Youth Leaders

Scout Troops are primarily boy lead, adult assisted organizations. Troop 2319 follows this methodology with the scout electing a Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) every 6 months. This SPL works with his two Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPLs) as well as the entire leadership staff to organize and run the troop planning everything from meetings to outings.

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Senior Patrol Leader

    • Runs all troop meetings, events, activities, and the annual program planning conference.
      • This includes submitting a meeting activity plan to the Scoutmaster and getting it approved at a minimum of 1 week before the intended meeting. Each meeting should include a skills portion of the evening based on the Patrol Leader’s reports of the troops needs.
    • Runs the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) meetings.
    • Assigns duties and responsibilities to junior leaders and serves as a mentor.
    • Assigns “SPL Goals” as needed on leadership evaluations.
    • Assists the Scoutmaster with junior leader training.
    • Sets a good example by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
    • Respectfully and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
    • Shows Scout spirit
    • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Outings
    • Attends a minimum of 80% of the Troop Meetings
    • Attends ALL Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) Meetings

Check out the Scouts BSA Senior Patrol Leader Handbook to learn more about this position!

Learn More About the Current SPL

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

    • Serves as the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) in the absence of the SPL or when called upon.
    • Helps the SPL lead meetings and activities.
    • Helps train and supervise other troop leadership roles as assigned by the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
    • Actively participates as a member of the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC).
    • Lends a hand to the patrol leaders and builds patrol spirit.
    • Sets a good example by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
    • Respectfully and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
    • Shows Scout spirit
    • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Outings
    • Attends a minimum of 80% of the Troop Meetings
    • Attends ALL Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) Meetings

Junior Assistant Scoutmaster

    • Performs duties as assigned by the Scoutmaster
    • Assists the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader(s) (ASPLs) whenever called upon.
    • Assists in general questions, activity leadership, or whenever called upon to better lead and guide the troop
    • Helps advise and supervise other troop leadership roles as assigned
    • Actively participates as a member of the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC).
    • Lends a hand to the patrol leaders and builds patrol spirit.
    • Sets a good example by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
    • Respectfully and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
    • Shows Scout spirit
    • Attends a minimum of 40% of the Troop Outings
    • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Meetings
    • Attends a minimum of 60% Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) Meetings

Instructor

    • Should be knowledgeable about upcoming troop events, available leadership opportunities, etc.
    • Assists the senior leadership staff in execution of meetings and outings
    • Offers constructive suggestions in planning effective meetings and inter patrol activities
    • Assists patrol members in linking a scout to a skills instructor (youth or adult) as needed.
    • Actively participates in Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC).
    • Sets a good example by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
    • Respectfully and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
    • Shows Scout spirit
    • Attends a minimum of 40% of the Troop Outings
    • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Meetings
    • Attends a minimum of 60% of Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) Meetings

Troop Guide

    • Should be knowledgeable about upcoming troop events, available leadership opportunities, etc.
    • Acts as the Patrol Leader (for first year scouts) as required by taking weekly attendance, attendance sheets can be requested from the Advancement Chair
    • Acts as the patrol leader (for first year scouts) by reviewing member’s books and confirming that scouts are advancing. In addition, the patrol leader should be able to tell the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) the top 1 or 2 items that would help his patrol in their advancement process.
    • Assists patrol members in linking a scout to a skills instructor (youth or adult) as needed.
    • Gives regular group instruction to help first year scouts on rank advancement.
    • Actively participates as a member of the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC).
    • Sets a good example by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
    • Respectfully and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
    • Shows Scout spirit
    • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Outings
    • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Meetings
    • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) Meetings

Patrol Leader

    • Assists the Scribe as required by taking weekly attendance, attendance sheets can be requested from the Advancement Chair
    • Assist the patrol by reviewing member’s books and confirming that scouts are advancing. In addition, the patrol leader should be able to tell the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) the top 1 or 2 items that would help his patrol in their advancement process.
    • Actively participates as a member of the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC).
    • Assists patrol members in linking a scout to a skills instructor (youth or adult) as needed.
    • Sets a good example by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
    • Respectfully and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
    • Shows Scout spirit
    • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Outings
    • Attends a minimum of 80% of the Troop Meetings
    • Attends ALL Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) Meetings

Quartermaster

    • Keeps records on  troop equipment.
    • Makes sure equipment is in good working condition (at least one meeting before the outing).
      • It is imperative that the quartermaster review the gear in the trailer before each campout and work with the campout leaders and grub masters to confirm that all required gear is moved to the trailer.
    • Issues equipment and makes sure it is returned in good condition.
      • This includes making sure supplies needed for troop meeting are in troop trailer/shed and is ready to get them for use.
      • This also includes making sure gear returns from campouts in the same condition in left in.
        • Not allowing gear to be loaded into the trailer until it is inspected, holding grub masters/patrol leaders accountable, etc. However, if gear is damaged, dirty, or broken, it falls to the QUARTERMASTER to resolve the situation. Even if that means taking gear home and cleaning it himself as a last resort!
    • Makes suggestions for new or replacement items: Works with the troop committee member responsible for equipment or ASM assigned the duty of ‘Adult Quartermaster’ (Ideally done once per term)
    • Sets a good example by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
    • Respectfully and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
    • Shows Scout spirit
    • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Outings (at least one Quartermaster attends all outings)
    • Attends a minimum of 80% of the Troop Meetings
    • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) Meetings

OA Representative

    • Serves as a two-way communication link between the troop and the lodge or chapter.
    • Arranges with the lodge or chapter election team to conduct an annual Order of the Arrow election for the troop at a time approved by the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC).
    • As requested by the SPL, participates in Troop Courts of Honor by recognizing: OA high adventure participation of troop members, induction of new OA members, changes in OA honors of troop members, leadership of troop members, and other appropriate activities.
    • Coordinates the Ordeal Induction process for newly elected candidates by: ensuring they know the time and location of the Ordeal, providing information of what to bring to the Ordeal.
    • Assists current Ordeal members in the troop in sealing their membership by becoming Brotherhood members by: ensuring they know the time and location of Brotherhood opportunities.
    • Assists the troop (as appropriate) as a trainer of leadership and outdoor skills.
    • In all cases, advocates environmental stewardship and Leave No Trace camping.
      • This includes monitoring that police lines are conducted properly at all campouts
    • Sets a good example by: wearing the Scout uniform correctly, showing Scout spirit, and living by the Scout Oath, the Scout law and the OA Obligation.
    •  Attends a minimum of 60% of the OA Chapter Meetings
      • Typically held the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM
    •  Attends a minimum of 40% of the OA Events
      • Typically held once per month and will not generally overlap with Troop activities
    • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Meetings

Librarian

    • Sets up and takes care of a troop library.
      • This includes making sure our ‘digital’ library on our website is up to date and working with adult webmaster when it is not.
      • Maintain physical troop library – includes setting up the library at the beginning of each meeting and taking down at the end of the meeting.
      • Review current merit badge books and ensure they are the latest approved version
      • Create and monitor checkout sheet and track returns.
    • Assist advancement team as requested.
    • Serve as point of contact for list of active merit badge counselors.
    • Sets a good example by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
    • Respectfully and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
    • Shows Scout spirit
    • Attends a minimum of 40% of the Troop Outings
    • Attends a minimum of 80% of the Troop Meetings

Scribe

    • Attends and keeps a log of Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) meetings.
    • This involves taking attendance, notes and providing a digital copy of those notes to the SPL
    • Records individual Scout attendance.
    • This will need to be done each week at meetings which will require the scribe to attend nearly every meeting during their term. This can be done by collecting roster sheets from patrol leaders
    • Attendance sheets should be collected and new ones inserted into patrol clipboards at the end of each month. This will require the scribe to attend most meetings during their term.
    • Sets a good example by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
    • Respectfully and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
    • Shows Scout spirit
    • Attends a minimum of 40% of the Troop Outings
    • Attends a minimum of 80% of the Troop Meetings
    • Attends ALL Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) Meetings

Webmaster

    • Ensures the Web site is as youth-run as possible
      • This will involve working with other youth leaders as specified below:
        • Scribe: Webmaster will receive digital notes from the scribe after each PLC and will update the website with the new information
        • Historian: Webmaster will receive ‘links’ to new photo albums from recent troop events and will add these to the website for viewing
        • Librarian: Webmaster will receive periodic requests from the librarian to update various links and content in the ‘Merit Badges’ section of the website and should assist in updating the information as much as possible.
        • OA Rep: Webmaster may receive periodic requests from the troop OA Rep to add material to the troop website and should assist with this addition when possible
    • At Least TWICE per term, the webmaster should do a 5-10 min ‘LIVE DEMO’ of the troop’s website showing new content and newly added features to the troop.
    • This role will require extensive computer and internet access
    • Sets a good example by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
    • Respectfully and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
    • Shows Scout spirit
    • Attend a minimum of 40% of the Troop Meetings
    • Attend a minimum of 40% of the Troop Outings

Chaplains Aid

  • Encourages troop members to strengthen their own relationships with God through personal prayer and devotion and participation in religious activities appropriate to their faith.
  • Tells Scouts about the available Religious Emblems program at least once per term.
    • This will include a 5-10 minute presentation about the religious emblems offered through BSA. The Chaplains Aid should be knowledgeable and prepared to answer questions about the various emblem programs or know who to contact.
  • Helps recognize troop members who receive their religious emblems, (such as at a court of honor).
  • Encouraged to have or work on at least one Boy Scout Religious Emblem in accordance with their own faith.
  • Encourages and leads saying grace at meals while camping or at other activities
  • Prepares a 5-10min “Scouts Own Service” for each troop outing. This should include written instructions and all required material for outings that the scout cannot attend
    • This should be a very simply non-denominational service. Examples can be found online and supporting material can be found in the Chaplin’s Aid binder.
  • Helps promote annual Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath.
  • Sets a good example by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
  • Respectfully and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
  • Shows Scout spirit
  • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Outings
  • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Meetings
  • Attends ALL Troop Court of Honors (COHs)

Historian

    • Review with advisor and update the bulletin board at least one per term
      • This involves attending campouts and taking pictures or when it is not possible to attend an outing, reaches out to various adults who did attend to gather pictures from the outing.
    • Prepare a write-up made available to the troop via the website after each campout – must complete prior to the end of the next Troop meeting.
    • Build PowerPoint presentation recapping COHs
    • This position requires access to a computer and the internet.
    • Sets a good example by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
    • Respectfully and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
    • Shows Scout spirit
    • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Outings
    • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Meetings
    • Attends ALL Troop Court of Honors (COHs)

Outdoor Ethics

  • Will assist in the planning process for campout and make suggestions to help the troop follow the principles of “Leave No Trace” and “Tread Lightly!”
  • Assists with; a. Checking site before camp setup, b. Picking a spot for the sump, c. Works with quartermaster to make sure trash is picked up and stored properly
  • Gives a presentation on an outdoor ethics related topic at least once per term
  • This could include information on: BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Awards Program, Leave No Trace, Tread Lightly, or any other related topic – to be approved by advisor
  • Make recommendations on outings that will help the troop leave a campsite in the same or better condition than it was when the campout started. This could involve running police lines and cleanup crews to make sure no trash is left behind.
  • Prepares Outdoor Ethics Report Card for each campout. OE Report Card is shared with the SPL, OE Mentor, and Scoutmaster. Responsible for finding a replacement to complete the OE Report Card if not attending a campout.
  • Actively participates as a member of the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC).
  • Lends a hand to the patrol leader and builds patrol spirit.
  • Sets a good example by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
  • Respectfully and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
  • Shows Scout spirit
  • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Outings
  • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Meetings
  • Attends a minimum of 60% Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) Meetings

Bugler

  • Use a Bugle, Trumpet, or similar which is carried to every meeting and outing.
  • Works with the Bugler Advisor and plays taps at each meeting. Taps and reveille should be played at each campout. By month three, bugler should also be able to play, ‘To the Colors’ or ‘Retreat’ and ‘Mess Call.’
  • Scouts seeking to earn the Bugling Merit Badge should memorize and play ten of the following bugle calls: ‘First Call’, ‘Reveille’, ‘Assembly’, ‘Mess’, ‘Drill’, ‘Fatigue’, ‘Officers’, ‘Recall’, ‘Church’, ‘Swimming’, ‘Fire’, ‘Retreat’, ‘To the Colors’, ‘Call to Quarters and ‘Taps
  • Actively participates as a member of the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC).
  • Lends a hand to the patrol leader and builds patrol spirit.
  • Sets a good example by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
  • Respectfully and correctly wears the Scout uniform.
  • Shows Scout spirit
  • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Outings
  • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Troop Meetings
  • Attends a minimum of 60% of the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) Meetings
  • Attends ALL Troop Court of Honors (COHs)