troop. It is called the "Patrol Method". The Troop is "Boy Led", that being said the boys are to lead. The Boy Scouts have a proven method of seeing to it the boys have the best possible system of leadership. The Boy Scouts have established a command structure that encourages problem solving and team work among the boys. With their Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, Troop Guides and every other boy doing their job, the Patrols and ultimately the whole Troop will come together and get everything needed done. If, there is a failure to function, then the boys will find a solution and learn by their mistakes.

"Some Scoutmasters have struggled with the idea of allowing boys to lead the troop. They wonder whether a boy of 12 can keep a patrol in order or if a 14-year-old senior patrol leaders can organize and manage a successful troop meeting. In the short term it might seem easier for adults to make all of the decisions and direct the action. However when you invest your energy in training boys to run the show, you will find that you can watch with great satisfaction as junior leaders thrive in fulfilling the responsibilities they have been given."

-Scoutmasters Handbook Pg 12

PLC Requirements & Duties

The Patrol Leaders Council

The patrol leaders' council is made up of the Senior Patrol Leader, who presides over the meetings; the Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders, all Patrol Leaders, Troop Guides, and others as determined by your PLC. The patrol leaders' council plans the yearly troop program at the annual troop program planning conference. The PLC then meets monthly to develop plans for upcoming meetings and activities.

The PLC is composed of the following voting members:

Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) - Elected by boys in the troop, SPL runs the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) meetings.
Patrol Leader - Elected by his patrol, the PL represents his patrol PLC meetings and the annual planning conference. Reports PLC decisions to his patrol.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - Serves as a member of the patrol leaders' council and fills in for the SPL as needed.
Troop Guide - Attends patrol leaders’ council meetings with the patrol leader of the new-Scout patrol.
Scribe - Attends and keeps a log of patrol leaders’ council meetings. The scribe is
non-voting member of the PLC; however in the practices of some troops, scribes have been granted voting privileges.

At its monthly meetings, the PLC organizes and assigns activity responsibilities for the weekly troop meetings. The troop committee interacts with the patrol leaders' council through the Scoutmaster.

Some troops' PLC includes others who may be assigned tasks and may be voting or non-voting members such as:

Instructors - May be assigned training tasks or report on previous training
Quartermaster - May report on condition and availability of equipment and needs
Librarian - May report on condition and availability of the troop library and needs
Historian, Chaplain Aide, Bugler, etc.

The PLC is guided by the Scoutmaster and has direct support by key Troop Committee members:

Troop Advancement Chair ensures that the unit has at least monthly boards of review and quarterly courts of honor.
Troop Equipment Coordinator - work with the Quartermaster with unit equipment.
Troop Outdoor/Activities Chair - secures tour permits and permissions and serves as transportation coordinator.

TROOP 28 PRESENTS:

The Patrol Method

The Patrol Method is not one of the methods the BSA uses,

IT IS THE ONLY METHOD!

Music

Senior Patrol Leader Responsibilities

Runs all troop meetings, events, activities, and the annual program planning conference.
Runs the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) meetings.
Appoints other troop junior leaders with the advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster.
Assigns duties and responsibilities to junior leaders.
Assists the Scoutmaster with junior leader training.
Sets a good example.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

Helps the senior patrol leader lead meetings and activities.
Runs the troop in the absence of the senior patrol leader.
Helps train and supervise the troop Scribe, Quartermaster, Instructor, Librarian, Historian, Webmaster, and Chaplain Aide.
Serves as a member of the patrol leaders' council.
Sets a good example.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
Show Scout spirit.
Lends a hand controlling the patrol and building patrol spirit.
Wears the uniform correctly.

Patrol Leader

When you accepted the position of patrol leader, you agreed to provide service and leadership to your patrol and troop. No doubt you will take this responsibility seriously, but you will also find it fun and rewarding. As a patrol leader, you are expected to do the following:

Plan and lead patrol meetings and activities.
Keep patrol members informed.
Assign each patrol member a specific duty.
Represent his patrol at all patrol leaders' council meetings and the annual program planning conference.
Prepare the patrol to participate in all troop activities.
Work with other troop leaders to make the troop run well.
Know the abilities of each patrol member.
Set a good example.
Wear the Scout uniform correctly.
Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
Show and develop patrol spirit.

Scribe

Attends and keeps a log of patrol leaders’ council meetings.
Records individual Scout attendance and dues payments.
Records individual Scout advancement progress.
Works with the troop committee member responsible for records and finance.
Sets a good example.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit

Quartermaster

Keeps records on patrol/troop or squad/team equipment.
Makes sure equipment is in good working condition.
Issues equipment and makes sure it is returned in good condition.
Makes suggestions for new or replacement items.
Works with the troop committee member responsible for equipment.
Sets a good example.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit

Librarian

Sets up and takes care of a troop/team library.
Keeps records of books and pamphlets owned by the troop/team.
Adds new or replacement items as needed.
Keeps books and pamphlets available for borrowing.
Keeps a system for checking books and pamphlets in and out, and follows up on late returns.
Set a good example.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirit

Chaplain Aide

Assists the troop or team chaplain with religious services at troop/team activities.
Encourages troop/team members to strengthen their own relationships with God through personal prayer and devotion and participation in religious activities appropriate to their faith (see note 1 below).
Tells Scouts about the Religious Emblems program for their faith at least once a year.
Helps recognize troop/team members who receive their religious emblems, (such as at a court of honor, see note 2 below).
Makes sure religious holidays are considered during the troop/team program planning process.
Helps plan for religious observance in troop/team activities.
Encourages saying grace at meals while camping or at other activities (see note 3 below).
Helps promote annual Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath.
Sets a good example.
Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
Shows Scout spirt

​BOY SCOUT TROOP 28