Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Troop Leadership Training: Patrol Positions of Responsibility



Our troop is running Troop Leadership Training in place of the normal meetings this month.  We haven't had one in a while, we are about to have elections, and the SPL decided this was easier than trying to get everyone to attend a special session (or worse, do it during our campout next weekend).


Serendipitously, this floated across my email a few minutes ago from BSAHandbook.org:

Patrol Positions of Responsibility

The following leadership positions with a patrol can make the patrol more effective and
fun. For more information, see the Patrol Leader Handbook (#32502A).

Patrol Leader
The patrol leader is the top leader of a patrol. The duties of the patrol leader include:
Represent the patrol at all patrol leaders’ council meetings and the annual
program planning conference.
Keep patrol members informed of decisions made by the patrol leaders’ council.
Play a key role in planning, leading, and evaluating patrol meetings and activities.
Help the patrol prepare to participate in all troop activities.
Learn about the abilities of other patrol members and fully involve them in patrol
and troop activities by assigning them specific tasks and responsibilities.
Attend troop leadership training and continue to work on advancement.
Encourage patrol members to complete their own advancement requirements.
Recruit new members to maintain a full patrol.
Set a good example by having a positive attitude, wearing the Scout uniform,
showing patrol spirit, and expecting the best from yourself and others.
Devote the time necessary to be an effective leader.
Work with others in the troop to make the troop go.
Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
Solicit ideas and concerns from patrol members so they have input to the
planning and operation of the patrol.

Assistant Patrol Leader
The assistant patrol leader takes charge of the patrol whenever the patrol leader is not
available. The duties of the assistant patrol leader include:
Assist the patrol leader in planning and chairing patrol meetings.
Lend a hand in leading patrol activities and building patrol spirit.
Help the patrol prepare for troop activities.
Assist the scribe in keeping current the advancement records of patrol members.
Monitor the advancement progress of patrol members.
Represent the patrol at patrol leaders’ council meetings when the patrol leader
cannot attend.
Set a good example.
Wear the uniform correctly.
Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
Show Scout spirit.
In addition, the assistant patrol leader may be given special assignments such as
working on a patrol service project or assisting certain patrol members with their
advancement.

Patrol Scribe
The scribe of a patrol keeps the log—a record of what goes on at each patrol meeting. It
provides an accurate account of decisions made, assignments of responsibilities, and
patrol plans for upcoming events. To refresh everyone’s memory at the beginning of a
patrol meeting, the scribe may read the most recent log entry. The scribe checks
attendance, collects and records dues, and manages the budgets for outings. He may
also be the patrol’s Internet webmaster, encouraging patrol members to use e-mail to
communicate with one another between meetings. The task is best suited to someone
who has good writing skills, is well organized, and is dependable.

Patrol Quartermaster
The patrol quartermaster is responsible for the patrol equipment. He maintains inventory
of all of the patrol gear and makes sure it is clean and ready for the patrol to use. If an
item is broken, he repairs it if he can; if he can’t, he brings it to the attention of the patrol
leader. If the patrol has a chuck box for its frontcountry camp kitchen, the quartermaster
can monitor its contents and see that it is fully stocked with cook gear and staple items.
He checks out the gear for campouts and other patrol outings, and he makes sure
everything is returned and properly stored afterward. The responsibilities of the
quartermaster are suited for a Scout who is organized, dependable, and aware of
details.

Patrol Grubmaster
The grubmaster of a patrol takes the lead in planning menus for hikes and campouts. Of
course, everyone in the patrol has a say in what he would like to eat. The grubmaster
helps make those wishes into reality by writing out the menu, itemizing the ingredients,
ensuring that purchases are made, and supervising food repackaging before a trip.
Scouts who are completing advancement requirements for cooking can work closely
with the grubmaster. The grubmaster should be a Scout who is familiar with the cooking
chapter of The Boy Scout Handbook and is aware of the importance of good nutrition. It
will help if he is also good at math and measurements.

Patrol Cheermaster
The cheermaster leads the patrol in yells, songs, and skits. His is a vital role when the
patrol is taking part in campfire programs. Just as important can be his contributions to
patrol spirit during long hikes, when the weather on a camping trip turns stormy, or
when the patrol is challenged by adversity. He should be an upbeat, outgoing person
who can get up in front of a group and lead a song or a cheer.



Yeah, we'll be using that resource.


When does your troop do Troop Leadership Training?  Certain time of the year, as needed, never? Share your thoughts below.

1 comment:

Bryan said...

We hold TLT twice a year, right after elections. We have the entire new PLC go for a weekend of training seperate from the Troop. This February was my 1st as new SM. It was me and an ASM (Grubmaster), the SPL, his 3 ASPLs, 10 PL, 1 TG, Scribe, and Chaplian's Aide. A weekend of learning, team building and fun!