The Scoutmaster
The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the image and program of the troop. The Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters work 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.
The Scoutmaster can be male or female, but must be at least 21 years old. The Scoutmaster is selected and recruited by the troop committee and approved by the chartered organization representative.
The Scoutmaster’s duties include:
General
- Train and guide boy leaders.
- Work with other responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys.
- Use the eight methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting.
Meetings
- Meet regularly with the patrol leaders’ council for training and coordination in planning troop activities.
- Attend all troop meetings or, when necessary, arrange for a qualified adult substitute.
- Attend troop committee meetings.
- Conduct periodic parents’ sessions to share the program and encourage parent participation and cooperation.
- Take part in annual membership inventory and uniform inspection, charter review meeting, and charter presentation.
Guidance
- Conduct Scoutmaster conferences for all rank advancements.
- Provide a systematic recruiting plan for new members and see that they are promptly registered. (This is a direct responsibility of the assistant Scoutmaster for new Scouts.)
- Delegate responsibility to other adults and groups (assistants, troop committee) so that they have a real part in troop operations.
- Supervise troop elections for the Order of the Arrow.
Activities
- Make it possible for each Scout to experience at least 10 days and nights of
- camping each year.
- Participate in council and district events.
- Build a strong program by using proven methods presented in Scouting literature.
- Conduct all activities under qualified leadership, safe conditions, and the policies
- of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America.
Assistant Scoutmasters
To fulfill obligations to the troop, the Scoutmaster, with the concurrence of the troop committee, recruits assistant Scoutmasters to help operate the troop. Each assistant Scoutmaster is assigned specific program duties and reports to the Scoutmaster. They also provide the required two-deep leadership standards set by the Boy Scouts of America. An assistant Scoutmaster may be 18 years old, but at least one in each troop should be 21 or older, so he or she can serve in the Scoutmaster’s absence. The troop should recruit as many assistant Scoutmasters as possible.
Scout Membership
The flow of new Scouts is an essential element of a healthy Scout troop. Boys joining a troop bring fresh enthusiasm and energy to the entire program. The troop committee’s “Membership & Communications” subcommittee is responsible for recruiting new scouts into Troop 55.
The Patrol Method
The troop adheres to the Boy-Led concept utilizing the patrol method as required by the policies of the Boy Scouts of America. As stated by the founding father of scouting, Baden-Powell, “the patrol system is not one method in which scouting for boys can be carried on. It is the only method.” The patrol method utilizing the Boy-Led concept allows, with the direction, assistance and guidance of the uniformed adult leadership, the scouts to plan and implement the
program of Scouting.
The Scout troop is made up of patrols. A patrol is a grouping of six to ten boys who work together. The boys themselves elect a patrol leader, assign the jobs to be done, and share in the satisfaction of accepting and fulfilling group responsibilities. Within the larger community of the troop, the patrol is a Scout’s family circle. The patrol helps its members develop a sense of pride and identity.
The Troop’s Youth Leaders
The troop is actually led by its boy leaders. With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and assistants, they plan the program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers.
Junior Leadership Positions
The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is the top junior leader in the troop. He leads the patrol leaders’ council and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed. Troop members elect the senior patrol leader, usually for a six-month term.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) fills in for the senior patrol leader in his absence. He also is responsible for training and giving direction to the quartermaster, scribe, Order of the Arrow troop representative, troop historian, librarian, and instructors.
The Patrol Leaders’ Council
The Patrol Leaders’ Council, not the adult leaders, is responsible for planning and conducting the troop’s activities. The Patrol Leaders’ Council is composed of the following voting members:
Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, and Troop Scribe (nonvoting member). At its monthly meetings, the Patrol Leaders’ Council organizes and assigns activity At its monthly meetings, the Patrol Leaders’ Council organizes and assigns activity responsibilities for the weekly troop meetings. The troop committee interacts with the Patrol Leaders’ Council through the Scoutmaster.
The Patrol Leaders Council meets once a year in August for the Annual Planning Session to plan the year’s activities. The Senior Patrol Leader presents the proposed calendar of activities to the Troop Committee in August for its approval. Thereafter, the Patrol Leaders Council meets once a month to plan the meetings, outings and special events.
QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
If you as a parent have a question or issue, it should be directed to the Scoutmaster or the
Assistant Scoutmaster serving at the Patrol Advisor for your son’s patrol. As a scout, if you have
questions or concerns, you should address the issue first with your Patrol Leader, and thereafter if
necessary with the Senior Patrol Leader, followed by your Patrol Advisor (an Assistant Scoutmaster).
Troop 55 Leadership Chain of Command
Scoutmaster –> Senior Patrol Leader –> Patrol Leader –> Scouts in Patrols
Troop 55 Responsible Positions Chain of Command
Scoutmaster –> Senior Patrol Leader –> Assistant Senior Patrol Leader –> Responsible Positions (Scribe,Quartermaster, Historian, Instructor, Den Chief, Librarian, Chaplain Aide, O/A Representative)
Uniformed Adult Leadership Chain of Command
Scoutmaster –> Assistant Scoutmasters
Parental Chain of Command
Scoutmaster –> Scout Parents
