Become A Leader
Fill out form and turn into Committee Chair
Youth protection training that must be completed before submitting an application.
Fill out form and turn into Committee Chair
Become a Trained Leader
Parents are the lifeblood of our troop. Without them, our program would be limited and our Scouts would be missing out on the fun.
It is very easy to become a Trained Leader in our troop. ALL the required training can be taken online - so you can take the training at your own pace.
Steps to Leadership
Talk to a current leader (Scoutmaster, Committee Chair, Assistant Scoutmasters) about your willingness to help
Discuss which role would best fit your talents and comfort level
Complete Council Specific Training
Participate in Parent Action Items
Council Specific Training (45 Minutes)
Fill out a Adult Leader Application. A copy can be obtained from anyone on the Troop Leadership team.
Go to my.scouting.org and create an account.
Complete the Youth Protection Training course at my.scouting.org...
BSA has continued to develop and enhance its efforts to protect youth that evolve along with the ever changing awareness of dangers and challenges facing youth. This program focuses on local selection of adult volunteers, education and training, and clear policies such that no "one on one" activities and immediate reporting of any concerns is accounted for.
Print the Youth Protection Training Certificate (available upon completion of the course)
Submit the certificate and the application to the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair
While the main focus of the Boy Scout program is youth leadership, adult leadership is necessary to provide guidance and direction to ensure the program adheres to the aims and ideals of Scouting. In addition, adult leaders are responsible for ensuring that all Troop activities follow BSA safety and youth protection guidelines. Thus, while Scouts run the troop, the Scoutmaster is the only adult who can change Troop plans or rules. Men and women 18 years of age and older are invited to participate as Troop leaders. There are a number of ‘official’ as well as ‘unofficial’ leadership opportunities available within the Troop.
Parent Action Items
Volunteer to help with small defined tasks.
Ask your Assistant Scoutmaster if they need help.
Ask the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair about the needs of the Troop.
Remain positive and look for ways to improve the program - turn problems into solutions.
Follow the advice we give the scouts... Do A Good Turn Daily!
Encourage other parents to help. Work as a team with projects that need attention.
I'm a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster - what's required to be "100% trained"?
Youth Protection Training – The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. Every adult must be current in Youth Protection Training (sometimes called “YPT” for short). You may take Youth Protection Training in a self-paced online course through the Boy Scouts of America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org. The training must be renewed every two years. If you still feel like you’re not sure what Youth Protection Training is, visit this page for a little more information.
Hazardous Weather Training – This training discusses how to manage risks from the weather to our Scouting family. You may take Hazardous Weather Training in a self-paced online course through the Boy Scouts of America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org. The training must be renewed every two years.
Scoutmaster-Specific Training – This course provides Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters with the basic information and tools they need to lead successful Scouts BSA Troops (although, when done right, your youth will lead the troop and you’ll supervise and mentor). You may take Scoutmaster-Specific Training in a self-paced online course through the Boy Scouts of America’s national web training center called My.Scouting.org.
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills – This course is a hands-on outdoor course with an overnight component that provides adult Scouts BSA leaders with the practical skills they need to lead Scouts while camping. Upon completion, leaders should feel comfortable teaching Scouts the basic skills required to obtain Scouts BSA’s First Class rank. You must have at least one adult with this training on every troop camp out. There is not an online version of this course. It requires an overnight stay (you are learning how to camp, after all).
Roles available:
Scoutmaster - the adult mentor of the scout leadership team and scouts across the troop.
Committee Chair - the top volunteer in the troop. They are responsible for ensuring enough qualified adult volunteers are in place to provide the program. They lead the troop committee meetings.
Assistant Scoutmaster - an adult, usually a parent of a scout within the troop. They carry out the activities related to monthly campout adventures along with mentoring of scouts as they work on rank requirements, merit badges, and leadership roles.
Treasurer - maintains financial records, including processing reimbursement requests and depositing annual scout fees.
Membership Coordinator - process new and transfer membership paperwork for scouts and adults; leads the annual recharter process with National BSA.
Advancement Coordinator - manages scout's board of reviews, manages merit badge blue cards processing, and compile and distribute the awards for Court of Honors.
Popcorn Chair - runs the annual popcorn fundraiser.
Secretary - communicate with the troop, including updating online calendar, and assist with securing meeting locations.
many others....
Scoutmaster
The Scoutmaster is appointed by the Troop Committee to be responsible for the program and image of Troop 843. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters work directly with Scouts.
Responsibilities
Train and guide youth leaders
Help boys learn for themselves
Attend all troop meetings or, when necessary, arrange for a qualified adult substitute
Enable each Scout to experience at least ten (10) days and nights of camping each year
Conduct Scoutmaster Conferences with all Scouts who are advancing and not advancing
Meet regularly with the Patrol Leaders Council to plan, train and coordinate troop activities
Approve all service projects
Supervise troop elections of Order of the Arrow
Work with other responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys
Help the Committee Chairperson plan Committee meetings
Attend all Troop Committee Meetings
Recruit uniformed adult leaders, specifically, Assistant Scoutmasters
Delegate responsibilities to other adults
Conduct periodic parent meetings to share the program and encourage parent participation
Participate in District and Council activities and events
Take part in annual charter review meeting, and charter presentation
Conduct all activities under qualified adult leadership, safe conditions, and the policies and procedures of Troop 843, the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America.
Assistant Scoutmasters (ASM)
The main function of Assistant Scoutmasters is to support the Scoutmaster in achieving the responsibilities outlined above by providing qualified adult leadership, safe conditions and the policies and procedures of Troop 843, the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America. Assistant Scoutmasters help guide the program of the troop and are often assigned specific duties by and reporting to the Scoutmaster. In addition, Assistant Scoutmasters provide required ‘two-deep leadership’. Successful troops have several, even many Assistant Scoutmasters. Troop 843 tries to recruit at least two Assistant Scoutmasters per patrol, and welcomes as many as possible.
ESA (also known as Assistant Scoutmaster – Events)
Before the event
For District, Council or other BSA-planned events, serves as Troop’s liaison with the event organizers
For Troop-planned events, provides the adult planning and preparation
Creates a notebook or secures previous year’s notebook, if available, to document the event with contents to include (but not limited to):
Copies of all forms submitted or used for the event
Notes taken preparing for and during the event
Suggestions for future improvement
Identifies Scout learning and leadership opportunities within the event
Works with the PLC to plan, promote, and prepare for the event
Who will serve as SPL?
What patrols will attend?
Do “event patrols” need to be formed to more evenly distribute resources?
How will Scouts be trained and prepared?
Documents expenditures within Troop 843 Guidelines
Reports regularly at preceding ASM meetings
Ensures enough qualified adult leaders participate in the event, designates their role(s) during the event
Meet ‘two-deep leadership’ standards
Meet BSA Trained Leadership standards
Meet minimum standards First Aid, Water Safety and CPR trained adults on hand
Meet minimum standards for qualified vehicles and adult drivers
Ensures all forms for the event are identified, properly completed, and filed
Outing Permission Form (Troop 843 form)
Event-specific Permit (provided/required by site/organization hosting event)
BSA Tour Permit
BSA Medical Exam Forms for all attendees
Event Planning Guide (Troop 843 form)
Campout Duty Roster (Troop 843 form)
Seeks counsel and advice of peers.
**
During the event**
Serves as Acting Scoutmaster for the event
At departure…
Matches permission forms with all Scouts in attendance
Matches medical forms with Scouts and adults in attendance
Documents all monies received
Ensures SPL conducts roll call
Guides Scout leaders in helping to ensure the event goes off as planned
Helps make sure all Scouts are given opportunities to achieve success at the event
Serves as Adult Patrol Leader
Ensures Adult Patrol acts as a model for the Scouts
Conduct all activities under qualified adult leadership, safe conditions, and the policies and procedures of Troop 843
Takes notes for future improvement
At departure for home…
Ensures SPL has seen to it grounds are policed
Ensures QM has seen to it trailer is properly packed
Ensures QM has identified and signed-out gear to be taken home, cleaned
Ensures SPL has taken roll
Upon arrival, ensures all Scouts are reunited with parents or guardians.
After the event
Files Reimbursement for Expenditures (Troop 843 form)
Reports at the next meeting of ASMs the outcomes of the event, including:
An assessment of achievements vs. objectives
Suggestions for improvement for similar events
Files event notebook in Troop Library
Forwards photos and event documentation to webmaster
Turns in all permission forms with the Troop Committee for filing/record keeping.
Returns the Medical Notebook to the Troop Medical Officer.
Timeline Template (Use as a guide; modify to meet specific need)
When assigned as ESA, sketch timeline and identify markers
T -2 or 3 months: Submit plans to ASM meeting
T -2 or 3 months: Begin promotion
Presentation, forms and sign-up sheets to Scouts at meetings
Key information and forms forwarded to Troop webmaster
IMPORTANT! T -2 weeks: BSA Tour Permits must be filed on-line at https://myscouting.scouting.org.
COMMENT: Required to ensure BSA insurance policy covers the Troop and its participants
T -1 week: Secure Medical Notebook from Troop Medical Officer Determine final count of Scout participation
Meeting before:
Determine final count of Scout participation
Ensure enough adults have secured to cover transportation and ‘two-deep’ requirements
Hold quick Adult Patrol meeting for final assignments