Positions of Responsibility

Scout Leadership

In Troop 682 the Senior Patrol Leader and the Patrol Leaders are elected semi-annually by the Scouts in the troop. The Leaders choose their assistants and the Senior Patrol Leader will be looking for volunteers to fill his “cabinet” – all other positions of responsibility, like Scribe (secretary), Historian, Quartermaster, etc.  In addition to helping out your troop, having a position of responsibility is a requirement for Star, Life and Eagle ranks. This article  in Boys Life about positions of responsibility is a good reference if you haven’t held one before.

All the Scouts with positions of responsibility meet to help develop goals for the Troop and plan activities for the next year (reviewing the upcoming six months and creating a plan for the following six months). Additionally, each month the Patrol Leaders’ Council reviews the prior month’s activities and refines the plan for the following month. The core members of the Patrol Leaders’ Council are the Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, all Patrol Leaders, all Troop Guides, and the Scribe.

All positions of responsibility are described below:

Patch_SPL The senior patrol leader (SPL) is elected by the Scouts to represent them as the top youth leader in the troop. He runs all troop meetings, events, activities, the semi-annual program planning conference, and the patrol leaders’ council meeting. He appoints scouts for positions of responsibility with the advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster. In order to serve as Senior Patrol Leader, it is a good idea to have served as a Patrol Leader or in a similar position.
Patch_ASPL The assistant senior patrol leader (ASPL) is the second highest-ranking youth leader in the troop. He is appointed by the senior patrol leader with the approval of the Scoutmaster. The assistant senior patrol leader acts as the senior patrol leader in the absence of the senior patrol leader or when called upon. He helps the senior patrol leader run meetings and activities. He also provides leadership to other youth leaders in the troop.
Patch_PL The patrol leader (PL) is the elected leader of his patrol. He represents his patrol on the patrol leaders’ council and appoints the assistant patrol leader. He plan and lead patrol meetings and activities. In order to be a Patrol Leader, it is a good idea to be of 1st Class rank or higher.
Patch_APL The assistant patrol (APL) leader is appointed by the patrol leader and leads the patrol in his absence. He represents his patrol at patrol leaders’ council meetings when the patrol leader cannot attend. He helps the patrol leader plan and lead patrol meetings and activities.
Patch_TG  The troop guide leads the new Scouts through their early Scouting activities. He helps them feel comfortable and earn their first ranks. He teaches basic Scout skills and works with the other patrol leaders.
Patch_Scribe The scribe keeps the troop records. He attend and keep logs of patrol leaders’ council meetings and other troop meetings.
Patch_JASM The Junior Assistant Scoutmaster works as part of the Scoutmaster corps and handles any duties assigned by the Scoutmaster. These young men follow the guidance of the Scoutmaster in providing support and supervision to other boy leaders in the troop.
Patch_OAR The Order of the Arrow Representative is a youth liaison serving as a communication link between the local Order of the Arrow (OA) lodge or chapter and his troop. In his unit, he helps meet the needs of the unit and will serve as a communication and programmatic link to and from Arrowmen, adult leaders and Scouts who are not presently members of the Order.
Patch_QM The quartermaster maintains patrol and troop equipment and keeps track of troop equipment and sees that it is in good working order. He keeps records on patrol and troop equipment, makes sure equipment is in good working condition, and issues equipment and makes sure it is returned in good condition.
Patch_Librarian The librarian maintain a troop library and oversees the care and use of troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor lists.
Patch_Historian The historian keeps files of pictures and facts about past activities of the troop. He preserves troop photographs, news stories, trophies, flags, scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia.
Patch_WM The troop junior 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 members’ and leaders’ privacy is protected. A member of the troop committee may assist him with his work.
Patch_SPC The Scout Service Project Coordinator promotes and coordinates  service projects within the unit. He should recruit enough people to plan, conduct, and promote the projects.
Patch_Instructor The instructor teaches Scouting skills as needed within the troop or patrols. An instructor is an older troop member proficient both in a Scouting skill and in the ability to teach others.  First aid, camping, backpacking, – the subject can encompass any of the areas that Scouts will want to master, especially those required for outdoor activities and rank advancement.  Troops may have more than one instructor.
Patch_LNTT The Outdoor ethics guides (Leave No Trace Trainer) help the troop plan and conduct an outdoor program that emphasizes effectively practicing the principles of outdoor ethics. He specializes in teaching Leave No Trace principles and ensures that the troop follows the principles of Leave No Trace on all outings such as camping and other outdoor activities. 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 as well as earned both the Camping and Environmental Science merit badges.
Patch_CA The chaplain aide works with the troop chaplain to meet the religious needs of Scouts in the troop. He also works to promote the religious emblems program.
Patch_Bugler The bugler plays the bugle (or a similar instrument) to mark key moments during the day on troop outings, such as reveille and lights out. (Bugler is not an approved POR for the Eagle Scout rank.) He should be able to make appropriate bugle calls, as requested, at troop activities.
Patch_DC The den chief serves as the activities assistant for a Cub Scout or Webelos Scout den. He works with the Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, and den leaders in the Cub Scout pack. Helps Cub Scouts advance through Cub Scout ranks and encourages Cub Scouts to join a Boy Scout troop upon graduation.