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Boy Scout Troop 61
Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale
Brandon, FL
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Meeting Time: Monday Nights 7:30 – 9:00
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The Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) 
The PLC are the youth leaders of the troop. The PLC plans the yearly troop program at the annual troop program planning conference. It then meets monthly to fine-tune the plans for the upcoming month.
The patrol leader serves as the voice of the patrol members (presents the ideas and concerns of the patrol) and in turn share the decisions of the PLC with the patrol members.
Duties of Patrol Leader
When you accepted the position of patrol leader, you agreed to provide service and leadership to your patrol and troop. No doubt you will take this responsibility seriously, but you will also find it fun and rewarding. As a patrol leader, you are expected to do the following:
- Plan and lead patrol meetings and activities.
- Keep patrol members informed.
- Assign each patrol member a specific duty.
- Represent your patrol at all patrol leaders' council meetings and the annual program planning conference.
- Prepare the patrol to participate in all troop activities.
- Work with other troop leaders to make the troop run well.
- Know the abilities of each patrol member.
- Set a good example.
- Wear the Scout uniform correctly.
- Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
- Show and develop patrol spirit.
Ten Tips for Being a Good Leader
- Keep Your Word. Don't make promises you can't keep.
- Be Fair to All. A good leader shows no favorites. Don't allow friendships to keep you from being fair to all members of your patrol. Know who likes to do what, and assign duties to patrol members by what they like to do.
- Be a Good Communicator. You don't need a commanding voice to be a good leader, but you must be willing to step out front with an effective "Let's go." A good leader knows how to get and give information so that everyone understands what's going on.
- Be Flexible. Everything doesn't always go as planned. Be prepared to shift to "plan B" when "plan A" doesn't work.
- Be Organized. The time you spend planning will be repaid many times over. At patrol meetings, record who agrees to do each task, and fill out the duty roster before going camping.
- Delegate. Some leaders assume that the job will not get done unless they do it themselves. Most people like to be challenged with a task. Empower your patrol members to do things they have never tried.
- Set an Example. The most important thing you can do is lead by example. Whatever you do, your patrol members are likely to do the same. A cheerful attitude can keep everyone's spirits up.
- Be Consistent. Nothing is more confusing than a leader who is one way one moment and another way a short time later. If your patrol knows what to expect from you, they will more likely respond positively to your leadership.
- Give Praise. The best way to get credit is to give it away. Often a "Nice job" is all the praise necessary to make a Scout feel he is contributing to the efforts of the patrol.
- Ask for Help. Don't be embarrassed to ask for help. You have many resources at your disposal. When confronted with a situation you don't know how to handle, ask someone with more experience for some advice and direction.
Training for Youth Leaders
Scouting takes pride in giving youth members unique leadership opportunities and training. Youth leaders may have the opportunity to participate in all or some of the following leadership training.
Introduction to Leadership
This is the first step of leadership training. It is usually conducted by the Scoutmaster within a few days after a troop election. It may last no more than an hour, but it should cover the responsibilities of a patrol leader and the needs for upcoming events within the troop.
Troop Leader Training (TLT)
This is a day and a half long training conference conducted by the Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol Leader. Its purpose is to reinforce the patrol method and to allow members of the patrol leaders' council to set goals for themselves, their patrols, and their troop.
Council Junior Leader Training
Many councils offer weeklong junior leader training conferences at their camps for key troop leaders. This course supplements troop training and introduces leadership skills in an outdoor environment.
National Junior Leader Instructor Camp
This program focuses on helping Scouts develop teaching skills that they can use to conduct council junior leader training conferences. It is offered through the Philmont Training Center every summer.
National Leadership Seminars
These Order of the Arrow leadership seminars take place over a weekend and focus primarily on the skills and attributes of leadership. Youth participants should be at least 15 years of age or a lodge officer.
Resources for Patrol Leaders
As a patrol leader, you have many resources available, including your Scoutmaster, assistant Scoutmasters, senior patrol leader, and the troop committee. Other resources include your teachers, religious leaders, and community leaders. Literature resources available to you include the following:
Boy Scout Handbook,
No. 33105
Junior Leader Handbook, No. 33500A
Fieldbook, No. 33104
Boy Scout Songbook, No. 33224
Boy Scout Requirements, No. 33215C
Troop Program Resources, No. 33588
Troop Program Features, Volumes I, II, and III, Nos. 33110
, 33111, 33112
Worksheets from Scoutmaster's Junior Leader Training Kit, No. 34306
Boys' Life magazines
Copy of troop rules and policies
Troop and patrol rosters
Activity calendar (troop, district, council, chartered organization)
First Class—First Year Tracking Sheet, No. 34118A
Campfire Program Planner sheet, No. 33696
Troop Planning Worksheet (from Troop Program Features)
BSA Supply catalog
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