Patrol Leader

Boy Scout Troop 44

Patrol Leader

Job Description

The patrol leader is the elected leader of the patrol. He represents his patrol on the patrol leaders' council. He reports to the senior patrol leader.

Patrol Leader Duties

Appoints the assistant patrol leader
Appoint Patrol positions (Scribe, Quartermaster, Grubmaster) and train individuals for those positions
Represents the patrol on the patrol leaders' council and the annual program planning conference
Plans and steers patrol meetings and activities
Acts as the chief recruiter of new Scouts
Keeps patrol members informed
Knows what his patrol members and other leaders can do
Work with other Troop Leaders to make the Troop run well
Sets the example
Wears the uniform correctly
Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
Show Scouts spirit

Introduction

When you accepted the position of Patrol Leader, you agreed to provide service and leadership in our Troop. That responsibility should be fun and rewarding. This job description provides some of the things you are expected to do while serving as a junior leader in Troop 44. You should make any necessary notes on this sheet as this Fast-Start Junior Leader Training session is conducted. As a Troop 44 Junior Leader you will be challenged to your fullest capabilities. The adult leadership has faith in your leadership abilities, but will constantly be striving to improve those abilities. Your election and acceptance of this Troop position represents the acceptance of a contract. At the end of this Fast-Start Junior Leader Training you will be asked to sign a contract indicating that you understand your responsibilities and will constantly strive to live up to your Job Description. Good Luck and Congratulations.

Personal Goals

Contact every patrol member prior to every meeting and remind them of anything that is due, what the skill is going to be, to bring handbooks, pad and pen, permission slips, etc.
Hold patrol meetings as required (minimum of six per year) with the first mandatory patrol meeting after the August planning conference. All patrol meetings must follow a planned agenda approved by the Senior Patrol Leader. Agendas must contain the following aspects:
- Opening: Brief Ceremony
- Business: Reading of past minutes and discussing new business
- Skill Activity: Demonstration and practice
- Game
- Closing Ceremony: Practice for Troop ceremonies
All patrols must hold a minimum of three patrol activities during the Scouting year which can include Patrol hikes, Patrol merit badges, attend Town meetings, etc.
Every patrol member must advance at least one rank and earn at least one merit badge outside of Summer Camp prior to the end of the Scouting year.
Aim to be a Baden-Powell Patrol. Requirements include the following:
- Spirit: Have a patrol flag with patrol color and design. Use your patrol yell and call. Keep patrol records up to date for at least three months.
- Patrol meetings: Hold two patrol meetings each month for at least three months.
- Hikes, Outdoor Activities, and other events: Take part in at least one within three months.
- Good Turns or Service Projects: Do two Patrol Leaders' Council approved Good Turns or Service Projects within three months.
- Advancement: Help two patrol members advance one rank within three months.
- Uniform: Wear the uniform correctly to all Troop and Patrol activities.
- Patrol Leaders' Council: Represent the Patrol during three PLC meetings within three months.

More information can be found in the Junior Leader Handbook, page 41.

Patrol Procedures

All Patrol records must be filed with and held by the Patrol Scribe throughout the year. Patrol records include the Patrol Menu (completed and approved two weeks prior to camping trip), Patrol Grocery List, Patrol Duty Roster, and Patrol Equipment Checkout List.
All Patrol food shopping is to be done by the Patrol as a whole, not solely by a Patrol member's parent.
Patrol equipment belongs to the Patrol. All equipment must be kept in excellent condition. Any problems with equipment should be reported to the Troop Quartermaster. Each patrol should set aside a designated time frame to conduct a Patrol inventory of the patrol box. At this time, tents should be opened and checked for any problems or missing parts, dining flies should be checked for all poles, grommets, ropes, and pegs, stoves and lanterns should be tested for proper functioning. In addition, at this time all Patrol equipment should be washed and properly stored, for example, coolers and water jugs are to be stored with lids open at all times. Please note, Patrol boxes will be inspected frequently for any missing equipment and organization. Any Patrol equipment that is brought home after a weekend must be cleaned and returned at the next Troop meeting regardless of whether or not that Scout is in attendance.
At Patrol Leaders' Council Meetings, when the Troop Meetings are planned, a weekly rotation will be established between the Opening, Closing, and Service (Set-up and Clean-up) Patrols. One Patrol will be responsible for the Opening, another for the Closing, and the third for Set-up and Clean-up. All Patrol Leaders will be receiving an Opening and Closing Ceremony sheet that consist of over three months worth of different ceremonies. Ceremonies can also be found in Woods Wisdom. Ceremonies should be varied across the meetings.
Patrol Leaders are responsible for reminding all Patrol Members when permission slips are due. The Due Date is a Due Date! If permission slips (with money) are not returned to the Troop Scribe by that date, Scouts will not be able to attend. No exceptions!
Patrol discipline is to be handled by the Patrol Leader. Any repeated discipline problems should be reported to the Senior Patrol Leader, who will deal with the problem accordingly. Discipline includes knowing where each of your patrol members are in camp at all times.
Patrol Leader's are responsible for conducting a Patrol Training Session where each Scout is informed on their Patrol duties. The following is a brief summary of each Patrol position:

Assistant Patrol Leader: Leads the Patrol in the absence of the Patrol Leader, assists in the planning and guidance of patrol meetings and activities, and performs other jobs as assigned by the Patrol Leader.
Patrol Scribe: Keeps the Patrol log and takes attendance at Troop and Patrol meetings.
Patrol Quartermaster: Maintains and keeps an accurate inventory of Patrol equipment.
Patrol Grubmaster: Leads in the planning of Patrol menu's and food grocery lists and is responsible for organizing Patrol shopping trips.

Resources

As a Patrol Leader, their are many resources available to you to help you do your job. These include people such as your Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Troop Committee Members. Troop 44 offers a wealth of Scouting knowledge ranging from experience to literature to Internet resources. Please, take advantage of these abundant resources in order to better carry out your Troop position.