Patrol Leader Council
               Senior Patrol Leader       Asst. Senior Patrol Leader
         Patrol Leader           Asst. Patrol Leader           Troop Guide
  Historian       Librarian       Scribe       Quartermaster       Instructor
     Chaplain Aide               Den Chief               Webelos Den Chief
                   Jr. Asst.Scoutmaster     Leadership Statistics

These leadership positions are reflected in statistics of performance in later life. Scouts make up 71% of football captains, 85% of student council presidents, 88% of newpaper editors, 89% of senior class presidents, 77% of editors of school annuals, 65% of basketball captains, 64% of Air Force Academy graduates, 68% of West Point Academy graduates, 70% of Annapolis Academy graduates, 72% of Rhodes Scholars, 85% of FBI agents, and 52 of the first 65 Astronauts (26 of the first 29).

“Empowering boys to be leaders is the core of Scouting.  Scouts learn by doing, and what they do is lead their patrols and their troop.  A Boy Scout troop is a small democracy.  With the Scoutmaster’s direction the boys are formed into patrols, plan the troop program, and make it a reality. For this to happen, a troop relies upon Scouts serving in positions of responsibility (RP). See the Guidelines web page for more information on (RP).

The key boy leaders of the troop make up the patrol leaders’ council.  The (PLC) plans and runs the troop’s program and activities, and gives long range direction with an annual  program planning conference that lays out the troop’s calendar for the coming year.   The (PLC) on a monthly basis fine tunes the calander as necessary. The key elected leaders are:

The Senior Patrol Leader who is elected by all the boy troop members, and is     given the most trusted responsibility in the troop. He is the troop leader and during his tenure he is not a member of any other patrol.

The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader with the approval of the Scoutmaster is appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader.  He is responsible for training and for providing direction for the troop quartermaster, scribe, historian, librarian, and instructors.  During his tenure he is also not a member of any other patrol.

The Patrol Leader is elected by the members of each patrol.  He leads patrol activities, and appoints the Assistant Patrol Leader.

The Assistant Patrol Leader is responsible to the patrol leader and serves as the patrol leader in the patrol leader’s absence.  He carries out special assignments given by the patrol leader, such as instructing other members in the patrol.

The Troop Guide is both a leader and a “mentor” to the members of a new Scout patrol.  He is an older Scout of at least First Class rank, who  works with new scouts much as the Scout master works with the senior patrol leader.

The following troop positions are NOT part of the (PLC) but are responsible appointed advancement positions necessary for a smoothly running troop.  They are:

The Quartermaster is the supply and equipment boss.  He keeps                inventory of the troop equipment and sees to its good condition. He works with patrol quartermasters as they check out and return troop equipment.  He reports to the (PLC) of equipment needing replacement.

The Scribe is the troop’s secretary. He attends meetings of the (PLC), keeps a log book of their discussions, but is not a voting member.  During troop meetings he records attendance, dues payments, and advancements.

The Historian collects and preserves troop photographs, news stories, trophies, flags, scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia. He might also collect and organize information about former troop Scouts and leaders.  He provdes materials for Scouting activities, media contacts, and troop history projects.

The Librarian oversees the care and use of troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and the merit badge counsellor list.  He checks out library equipment and makes sure it is returned.  He may suggest the acquisition of new literature and the need to replace or repair current holdings.

The Instructor (the troop can have more than one) is an older troop           member proficient both in Scouting skills and in the ability to teach these skills to others, especially those needed for advancement.

The Chaplain Aide assists the troop chaplain ( usually an adult from the troop committee or chartered organization) in the religious services for the troop.  He sees that religious holidays are considered during program planning, and he promotes the religious emblems program.

The Den Chief or Webelos Den Chief work with, compliment, and support the adult den leader’s program by serving as a model for young Cubs.  He can be key to a young cubs decision to join a Boy Scout troop. He shows leadership in den meetings, field activities, songs, and stunts. Potentially, this can be very rewarding for a Boy Scout who is devoted to being a successful Den Chief.  It is a position over and above a boys normal troop activities, and it requires an exceptional dedication to Scout service. See the guideline web page for information on Den Chiefs.

The Junior Assistant Scoutmasteris reserved for a Scout of at least 16 years of age who has shown outstanding leadership skills.  He is appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster, and at age 18 can become an assistant Scoutmaster. His role is to provide support and supervision to other boy leaders in the troop.”

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