[Troop139] Troop Youth Leadership Positions - We will be going over these on Tuesday

[J. Gordon Beattie, Jr., W2TTT]

Troop Positions of Responsibility 

The following leadership positions count toward Boy Scout advancement. For
more 

information, see the Senior Patrol Leader Handbook (#32501) and Patrol
Leader 

Handbook (#32502A). 

Patrol Leader 

The patrol leader is the top leader of a patrol. He represents the patrol at
all patrol 

leaders' council meetings and the annual program planning conference and
keeps 

patrol members informed of decisions made. He plays a key role in planning,
leading, 

and evaluating patrol meetings and activities and prepares the patrol to
participate in all 

troop activities. The patrol leader learns about the abilities of other
patrol members and 

full involves them in patrol and troop activities by assigning them specific
tasks and 

responsibilities. He encourages patrol members to complete advancement
requirements 

and sets a good example by continuing to pursue his own advancement. 

Senior Patrol Leader 

The senior patrol leader is the top leader of the troop. He is responsible
for the troop's 

overall operation. With guidance from the Scoutmaster, he takes charge of
troop 

meetings, of the patrol leaders' council, and of all troop activities, and
he does 

everything he can to help each patrol be successful. He is responsible for
annual 

program planning conferences and assists the Scoutmaster in conducting troop


leadership training. The senior patrol leader presides over the patrol
leaders' council 

and works closely with each patrol leader to plan troop meetings and make 

arrangements for troop activities. All members of a troop vote by secret
ballot to choose 

their senior patrol leader. Rank and age requirements to be a senior patrol
leader are 

determined by each troop, as is the schedule of elections. During a Scout's
time as 

senior patrol leader, he is not a member of any patrol but may participate
with a Venture 

patrol in high-adventure activities. 

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader 

The assistant senior patrol leader works closely with the senior patrol
leader to help the 

troop move forward and serves as acting senior patrol leader when the senior
patrol 

leader is absent. Among his specific duties, the assistant senior patrol
leader trains and 

provides direction to the troop quartermaster, scribe, historian, librarian,
instructors, and 

Order of the Arrow representative. During his tenure as assistant senior
patrol leader he 

is not a member of a patrol, but he may participate in the high-adventure
activities of a 

Venture patrol. Large troops may have more than one assistant senior patrol
leader, 

each appointed by the senior patrol leader. 

Troop Guide The troop guide is both a leader and a mentor to the members of
the new-Scout patrol. 

He should be an older Scout who holds at least the First Class rank and can
work well 

with younger Scouts. He helps the patrol leader of the new-Scout patrol in
much the 

same way that a Scoutmaster works with a senior patrol leader to provide
direction, 

coaching, and support. The troop guide is not a member of another patrol but
may 

participate in the high-adventure activities of a Venture patrol. 

Quartermaster 

The quartermaster is the troop's supply boss. He keeps an inventory of troop
equipment 

and sees that the gear is in good condition. He works with patrol
quartermasters as they 

check out equipment and return it, and at meetings of the patrol leaders'
council he 

reports on the status of equipment in need of replacement or repair. In
carrying out his 

responsibilities, he may have the guidance of a member of the troop
committee. 

Scribe 

The scribe is the troop's secretary. Though not a voting member, he attends
meetings 

of the patrol leaders' council and keeps a record of the discussions. He
cooperates with 

the patrol scribes to record attendance and dues payments at troop meetings
and to 

maintain troop advancement records. A member of the troop committee may
assist him 

with his work. 

Historian 

The historian collects and preserves troop photographs, news stories,
trophies, flags, 

scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia and makes materials available for
Scouting 

activities, the media, and troop history projects. 

Librarian 

The troop librarian oversees the care and use of troop books, pamphlets,
magazines, 

audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor lists. He checks out these materials
to Scouts 

and leaders and maintains records to ensure that everything is returned. He
may also 

suggest the acquisition of new literature and report the need to repair or
replace any 

current holdings. 

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 (new in 2010) 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 

earn 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. 

Den Chief

A Webelos den chief can help plan and assist with the leadership of Webelos
den 

meetings and field activities. He can lead songs and stunts, and encourage
Webelos 

Scouts to progress into the Boy Scout troop. 

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