....Positions of Responsibility....

 The Senior Patrol Leader is the youth head of the troop. All other youth positions report to him, directly or indirectly. He is elected by the troop's youth members as a whole, usually to serve a 6- or 12-month term.

Serving as Senior Patrol Leader can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle.

Reports to

• Scoutmaster

Responsibilities

• Runs all troop meetings, events, activities, and the annual program planning conference.
• Runs the Patrol Leader's Council (PLC) meetings.
• Appoints other troop junior leaders with the advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster.
• Assigns duties and responsibilities to junior leaders.
• Assists the Scoutmaster with junior leader training.
• Sets a good example.
• Enthusiastically and correcdtly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
• Lives by theScout Oath and Law.
• Shows Scout spirit.

 The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader 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 also provides leadership to other youth leaders in the troop. He is appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader under the guidance of the Scoutmaster.

Reports to

• Senior Patrol Leader

Responsibilities

• Helps the senior patrol leader lead meetings and activities.
• Runs the troop in the absence of the senior patrol leader.
• Helps train and supervise the troop scribe, quartermaster, instructor, librarian, historian, and chaplain's aide.
• Serves as a member of the patrol leaders' council.
• Sets a good example.
• Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
• Show Scout spirit.
• Lends a hand controlling the patrol and building patrol spirit.
• Wears the uniform correctly.

  The members of each patrol elect one of their own to serve as Patrol Leader. The troop determines the requirements for patrol leaders, such as rank and age. To give more youths the opportunity to lead, most troops elect patrol leaders twice a year. Some may have elections more often.

*Serving as Patrol Leader can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle.

Reports to

• Senior Patrol Leader

Responsibilities

The Assistant Patrol Leader is appointed by the patrol leader and leads the patrol in his absence.

*Serving as Assistant Patrol Leader does not apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle requirements.

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.

The Troop Guide helps new Scouts feel comfortable and earn First Class rank in their first year. 

*Serving as Troop Guide can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle.

Reports to

• Assistant Scoutmaster

Responsibilities

• Introduces new Scouts to troop operations.
• Guides new Scouts from harassment by older Scouts.
• Helps new Scouts earn First Class rank in their first year.
• Teaches basic Scout skills.
• Coaches the patrol leader of the new-Scout patrol on his duties.
• Works with the patrol leader at patrol leaders’ council meetings.
• Attends patrol leaders’ council meetings with the patrol leader of the new-Scout patrol.
• Assists the assistant Scoutmaster with training.
• Counsels individuals Scouts on Scouting challenges.
• Sets a good example.
• Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Shows Scout spirit

The Quartermaster keeps track of troop or team equipment and sees that it is in good working order. He keeps records on patrol/troop or squad/team equipment, makes sure equipment is in good working condition, and issues equipment and makes sure it is returned in good condition.

*Serving as Quartermaster can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle.

Reports to

• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader in a Boy Scout troop.

Responsibilities

• Keeps records on patrol/troop or squad/team equipment.
• Makes sure equipment is in good working condition.
• Issues equipment and makes sure it is returned in good condition.
• Makes suggestions for new or replacement items.
• Works with the troop committee member responsible for equipment.
• Sets a good example.
• Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Shows Scout spirit

 The Scribe keeps the troop records. The Scribe is the record-keeping and financial officer of the troop. He records the activities of the patrol leaders' council and keeps a record of dues, advancement, and Scout attendance at troop meetings. He attends the patrol leaders' council but generally is not a voting member.

*Serving as Scribe can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle.

Reports to

• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

Responsibilities

• Attends and keeps a log of patrol leaders’ council meetings.
• Records individual Scout attendance and dues payments.
• Records individual Scout advancement progress.
• Works with the troop committee member responsible for records and finance.
• Sets a good example.
• Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout unifor (all four parts).
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Shows Scout spirit

 The Historian preserves troop/team photographs, news stories, trophies, flags, scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia.

*Serving as Historian can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle.

Reports to

• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader in a Boy Scout troop.  

Responsibilities

• Gathers pictures and facts about troop/team activities and keeps them in a historical file or scrapbook.
• Takes care of troop/team trophies, ribbons, and souvenirs of troop/team activities.
• Keeps information about former members of the troop/team.
• Sets a good example.
• Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout unifor (all four parts).
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Shows Scout spirit.

 The Librarian oversees the care and use of troop/team books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor lists.

*Serving as Librarian can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle.

Reports to

• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader in a Boy Scout troop.

Responsibilities

• Sets up and takes care of a troop/team library.
• Keeps records of books and pamphlets owned by the troop/team.
• Adds new or replacement items as needed.
• Keeps books and pamphlets available for borrowing.
• Keeps a system for checking books and pamphlets in and out, and follows up on late returns.
• Set a good example.
• Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Shows Scout spirit

The Chaplain Aide works with the unit chaplain to meet the religious needs of Scouts. He also works to promote the religious emblems program.

*Serving as Chaplain Aide can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle.

Reports to

• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader in a Boy Scout troop.  

Qualifications

The chaplain aide must:

• Be mature and sensitive, and have earned the respect and trust of his fellow Scouts.
• Be at least a First Class Scout.
• Have received or be working on the requirements leading to the age-appropriate religious emblem for his faith.

Responsibilities

• Assists the troop or team chaplain with religious services at troop/team activities.
• Encourages troop/team members to strengthen their own relationships with God through personal prayer and devotion and participation in religious activities appropriate to their faith (see note 1 below).
• Tells Scouts about the Religious Emblems program for their faith at least once a year.
• Helps recognize troop/team members who receive their religious emblems, (such as at a court of honor, see note 2 below).
• Makes sure religious holidays are considered during the troop/team program planning process.
• Helps plan for religious observance in troop/team activities.
• Encourages saying grace at meals while camping or at other activities (see note 3 below).
• Helps promote annual Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath.
• Sets a good example.
• Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Shows Scout spirit

Notes

1. The BSA's Declaration of Religious Principle states in part: "The [BSA]...recognizes the religious element in the training of the member, but it is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious training."
2. Religious Emblems are conferred by the Scout's religious leader, but the achievement should be recognized as a significant troop/team event.
3. The chaplain aide may ask or be asked to lead the troop/team in prayer. If the group consists of members with mixed beliefs, or if the beliefs of the group are unknown, then prayers should be of an interfaith content. If the group is known to be of like belief, then it is appropriate to offer belief-specific prayer. The BSA's Declaration of Religious Principle freedom clause states "In no case where a unit is connected with a church or other distinctively religious organization shall members of other denominations or faith be required, because of their membership in the unit, to take part in or to observe a religious ceremony distinctly unique to that organization or church."

The Instructor teaches Scouting skills

*Serving as Instructor can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle.

Reports to

• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader in a Boy Scout troop.

Responsibilities

• Teaches basic Scouting skills in a troop/team and patrols/squads.
• Sets a good example.
• Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Shows Scout spirit  

 The Den Chief is a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout or a Venturer who assists a Cub Scout Den Leader or Webelos Den Leader. The Den Chief can earn the Den Chief Service Award.

*Serving as Den Chief can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle.

Request, selection and approval

The position of Den Chief serves at the request of the Cubmaster.

He is selected by the Senior Patrol Leader and Scoutmaster in a Boy Scout troop, or by the Varsity Team Coach in a Varsity team, or by the Crew Advisor in a Venturing crew.

He is approved by the Cubmaster and the Pack Committee for recommendation to the Den Leader. The Den Chief helps Cub Scouts advance through Cub Scout ranks and encourages Cub Scouts to join a Boy Scout troop upon graduation.

Reports to

• Cub Scout Den Leader AND
• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

Responsibilities

• Knows the purposes of Cub Scouting.
• Helps Cub Scouts achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting.
• Serves as the activities assistant at den meetings.
• Sets a good example through attitude and uniforming.
• Is a friend to the boys in the den.
• Helps lead weekly den meetings.
• Helps the den in its part of the monthly pack meeting.
• Knows the importance of the monthly theme and pack meeting plans.
• Meets regularly with the den leader to review den and pack meeting plans. Meets as needed with adult members of the den, pack, and troop.
• Receives training from the den leader (and Cubmaster or Assistant Cubmaster) and attend Den Chief Training.
• Encourages Cub Scouts to become Webelos Scouts when they are eligible.
• Encourages Cub Scouts to join a Boy Scout troop upon graduation.
• Helps the Denner and assistant denner to be leaders.
• Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Shows Scout spirit

Qualifications

1. A Den Chief must be an older registered member of a Boy Scout troop, Varsity Scout team or Venturing crew.
2. To serve as a Crew Den Chief, the Venturer must have achieved at least First Class rank as a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout.
3. For a Crew Den Chief to apply this leadership as an Eagle position of responsibility, the Venturer must have earned Life Rank after January 1, 2007.

The Junior Assistant Scoutmaster serves in the capacity of an assistant Scoutmaster except where legal age and maturity are required. He must be at least 16 years old and not yet 18. He is appointed by the Scoutmaster because of his leadership ability.

*Serving as Junior Assistant Scoutmaster can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle.

Reports to

• Scoutmaster

Responsibilities

• Functions as an assistant Scoutmaster.
• Performs duties as assigned by the Scoutmaster.
• Sets a good example.
• Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Shows Scout spirit  

The Order of the Arrow Troop Representative is a youth liaison between the local Order of the Arrow (OA) lodge or chapter.

*Serving as Order of the Arrow Representative can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle.

Position description

The Order of the Arrow Representative from a Boy Scout troop or Varsity Scout team is a youth liaison between the local OA lodge or chapter. He coordinates service opportunities, unit elections, camp promotions, and inductions within the unit with the local OA lodge or chapter. He may request lodge and chapter resources to help meet the needs of his unit.

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. He will do this in a fashion that strengthens the mission of the lodge, purpose of the Order and the mission of the Boy Scouts of America. By setting a good example, he will enhance the image of the Order as a service arm to his unit.

Qualifications

He must be a registered member of the Order of the Arrow in good standing with both the Lodge and/or Chapter and the unit.

Reports to

• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader in a Boy Scout troop

Responsibilities

• Serves as a communication link between the lodge or chapter and the troop or team.
• Encourages year round and resident camping in the unit.
• Encourages older Scout participation in high adventure programs.
• Encourages Scouts to actively participate in community service projects.
• Assists with leadership skills training in the unit.
• Encourages Arrowmen to assume leadership positions in the unit.
• Encourages Arrowmen in the unit to be active participants in the lodge and/or chapter activities and to seal their membership in the Order by becoming Brotherhood members.
• Regularly attends troop meetings, troop campouts, and troop/team events during his service period.
• Sets a good example.
• Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law and the OA Obligation.
• Shows Scout spirit.

Working with the adult OA Advisor

As with all positions in the Order, the unit OA representative should have an adult advisor. This adult needs to be 21 years of age or older, a due-paid member of the Order of the Arrow, and appointed by the troop Scoutmaster or the Varsity Team Coach  

The Troop/Team Bugler should be able to make appropriate bugle calls, as requested, at troop/team activities.

*Serving as Bugler can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star and Life but not Eagle.

Reports to

• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader in a Boy Scout troop.

Responsibilities

• Makes appropriate bugle calls, as requested, at troop/team activities.

Notes

1. Serving as Bugler can apply towards positions of responsibility requirements for Star and Life but not Eagle.
2. In many troops/teams the Bugler plays a trumpet instead of a bugle.
3. Serving as Bugler is a requirement for Bugling Merit Badge.
4. Being able to play a bugle or trumpet can be used towards requirement 1 of Music Merit Badge: Sing or play a simple song or hymn chosen by your counselor using good technique, phrasing, tone, rhythm, and dynamics. Read all the signs and terms of the score.
5. Boy Scouts or Venturers who are members of bands, drill teams, or drum and bugle corps affiliated with a unit or a local council may also wear the musician badge special insignia.