Troop Positions
Troop Positions
Troop Positions
Think about being a Cub Scout. You came to den meetings and did a lot of different
and fun things. But who decided what to do and who planned the activities? The
Den Leaders, right?
Sports teams are a lot of fun, too. But who decides who plays what position, who's
on the starting lineup and when to substitute? The coach, right?
There is one thing that makes Scouting different from all other youth groups. Do you know what it is?
Well, it is not the uniform. Every soccer, basketball, and baseball team has a uniform.
It is not the fun activities. There are a lot of other things that are fun.
And it certainly isn't cleaning dirty pots and pans on a campout.!!
That's right! YOU run the troop. Baden-Powell made it very plain in Aids to Scoutmastership when he
wrote,
“The best progress is made in those Troops where power and
responsibility are really put into the hands of the Patrol
Leaders.”
This is real decision making power. And not it's not just Patrol Leaders. All of the troop leadership
positions have a hand in making the Troop run. As a troop leader you will:
Plan and run troop meetings,
Pick troop outings, where to camp, what to do,
Plan advancement opportunities for all troop members
Select High-Adventure programs
Determine troop policy
Help other Scouts along the trail to Eagle.
Sound cool? It really is! The adults are there to provide support but YOU will be making the decisions.
Because being a leader is more than just sewing on a patch we have put together job descriptions for the
troop leadership positions. They will give you a good idea of what each job is all about and what you will
be required to do.
Here's how to be considered for a position. First read the job descriptions, qualifications, and job
responsibilities. Then decide what you want to do and talk it over with your parents. You can also talk it
over with other Scouts who have served in that position. Finally, get a troop job application form, fill it
out, have your parent(s) read and sign it and turn it in.
So, are you ready to "Lead the way"? We sure hope so!
Troop 777
Leadership Position Description
QUALIFICATIONS
Age: Scoutmaster approval
Rank: Scoutmaster approval
Experience: Previous service as SPL, ASPL, PL, or APL
Attendance: 90% over previous 6 months
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Training: You must attend the troop Junior Leader Training even if you have attended in the past.
Attendance: You are expected to attend at least 90% of all troop meetings, Patrol Leaders' Council
meetings, outings, and service projects. If your attendance is low, or if you have three (3)
unexcused absences in a row, you can be removed from office.
Effort: You are expected to given this job your best effort.
Troop 777
Leadership Position Description
PATROL LEADER
GENERAL INFORMATION
Type:
Elected by members of the patrol
Term:
6 months
Reports to:
Senior Patrol Leader
Description:
The Patrol Leader is the elected leader of his patrol. He represents his patrol on the
Patrol Leader's Council.
Comments: The Patrol Leader may easily be the most important job in the troop. He has the closest
contact with the patrol members and is in the perfect position to help and guide them.
The Patrol Leaders, along with the Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol
Leader are the primary members of the Patrol Leaders' Council.
QUALIFICATIONS
Age: none
Rank: none
Experience: none
Attendance: 90% over previous 6 months
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Training: You must attend the troop Junior Leader Training even if you have attended in the past.
Attendance: You are expected to attend 90% of all troop meetings, Patrol Leaders' Council meetings,
outings, and service projects. If your attendance is low, or if you have three (3)
unexcused absences in a row, you can be removed from office.
Effort: You are expected to given this job your best effort.
DEN CHIEF
GENERAL INFORMATION
Type: Appointed by the Scoutmaster
Term: 1 year
Reports to: Scoutmaster, Den Leader, and Cubmaster
Description: The Den Chief works with the Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, and Den Leaders in the Cub
Scout pack.
Comments: The Den Chief provides a knowledge of games and Scout skills that many Den Leaders
lack. The Den Chief is also a recruiter for the troop. This function is important because
no troop can thrive without new members and most new members will come from Cub
Scouting.
QUALIFICATIONS
Age: Scoutmaster approval
Rank: Scoutmaster approval
Experience: none
Attendance: 80% over previous 6 months
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Training: You must take Den Chief training on line or in a class setting.
Attendance: You are expected to attend 80% of all troop meetings, Patrol Leaders' Council meetings,
outings, and service projects. If your attendance is low, or if you have three (3)
unexcused absences in a row, you can be removed from office.
In terms of attendance with your den, you are expected to attend 90% of den meetings
and pack functions. You must inform the Den Leader if you will be absent.
Effort: You are expected to given this job your best effort.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Type: Appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader
Term: 6 months
Reports to: Senior Patrol Leader
Description: The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader is the second highest ranking patrol leader in the
troop. The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader acts as the Senior Patrol Leader in the
absence of the SPL or when called upon. He also provides leadership to other junior
leaders in the troop.
Comments: The most important part of the ASPL position is his work with the other junior leaders.
The ASPL should be familiar with the other positions and stay current with the work being
done.
QUALIFICATIONS
Age: Scoutmaster approval
Rank: Scoutmaster approval
Experience: none
Attendance: 90% over the previous 6 months
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Training: You must attend the troop Junior Leader Training even if you have attended in the past.
Attendance: You are expected to attend 90% of all troop meetings, Patrol Leaders' Council meetings,
outings, and service projects. If your attendance is low, or if you have three (3)
unexcused absences in a row, you can be removed from office.
Effort: You are expected to given this job your best effort.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Type: Appointed by the Patrol Leader
Term: 6 months
Reports to: Patrol Leader
Description: The Assistant Patrol Leader is appointed by the Patrol Leader and leads the patrol in his
absence.
Comments: Substituting for the Patrol Leader is only part of the Assistant Patrol Leader's job. The
APL actively helps run the patrol.
QUALIFICATIONS
Age: none
Rank: none
Experience: none
Attendance: 90% over previous 6 months
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Training: You must attend the troop Junior Leader Training even if you have attended in the past.
Attendance: You are expected to attend 90% of all troop meetings, Patrol Leaders' Council meetings,
outings, and service projects. If your attendance is low, or if you have three (3)
unexcused absences in a row, you can be removed from office.
Effort: You are expected to given this job your best effort.
Troop 777
Leadership Position Description
CHAPLIN AIDE
GENERAL INFORMATION
Type: Appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader
Term: 6 months
Reports to: Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
Description: The Chaplain Aide works to meet the religious needs of Scouts in the troop. He also
works to promote the religious awards program.
Comments: "Duty to God" is one of the core beliefs of Scouting. The Chaplain Aide helps everyone in
the troop by preparing short religious observations for campouts and other functions. The
Chaplain Aide does not always lead the observation himself and can have other troop
members help.
QUALIFICATIONS
Age: none
Rank: none
Experience: none
Attendance: 75% over the previous 6 months
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Training: You must have earned your religious award.
Attendance: You are expected to attend 75% of all troop meetings, Patrol Leaders' Council meetings,
outings, and service projects. If your attendance is low, or if you have three (3)
unexcused absences in a row, you can be removed from office.
Effort: You are expected to given this job your best effort.
TROOP HISTORIAN
GENERAL INFORMATION
Type: Appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader
Term: 6 months
Reports to: Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
Description: The Troop Historian keeps a historical record or scrapbook of troop activities.
Comments: The true value of a good Historian does not show up until years later. The Historian
provides material for displays and presentations of current activities. In addition, the work
of the Historian provides a link with the past.
QUALIFICATIONS
Age: none
Rank: none
Experience: none, but interest in photography is helpful
Attendance: 75% over the previous 6 months
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Training: You must be able to operate a camera and be able to use basic computer skills such as
email and word processing.
Attendance: You are expected to attend 75% of all troop meetings, Patrol Leaders' Council meetings,
outings, and service projects. If your attendance is low, or if you have three (3)
unexcused absences in a row, you can be removed from office.
Effort: You are expected to given this job your best effort.
Troop 777
Leadership Position Description
TROOP LIBRARIAN
GENERAL INFORMATION
Type: Appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader
Term: 6 months
Reports to: Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
Description: The Troop Librarian takes care of troop literature.
Comments: The library contains books of historical value as well as current materials. All together, the
library is a troop resource worth hundreds of dollars. The Librarian manages this resource
for the troop.
QUALIFICATIONS
Age: none
Rank: none
Experience: none
Attendance: 75% over the previous 6 months
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Training: None.
Attendance: You are expected to attend 75% of all troop meetings, Patrol Leaders' Council meetings,
outings, and service projects. If your attendance is low, or if you have three (3)
unexcused absences in a row, you can be removed from office.
Effort: You are expected to given this job your best effort.
Troop 777
Leadership Position Description
TROOP QUARTERMASTER
GENERAL INFORMATION
Type: Appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader
Term: 6 months
Reports to: Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
Description: The Troop Quartermaster keeps track of troop equipment and sees that it is in good
working order.
Comments: The Quartermaster does most of his work around campouts. There are times when the
Quartermaster has to be available to check equipment in and out.
QUALIFICATIONS
Age: none
Rank: none
Experience: none
Attendance: 80% over the previous six months
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Training: None.
Attendance: You are expected to attend 80% of all troop meetings, Patrol Leaders' Council meetings,
outings, and service projects. If your attendance is low, or if you have three (3)
unexcused absences in a row, you can be removed from office.
Effort: You are expected to given this job your best effort.
Troop 777
Leadership Position Description
TROOP SCRIBE
GENERAL INFORMATION
Type: Appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader
Term: 6 months
Reports to: Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
Description: The Scribe keeps the troop records. He records the activities of the Patrol Leaders'
Council and keeps a record of dues, advancement, and Scout attendance at troop
meetings.
Comments: To be a good Scribe you need to attend nearly all troop and Patrol Leaders' Council
meetings.
QUALIFICATIONS
Age: none
Rank: none
Experience: none
Attendance: 75% over the previous six months
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Training: You must attend the troop Junior Leader Training even if you have attended in the past.
Attendance: You are expected to attend 75% of all troop meetings, Patrol Leaders' Council meetings,
outings, and service projects. If your attendance is low, or if you have three (3)
unexcused absences in a row, you can be removed from office.
Effort: You are expected to given this job your best effort.
Current Rank:
For your first choice, use this space to tell why you want this job, how you would do the job, and why you are the
best choice for this position.
Scout's Agreement
I have read the job descriptions for these positions. I understand the duties and responsibilities and if selected will
carry them out to the best of my ability.
(signature) (date)
(signature) (date)