Descriptions of Leadership Roles

 

Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)

(Member of the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) - Elected by troop - Must have previous service as an ASPL or PL, and be 1st Class rank or higher)
The SPL is the top leader of the troop. S/he is responsible for the overall operation of the troop. With guidance from the Scoutmaster, s/he takes charge of troop meetings, of the Patrol Leaders Council, and of all troop activities, and s/he does everything s/he can to help each patrol be successful. The SPL presides over the PLC and works closely with each patrol leader to plan troop meetings and make arrangements for troop activities. During his/her term as SPL, s/he is not a member of any patrol.  We have one SPL for Troop 401B and one for Troop 401G.

 

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL)

(Member of the PLC - Appointed by SPL, after consultation with the Scoutmaster (SM) - Must be 1st class rank or higher)

The ASPL works closely with the SPL to help the troop move forward, and serves as acting SPL when the SPL is absent. In coordination with the SPL and SM, s/he provides direction to the scouts in certain SM-assigned positions of responsibility. During his/her term as ASPL, s/he is not a member of any patrol.

 

Troop Guides (TG)

(Member of the PLC - Appointed by SM - Must be Spartans patrol members, or former PLs, or both - Must be 1st class rank or higher)

Troop Guides serve as mentors to scouts in regular patrols for scoutcraft and advancement.
They serve as mentors to PLs and APLs of junior patrols for leadership.
They assist the SM and ASM in Target First Class training.
They help provide scoutcraft skills training to all scouts for full-troop activities (e.g. Outdoor Derby, First Aid Derby).
In some interpatrol activities, they participate as members of their regular patrols.
They have a strong grasp of scouting skills, and an interest in and commitment to helping younger scouts progress through the ranks.
They are PLC members, and are equivalent to PLs in leadership level; they are Spartans patrol members, or former PLs, or both.

 

Patrol Leader (PL)

(Member of the PLC - Elected by members of his/her patrol - Ideally 1st Class or higher, subject to waiver by the SM)

The patrol leader is the top leader of his/her patrol. The duties of the PL include:
--Represent the patrol at all PLC meetings.
--Keep patrol members informed of decisions made by the PLC.
--Play a key role in planning, leading, and evaluating patrol meetings and activities.
--Help the patrol prepare to participate in all troop activities.
--Solicit ideas and concerns from patrol members so they have input to the planning and operation of the patrol.
--Learn about the abilities of other patrol members and fully involve them in patrol and troop activities by assigning them specific tasks and responsibilities.
--Attend troop leadership training and continue to work on advancement.
--Encourage patrol members to complete their own advancement requirements.
--Recruit new members to maintain a full patrol.
--Set a good example by having a positive attitude, wearing the Scout uniform, showing patrol spirit, and expecting the best from yourself and others.
--Devote the time necessary to be an effective leader.
--Work with others in the troop to make the troop go.
--Live by the Scout Oath and Law.

 

Assistant Patrol Leader (APL)

(Member of the PLC - Appointed by his PL, after consultation with the SPL and SM)

The assistant patrol leader works closely with the PL to help move the patrol forward, and serves as acting PL when the PL is absent. The duties of the APL include:
--Assist the patrol leader in planning and chairing patrol meetings.
--Lend a hand in leading patrol activities and building patrol spirit.
--Help the patrol prepare for troop activities.
--Assist the scribe in keeping current the advancement records of patrol members.
--Monitor the advancement progress of patrol members.
--Attend PLC meetings, and represent the patrol at PLC meetings when the PL cannot attend.
--Set a good example.
--Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
In addition, the APL may be given special assignments such as working on a patrol service project or assisting certain patrol members with their advancement.

 

 

Quartermaster

(Member of the Patrol Leaders Council - Appointed by the Scoutmaster)

The quartermaster is the troop supply boss.

 

Historian

(Appointed by the Scoutmaster)

The historian collects and preserves troop photographs and other memorabilia, and makes materials available for Scouting activities and troop history projects.
S/he presents a review of recent activities at the last Court of Honor that takes place during his term and maintains the website blog.

 

Instructor

(Appointed by the Scoutmaster)

S/he is proficient in one or more Scouting skills and in the ability to teach those skills to others. The subjects can encompass any of the areas that Scouts will want to master, especially those required for outdoor activities and rank advancement (first aid, camping, backpacking, etc).

 

 

Leave No Trace Trainer

(Appointed by the Scoutmaster)

S/he specializes in teaching Leave No Trace principles and ensuring that the troop follows these principles on outings.
S/he can also help Scouts earn the Leave No Trace award.
S/he should have a thorough understanding of and commitment to Leave No Trace.
Ideally, s/he should have earned the Camping and Environmental Science merit badges, but this is not a prerequisite.

 

Order of the Arrow Troop Representative

(Appointed by the Scoutmaster)

S/he serves as a communication link between the troop and the local Order of the Arrow lodge, and runs the annual OA elections in the spring.
By enhancing the image of the Order as a service arm to the troop, s/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.
S/he assists with leadership skills training.

 

Communications Scribe

(Appointed by the Scoutmaster)

S/he is the Scout Communications Coordinator.
S/he is in charge of facilitating communications among scouts, and between the troop leadership and the scouts.
S/he is an assistant to the adult Communications Coordinator on the troop committee.
S/he sends the weekly email reminder, and reminders for specific activities.
This job is ideal for an older scout.

 

Records Scribe

(Appointed by the Scoutmaster)

S/he is the troop secretary.
S/he records attendance at troop meetings, and helps to maintain troop advancement records.
Though not a voting member, s/he attends meetings of the PLC and keeps a record of the discussions.
A member of the troop committee assists him/her with his work.

 

Service Coordinator

(Appointed by the Scoutmaster)

S/he helps bring ideas for new service projects.
S/he maintains a database of past and potential future service project details for the troop.
S/he is the key contact with outside organizations seeking to have scouts do service projects, including with the ASL service coordinator.
S/he is in charge of organizing a service project as a troop activity on suitable campouts, and if there is a significant gap in the troop calendar during which there are no Eagle service projects being done.
S/he helps ensure that scouts get the proper credit in Scoutbook for service hours completed.
S/he ensures that troop service hours are logged on the BSA national website.
This position qualifies for the Star and Life (but not for Eagle) positions of responsibility rank requirements, as a Scoutmaster-assigned leadership project to help the troop.

 

 

Webelos Den Chief

(Appointed by the Scoutmaster)

S/he assists with the leadership of the Webelos 2 Den in Pack 175.
S/he helps plan, and attends, den meetings and field activities, especially but not exclusively those coordinating with Troop 401.
S/he helps smooth the progress of the Webelos scouts into the Troop.
In the spring, after the Webelos 2 den crosses over into the troop, s/he starts working with the Webelos 1 Den along the same lines.
This is ideally a 2-term (i.e. full school year) commitment for the sake of continuity.

 

Webmaster

(Appointed by the Scoutmaster)

The Troop has a new website! The Webmaster will post information to the website as needed, to keep it current.

 

 

Bugler

(Appointed by the Scoutmaster)

Play taps and reveille on campouts, and something at the court of honor.

Willing (and with parental permission) to bring his/her bugle or trumpet to campouts