Positions of Responsibility

“An invaluable step in character training is to put  responsibility on the individual.”

                                                                                            - Robert Baden-Powell

Troop Positions of Responsibility

The below Positions of Responsibility count toward Boy Scout advancement. (For more information, see the Senior Patrol Leader Handbook (#32501) and Patrol Leader Handbook (#32502A) and the leadership chart below.) 

Applications must be printed from this website below - none will be distributed at any Troop meeting - and provided to the Senior Patrol or Scoutmaster. No incomplete or late applications will be considered and no position or nomination takes effect unless the application is approved by the Scoutmaster, who has discretion to reject an application based on a Scout's prior performance or inability to fulfill the duties of the position.  Absent pre-approval from the Scoutmaster, a Scout may have only one position per Scout year, but may apply for more than one.  Unless the Scoutmaster grants an exception, the term for all-non Senior Patrol positions ends at the last Troop meeting.  Positions do not automatically carry over from the prior year but require a new application.

SPL and ASPL applications are due the no later than the first April Troop meeting.  All other applications are due no later than a week before the first September Troop meeting when Patrols will be formed. Patrol Leader positions will be addressed before any others, so Scouts should submit at least one alternate application in the event they do not get selected as Patrol Leader but still wish to serve in a Position of Responsibility. Positions from the prior year do not automatically carry over to the next.

Scouts in Positions of Responsibility are expected to be proactive and fulfill their duties as described without being prompted in order to receive credit for leadership service.  Any Scout not performing his duties may be suspended from his position and not permitted to serve again for up to six months.  (See Troop Policies & Procedures). Scouts will benefit from, and should be willing to participate in, formal Scout leadership training through the Theodore Roosevelt Council.

Senior Patrol LeaderThe Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is the top Scout leader of the Troop. He reports to the Scoutmaster and is responsible for the Troop’s overall operation.  The SPL has the following responsibilities:

The Troop votes by secret ballot to elect its SPL.  Rank and age requirements to be an SPL are determined by the Troop Committee, as is the schedule of elections. In Troop 71, an SPL must be Life rank or at least age 15 and Star rank at the time of service. The SPL is not a member of any patrol, but may participate with a Venture patrol in high-adventure activities.

SPL Application

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) works closely with the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and as follows:

Rank and age requirements to be an ASPL are determined by the Troop Committee.  In Troop 71, an ASPL must be at least age 14 and Star rank at the time of service.  Troop 71 allows two ASPLs, each appointed by the SPL with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster. An ASPL is not a member of a patrol, but may participate in the high-adventure activities of a Venture patrol.  

ASPL Application

Patrol Leader

Elected by the members of his patrol, the Patrol Leader is the top leader of a patrol and has the following responsibilities:

Patrol Leader Application

Troop Guide

The Troop Guide should be an experienced Scout of at least First Class rank who can work well with younger Scouts.  To meet its needs, Troop 71 allows multiple Troop Guides who have the following responsibilities:

A Troop Guide is not a member of a patrol, but may participate in the high-adventure activities of a Venture patrol.  

Troop Guide Application

Quartermaster 

The Quartermaster is the Troop’s supply boss and has the following responsibilities:

Quartermaster Application

Scribe

The Scribe is the Troop’s secretary and has the following responsibilities:

Scribe Application

Troop Historian 

The Troop Historian has the following responsibilities:

Troop Historian Application

Librarian

The Librarian has the following responsibilities:

Librarian Application

Instructor 

An Instructor is an older Troop member proficient in a Scouting skill with the ability to teach that skill to others, particularly skills like first aid, camping and backpacking that are required for outdoor activities and rank advancement.  To meet its needs, Troop 71 allows multiple Instructors, who have the following responsibilities:

Instructor Application

Outdoor Ethics Guide 

The Outdoor Ethics Guide (OEG) has the following responsibilities: 

OEG Application

Bugler

The Bugler ideally should have earned the Bugling Merit Badge and has the following responsibilities:

Bugler Application

Chaplain Aide 

The Chaplain Aide has the following responsibilities:

Chaplain Aide Application

 

Den Chief The Den Chief works with a Den of Cub Scouts and their adult leaders and has the following responsibilities:

Serving as Den Chief can be a great first leadership experience for a Scout.  In addition to the patch, a Den Chief Cord is worn over the left shoulder.  Den Chiefs are expected to take formal Den Chief training and to connect with a local Cub Scout Den and make arrangements for their service.

Den Chief Application

Webelos Den Chief 

A Webelos Den Chief, who must be at least First Class rank, works with a Den of Webelos and their adult leaders and has the following responsibilities:

In addition to the patch, a Webelos Den Chief Cord is worn over the left shoulder.  Webelos Den Chiefs are expected to take formal Den Chief training and to connect with a local Webelos Den and make arrangements for their service.

Webelos Den Chief Application

Order of the Arrow Troop Representative

The Order of the Arrow (OA) Representative, who must have undergone the Ordeal, reports to the ASPL and has the following responsibilities:

OA Troop Representative Application

Junior Assistant ScoutmasterA Scout at least 16 years of age who has shown outstanding leadership skills may be appointed by the SPL, with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster, to serve as a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (JASM), who has the following responsibilities:

To meet its needs, Troop 71 allows multiple JASMs.  Upon his 18th birthday, a JASM will be eligible to become an Assistant Scoutmaster.

JASM Application