Troop Organization

Troop Organization

Adult Leadership Positions

Charter Organization Representative: Serves as a liaison between the charter partner (Elim Lutheran Church) and the various Scouting units. He or she ensures all adult leaders serve the best interests of the charter organization and the BSA.

Troop Committee Chair: Makes sure all committee functions are carried out. The troop committee chairman appoints and supervises the unit committee and leaders, and organizes the committee to see that all committee responsibilities are delegated, coordinated, and completed.

Troop Committee Members: The troop committee is a cross between a board of directors and a parent support group. It sets troop policies and handles administrative functions, allowing the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters to focus on working directly with the Scouts.

Scoutmaster: Works directly with the Scouts and provides direction, coaching, and support. The Scoutmaster has three primary roles:

  1. Provide youth leaders with the tools and skills they need to run the troop.
  2. Make sure BSA and charter partner rules are followed.
  3. Be a good mentor and positive role model.

Assistant Scoutmaster: Helps the Scoutmaster deliver the promise of Scouting. Each assistant is assigned specific program duties, such as working with young Scouts on advancement, working with a specific patrol, or filling in as necessary to make sure the youth leaders have everything they need to run an effective program.

Youth Leadership on Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC)

Senior Patrol Leader (SPL): The highest youth leadership position in the troop, the Senior Patrol Leader is the primary link between the Scouts and adult leaders. The SPL is responsible for leading troop meetings, the Patrol Leaders’ Council, and provides leadership when planning and carrying out the troop’s program of outdoor activities, service projects, and events.

Responsibilities of the SPL include:

  • running all troop meetings, events, activities, and annual program planning conference
  • running Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) meetings
  • appointing Scouts to other leadership position, with the advice and guidance of the Scoutmaster
  • assigning duties and responsibilities to other youth leaders
  • assisting the Scoutmaster with youth leader training
  • setting a good example
  • wearing the Scout uniform correctly
  • living by the Scout Oath and Law
  • showing Scout spirit

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL): Works closely with the Senior Patrol Leader to keep the troop moving forward. If the SPL is absent, the ASPL serves in place of the SPL and provides leadership to other youth leaders throughout the troop.

Responsibilities of the ASPL include:

  • helping the SPL lead meetings and activities
  • running the troop in the absence of the SPL
  • helping train and supervise the troop scribe, quartermaster, instructor, librarian, historian, chaplain aide, and OA representative
  • setting a good example
  • wearing the Scout uniform correctly
  • living by the Scout Oath and Law
  • showing Scout spirit
  • lending a hand controlling patrols and building patrol spirit

Patrol Leader: The primary leader of an individual patrol, the Patrol Leader represents the patrol at the Patrol Leaders’ Council, and keeps the patrol informed of decisions made. Patrol Leaders carry out planning, leading, and evaluating patrol meetings and activities, and make sure patrols are ready to take part in all troop activities. It’s imperative they are a good example for the members of their patrol and the entire troop. For more information, check out 10 Tips for Being a Better Patrol Leader.

Responsibilities of the Patrol Leader include:

  • planning and leading patrol meetings and activities
  • keeping patrol members informed
  • assigning duties to patrol members
  • representing the patrol at all Patrol Leaders’ Council meetings and the annual program planning conference
  • preparing the patrol to participate in all troop activities
  • working with other troop leaders to make the troop run well
  • setting a good example
  • wearing the Scout uniform correctly
  • living by the Scout Oath and Law
  • showing and developing patrol spirit

Troop Guide: The primary duty of the Troop Guide is to serve as both a leader and a mentor to new Scouts. The Troop Guide is an older Scout who is at least First Class and can work well with younger Scouts, helping them develop into well-rounded members of the troop.

Responsibilities of the Troop Guide include:

  • introducing new Scouts to troop operations
  • guiding new Scouts away from harassment by older Scouts
  • helping new Scouts work toward earning their First Class rank
  • teaching basic Scout skills
  • attending Patrol Leaders’ Council meetings and sharing information with new Scouts
  • counsels individual Scouts on Scouting challenges
  • setting a good example
  • wearing the Scout uniform correctly
  • living by the Scout Oath and Law
  • showing Scout spirit

Scribe: The Scribe is the troop’s secretary, attending Patrol Leaders’ Council meetings as a non-voting member and keeping records of the discussions. The troop Scribe may be assisted by a member of the troop committee with any record-keeping.

Responsibilities of the Scribe include:

  • attending and keeping records of Patrol Leaders’ Council meetings
  • recording attendance and dues payment, if required by the PLC
  • working with the troop advancement coordinator to track advancement
  • working with troop committee members responsible for records and finance
  • setting a good example
  • wearing the Scout uniform correctly
  • living by the Scout Oath and Law
  • showing Scout spirit

Other Youth Leadership

Quartermaster: The Quartermaster is in charge of all troop equipment, keeping an inventory and making sure all equipment is in good condition. The troop Quartermaster works with patrol Quartermasters as they check out and return equipment. At the PLC, they report on the status of equipment in need of replacement or repair. If needed, they may work with the guidance of troop committee members.

Responsibilities of the Quartermaster include:

  • keeping records on patrol and troop equipment
  • making sure equipment is in good working condition
  • issuing equipment and making sure it’s returned in good condition
  • making suggestions for new or replacement items
  • working with the troop committee to resolve equipment needs
  • setting a good example
  • wearing the Scout uniform correctly
  • living by the Scout Oath and Law
  • showing Scout spirit

Historian: Collects, assembles, and preserves troop history through photographs, news stories, trophies, flags, scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia, and makes these materials available for Scouting activities, courts of honor, the media, and troop history projects.

Responsibilities of the Historian include:

  • gathering photos and facts about troop activities and keeping them in a historical file or scrapbook, whether physical or digital
  • taking care of troop trophies, ribbons, and other souvenirs of troop activities
  • keeping information about former members of the troop
  • setting a good example
  • wearing the Scout uniform correctly
  • living by the Scout Oath and Law
  • showing Scout spirit

Librarian: Oversees the care and use of troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor lists (in addition to the one on Scoutbook, if necessary). They check out materials to Scouts and ensure everything is returned in good condition. They may also suggest new literature to acquire and report the need to repair or replace anything.

Responsibilities of the Librarian include:

  • setting up and taking care of the troop library
  • keeping records of books and other literature owned by the troop
  • adding new or replacement items as needed
  • keeping books and other literature available for borrowing
  • keeping a system for checking books and other literature in and out, and follows up on late returns
  • setting a good example
  • wearing the Scout uniform correctly
  • living by the Scout Oath and Law
  • showing Scout spirit

Order of the Arrow Representative: The Order of the Arrow (OA) Representative serves as the link between the troop and the council lodge, Totanhan Nakaha. By promoting the image of the OA as a service arm to the troop, they promote the OA, encourage Scouts to take part in camping and other outdoor opportunities, and helps pave the way for older Scouts to be involved in high-adventure programs.

Responsibilities of the OA Representative include:

  • attending troop, chapter, and lodge meetings regularly as a youth representative of the troop and Order
  • serving as a two-way communication link between the troop and lodge or chapter
  • arranging with the lodge or chapter election team to conduct an annual Order of the Arrow election for the troop at a time approved by the Patrol Leaders’ Council
  • arranging for the lodge or chapter for at least one camp promotion visit to the troop annually
  • making at least one high adventure presentation to the troop, to include the OA programs, annualy
  • participating in troop courts of honor, as requested by the Senior Patrol Leader, by recognizing high adventure participants, induction of new OA members, changes in OA honors of troop members, and other related activities
  • coordinating the Ordeal process for new candidates, letting them know the time and place, equipment to bring, assisting (as needed) with transportation arrangements, and offering assistance to the lodge (as needed) in the Ordeal process
  • assisting current Ordeal members solidify their place in the OA by becoming Brotherhood members by informing them of brotherhood opportunities, assisting (as needed) with transportation arrangements, and offering assistance to the lodge (as needed) in the Brotherhood process
  • offering periodic training and discussion of OA principles, symbolism, and the Legend as needed by and appropriate for the troop members in the Order
  • assisting the troop (as needed) as a trainer of leadership and outdoor skills
  • advocates environmental stewardship and Leave No Trace camping
  • setting a good example
  • wearing the Scout uniform correctly
  • living by the Scout Oath and Law and OA Obligation
  • showing Scout spirit

Chaplain Aide: Serves the religious needs of the troop by assisting adults tasked with handling religious matters. The Chaplain Aide leads opening and closing prayers, as well as grace for meals. When working on the annual plan, the aide ensures religious observances are recognized and planned for on the troop calendar. The Manual for Chaplains and Chaplain Aides offers information and resources to help be an effective Chaplain Aide.

Responsibilities of the Chaplain Aide include:

  • assisting adult leaders with religious services at troop activities
  • encouraging troop members to strengthen their own relationships with their higher power through personal prayer, devotionals, and participation in faith-based religious activities
  • discussing the BSA Religious Emblems program with other Scouts
  • helping recognize troop members who have earned their faith’s religious emblem
  • ensuring religious holidays are considered during the annual troop program planning process
  • helping plan religious observances during troop activities
  • encouraging Scouts to say grace at meals while camping or at other activities
  • helping promote the annual Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath
  • setting a good example
  • wearing the Scout uniform correctly
  • living by the Scout Oath and Law
  • showing Scout spirit

Instructor: An older troop member proficient in a Scouting skill who is able to teach others can be an Instructor. Teaching younger Scouts skills required for outdoor activities and rank advancement—such as first aid, camping, and backpacking—is the Instructor’s primary focus. The troop may have more than one Instructor.

Responsibilities of the Instructor include:

  • teaching basic Scouting skills
  • scheduling and coordinating merit badge counselors for both troop and individual Scout instruction
  • setting a good example
  • wearing the Scout uniform correctly
  • living by the Scout Oath and Law
  • showing Scout spirit

Outdoor Ethics Guide: Helps troop plan and implement a program that emphasizes effective practice of the Outdoor Code, Leave No Trace principles, and Tread Lightly! principles. Guides help Scouts improve their outdoor ethics decision-making skills to help minimize impact to the natural world as they camp, hike, and participate in outdoor activities. The Guide should make a point to assist Scouts working on relevant requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks. For more information, visit the BSA Outdoor Ethics/Leave No Trace resources and the BSA Outdoor Ethics website, and download the Outdoor Ethics Guide Handbook.

Responsibilities of the Outdoor Ethics Gide include:

  • making sure the Troop adheres to the principles of Leave No Trace, Tread Lightly, and the Outdoor Code
  • setting a good example
  • wearing the Scout uniform correctly
  • living by the Scout Oath and Law
  • showing Scout spirit

Den Chief: An assistant for Cub Scout or Webelos den leaders, a Den Chief helps Cub Scouts advance through their ranks, encourages them to join a Scouts BSA troop when they complete their Cub Scout journey, and serves as a their mentor and role model.

Responsibilities of the Den Chief include:

  • knowing and understanding the purposes of Cub Scouting
  • helping Cub Scouts achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting
  • assisting with activities at den meetings
  • setting a good example through attitude and uniforming
  • being a friend to den members
  • helping lead den meetings
  • helping the den at the monthly pack meeting
  • meeting regularly with the den leader to review den and pack meeting plans
  • meeting as needed with adult members of the den, pack, and troop
  • receiving training from the den leader (and Cubmaster or Assistant Cubmaster)
  • taking Den Chief Training
  • encouraging Cub Scouts to become Webelos Scouts when they are eligible
  • encouraging Webelos Scouts to cross over to a Scout troop upon leaving Cub Scouts
  • wearing the Scout uniform correctly
  • living by the Scout Oath and Law
  • showing Scout spirit

Junior Assistant Scoutmaster: A Scout at least 16 years old with outstanding leadership skills may be chosen to be a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (JASM). A JASM serves in a similar capacity as the Scoutmaster, providing support and supervision to youth leaders in the troop. A JASM will be eligible to be an Assistant Scoutmaster when they turn 18.

Responsibilities of a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster:

  • performing duties assigned by the Scoutmaster
  • setting a good example
  • wearing the Scout uniform correctly
  • living by the Scout Oath and Law
  • showing Scout spirit

Leadership Resources

Youth Leadership

Adult Leadership