The following components are important to our Troop’s function.
Patrol – The Patrol System is the one essential feature in which Scout training differs from that of all other organizations, and where the System is properly applied, it is absolutely bound to bring success. Scouts in Troop 41 are placed into their Patrols when they join the Troop and stay with them throughout their time in Scouting. Our Patrols are organized roughly by age and provide an opportunity for leadership at their lowest level. All Scouts in the Patrol are led by the Patrol Leader.
Patrol Leader (PL) – The Patrol Leader is the Patrol’s key leader, representing the Patrol at all Patrol Leaders’ Council meetings and the annual program planning conference, and keeping Patrol members informed of decisions made. They keep their Patrol intact so they can work together and share responsibilities to get things done. Patrol Leaders are expected to attend the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) campout each year to be considered “Trained”. This ensures that Patrols are led by Scouts that have proper training and can and will help the Scouts in the Patrol succeed. Each Patrol Leader can also have an Assistant Patrol Leader to help them. Any questions a Scout has should first be asked of their Patrol Leader (as you’ll often hear adults say, “Have you asked your Patrol Leader?”). Patrol Leaders are led by the Senior Patrol Leader.
Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) – All Patrol Leaders report to a single Senior Patrol Leader in the Troop. The Senior Patrol Leader will run (or at least coordinate) each week’s Troop Meeting and will help coordinate the Troop outings. In Troop 41, a Scout must be at least the First Class Rank to be the Senior Patrol Leader. The Senior Patrol Leader can also have an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader to help them.
Additional Leadership Positions – There are several other youth positions beyond Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and their assistants. However, due to the need for certain positions over others, we are only offering five of those positions this year. Currently, Troop 41 is offering the following Positions to Scouts: Scribe, Quartermaster, Den Chief, Troop Guide, and Order of the Arrow Unit Representative.
Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) – The Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, and all other Scouts with leadership positions in the Troop form the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC). The PLC meets monthly to plan the upcoming Troop meetings and outings. Scoutmaster of the Troop and additional adult leaders are present at this monthly meeting to offer guidance to the PLC – guidance only, as the PLC decides on what activities and outings the Troop will undertake. The Senior Patrol Leader runs the monthly PLC meetings.
Troop – The Troop is of course made up of all Scouts in all the Patrols. The Troop is led by the Scouts within the Troop, hence the term you will often hear about Scouts, BSA Troops: youth-run or youth-led. There are, of course, numerous adults behind the scenes to aid in running the Troop.
Scoutmaster – While the Scouts themselves oversee the planning and executing of the Scouting program, adult supervision and guidance is fundamental to our program. The Scoutmaster is the adult responsible for working directly with the Scouts providing direction, coaching, and support. The Scoutmaster has three basic roles:
- 1. Provide youth leaders with the tools and skills so they can run the Troop.
- 2. Make sure the rules of the Boy Scouts of America and chartered organization are followed.
- 3. Be a good mentor and positive role model.
Adult Leaders – There are numerous ways to be involved in the Troop for adults and it is highly encouraging to support your Scout’s growth. Beyond the Scoutmaster (SM), adults can be registered Assistant Scoutmasters (ASM) or Committee Members. There are a few very key Committee Member positions such as the Committee Chair and Advancement Chair. There are also numerous non-registered ways to assist the Troop.
Parental Involvement
Parents being involved is a very important part of a Scout’s career. You as parents act as your Scout’s “Cheerleaders” to encourage them and keep them motivated. Parents attending a Troop meeting is great! It lets all the leaders get to know each other and shows your Scout that you are supportive to something that they are interested in.
There are numerous ways to help the Troop and be involved. One is of course to become a registered adult leader where you can fill an Assistant Scoutmaster or Committee Member roll and participate in outings if desired. However, there are numerous non-registered ways to help the Troop, with a few listed here:
• Be a driver for an outing
• Help at a Court of Honor by providing refreshments, setting up, etc.
• Sit on a Board of Review as a board member – no experience necessary!
• Be a Merit Badge Counselor for your profession/interests.
• Help with the annual Christmas tree sales.
• Assist with Medical records keeping and Health/safety issues.
• Coordinate for a Service project.
• Assist the Quartermaster with Equipment inventory.
• Assist with an Eagle Scout Court of Honor (lots of preceremony items to do).
• Be involved in adult training and recognition.
• Help with Membership and Recruiting.
• Act as a Webelos Liaison to Cub Scout Packs.
• Help with Advancement.
If you are interested in becoming more involved in the Troop, we encourage you to reach out to the Scoutmaster, Committee Chair, or any other adult you see hanging around the Troop meetings!
