Our Troop
We are a Troop of 37 scouts
Troop 5 B
Patrols
Grizzlies --PL (Jonah C.)
Kai K.
Toshi O.
Rui S.
Thomas W.
Hiroya
Camping Ghouls I --PL (Tak O.)
Dash S.
Tak O.
Teo K.
Ryusei K.
Thomas W.
Snow Scorpions --PL (Jamie L.)
Will D.
Jimmy K.
Arjen K.
Connor N.
Akiya M.
Brownseas -- PL (Ian B.)
George D.
Danny F.
Joshua K.
Sean H.
Timmy M.
TJ P.
Onsen Monkeys -- PL (Corbin B.)
Colin G.
Ian G.
Evan G.
Sage H.
Cole K.
Marcel M.
Troop 5 G
Patrols
Pegasus PL --(Mana M.)
Amanda M.
Valentine N.
Troop 5 B
Patrols
Grizzlies --PL (Jonah C.)
Kai K.
Toshi O.
Rui S.
Thomas W.
Hiroya
Camping Ghouls I --PL (Tak O.)
Dash S.
Tak O.
Teo K.
Ryusei K.
Thomas W.
Snow Scorpions --PL (Jamie L.)
Will D.
Jimmy K.
Arjen K.
Connor N.
Akiya M.
Brownseas -- PL (Ian B.)
George D.
Danny F.
Joshua K.
Sean H.
Timmy M.
TJ P.
Onsen Monkeys -- PL (Corbin B.)
Colin G.
Ian G.
Evan G.
Sage H.
Cole K.
Marcel M.
Troop 5 G
Patrols
Pegasus PL --(Mana M.)
Amanda M.
Valentine N.
Troop 5 Structure Summary - How the Troop Works
SCOUT-LED TROOP
Troop 5 is a scout-led troop which follows the Patrol Method:
"Scouts of America is a scout-led, scout-run organization, but the scouts must be trained to be leaders. One of the Scoutmaster's most important responsibilities is to provide the direction, coaching, and training that empowers the scout with the skills they will need to lead his troop."
"Empowering scouts to be leaders is the core of Scouting. Scouts learn by doing, and what they do is lead their patrols and their troop. The scouts themselves develop a troop program, then take responsibility for figuring out how they will achieve the goals. One of our most important challenges is to train scout leaders to run the troop by providing direction, coaching and support. The scouts will make mistakes now and then and will rely upon the adult leaders to guide them. But only through real hands-on experience as leaders can scouts learn to lead" (Scoutmaster's Handbook)
GENERIC TROOP ORGANIZATION
Troop 5 is a scout-led troop which follows the Patrol Method:
"Scouts of America is a scout-led, scout-run organization, but the scouts must be trained to be leaders. One of the Scoutmaster's most important responsibilities is to provide the direction, coaching, and training that empowers the scout with the skills they will need to lead his troop."
"Empowering scouts to be leaders is the core of Scouting. Scouts learn by doing, and what they do is lead their patrols and their troop. The scouts themselves develop a troop program, then take responsibility for figuring out how they will achieve the goals. One of our most important challenges is to train scout leaders to run the troop by providing direction, coaching and support. The scouts will make mistakes now and then and will rely upon the adult leaders to guide them. But only through real hands-on experience as leaders can scouts learn to lead" (Scoutmaster's Handbook)
GENERIC TROOP ORGANIZATION
Image Credit to: This site
PATROL LEADERS COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), not the adult leaders or Troop Committee, is responsible for planning and conducting all troop activities. The Scoutmaster guides and mentors but does not lead or control PLC meetings and program-planning. The Scoutmaster informs the troop Committee of the PLC’s plans and decisions. The Troop Committee may offer suggestions to the PLC through the Scoutmaster. Still, neither the Scoutmaster nor the Committee votes on, approves, vetoes, or otherwise disapproves what the PLC has decided, except in the event of potential safety or youth protection violation.
- The PLC is composed of these key decision-makers: SPL and ASPL, and all Patrol Leaders (the Troop Scribe may be requested to attend the PLC to take notes, but he is not a voting member; neither is the Scoutmaster).
- The PLC plans the Troop’s annual calendar of activities. The SPL and ASPL are responsible for collecting sign-ups for upcoming activities and coordinating with adult volunteers for transportation, etc.
- At the PLC’s monthly meetings, the PLC plans to organize and assigns activity responsibilities for the troop meetings and activities for the coming month. At the end of each meeting, the PLC discusses how the meeting went and how recent activities have been conducted in order to gauge the overall effectiveness of the Troop and to identify opportunities for improvement.
SENIOR PATROL LEADER (SPL) ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Boy Scouts of America has long recognized the senior patrol leader as the highest youth leadership position in a troop. They are the primary link between a troop's Scouts and its adult leaders. They shoulder the responsibility for leading meetings of the Troop and the patrol leaders' council and provide valuable leadership in planning and carrying out the Troop'stroop's program of outdoor activities, service projects, and events.
Responsibilities
- Runs all troop meetings, events, activities, and the annual program planning conference
- Runs the patrol leaders' council (PLC) meetings, coordinating closely with PLC members in planning and carrying out Troop activities, including Patrol Leaders and the Troop Guide
- Appoints other troop junior leaders with the advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster
- Delegates duties and responsibilities to junior leaders
- Assists the Scoutmaster with troop leadership training
- Coordinates closely with Patrol Leaders
- Sets a good example
- Wears the Scout uniform correctly
- Lives by the Scout Oath and Scout Law
- Shows Scout spirit
ASSISTANT SENIOR PATROL LEADER (ASPL) ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader represents the SPL in meetings and events if he or she is not available.
Responsibilities are agreed with the SPL, but generally include:
Responsibilities
- Helps run all troop meetings, events, activities, and the annual program planning conference
- Helps run the patrol leaders' council (PLC) meetings
- Training and leading the following appointed youth leaders:
- Troop Scribe
- Troop Librarian
- OA Representative
- Troop Instructor
- Quartermaster
- Webmaster
- Historian
- Sets a good example
- Wears the Scout uniform correctly
- Lives by the Scout Oath and Scout Law
- Shows Scout spirit
PATROL LEADER (PL) ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The patrol leader is the Patrol's key leader, representing the Patrol at all patrol leaders' council meetings and the annual program planning conference and keeping patrol members informed of decisions made. Patrol leaders carry out planning, leading, and evaluating patrol meetings and activities, and assure patrols are prepared to participate in all troop activities. They keep their Patrol intact, so they can work together and share responsibilities to get things done. It is incumbent upon them to be a good example for the members of their Patrol and the rest of the Troop.
Responsibilities
- Plans and leads patrol meetings and activities
- Keeps patrol members informed
- Assigns each patrol member specific duties and helps them succeed
- Represents his Patrol at all patrol leaders' council meetings and the annual program planning conference
- Prepares the Patrol to participate in all troop activities
- Leads the Patrol in all troop activities
- Works with other troop leaders to make the Troop run well
- Knows the abilities of each patrol member
- Sets a good example
- Wears the Scout uniform correctly
- Lives by the Scout Oath and Scout Law
- Shows and develops patrol spirit
ASSISTANT PATROL LEADER (APL) ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Assistant Patrol Leader represents the Patrol in meetings and events if the Patrol Leader is not available. Responsibilities are agreed with the PL, but generally include:
- Helps the PL plan and lead patrol meetings and activities
- Helps the PL keep patrol members informed
- Helps prepare the Patrol to participate in all troop activities
- Keeps track of the advancement status of all patrol members and discusses in patrol meetings
- Represents his Patrol at all patrol leaders' council meetings and the annual program planning conference in the PL's absence
- Helps lead the Patrol in all troop activities and leads in the PL's absence
- Sets a good example
- Wears the Scout uniform correctly
- Lives by the Scout Oath and Scout Law
- Shows and develops patrol spirit
SCOUTMASTER ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Delivering the Promise. The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the public image and program of the Troop. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters work directly with the Scouts. The Committee appoints the Scoutmaster, subject to approval by the Charter Organization, whose duties include:
- a. Train and guide youth leaders. The Scoutmaster provides troop youth leaders with troop leadership training, and appoints youth leaders for unelected positions, with guidance from the Patrol Leaders Council.
- b. Guide the PLC. The Scoutmaster meets with the Patrol Leaders Council regularly, in person, or by email or Skype. Committee members interact directly with the PLC only upon
- Scoutmaster's approval, and generally only for the purpose of assisting the planning of troop
- activities.
- c. Manage youth advancement. The Scoutmaster determines policies for the completion of requirements for rank advancement and merit badges. The Scoutmaster may designate
- other adults and youth to "sign off" on requirements, subject to Scoutmaster's guidance. The First Class Trail Coordinator may sign off on any first-class trail requirement, subject to Scoutmaster guidance. Merit badge counselors may sign off on any merit badge requirement for which they serve as counselors. The Scoutmaster may sign off on any merit badge requirement if the relevant merit badge counselor is unavailable, subject to consultation with the merit badge counselor where completion of a requirement requires confirmation. The Scoutmaster prepares an Advancement Sheet to record advancements and delivers it to the Advancement Chair, together with completed and signed blue cards.
- d. Work with other responsible adults to bring ScoutingScouting to scouts.
- e. Use the methods of ScoutingScouting to achieve the aims of ScoutingScouting. Meet regularly with adult leaders to coordinate efforts in support of the program.
- f. Attend all troop meetings or, when necessary, arrange for a qualified adult substitute.
- g. Attend Troop Committee Meetings
- h. Conduct periodic Parent/Guardian sessions to share the program and encourage their participation and cooperation.
- i. Take part in annual membership inventory and re-charter submission.
- j. Maintain appropriate training and certification as required by BSA.
- k. The Scoutmaster will attend all District Committee Meetings and Tokyo Zone meetings or will designate an alternate to attend if the Scoutmaster cannot attend. Committee Members and Parents/Guardians are expected to volunteer to attend these meetings when the Scoutmaster is not available.
- Coordinating Annual Planning. The Troop supports the BSA goal of encouraging a "scout-run" Troop. In the spring of each year, the Scoutmaster shall arrange meetings with the youth leadership of the Troop, with the goal of establishing an Annual Plan for the following year. This plan may include monthly campouts, themes for weekly meetings, summer camp options, and potential high adventure trips. The Scoutmaster is encouraged to discuss the financial and logistical issues related to the Scouts' chosen activities. The proposed Annual Plan for the coming year shall be prepared by the SPL, under Scoutmaster guidance, during the Troop's Annual PLC Planning Meeting and presented to the Committee for approval prior to the end of the previous scout year.
TROOP COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES
The Troop Committee ("Committee") is essentially the Troop'sTroop's board of directors and supports the Troop
program. The Committee is responsible for the following:
- The troop committee chair appoints and supervises the unit committee and unit leaders and organizes the Committee to see that all committee responsibilities are delegated, coordinated, and completed.
- The troop committee chair maintains close relationships with the Chartered Organization Representative and the Scoutmaster.
- The troop committee chair ensures that the quality of adult leadership is recruited and trained. In case the Scoutmaster is absent, a qualified Assistant Scoutmaster is assigned. If the Scoutmaster is unable to serve, a replacement is recruited.
- The troop committee chair advises the Scoutmaster on policies relating to Scouting and the Chartered Organization and assists the Scoutmaster with handling scout behavioral problems.
- The Committee ensures that all troop leadership is approved, registered, and trained and current in Youth Protection Training
- The Committee ensures that all Youth Protection policies and guidelines are followed.
- The Committee supports the event program, provides leadership for events, and assures adequate budgets for events. The Committee manages the Troop schedule approved by the PLC and distributes the schedule to Troop members whenever a change emerges.
- The Committee provides adequate meeting facilities and supports leaders in carrying out the program.
- The Committee is responsible for finances, adequate funds, and disbursements in line with the approved budget plan.
- The Committee obtains, maintains, and properly cares for troop property, tracks scout advancements, provides uniform items, supports training and development, ensures the Troop has an outdoor program, and much more.
ADULT VOLUNTEERS
In addition to serving on the Troop Committee, the support of parents is needed to successfully deliver the Scouting program. Here is how parents support the Troop:
- Register as adult leaders and participate in adult leadership
- Participate in troop meetings, troop committee meetings, camps, and outings, etc. to observe and understand how the Troop works
- Volunteer to serve as a merit badge counselors and teach skills
- Volunteer to provide rides to scouts and adults to scheduled events, and carry gear
- Take BSA training, including Youth Protection Training, Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills, Wood Badge, and more.
- Provide guidance and encouragement to their own children involved in Scouting. Our Troop could not succeed without the support of parents and other adult volunteers.