The troop is scout-led and the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters provide a tremendous amount of guidance using the Methods of Scouting.
The Scouts BSA Troop Committee is responsible for conducting the business of the troop, setting policy, and helping the Scoutmaster and Scouts with the outdoor program and other planned activities. The committee also has the responsibility to provide adults for boards of review. This is an important responsibility and is one area where help is always needed and appreciated. The committee consists of parent volunteers who fulfill various roles on the committee.
Minimum positions for a chartered troop
A chartered Scouts BSA troop requires a Chartered Organization Representative, a Committee Chairman, at least two committee members, and a Scoutmaster.
Positions
- Chartered Organization Representative
- The Chartered Organization Representative is the direct contact between the unit and the Chartered Organization. This individual is also 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. The Chartered Organization Representative appoints the unit committee chair.
- Troop Committee Chairman
- The unit committee chair is appointed by the chartered organization and registered as an adult leader of the BSA. The unit committee chairman appoints and supervises the unit committee and unit leaders.
- Troop Secretary
- The unit secretary is appointed by the committee chairman to keep minutes and records, send notices, and handle publicity.
- Troop Treasurer
- The unit treasurer is appointed by the committee chairman to handle unit funds, pay bills, maintain accounts, coordinate the annual Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign, and supervise fundraising.
- Troop Advancement Chair
- The unit advancement chair is appointed by the committee chairman to ensure that the unit has at least monthly boards of review, quarterly courts of honor, and that the unit has goals of helping each Scout advance a rank each year and for new Scouts to reach First Class rank during their first year. The advancement coordinator is also responsible for record keeping and submitting advancement reports.
- Troop Equipment Coordinator
- The unit equipment coordinator is appointed by the committee chairman to work with the youth Quartermaster and is responsible inventory, storage, and maintenance of unit equipment.
- Troop Outdoor/Activities Chair
- The unit outdoor/activities chair is appointed by the committee chairman to secure tour permits and permission to use camping site, serve as transportation coordinator, ensure a monthly outdoor program.
- Troop Membership Chair
- The unit membership chair is appointed by the committee chairman to help ensure a smooth transition of new Scouts into the unit and orientation for new parents.
- Troop Training Chair
- The unit training chair is appointed by the committee chairman to ensure training opportunities are available, maintain training records and materials, and is responsible for BSA Youth Protection training.
- Troop Public Relations Chair
- The unit public relations chair is appointed by the committee chairman to inform parents of their responsibilities in Scouting and with the chartered organization. Provides news and announcements about the unit to newspapers, bulletins of sponsors, web sites, etc. Promotes and stimulates service projects, Scouting Anniversary Week, Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath, and family participation in unit events. Promotes new membership and lets people in the neighborhood know that Scouting is available.
- Troop Friends of Scouting (FOS) Chair
- The unit Friends of Scouting chair is appointed by the committee chairman to work closely with the unit committee on public relations for FOS; conducts annual FOS campaign to enroll family members and adult leaders in FOS; gives recognition to contributors and enrollees.
- Troop Scouting for Food Chair
- The unit Scouting for Food chair is appointed by the committee chairman to coordinate an annual food drive for the unit and reports the result to the district.
- Troop Fundraising Chair
- The Unit Fundraising Chair, also called the "Popcorn Kernel" in some councils, is appointed by the committee chairman to supervise Fundraising and ensure that every youth member has the opportunity to participate in Popcorn sales or other council Fundraising events.
- ScoutParent Unit Coordinator
- The ScoutParents Unit Coordinator is an appointed member of the unit committee or can be an assistant unit leader. Their job is to welcome parents, keep them informed, and encourage them to help with at least one specific task or project each year. Larger units might choose to have more than one ScoutParents unit coordinator. The ScoutParents unit coordinator position became official June 1, 2008 and the position code is "PS." The ScoutParents unit coordinator must be at least 21 years old, complete an adult application, and pay the same registration fee as other adult leaders. Find Fast Start Training for unit coordinators online. Newly printed youth applications also mention the ScoutParents program. A checkbox in the parent section lets parents commit to being active ScoutParents. By entering an e-mail address, they can receive information from council, district, and unit leaders about ways to get involved. ScoutParents.org web site.
Direct youth contact leaders
- Troop Chaplain
- The unit chaplain is appointed by the committee chairman to provide spiritual tone, guide the chaplain aide, give spiritual counseling, and promote the regular religious participation of each member.
- Scoutmaster
- The Scoutmaster is the adult responsible for working directly with the Scouts to help them create the program for the troop. The Scoutmaster trains boy leaders to run the troop by providing direction, coaching, and support.
- Assistant Scoutmaster(s)
- An Assistant Scoutmaster is one of the adult leaders age 18 or over who assist the Scoutmaster in delivering the troop program.
The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters are NOT formal members of the committee. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters are advisers to the committee. They may attend committee meetings to communicate scout plans and to coordinate the needs of the Scouts. This factor is important to remember during Boards of Review because the Boards of Review also serve as quality checks of the Scouting program as delivered by the Scoutmaster and the Assistant Scoutmasters.
