Boy Scout Troops are boy lead with adults serving as advisors to ensure that BSA regulations are factored into the planning of activities. Due to youth protections policies, Troop 150 will not publish the names of any of our youth leaders. There are different levels of youth leaders within the Troop: Troop level, Patrol level, and Troop Offices.

The Troop level leadership comprises of a Senior Patrol Leader, an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and two Troop Guides.

The Patrol level leadership has two positions, the Patrol Leader and the Assistant Patrol Leader.

The Troop Offices are held by members of the Troop and are drawn from every Patrol. The offices include: Scribe, Librarian, Historian, Quartermaster, Chaplain’s Aide, Instructors, and an Order of the Arrow Troop Representative.

Collectively, all of these positions are members of the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC). The PLC provides the nexus of all planning of activities and setting meeting agendas. The SPL is in charge of the PLC. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters attend the monthly PLC meetings in an advisory capacity. Our PLC generally meets on the first Sunday of the month from 4:00 P.M. until 5:30 P.M.

Currently our Troop is experimenting with a plan that we believe will offer the Troop some continuity of leadership. Rather than electing the SPL and the PL’s every six months, the Troop elects the ASPL and the APL’s who serve for six months. At the end of the six month term-of-office, each moves into the primary position. The theory is that with youth leaders holding the assistant’s office for six months and then holding the primary position for six months, we will always have trained leaders in at least some of these key leadership positions.

The SPL, the ASPL, and the Troop Guides are not assigned to a Patrol. These positions require that the office holder be an integral part of every Patrol, and their duties include providing guidance to the Patrol level youth leaders. The Troop Guides are selected based on their leadership ability. The SPL and ASPL consult with the Scoutmaster periodically to assess the needs of the Troop and the availability of qualified Senior Scouts for the positions. The Troop Guides have a primary responsibility of providing assistance to new Troop members and helping them earn the rank of First Class within a year. The Troop Guides also serve as back ups to the SPL and ASPL, and are frequently assigned special projects to supervise. Each of these positions has a vote on the PLC.

The Troop Offices are selected by the SPL and ASPL after consulting with the Scoutmaster to determine which Scouts in the Troop have the capability to fulfill the duties. Oftentimes the Scoutmaster will influence the decision in order to provide a challenge to a Scout who needs to take on more responsibility and experience some growth as a leader. These offices do not have a vote on the PLC; they are encouraged, however, to provide advice, opinions, and guidance during the PLC meetings.

The most important unit within a Troop is the Patrol. Patrols provide opportunities for their members that may not always be feasible at the Troop level. Patrols should meet at least once per month outside of the regularly schedule Troop meetings. Patrols are also encouraged to plan activities and outings on a regular basis. Patrols consist of up to about 8 Scouts. The Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leaders serve on the PLC, but only the Patrol Leader has a vote. The Assistant Patrol Leader may vote in the absence of the Patrol Leader.

The hierarchy of leadership is simple within Troop 150. The SPL is at the top of the apex with the ASPL, Troop Guides, and Patrol Leaders answering directly to him. The ASPL supervises and assists all of the Troop offices providing them with any necessary assistance and guidance. The ASPL is expected to step into the role of the SPL when he cannot be present. All of the Troop offices may draw from the experience of any member of the Troop to assist him in carrying out his duties. At the Patrol level, the Patrol Leader operates much the same as the SPL for his Patrol. The Assistant Patrol Leader provides whatever assistance and guidance the Patrol Leader needs. Each Patrol can assign members of the Patrol to fulfill specific offices within the Patrol, however these offices have no official recognition but do offer opportunities for younger Scouts to gain some leadership experience.

All of the youth leaders within the Troop are required to attend Troop leadership training once every six months. This provides an ongoing opportunity for the youth leaders to learn new leadership techniques during their terms of office. In addition to the PLC members, any member of the Troop that holds the rank of First Class or above is encouraged to attend the training.