Scouts BSA Troops are led by the youth, not the adults. So it is important to understand the various youth leadership positions and how they work together. This article continues the series on youth leadership positions.
The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader is the second highest-ranking youth leader in the troop. He is appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader with the approval of the Scoutmaster.
The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader acts as the Senior Patrol Leader in the absence of the Senior Patrol Leader or when called upon. He also provides direction to other youth leaders in the Troop.
The printable copy also includes a self evaluation form for the position. Our youth leaders self evaluate at least once during their term. We try to keep it positive with them, but it does help them recognize areas they should be working on. This is just an example which can be adjusted to meet the needs of your youth leaders.
Printable copy of Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Description and Self Evaluation
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
Qualifications:
- Appointed by SPL with Scoutmaster approval
- First Class Rank or higher
- May not serve two consecutive terms
Reports to: Senior Patrol Leader
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader duties:
- Help with leading meetings and activities as called upon by the Senior Patrol Leader.
- Take over troop leadership in the absence of the Senior Patrol Leader.
- Be responsible for training and giving direction to the following youth leaders: Scribe, Librarian, Historian, Quartermaster, Webmaster, Leave Not Trace Trainer, and Chaplain Aide.
- Perform tasks assigned by the Senior Patrol Leader.
- Serve as a member of the Patrol Leaders’ Council. Attendance expectation 65%
- Participate in outings. Attendance expectation 65%
- Attend troop meetings. Attendance expectation 65%
- Set a good example.
- Wear the field uniform (class A) correctly to all regular troop meetings and religious services.
- Wear the activity uniform (class B t-shirt) to all outings and other troop activities.
- Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
- Show Scout spirit.
This is nanny handling. Except for the Scoutmaster and their assistants, no other adult needs to be in regular communication with the youth, especially having youth report their score to someone on committee.
Someone needs to retake adult leader training.
This is for self reflection or a discussion with the SPL or perhaps the Scoutmaster if there is an issue. In this scenario, the ASPL reports to the SPL. There is no reason for the committee to get involved in the discusson or receive this information. As stated, this is just an example and meant for a positive way for youth to understand the responsibility of their position.
Have you ever attended a board of review? This is exactly how it should be done. Scouts need to be reviewed critically by the adult leaders to properly prepare the scout for their Eagle review and the eventual promotion in their field of choice.
Do we expect the scout to fulfill these roles to perfection? Absolutely not. But without accountability, it’s just a patch.