Troop 1954 Youth Leadership Policies

(a work in progress)

General Policies

1) Troop 1954 works on a six month leadership schedule.  Troop elections shall be held on the first Tuesday in April and the first Tuesday in October.  All youth leaders are elected or appointed to a six month term of office.

2) Troop elections shall be followed by Courts of Honor which shall be held on the second Tuesday in April and the second Tuesday in October.  At those Courts of Honor, the leadership will formally change, all awards and advancements earned in the previous six months will be presented, and point contest winning patrols announced.

3) Troop 1954 will elect and appoint only  those leadership positions that have ongoing responsibilities.  In order for a position to count for leadership, it must have regular (preferably weekly) responsibilities.  These responsibilities must be clearly spelled out in the position description.  If the Scoutmaster and the Troop Committee believes that a Scout has not filled the responsibilities of his position, he will not be given credit for that position.

4) Not all leadership positions are necessarily continuing.  The Scoutmaster may give leadership credit for completion of specific projects that benefit the troop and demonstrate leadership.

5) All youth leaders, both elected and appointed, serve at the pleasure of the Scoutmaster who may dismiss them for any reason.  If the Scoutmaster dismisses a youth leader, he will appoint a Scout to fill the remainder of the dismissed leader's term as acting leader.  A dismissed leader may receive credit for the time he has served at the discretion of the Troop Committee.

6) Leadership credit toward advancement will be given for all Youth Leadership positions except as explicitly noted in the position descriptions and requirements below.

Specific Ongoing Positions.  The following four positions are key to the successful operation of the troop and must be filled at all times.

1) Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)

a) Job description: The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is the youth leader of the troop.  The SPL presides at all troop meetings, planning meetings, and courts of honor.  He has a vote at all planning meetings.  The SPL works closely with both the Scoutmaster and the other youth leaders to design and implement the scouting program, both for troop meetings and outdoor events.

notes: In most troops, the SPL is the most important youth leader.  He sets the example for other members.  Therefore it's imperative to have an SPL who can do his job seriously, energetically and with both enthusiasm and humor.  In order for other leaders and members to exert themselves, the SPL must over-exert himself.  If the SPL treats people poorly, other Scouts will treat each other poorly as well.  If the SPL fails to do his job enthusiastically, others will similarly fail.

b) Requirements: In order to be elected to SPL, a scout must have earned his First Class rank.  He must have participated in Junior Leader Training.  If he has not yet attended Silver Pines, he should be willing and able to attend during his term of office (these requirements may be waived by the Scoutmaster if, in his opinion, too few candidates meet them or if, in the case of Silver Pines, attendance poses unreasonable family or financial hardship).  While everyone misses an occasional meeting or outdoor event, in order to receive credit for leadership, the SPL must participate in the vast majority of troop meetings and events.  While no specific number of permissible absences is specified, the expectation is that an SPL will miss a maximum of three (3) regularly scheduled meetings during his six month tenure.  While no specific number of permissible absences is specified, the expectation is that the SPL will attend at least two thirds (2/3) of the camp-outs and other troop events during his six month tenure.

c) Method of election/appointment: All scouts vote for the SPL.  To have a valid election, at least 50% of the total active members of the troop must be present and the election must be held by secret ballot.  The SPL must be elected by simple majority of those present.  If more than two candidates run, and none achieves a simple majority, a run-off election must be held among the top two candidates.

2) Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL)

a) Job description: The ASPL assists the SPL in designing and implementing the scouting program, both for troop meetings and outdoor events.  He both attends and votes at all planning meetings.  Should the SPL be absent, he takes his place as acting SPL.

b) Requirements: The ASPL must have earned his First Class Rank.  He must have participated in Junior Leader Training  (these requirements may be waived by the Scoutmaster if, in his opinion, too few candidates meet them)  While everyone misses an occasional meeting or outdoor event, in order to receive credit for leadership, the ASPL must participate in the majority of troop meetings and events.  While no specific number of permissible absences is specified, the expectation is that an ASPL will be present at at least two thirds (2/3) of all meetings, campouts, and other events during his six month tenure.

c) Method of election/appointment:  The ASPL is appointed from the eligible Scouts by the newly elected SPL in consultation with the Scoutmaster.

3) Patrol Leader (PL)

a) Job description: The PL is responsible for supervising the activities of his patrol  He works with the Patrol Coach to maintain reasonable order in his patrol.  With the Patrol Coach, he monitors the progress of patrol members as they work toward advancement and merit badges.  He supervises all patrol activities or appoints others to do so.  He brings his patrol to order when it is necessary at meetings and events.  He represents his patrol at planning meetings and has a vote at such meetings.

b) Requirements: Scouts of any rank can be PL.  Patrol leaders should have participated in Junior Leader training and, if they have not, must take any available opportunity to do so during their tenure (requirement may be waived by the Scoutmaster if it poses undue hardship).  While everyone misses an occasional meeting or outdoor event, in order to receive credit for leadership, the PL must participate in the majority of troop meetings and events.  While no specific number of permissible absences is specified, the expectation is that an ASPL will be present at at least three quarters (3/4) of all meetings, campouts, and other events during his six month tenure.

c) Method of election/appointment:  The PL is elected by the members of his patrol.  For such an election to be valid, at least 50% of the active members of the patrol must be present.  The PL may be elected by plurality.

4) Assistant Patrol Leader (APL)

a) Job description: the APL assists the PL in all of his work.  He takes the place of the PL should that person be absent.  The APL may attend planning meetings but does not have a vote at such meetings (unless his PL is absent).

Important note: All patrols must have APLs, however, under BSA rules, serving as APL does not qualify as leadership and does not count toward advancement.

b) Requirements: Scouts of any rank can be APL.  Assistant Patrol leaders should have participated in Junior Leader training and, if they have not, are encouraged to do so during their tenure.  While everyone misses an occasional meeting or outdoor event, in order fill the requirements of his job, the APL should participate and the vast majority of troop meetings and events.

c) Method of election/appointment: the APL is appointed by the PL, with the consultation of the Scoutmaster,  from among the members of his patrol.

Discretionary Positions:  The following positions are appointed at the discretion of the SPL and Scoutmaster.  There is always work for these positions, however they are less central to the operation of the troop.

5) Troop Scribe

a) Job description: The Troop Scribe acts as the secretary of the troop.  His weekly responsibility is to take attendance and count the number of scouts in each patrol that are correctly uniformed for the meeting.  He also takes attendance at campouts and other events.  He must report the attendance to the Scoutmaster at the end of each evening or event.  The Troop Scribe also takes minutes at all planning meetings and makes these available to the Scoutmaster and other troop members and leaders.  The Troop Scribe must attend all planning meetings but he does not have a vote at such meetings.

b) Requirements: Scouts of any rank can be Troop Scribe.  They are encouraged to participate in Junior Leadership Training if they have not done so.  While everyone misses an occasional meeting or outdoor event, outstanding attendance is essential to the Troop Scribe's job.  In order to receive credit for leadership, the Troop Scribe must participate in the vast majority of troop meetings and events.  While no specific number of permissible absences is specified, the expectation is that the Troop Scribe will miss a maximum of four (4) regularly scheduled meetings during his six month tenure.  While no specific number of permissible absences is specified, the expectation is that the Troop Scribe will attend at least two thirds (2/3) of the camp-outs and other troop events during his six month tenure.

c) Method of election/appointment:  The Troop Scribe is appointed from among volunteers by the SPL in consultation with the Scoutmaster.  The Troop Scribe must have volunteered for the position.  Should no scout volunteer, the position must remain vacant.

6) Troop Historian

a) Job description: The Troop Historian makes a written and pictorial record of the members of the troop and their activities during his six month tenure.  The minimum requirement is that the Troop Historian produce a binder that includes photographs and names of each active member of the troop, pictures from at least two regular troop meetings, and photographs and other documentation for at least two thirds (2/3) of the non-meeting activities.   This binder becomes property of the troop and must be presented to the troop at the Court of Honor immediately following the end of the Troop Historian's term of office.  A web site meeting the same requirements may be submitted in lieu of the binder.  The Troop Historian is welcome to attend all planning meetings, but does not vote at such meetings.

note: Troop Historians should understand that they must pay for the materials they use.  The troop will not reimburse for photo developing or the purchase of binders, plastic sleeves, or other materials.

b) Requirements.  Scouts of any rank can be Troop Scribe.  The only requirement for the Troop Historian is that he presents the completed binder (or website) as described above.  Historians should understand that they will receive no credit at all if their materials are not submitted.

c) Method of election/appointment:  The Troop Historian is appointed from among volunteers by the SPL in consultation with the Scoutmaster.  The Troop Historian must have volunteered for the position.  Should no scout volunteer, the position must remain vacant.

Discontinuous Discretionary Positions: The following positions are appointed on an "as needed" basis.  It is not yet clear that there are always projects for those who hold these positions.  If the Scoutmaster and the SPL determine that there are inadequate ongoing duties for the holders of these positions, they will not be filled.

7) Quartermaster

a) Job Description: The Troop Quartermaster organizes and maintains control over the equipment owned by the troop.  He organizes and controls the inventory of the equipment room.  He checks all equipment to determine if it is in proper operating condition and, if it is not, works with youth and adult leaders to determine if it should be repaired, discarded, and/or replaced.

Note: In some troops, this is a key position.  In our patrol system, each patrol appoints a patrol quartermaster for each event requiring equipment.  Since patrols own and control their own equipment, it is not clear that a troop quartermaster is required.  The troop quartermaster thus only has a meaningful job when there are specific tasks to be done regarding troop equipment.

b) Requirements:  When a Scout is appointed Quartermaster, he will meet with the Scoutmaster and SPL as well as other adult leaders to determine a list of goals for his six month tenure.  This list of goals must be in writing and must be posted in the equipment room.  The Scout will only receive leadership credit for holding the Quartermaster position if, in the opinion of the Scoutmaster he has done his best to meet the goals he and the other leaders have set.

c) c) Method of election/appointment:  The Troop Quartermaster is appointed from among volunteers by the SPL in consultation with the Scoutmaster.  The Troop Quartermaster must have volunteered for the position.  Should no scout volunteer, the position must remain vacant.

8) Librarian

a) Job Description: The Troop Librarian organizes and maintains control over the troop library.  In consultation with other youth and adult leaders, he determines books and other equipment to be be acquired.  He checks books out to both scouts and adults.  He is responsible for maintaining both books and library room in good condition.

Note: It seems to me that simply checking a book in or out a few times over a six month period is not enough to qualify as leadership.  So, at least provisionally, like the quartermaster's job, the librarian's is only meaningful when there are specific tasks to be done.

b) Requirements: The librarian must be available to check books in and out.  This means he must be present at the vast majority of meetings.  While no specific number of permissible absences is specified, the expectation is that the Troop Librarian will miss a maximum of four (4) regularly scheduled meetings during his six month tenure.  While no specific number of permissible absences is specified, the expectation is that the Troop Librarian will attend at least two thirds (2/3) of the camp-outs and other troop events during his six month tenure.  In addition, When a Scout is appointed Librarian, he will meet with the Scoutmaster and SPL as well as other adult leaders to determine a list of goals for his six month tenure.  This list of goals must be in writing and must be posted in the library.  The Scout will only receive leadership credit for holding the Librarian position if, in the opinion of the Scoutmaster he has done his best to meet the goals he and the other leaders have set.

Irregular Positions: The following two positions are irregular in that their appointment calendar is different than the other positions and whether or not they are filled depends on factors that are largely beyond our control.

9) Troop Guide

a) Job Description: The Troop Guide works with incoming scouts in the New Scouts Patrol.  He helps them organize, select and name and create a flag.  He facilitates their transition to Scouting by working with them to complete all procedures relative to the smooth running of our scouting program.  The Troop Guide is expected to spend a substantial amount of time with the New Scout Patrol at each meeting and event.

Note: Of course, having a troop guide depends on having a sufficiently large New Scout Patrol.

b) Requirements.  To be Troop Guide a scout must rank First Class or above and have at least one full year of experience in Troop 1954.  While no specific number of permissible absences is specified, the expectation is that the Troop Guide will miss a maximum of four (4) regularly scheduled meetings during his six month tenure.  While no specific number of permissible absences is specified, the expectation is that the Troop Guide will attend at least two thirds (2/3) of the camp-outs and other troop events during his six month tenure.

c) Method of election/appointment:  The Troop Guide is appointed from among volunteers by the SPL in consultation with the Scoutmaster.  Troop Guides are appointed only at the April troop elections.  By the end of their six month tenure, the New Scout Patrol should be ready to proceed without them.  Therefore, no troop guides are appointed in October.

10) Den Chief

a) Job Description: The Den Chief works with a Webelos I or Webelos II Cub Scout Den.  He serves as a role model for younger boys and helps the adult Den Leader accomplish his goals.  His duties are largely set by the Cub Scout Den Leader.

b) Requirements:  To be a Den Chief, a scout should rank First Class or above and have at least one full year of experience in Troop 1954.  A Den Chief is expected to attend the vast majority of the regular meetings of his Cub Scout Den as well as Troop 1954.  He is encouraged but not required to go on trips and campouts with his Cub Scout Den.  For a Den Chief to receive leadership credit, the adult Den Leader must certify that he has filled his responsibilities adequately.

c) Method of election/appointment: Den Chiefs are generally appointed in response to requests from Cub Scout Dens.  The Den Chief is appointed from among volunteers by the SPL in consultation with the Scoutmaster.  Den Chief appointments do not correspond to the troop election cycle.  Instead, to the degree possible, they run concurrently with the September to May Cub Scout schedule (generally, cub dens do not meet as dens in the summer).  Ideally, Den Chiefs are appointed in September and serve until May.  However, they may be appointed at any time.  They will only receive leadership credit for months served between September and May.