Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, said, “The patrol method is not a way to operate a Boy Scout troop, it is the only way. Unless the patrol method is in operation you don’t really have a Boy Scout troop.” Here’s how The Scoutmaster Handbook defines it:
Patrols are the building blocks of a Boy Scout troop. A patrol is a small group of boys who are more or less similar in age, development, and interests. Working together as a team, patrol members share the responsibility of making the patrol a success. They gain confidence by serving in positions of patrol leadership. All enjoy the friendship, sense of belonging, and achievements of the patrol and of each of its members
Here are troop 565s’ troop leaders and the positions they represent:
| Scout: BryanP
Description: The Senior Patrol Leader is responsible for the troop’s overall operation. With guidance from the Scoutmaster, he takes charge of troop meetings, of the patrol leaders’ council, and of all troop activities, and he does everything he can to help each patrol be successful. He is responsible for the annual program planning conferences and assists the Scoutmaster in conducting the troop leadership training. The senior patrol leader presides over the patrol leaders’ council and works closely with each patrol leader to plan troop meetings and make arrangements for troop activities. During a scout’s time as senior patrol leader, he is not a member of any patrol but may participate with a Venture patrol in high-adventure activities. |
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| Scout: TomS
Description: The senior patrol leader appoints the assistant senior patrol leader with the approval of the Scoutmaster. Among the assistant senior patrol leader’s specific duties are providing training and guidance for the troop’s quartermaster, scribe, Order of the Arrow representative, historian, librarian, and instructors. He serves in place of the senior patrol leader at meetings and events when the senior patrol leader must be absent. Like the senior patrol leader, the assistant senior patrol leader is not a member of a patrol but may take part in the activities of a Venture patrol. |
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| Scout: RyanN, OrrieW
Description: An older scout who holds the rank of First Class or higher, has strong teaching skills, and possesses the patience to work with new scouts. As a mentor to the patrol leader of the new-scout patrol, he provides direction for the patrol leader and helps him with his patrol leader responsibilities. The troop guide accompanies the new-scout patrol on troop campouts and makes himself available to assist new scouts as they learn fundamental scouting skills. He usually is not a member of another patrol, but may participate in the high adventure activities of a Venture patrol. |
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| Scout: MikeL
Description: The quartermaster is the troop’s supply boss. He keeps an inventory of troop equipment and sees that the gear is in good condition. He works with patrol quartermasters as they check out equipment and return it, and at meetings of the patrol leaders’ council reports on the status of equipment in need of repair. In carrying out his responsibilities, he may have the guidance of a member of the troop committee. |
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| Scout: TomS
Description: The scribe is the troop’s secretary. He keeps the minutes of the patrol leaders’ council meetings but is not a voting member of the council. The scribe may also keep attendance records of other troop activities, such as campouts and service projects. During troop meetings, he works with patrol scribes to ensure the accurate recording of attendance and payment of dues, and the keep the records up to date. The scribe may also be responsible for maintaining a troop website with information that is current and correct. An adult who is a member of the troop committee may be assigned to help the troop scribe carry out his responsibilities. |
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| Scout: MattG
Description: The chaplain aide assists the troop chaplain (an adult from the troop committee or the chartered organization) in conducting the troop’s religious observances. He sees that religious holidays are considered during program planning, and he promotes the religious emblems programs. |
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| Scout: PeterT
Description: The troop librarian oversees the care and use of troop books, merit badge pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, diskettes, and lists of merit badge counselors. He checks out these materials to scouts and leaders and maintains records to ensure that all items are returned. He may also suggest the purchase of new literature and report the need to repair or replace any current items. |
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| Scout: SeanM
Description: The Troop Historian keeps a historical record or scrapbook of troop activities. He gathers pictures and facts about past troop activities and keeps them in a historical file or scrapbook. He also takes care of troop trophies, ribbons, and souvenirs of troop activities and keeps information about former members of the troop. |
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Patrols: each patrol elects one of its members to be patrol leader to provide the members with guidance and represent them in on the patrol leaders’ council. The qualifications required of patrol leader candidates (age, rank, etc.) are determined by each troop. Most troops hold patrol leaders elections twice a year – troop 565 holds elections more often. The voting process is usually done by secret ballot. Upon election, the patrol leader then appoints members of the patrol to fill other patrol leadership positions that may include assistant patrol leader, quartermaster, grubmaster, and cheermaster.
The patrol leader plays a key role is planning, leading and evaluating patrol meetings and activities. He is responsible for bringing the ideas and concerns of the patrol to council so they have have input to the planning and operation of the troop. In addition to setting a good example by having a positive attitude and showing patrol spirit, he helps the patrol prepare to participate in all troop activities, learns about the abilities of other patrol members and fully involve then in patrol and troop activities by assigning them specific tasks and responsibilities.
Here are troop 565s’ patrol leaders and the positions they represent:
Scouts:
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Scouts:
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Rank: Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
As Boy Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Boy Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Probably no device is as successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn. The religious emblems program also is a large part of the personal growth method. Frequent personal conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Boy Scout to determine his growth toward Scouting’s aims.
Scout:
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Tenderfoot:
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Second Class:
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First Class:
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Star:
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Life:
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