Troop Leadership

Troop 226 is a boy-led troop. One of the major differences between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts is leadership development. In order to teach leadership, you have to let the boys lead. Empowering boys to be leaders is the core of Scouting. Scouts learn by doing, and what they do is lead their patrols and their troop. Adults must keep in mind that we are here for the Scouts. There is a chain of command within the youth leadership and also within the adult leadership. The boys have only as much authority as allowed by the adults.

Youth Leadership

Troop 226 is actually run by its boy leaders.  With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and his assistants, they plan the program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers.  

• Senior Patrol Leader - Top boy leader in the troop. He leads the patrol leaders' council and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other youth leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed.
• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - Fills in for the senior patrol leader in his absence. He is also responsible for training and giving direction to the quartermaster, scribe, troop historian, librarian, OA representative, chaplain aide, and instructors.
• Patrol Leader - Gives leadership to members of his patrol and represents them on the patrol leaders' council.
  
• Assistant Patrol Leader - Fills in for the patrol leader in his absence.
• Troop Guide - Advisor and guide to the new Scout patrol.
• Scribe - The troop secretary.
• Historian - Collects pictures and facts about past troop activities  and keeps them in scrapbooks, wall displays, or information files.
• Librarian - Keeps troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor list available for use by troop members.
• Chaplain Aide - Assists in troop worship services and promotes the religious emblems program.
• Junior Assistant Scoutmaster - A scout 16 or older who supervises and supports other boy leaders as assigned.
• Den Chief - Works with a Cub Scout den as a guide.
• Quartermaster - Responsible for troop supplies and equipment.
• Leave No Trace Trainer -Teaches Leave No Trace principles to troop members and helps to ensure these principles are followed on outings.
• Webmaster -Maintains up to date information on assigned troop web pages.
• Instructor - Teaches one or more advancement skills to troop members.
• Order of the Arrow Representative - Serves as the communication link between the OA lodge and the troop, encouraging year-round camping and participation in service projects.

The Patrol Leaders' Council
The patrol leaders' council, not the adult leaders, is responsible for planning and conducting the troop's activities. The patrol leaders' council is composed of the following voting members: senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, and patrol leaders.

The troop's activities are selected and planned at the annual program planning conference. The troop's yearly plan is then submitted to the troop committee for approval. The troop committee either approves the plan or makes alternate suggestions for the patrol leaders' council to consider. At its monthly meeting, the patrol leaders' council organizes and assigns activity responsibilities for the weekly troop meetings. The troop committee interacts with the patrol leaders' council through the Scoutmaster.