Duties of the Leaders of Troop 373

A troop leader leads by helping each Scout help himself. He identifies each Scout’s characteristics and habits in order to understand him and help him feel he has his welfare at heart. He encourages each Scout in troop activities and leads through his own example – by living the Scout Oath and Law as expected of his Scouts.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCOUTMASTER:

• Train and guide boy leaders to run their troop.
• Work with and through responsible adults to give Scouting to boys.
• Help boys to grow by encouraging them to learn for themselves.
• Guide boys in planning the troop program.

  RESPONSIBILITIES OF ASSISTANT SCOUTMASTER:

• Serve as the troop leader in the absence of the Scoutmaster.
• Be responsible to the Scoutmaster for program and activities of the troop.
• Work with the assistant senior patrol leaders in administering troop operations.
• Coordinate joint Webelos den-troop activities.
• Be responsible for the troop’s participation in district and council activities.
• Participate in training.
• Serve as advisor for a patrol or leadership corps.
• Serve as a resource person for the patrol or leadership corps.
• Recruit others to assist.
• Support the patrol leader with advice and counseling.

  RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCOUT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS:  

SENIOR PATROL LEADER

• Preside at all troop meetings, events, and activities.
• Chair the patrol leader’s council.
• Chair board of review for Scouts of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks.
• Name appointed boy leaders with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster.
• Assign duties and responsibilities to other leaders.

ASSISTANT SENIOR PATROL LEADER

• Help with leading meetings and activities.
• Train and guide patrol leaders.
• Serve as chairman of the Scout board of review when requested by the senior patrol leader.
• Take over troop leadership in the absence of the senior patrol leader.

PATROL LEADER

• Participate in junior leader training.
• Plan patrol meetings and activities.
• Lead patrol meetings and activities.
• Keep patrol members informed.
• Share leadership by giving each patrol member a job.
• Instruct patrol members in Scoutcraft skills.
• Represent the patrol at program planning meetings and the patrol leaders’council meetings.
• Understand the needs of the patrol.
• Prepare the patrol to take part in all troop activities.
• Develop patrol spirit and control.
• Work with other troop leaders to make the troop run well.
• Know what patrol members and other leaders can do.
• Set the example:
• Earn advancements.
• Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Wear the uniform correctly.

ASSISTANT PATROL LEADERS

• Lead the patrol when the patrol leader is not present.
• Help with patrol business.

DEN CHIEF

• In the den: Assist the den leader with the meetings, help Cub Scouts earn achievements, help Cub Scouts be leaders, set good example.
• For the troop: Serve as the recruiting officer, bringing Cub Scouts into the troop, and promoting joint activities.
• Look to assistant senior patrol leader or membership person for guidance.

QUARTERMASTER

• Keep records of patrol and troop equipment.
• Keep equipment in good repair.
• Check out equipment and see that it is returned in good order.
• Suggest new or replacement items needed to senior patrol leader or patrol leaders’ council.

SCRIBE

• Keep a log of patrol leaders’ council decisions.
• Record attendance and dues payments.
• Record advancements in troop records.

HISTORIAN

• Gather pictures and facts about past activities of the troop and keep these in permanent forms such as scrapbooks, wall displays, or information files.
• Take care of troop trophies and keepsakes.
• Keep information about troop alumni and their doings.
• Help the chartered organization and the troop leadership in making use of troop historical material.

LIBRARIAN

• Keep records on literature owned by the troop.
• Advise senior patrol leader or Scoutmaster of new or replacement items needed.
• Have literature available for borrowing at troop meetings.
• Keep systems to check literature in and out.
• Follow up on late returns.
• Keep a current copy of the merit badge counselor list.

CHAPLAIN AIDE

• Help in troop program planning to consider religious holidays in planning and include religious observances in activities.
• Assist chaplain in planning and carrying out religious services at troop activities.
• Tell troop members about religious emblem program of their faith and how to earn one.
• Encourage troop members to live up to the Scout Oath, Law, and slogan.

JUNIOR ASSISTANT SCOUTMASTER

• Supervise and help the support staff of the troop including librarian, historian, instructors, and chaplain aide.
• Work with Cub Scouts and Webelos den chiefs.

  RESPONSIBILITIES OF TROOP COMMITTEE:

• Select a Scoutmaster and assistants and help them get training.
• Provide adequate meeting facilities.
• Advise Scoutmaster on policies relating to the Boy Scout program and the chartered organization.
• Carry out the policies and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America.
• Encourage leaders in carrying out the Boy Scout program.
• Be responsible for finances, adequate funds, and disbursements in line with the approved budget plan.
• Obtain, maintain and care properly for troop property.
• Provide adequate camping and outdoor program (minimum 10 days and nights per year).
• See that adult leadership is assigned in case the Scoutmaster is absent or unable to serve.
• Operate troop to ensure permanency.

Each member of the troop committee should have specific responsibilities, thus dividing the whole job among the membership to carry out the pledge made at the time of the application for charter.   Note of caution: Exercise care to see that in no instance do troop committee members encroach upon the rightful responsibilities of the Scoutmaster or his assistants.

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

• Organize the committee to see that all functions are delegated, coordinated, and completed.
• Recruit the best men and women available for Scoutmaster and assistants.
• See that leadership and committee have training opportunities.
• Interpret national and local council policies to troop.
• Work closely with Scoutmaster in preparation of agenda for troop committee meeting.
• Call, preside, and promote attendance at monthly troop committee meetings and any special meetings that may be called.
• Ensure troop representation at monthly roundtables.
• Secure quality, trained individuals for camp leadership.
• Arrange for charter review and recharter the troop annually.
• Have a simple annual audit of troop finances.

SECRETARY

• Keep minutes of meetings and send out committee meeting notices.
• Handle publicity.
• Work with troop historian.
• Prepare correspondence for troop committee.
• Maintain membership rosters for the troop.

TREASURER

• Handle all troop funds. Pay bills on recommendation of Scoutmaster and authorization of troop committee.
• Maintain checking account, savings account, and individual scout accounts.
• Train and supervise the troop scribe in recordkeeping.
• Receive troop income from the troop scribe.
• Keep adequate records in the "Troop Financial Record Book," No. 6508.
• Supervise fundraising projects including obtaining proper authorization.
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting.
• Give leadership to the preparation of the annual troop budget.

ADVANCEMENT

• Check to see that scouts advance in rank.
• Maintain all scout advancement records.
• Work with troop librarian in building and maintaining a library of merit badge pamphlets.
• Make prompt report on correct form to council service center when troop board of review is held. Secure badges and certificates.

CHAPLAIN

• Provide a spiritual tone for troop meetings and activities.
• Give guidance to chaplain aide.
• Promote regular participation of each member in the activities of the church of his choice.
• Visit homes of scouts in time or sickness or need.
• Give spiritual counseling service when needed or requested.
• Encourage scouts to earn their appropriate religious emblem.
• Provide opportunities for scouts to grow in their relationships to God and their fellow scouts.

• Parents of youth members are members of the parents’ auxiliary. Activities affecting youth members and unit leaders should be planned with leaders and the unit committee. Suggested activities: court of honor party; welcoming new parents; picnics; troop parties.