Troop Structure
Youth Leadership
Scouting is a youth-lead organization. As much as is practical, Scouts plan, organize, and execute their own activities. This is a unique and exciting opportunity in a young person’s life. When a Scout achieves First Class rank they become eligible to serve in a position of responsibility or leadership role, and receive additional leadership training.
POSITIONS OF Responsibility
Youth Staff
Before taking on a leadership role, a Scout must demonstrate responsibility. They must show that they are able to consistently meet their obligations, work as a part of a team, and balance their time with other commitments. Most will do this by fulfilling a service role in the troop. These are the Scouts we rely on to help the troop run. Their roles require varying degrees of time, organization, communication, and maturity.
Examples of service roles include: Historian, Bugler, Scribe, and Quartermaster.
Patrol Leadership
Patrol Leaders & Assistants
The role of Patrol Leader or Assistant Patrol Leader will be most Scouts’ introduction to leadership. With guidance from the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and Scoutmaster, Patrol Leaders learn leadership skills in a supportive environment.
In addition to meetings and outings, Patrol Leaders participate in monthly planning sessions and coordinate with their patrols between meetings.
Patrol leaders are elected by their patrols to a 6-month term.
TROOP Leadership
Senior Patrol Leader + Staff
The Senior Patrol leader runs the troop. He coaches and directs the Patrol Leaders and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL). The ASPL manages the staff.
The SPL works directly with the Scoutmaster and dedicates significant time outside of meetings to set goals, communicate with youth and adult leaders in and outside the troop, mentor Scouts and staff, and lead the troop on its journey toward excellence.
Other troop leadership positions include: Troop Guide and Den Chief.
Staff positions carry real responsibility. We depend on Scouts serving in these roles to plan outings, help other Scouts advance, recruit new members, maintain our equipment, etc. Staff positions are also an opportunity to prepare a Scout for leadership and strengthen their sense of duty. When selecting Scouts for staff positions, consideration is give to their readiness, their advancement, and the health and needs of the troop.
If a Scout needs to hold a position of responsibility for rank advancement purposes and is not selected for a staff role, they may request a qualifying special project from the Scoutmaster.
Elections
Election Cycle
This schedule ensures continuity and provides Scouts with regular opportunities to assume leadership roles.
March Elections: Patrol Leaders elected in March to a 6-month term
May Elections: SPL and ASPL serve from the conclusion of our May/June Court of Honor through the following May/June Court of Honor. Staff positions are filled within two weeks of the election and serve a 6- to 12-month term.
September Elections: Patrol Leaders elected in September to a 6-month term.
This schedule ensures continuity and provides Scouts with regular opportunities to assume leadership roles.
Elected Positions
Scouts elect peers to the following key leadership positions:
Senior Patrol Leader (SPL): The top youth leader who oversees troop operations and represents the Scouts' interests.
Patrol Leaders: Leaders of individual patrols, responsible for guiding their members and coordinating activities.
Appointed Positions
These appointments ensure that various aspects of troop life are managed effectively, providing comprehensive leadership development opportunities. Appointments are made by the SPL, with the Scoutmaster's approval.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL): Assist the SPL in managing troop activities.
Quartermaster (Q): Manages troop equipment and logistics.
Scribe: Maintains records and documentation.
Outdoor Activities Coordinator (ODAC): Technically the Outdoor Ethics Guide, oversees hike and camping planning.
Order of the Arrow Representative: Acts as a liaison with the Order of the Arrow.
Troop Historian: Documents troop history and events.
Qualifications & Expectations
Leadership roles come with specific qualifications.
Senior Patrol Leader: Must be a Life Scout or higher, have served as a Patrol Leader for at least six months, and maintained a minimum 75% attendance during the past 6 months.
ASPL: Must be a Star Scout or higher and maintained a minimum 75% attendance during the past 6 months.
Patrol Leaders & Staff: Must be First Class or higher, and maintained a minimum 65% attendance during the past 6 months.
SPL
ASPL
All
Patrol Leader
Election Procedures
Scouts aspiring to elected positions must submit their candidacy to the Scoutmaster in writing six weeks prior to the election date.
SPL Candidates: 2–3-minute speech, followed by Q&A.
Patrol Leader Candidates: 1-minute speech, followed by Q&A.
Each candidate for an elected position must address the troop and provide the following information:
Name
Current Rank
Time in Scouting and Troop 333
Other positions held
Why he desires this position and how the Troop or Patrol will benefit from his leadership.
Speeches must focus on the vision and qualifications of the candidate. They may not be used to criticize or disparage any opposing candidate or predecessor. Elections are conducted via secret ballot. Votes are tallied and verified by a designated troop representatives and the Scoutmaster. A 51% majority is required to win; otherwise, a runoff is held between the top two candidates.
Supplemental Elections
Should a leadership position become vacant mid-term, the SPL may appoint a qualified Scout to fill the role until the next election cycle. Additionally, supplemental elections may be held to accommodate troop growth, particularly when new patrols are formed.
Leadership Corps
The Leadership Corps is a special unit of youth leaders appointed by the Scoutmaster. These are Scouts who are at least 16 years old, have a track record of reliability, and who have shown a dedication to Troop 333 as their top extra-curricular priority.
Mentorship
Members of the Leadership Corps serve as Junior Assistant Scoutmasters. They mentor the youth staff by observing leadership techniques and coaching behind the scenes. They may serve as instructors to Scouts. On outings they operate as a patrol.
Mission
Leadership Corps Scouts are mission-minded. They are deeply dedicated to the Scout Oath and Law as guiding princples in their lives, and are passionate about inspiring others to follow their example. “To help other people at all times” is their mantra.
Mastery
Leadership Corps Scouts are expected to keep up their Scout skills. They should be expert campers and hikers, stay up-to-date with their first aid training, and continually hone their leadership skills and tehniques by training both in and outside the troop.
Adult Leadership
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Heather Nye
Chartered Organization Representative
The Chartered Organization Representative is the organization’s contact with the district committee and the Local Council. The chartered organization representative may become a member of the district committee and is a voting member of the council
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Theresa Flynn Houghton
Troop Committee Chair
The Troop Committee Chair ensures that all committee functions are carried out. They appoint and supervise the Troop’s committee and leaders and organizes the committee to see that all committee responsibilities are delegated, coordinated and completed.
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Christopher Simmons
Scoutmaster
The Scoutmaster is the adult responsible for the image and program of the troop. He works directly with the Scouts, training youth leaders to run the troop by providing direction, coaching, and support. The Scoutmaster oversees weekly troop meetings and the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC).
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Adam Sweet
ASM — Outdoor Activities
The Outdoor Activities Coordinator plans and oversees the troop’s outdoor activities (hiking, camping, backpacking, canoeing, etc.). They help plan hiking routes, reserve camp sites and permits, and coordinates transportation.
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Amy-Jo Casbon
Advancement Coordinator
The Advancement Coordinator works with the Scoutmaster, Outdoor Activities Chair, and Troop Guide to ensure the troop’s programming provides opportunities for Scouts to meet rank and badge requirements. When Scouts are signed off on requirements by adult or youth leaders, they report their progress to the Advancement Chair who makes it a part of their official record.