Here is a Current list of all Leadership Roles that a troop should have.
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.
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.
Assistant Patrol Leader
Reports to
- Patrol leader
Duties
- Helps the patrol leader plan and steer patrol meetings and activities.
- Helps him keep patrol members informed.
- Helps the patrol get ready for all troop activities.
- Represents his patrol at patrol leaders’ council meetings when the patrol leader cannot attend.
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.
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
The den chief works with a den of Cub Scouts and with their adult leaders. He takes part in den
meetings, encourages Cub Scout advancement, and is a role model for younger boys. Serving as den
chief can be a great first leadership experience for a Scout.
Webelos 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.
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
A Scout at least 16 years of age who has shown outstanding leadership skills may be appointed by
the senior patrol leader, with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster, to serve as a junior assistant
Scoutmaster. These young men (a troop may have more than one junior assistant Scoutmaster)
follow the guidance of the Scoutmaster in providing support and supervision to other boy leaders in
the troop. Upon his 18th birthday, a junior assistant Scoutmaster will be eligible to become an
assistant Scoutmaster.
Scoutmaster
The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the image and program of the troop. The Scoutmaster and his assistant Scoutmasters work directly with the Scouts. The importance of the Scoutmaster's job is reflected in the fact that the quality of his guidance will affect every youth and adult involved in the troop.
The Scoutmaster can be male or female, but must be at least 21 years old. The Scoutmaster is appointed by the head of the chartered organization.
The Scoutmaster's duties include:
General
- Train and guide boy leaders.
- Work with other responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys.
- Use the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting.
Meetings
- Meet regularly with the patrol leaders' council for training and coordination in planning troop activities.
- Attend all troop meetings or, when necessary, arrange for a qualified adult substitute.
- Attend troop committee meetings.
- Conduct periodic parents' sessions to share the program and encourage parent participation and cooperation.
- Take part in annual membership inventory and uniform inspection, charter review meeting, and charter presentation.
Guidance
- Conduct Scoutmaster conferences for all rank advancements.
- Provide a systematic recruiting plan for new members and see that they are promptly registered.
- Delegate responsibility to other adults and groups (assistants, troop committee) so that they have a real part in troop operations.
- Supervise troop elections for the Order of the Arrow.
Activities
- Make it possible for each Scout to experience at least 10 days and nights of camping each year.
- Participate in council and district events.
- Build a strong program by using proven methods presented in Scouting literature.
- Conduct all activities under qualified leadership, safe conditions, and the policies of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America.
As you see, the Scoutmaster has many responsibilities.
Assistant Scoutmaster
To fulfill his obligation to the troop, the Scoutmaster, with the assistance of the troop committee, recruits assistant Scoutmasters to help operate the troop. Each assistant Scoutmaster is assigned specific program duties and reports to the Scoutmaster. They also provide the required two-deep leadership standards set by the Boy Scouts of America (there must be at least two adults present at any Boy Scout activity). An assistant Scoutmaster may be 18 years old, but at least one in each troop should be 21 or older, so he or she can serve in the Scoutmaster's absence.
Types of assistant Scoutmasters include:
- Assistant Scoutmaster - New Scouts
- Assistant Scoutmaster - Venture
- Assistant Scoutmaster - Varsity
A troop should recruit as many assistant Scoutmasters as possible. It has been found that many successful troops have three or more.
Troop Committee chairman
The Troop is supported by a Troop Committee, all volunteers. There is a Troop Committee Chairman and other troop committee members. Most troop committees consist of family members and members of the troop's chartered organization. The chartered organization is granted a charter by the Boy Scouts of America to use the Scouting program. This chartered organization can be a school, service club, religious group, or other group interested in youth. The chartered organization approves the leadership of the troop, provides a meeting place, and operates the pack within the guidelines and policies of that organization and the BSA.