Patrol Leader
Description: The Patrol Leader is the elected leader of his patrol. He represents his patrol on the Patrol Leader’s Council.
Comments: The Patrol Leader may easily be the most important job in the troop. He has the closest contact with the patrol members and is in the perfect position to help and guide them. The Patrol Leaders, along with the Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader are the primary members of the Patrol Leaders’ Council.
Reports to: Senior Patrol Leader
Type: Elected by members of the patrol
Term: 6 months
Qualifications
Age: None
Rank: None
Experience: None
Confirmation: Nomination Approved by Scoutmaster
Performance Requirements
Training: You must attend the troop Junior Leader Training even if you have attended in the past.
Attendance: You are expected to attend 85% of all troop meetings, Patrol Leaders’ Council meetings, outings, and service projects. If your attendance is low, or if you have three (3) unexcused absences in a row, you can be removed from office.
Effort: You are expected to give this job your best effort and use the adult leadership and advice when you feel they are needed.
General Leadership Responsibilities
Uniform: Set the example by wearing your uniform correctly. This means that you will wear all of the parts of the troop uniform, shirttail tucked in, with all required badges in their correct locations.
Behavior: Set the example by living the Scout Oath and Law in your everyday life. Show Scout Spirit in everything you say and do.
Attendance: Set the example by being an active Scout. Be on time for meetings and activities. You must call the Senior Patrol Leader or Scoutmaster if you are not going to be at a meeting or if you suddenly have to miss an outing. You also need to make sure that the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader is ready to assume your responsibilities. This requires you to “Be Prepared”, plan ahead and this will never be an issue.
Specific Leadership Responsibilities
- Appoints the Assistant Patrol Leader.
- Represents the patrol on the Patrol Leader’s Council.
- Plans and steers patrol meetings.
- Helps Scouts advance.
- Acts as the chief recruiter of new Scouts.
- Keeps patrol members informed.
- Knows what his patrol members and other leaders can do.
- Follows the Patrol Method.
What it means in Troop 2
- Plan and lead patrol meetings and activities
- Use patrol corners during Troop meetings to make decisions and get informed.
- Make sure Patrol Meetings are planned in detail one month in advance. You must use the Troop 2 meeting plan template.
- Make sure Patrols meeting are planned two months in advance tentative.
- Ensure your meeting plan is represented properly on the troops web site calendar.
- Check web site news
- Assigns patrol members a job and help them succeed.
- Make sure your patrol has an APL.
- Make up duty rosters for camp outs.
- Represent the patrol at the PLC and annual program planning conference
- Attend all PLC meetings and the program planning conference.
- Keep a list of what your patrol member’s need for advancement. Get this from the Troop Committee Advancement Chair or use members books.
- Know what your patrol members would like to do.
- Develop patrol spirit.
- Have skits ready for outing campfires.
- Have cheers ready for outing campfires.
- Have songs ready for outing campfires.
- Assist troop chaplain in Scout Own Service during outings when necessary.
Keep others informed:
- Call the patrol members each week to check they are following up on their assignments and communicate program information.
- Be sure to let your APL know if you are going to be absent so he can fill in for you.
- Make sure he knows what is supposed to happen and what responsibilities the patrol has.
Set a good example:
- Be the first to reflect the scout sign.
- Maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude.
- Exhibit good self-discipline.
- Have a good attendance record.
- Meet your obligations on time and in full effort.
- Have fun but not at the expense of everyone. Goofing off without purpose wastes time and loses the interest and respect of the other scouts. REMEMBER: The troop will follow your example.
Wear the uniform correctly:
- Always conform to the Troop 2 uniform policy.
Show Scout Spirit:
- Use the Scout Oath and Law as an everyday guideline.
- Actively participate in the activities of Troop 2.
- Set an example for the other Scouts to follow.
Useful Resources For Patrol Leaders:
| Patrol Leader job description | Various documents that describe the role of the Patrol Leader |
| Describes the Patrol Method and the role of the Patrol Leader | |
| Patrol Leader Duties | |
| Shed Procedures | |
| How to run a good troop meeting | Guidelines for how organize a productive and fun troop meeting. This document is meant for the Senior Patrol Leader. |
| Troop Meeting Planner | Checklist for the different parts of a Troop Meeting. This document is meant for the Senior Patrol Leader. |
| Patrol Leader Tips | Ten tips on how to be a good Patrol Leader. |
| Patrol Locker Inventory List | Various forms used by the Patrol Leader |
| Patrol Leader Trailer Packing List | |
| Camp Set Up Checklist | |
| Duty Roster | |
| Menu Planner | |
| Shopping List | |
| Camp Recipes | Camping Recipes |