| SENIOR PATROL LEADER (SPL) The boy leader of the troop is the Senior Patrol Leader. He is in charge of the troop at all meetings. He is not a member of a patrol during his tenure. He represents the troop at all Scout functions. In the absence of the Senior Patrol Leader, these responsibilities fall on the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. The Scouts in the troop elect the Senior Patrol Leader and the position is held for 6 months. An election for the Senior Patrol Leader is held in August and February of each year The SPL is responsible to the Scoutmaster for the operation of all activities of the troop involving the Scouts. He appoints, with the Scoutmaster's concurrence, his Assistants and Staff -- Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPL), Scribe, Quartermaster, Historian, Librarian, Bugler, Troop Guides, Chaplain’s Aide, Order of the Arrow (OA) Representative, Instructors. He is the leader of the Patrol Leaders' Council. PATROLS The troop is a group made up of several patrols. Each Patrol usually consists of a Patrol Leader and no less than four Scouts and no more than eight Scouts. The Scouts in a patrol elect their patrol leader who in turn appoints the assistant patrol leader. Elections for Patrol Leaders are held in August and February of each year. PATROL LEADER (PL) The Patrol Leader of each patrol is responsible for coordinating patrol activities. All patrol functions are under the control of the Patrol Leader. During meetings the Patrol Leader is responsible for ensuring his patrol is prepared for any assignments by the SPL and be prepared to provide leadership as service, program or game patrol as indicated in the Troop Schedule. The Patrol Leader is responsible for all delegation of work assignments (i.e. cooking, collecting water and cleanup of dishes) and will post the information on a posted Duty Roster for each campout/activity. In the absence of the Patrol Leader, these responsibilities fall on the Assistant Patrol Leader. On the day of the activity, the Patrol Leader must organize his patrol, equipment, menus and other items ready to go on the outing. The Patrol Leader must make sure all the equipment is cleaned before being returned to the troop. FIRST YEAR SCOUT PATROLS The transition from Webelos to Boy Scouts is a big step. During the first year, First Year Scouts will be members of their own unique Patrols, with the number of Patrols depending on the number of new Scouts received. Generally 6-8 Scouts make a patrol. Every effort is made to maintain relationships developed prior to joining the troop. During this first year, the Scouts will be working closely with the Assistant Scoutmaster for New Scouts and a Troop Guide. Many meetings ands outings are structured to introduce the Scouts to the fundamentals of Boy Scouts and in the process meet the requirements for Scout through First Class. Each Scout is individual and while some Scouts may attain the rank of First Class in 12 months, many others take longer. The requirements for Scout through First Class may be signed off in any order, but Scouts can only advance throught the ranks in the normal progression (Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle). The role of Patrol Leader at this stage is an introduction to responsibility and leadership. The position should rotate every month, preferably from campout to campout. Allowing each Scout a chance to lead during the first 12 months. The new scouts will become members of the troop patrols (Cobra, Conifer and Moose) in February, prior to election of new Patrol Leaders, and Senior Patrol Leader. The troop patrols compete for membership during the year by displaying scout spirit and demonstrating their best scout skills. |
| PATROL LEADERS COUNCIL (PLC) Patrol Leaders' Council is made up of the senior patrol leader, patrol leaders, venture crew chief, troop guides, OA representative and others invited by the SPL. Leadership positions are a commitment by the Scout to active service. The SPL, his staff, and patrol leaders take on extra obligations. All rank advancement above First Class requires satisfactory leadership service. Failure to follow through on outings, meetings, special events, or carry out responsibilities may result in the leadership position being transferred to another Scout. The PLC meets once a month (dates in Troop Schedule; Troop Newsletter and Troop Website). They are conducted by the SPL and are held from 6:00 pm-7:00 pm prior to the meeting. Each member should bring $3.00 for pop and pizza. The purpose of the PLC is to discuss and plan Troop activities for the following month. During the Spring of each year the PLC plans the yearly troop program at the annual troop program planning conference. It then meets monthly to fine tune the plans for the upcoming month. |