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Scout Positions of Responsibility
The troop and patrols provide a variety of jobs for the boys to learn and lead. Young or new scouts can begin with easier tasks, while experienced scouts may have more advanced roles. There are no official BSA rules on age or rank for holding a position. Responsibilities may increase as the Boy Scout grows. A position of responsibility is a requirement for the final three rank advancements. Positions can vary by troop but typically last six months. Assignments are usually picked by the Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader with Scoutmaster approval. The scout should ask his Patrol Leader for a position if he doesn't have one. The boy should keep a log recording the dates he served in positions of responsibility. The common positions follow:
Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
The Senior Patrol Leader is the head youth leader and commonly runs all troop meetings and activities. With the counsel of the Scoutmaster, the SPL may assign other youth leadership positions. He is also the chairman of the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC). The SPL, PLC, and Scoutmaster work together to plan troop activities and programs.
The SPL is usually elected to his position by the scouts in the troop.Footnote During the time as an SPL, the scout is generally not a member of a patrol.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL)
The ASPL is the SPL's assistant. He is appointed to his position by the SPL (with Scoutmaster approval). When the SPL is absent from a meeting or activity, the ASPL will take his place. The ASPL may be assigned to work with specific youth leaders, patrols, or projects. The ASPL is also not a member of a specific patrol.
Patrol Leader(s)
Every patrol has a Patrol Leader who helps plan and lead patrol meetings, keeps patrol members informed about activities, and delegates patrol duties. Members of each patrol in the troop vote for their Patrol Leader, usually for six months. The Patrol Leader represents the patrol at PLC meetings. The Patrol Leader may appoint an Assistant Patrol Leader.
The Patrol Leader should be considered the most important position -- since the patrol is the fundamental unit of scouting.
Troop Guide
The Troop Guide mentors new scouts during their first year in Boy Scouts. He is usually an older scout and should have attained the rank of First Class or higher. He works with the Patrol Leader of the New Scout Patrol and provides instruction in the scout skills that are required for rank advancement.
Quartermaster
The Quartermaster is responsible for troop supplies and equipment. He helps make sure each patrol has the equipment it needs and that they keep the gear clean and in good repair. The Quartermaster often works with an Assistant Scoutmaster or committee member who helps purchase, maintain, and store the troop's camping equipment. Patrols may also have quartermasters too.
Scribe
The Scribe is the troop's secretary. He is responsible for recording decisions made at PLC meetings (but is not a voting member). He also takes attendance at troop meetings. In some troops, the Scribe collects dues from scouts or works with an adult committee member to maintain scout advancement records. There may also be a Scribe at the patrol level.
Historian
The Historian collects and maintains items that are related to the history of the troop, including photographs, awards, ribbons, flags, and other mementos. If the Historian is computer savvy, he may be asked to put together slide shows for troop meetings and special events.
Librarian
The Librarian maintains the troop's collection of reference materials, including merit badge books, regional maps, and guidebooks. In some troops, the Librarian also provides the merit badge counselor lists. Scouts check out materials with the Librarian, who also makes sure the materials are returned. The Librarian may also be responsible to track needed materials and propose acquisitions.
Instructor
An Instructor is an older scout who has mastered the skills required to earn the ranks leading up to First Class, including first aid, camping, backpacking, knots, and lashing. He leads skills demonstrations and training events. A troop may have more than one scout in the role of Instructor.
Chaplain's Aide
The Chaplain's Aide works with the troop's adult Chaplain to promote the BSA religious awards program.Footnote The Chaplain's Aide may also lead the troop in benedictions and in saying grace before meals.
Den Chief
The Den Chief plays an important role in teaching Cub Scouts about the Boy Scout program. Often recommended to be an older scout, he works with a den of Cub Scouts as an assistant to the adult den leader. He helps with games, songs and stunts and is a friend and role model to the Cub Scouts. A Webelos Den Chief can also introduce the Cub Scouts to his Boy Scout troop.
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
The Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (JASM) is an experienced 16-year-old or 17-year-old appointed by the Scoutmaster or by the SPL with the Scoutmaster's advice to help support and supervise other boy leaders in the troop.
Leave No Trace Trainer
The Leave No Trace trainer helps the troop follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Preferably, he should have completed this training and he may assist his troop members earn the Leave No Trace award. (For more information, see page [Other Awards Achievements and Recognitions].)
Order of the Arrow Troop Representative
The Order of the Arrow troop representative is a liaison between the troop and the Order of the Arrow (OA) Lodge or Chapter. He coordinates OA elections and promotes OA, service projects, camping, and leadership training. He reports to an ASPL.
Troop Webmaster
The webmaster helps maintain (and maybe build) the troop's website. He may keep it updated with photos and new content about past activities and upcoming schedules. He may work with the Troop Historian.
Bugler
The Bugler plays the bugle at ceremonies or to announce some daily routines of camp, such as reveille (``wake up''), retreat (at flag lowering ceremony), and taps (at end of the day). For the Eagle requirement, this is not a position of responsibility.
Cheermaster
The Cheermaster leads patrol yells, skits, and songs during activities and campfire programs. He does not direct the meetings though, just some entertainment. This is not an official position of responsibility (as defined for some rank requirements).
Grubmaster
The Grubmaster assists his patrol in planning menus and food arrangements. This is not an official position of responsibility (as defined for some rank requirements). It often helps scouts fulfill requirements for Second Class, First Class, and merit badges.
Firemaster
The Firemaster is the boy who sets up the axe yard and is in charge of the wood, fires, and setting up stoves, etc. He provides instructions in fire building and makes sure that campfires are safe. This also is not an official position of responsibility, but when approved by the Scoutmaster it can count for rank advancement in Star and Life ranks.
- ...Footnote
- In LDS troops, the SPL is commonly nominated by his Bishopric and sustained by his troop to constitute election.
- ...Footnote
- See page [Other Awards Achievements and Recognitions] about religious emblems.
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