Positions of Responsibility (Scouts and Adults)
Positions of Responsibility are leadership roles that Scouts perform. Some of them are appropriate for advancing to Star, Life and Eagle. For each rank a Scout must hold one of the below listed leadership positions for a certain amount of time. For Star, ou must hold one for 4 months or more and for Life and Eagle you must hold them for 6 months or more. These positions show responsibility and leadership.
Senior Patrol Leader
The senior patrol leader (SPL) is elected by the Scouts to represent them as the to youth leader in the troop.
Reports to: Scoutmaster.
Senior patrol leaders duties:
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Runs all the troop meetings, events, activities and the annual program planning conference.
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Runs the patrol leader's council meeting.
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Appoints other troop junior leader with the advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster.
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Assign duties and responsibilities to junior leaders.
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Assists the Scoutmaster with junior leader training.
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Sets a good example.
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Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly.
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Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
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Shows Scout spirit.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
The assistant senior patrol leader is the second highest ranking youth leader in the troop. The ASPL is appointed by the senior patrol leader with the approval of the Scoutmaster. The assistant senior patrol leader acts as the SPL in the absence of the SPL or when otherwise called upon. The ASPL also provides leadership to other junior leaders in the troop.
Reports to: Senior patrol leader
Assistant senior patrol leader duties:
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Helps the senior patrol leader lead meetings and activities.
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Runs the troop in the absence of the senior patrol leader.
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Helps train and supervise the troop scribe, quartermaster,
instructors, librarian, historian and chaplain aide. -
Serves as a member of the patrol leaders' council.
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Sets a good example
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Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly
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Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
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Shows Scout spirit.
Troop Guide
The troop guide works with new Scouts and helps them feel comfortable and earn their First Class rank in their first year.
Reports to:
The assistant Scoutmaster for the new Scout patrol in the troop.
Troop Guide duties:
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Introduces new Scouts to troop operations.
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Guides new Scouts through early Scouting activities.
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Shields new Scouts from harassment by older Scouts.
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Helps new Scouts earn First Class rank in their first year.
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Teaches basic Scout skills.
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Coaches the patrol leader of the new Scout patrol on his duties.
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Works with the patrol leader at patrol leaders' council meetings.
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Attends patrol leaders' council meetings with the patrol leader of the new Scout patrol.
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Assists the assistant Scoutmaster with training.
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Counsels individual Scouts on Scouting challenges.
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Sets a good example.
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Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly.
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Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
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Shows Scout spirit.
Patrol Leader
The patrol leader is the elected leader of his patrol. The PL represents his patrol on the patrol leader's council.
Reports to: Senior Patrol Leader. If you're the Patrol Leader for the new Scout patrol, you'll also work with the troop guide who is assigned to your patrol.
Patrol Leader duties:
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Appoints the assistant patrol leader.
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Represents the patrol on the patrol leaders' council.
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Plans and steers patrol meetings.
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Helps Scouts advance
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Acts as the chief recruiter of new Scouts.
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Keeps patrol members informed.
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Knows what his patrol members and other leaders can do.
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Sets a good example
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Wears the Scout uniform correctly
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Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
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Shows Scout spirit.
Assistant Patrol Leader
The assistant patrol leader (APL) is appointed by the patrol and leads the patrol in his absence.
Reports to: Patrol leader.
Assistant Patrol Leader duties:
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Helps the patrol leader plan and steer patrol meetings and activities.
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Helps him keep patrol members informed.
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Helps the patrol get ready for all troop activities.
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Represents his patrol at patrol leaders' council meetings when the patrol leader cannot attend.
Scribe
The scribe keeps the troop records. The scribe records the activities of the patrol leaders' council and keeps a record of dues, advancement, and Scout attendance at troop meetings.
Reports to: Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
Scribe duties:
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Attends and keeps a log of patrol leaders' council meetings.
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Records individual Scout attendance and dues payments.
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Records individual Scout advancement progress.
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Works with the troop committee member responsible for records and finance.
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Sets a good example.
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Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly.
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Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
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Shows Scout spirit.
Quartermaster
The quartermaster keeps track of troop equipment and sees that it is in good working order.
Reports to: the assistant senior patrol leader
Quartermaster duties:
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Keeps records on patrol and troop equipment.
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Makes sure equipment is in good working condition.
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Issues equipment and makes sure it's returned in good condition.
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Makes suggestions for new or replacement items.
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Works with the troop committee member responsible for equipment.
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Sets a good example.
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Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly.
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Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
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Shows Scout spirit.
Librarian
The librarian takes care of troop literature.
Reports to:
assistant senior patrol leader
Librarian duties:
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Sets up and takes care of the troop library.
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Adds new or replacement items as needed.
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Keeps books and pamphlets available for borrowing
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Keeps a system for checking books and pamphlets in and out.
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Follows up on late returns.
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Sets a good example.
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Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly.
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Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
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Shows Scout spirit.
Historian
The historian keeps a historical record or scrapbook of troop activities.
Reports to: Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
Historian duties:
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Gathers pictures and facts about past troop activities and keeps them in a historical file or scrapbook.
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Takes care of troop trophies, ribbons and souvenirs of troop activities.
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Keeps information about former members of the troop.
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Sets a good example.
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Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly.
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Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
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Shows Scout spirit.
Chaplain Aide
The chaplain aide works with the troop chaplain to meet the religious needs of Scouts in the troop. The chaplain aide also works to promote the religious emblems program.
Reports to: Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
Chaplain Aide duties:
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Assists the troop chaplain with religious services at troop activities.
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Tells the Scouts about the religious emblem program for their faith.
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Makes sure religious holdiays are considered during troop program planning.
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Helps plan for religious observance in troop activities.
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Sets a good example.
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Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly.
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Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
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Shows Scout spirit.
Order of the Arrow Representative
The Order of the Arrow Troop Representative is a youth liaison serving between the local OA lodge or chapter and his troop. In the troop, the OA Rep serves serves as a communication and programmatic link to the Arrowman and adult leaders and who are not presently members of the Order. They do this in a fashion that strengthens the mission of the lodge and purpose of the Order. By setting a good example, They enhance the image of the Order as a service arm to his troop.
Reports to: OA Chapter Vice Chief
OA Troop Representative duties:
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Serves as a communication link between the lodge or chapter and the troop.
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Encourages year round and resident camping in the troop.
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Encourages older Scout participation in high adventure programs.
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Encourages Scouts to actively participate in community service projects.
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Assists with leadership skills training in the troop.
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Encourages Arrowmen to assume leadership positions in the troop.
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Encourages Arrowmen in the troop to be active participants in the lodge and/or chapter activities and to seal their membership in the Order by becoming Brotherhood members.
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Sets a good example.
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Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly.
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Lives by the Scout Oath and Law, as well as the OA Obligation.
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Shows Scout spirit.
Scoutmaster
The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the image and program of the troop. The Scoutmaster works directly with the Scouts. The importance of the Scoutmaster's job is reflected in the fact that the quality of guidance will affect every youth and adult involved in the troop.
Scoutmaster Duties:
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Train and guide junior leaders
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Work with responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys
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Meet regularly with the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) for training and coordination in planning troop activities
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Attend all troop meetings or when necessary arrange for a qualified adult substitute
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Attend troop committee meetings
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Conduct periodic parent meetings to share the program and encourage parent participation and cooperation
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Conduct Scoutmaster conferences for all rank advancements
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Delegate responsibility to other adults and groups (assistants, troop committee) so that they have a real part in troop operations
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Participate in Council and District events
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Build a strong program by using proven methods presented in Scouting literature
Conduct all activities under qualified leadership, safe conditions, and policies of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America
Assistant Scoutmaster
Each assistant Scoutmaster is assigned specific program duties. They also provide the required two-deep leadership standards set by the Boy Scouts of America. Reports to Scoutmaster.
Assistant Scoutmaster Duties:
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Will support the Scoutmaster in all his/her activities and actions
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Carry out assigned program duties
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Other duties assigned by the Scoutmaster may include any of the Scoutmaster duties
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Propose a calendar to the Scoutmaster and Junior Leadership for
Troop Program Planning Conference and approval -
Coordinate with Scoutmaster, Junior Leadership, and Adult
Leadership Basic Skills Days, Campouts, Hikes and other outings and activities -
Conduct weekly scheduled Advancement meetings
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Keep track of each Scout's advancement towards First Class
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Welcomes Scout parents and actively encourage their participation
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Conduct all activities under qualified leadership, safe conditions, and policies of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
A Scout at least 16 years of age who has shown outstanding leadership skills may be appointed by the Scoutmaster to serve as a junior assistant Scoutmaster. The JASM position is a great way to utilize the troop's former senior patrol leaders, assistant senior patrol leaders, instructors, and troop guides. The duties, which can include working directly with the Scoutmaster, prepare older Scouts for future roles as assistant Scoutmasters.
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster Duties:
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performs duties as assigned by the Scoutmaster.
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sets a good example.
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wears the Scout uniform correctly
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lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
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shows Scout spirit