SM and ASM

Scoutmaster Position and Expectations:

• The Scoutmaster is selected and recruited by the Troop Committee and approved by the Charter Organization Representative. The Scoutmaster must be at least 21 years of age. Serves at the satisfaction of the Troop Committee and the Charter Organization Representative. Reports to: Troop Committee Chair. Duties: 

• Train and guide the Troop's youth leaders. 

• Work with other responsible adults to bring Scouting to the boys. 

• Use the Methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting. 

• Meet regularly with the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) for training and coordination in planning Troop activities. 

• Attend all Troop meetings, or if necessary arrange for a qualified adult substitute. 

• Attend Troop Committee meetings. 

• Attend all campouts or arrange for a qualified adult substitute. 

• Attend monthly district Roundtable or arrange for a qualified adult substitute. 

• Attend Eagle boards of review and introduce the Troop's Eagle candidates or arrange for a qualified adult substitute. 

• Conduct Scoutmaster conferences for all rank advancements or delegate a qualified Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM). 

• Delegate responsibilities to other adults (assistants and troop committee). 

• Coordinate annual elections for Troop youth leaders with the PLC. 

• Coordinate at a minimum one annual (two preferred) Troop Leader Training program with the PLC. 

• Coordinate an Annual Planning Conference with the PLC to plan the next year’s Troop activities.  Present this plan to Troop Committee for approval. 

• Make it possible for each Scout to experience at least 10 days and nights of camping each year. 

• Build a strong program by using proven methods presented in Scouting literature. 

• Be fully trained as an SM. Attend Scoutmaster Specific Training and Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS); (Wood Badge training is highly recommended). 

• Conduct activities with qualified leadership, safe conditions, & under policies of the Charter Organization and BSA.

• Maintain a close relationship with the Chartering Organization Representative & the Troop Committee Chairperson.

Assistant Scoutmaster Position and Expectations: 

An assistant Scoutmaster is an adult leader over the age of 18 who helps the Scoutmaster deliver the promise of Scouting. Each assistant Scoutmaster is assigned specific program duties. They can serve the troop by guiding a particular patrol to which they’ve been assigned, advising certain Scouts who’ve assumed a position e.g. the quartermaster or OA representative, or fill in as necessary to assure the junior leaders have what they need to run things.

They also provide the two-deep leadership required by the Boy Scouts of America. An assistant Scoutmaster may be 18 years old, but at least one in each troop should be 21 or older to serve in the Scoutmaster’s absence.

*Before considering becoming an ASM in Troop 1154, someone has to be registered with BSA and the Troop and have valid YPT certification.

• The Scoutmaster selects Assistant Scoutmasters with the assistance of the Troop Committee. They serve to the satisfaction of the Scoutmaster and the Troop Committee. 

• Reports to: Scoutmaster.  

• Duties: 

  • Assist the Scoutmaster with his/her responsibilities, including availability in various capacities as his substitute. 

  • Attend Troop meetings and outings. 

  • Be fully trained as an ASM. Attend ASM Leader Specific Training and Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS); (Wood Badge training is highly recommended). 

  • Fill in for Scoutmaster when required. 

• In addition to the above duties, several ASMs have additional responsibilities in specific areas:

  • ASM – Primary Assistant Scoutmasters for Troop 1154 

  • ASM – Patrol Mentor - Act as a mentor to the Patrol Leader (PL parent) and serve as a resource to the patrol. 

  • ASM - FCP (new scout parent if possible) - work with new Scouts to help them transition smoothly into the Troop and advance to First Class in a reasonable time. This involves working with the PLC and the ASPL for New Scouts. Also works closely with Troop Instructor, Troop Guides, and Advancement Coordinator to facilitate scout advancements.

  • ASM - Quartermaster. Acts as a mentor to the youth quartermaster(s), takes care of Troop Equipment, ensures trailer is in a good state and repairs trailer, troop gears are well stocked before campouts, purchases new equipment as needed, attends campouts, and coordinates trailer shakedown. 

  • ASM - Administrative. Acts as a mentor to the Scouts in leadership positions as Webmaster, Historian, Librarian, and Scribe.

  • ASM - High Adventure. Acts as a mentor to the senior Scouts to promote and execute periodic High Adventure outings. 

  • ASM – Order of the Arrow - Encourage membership in the Order of the Arrow (OA) and coordinate annual OA elections. Must be an OA member. Acts as a mentor to the Scouts in leadership positions Outdoor Ethics Guide and Bugler. Fills in as ASM for Life to Eagle coach and presenting scouts at Eagle Board of Review.

SCOUTS BSA POSITION TRAINED REQUIREMENTS (https://training.scouting.org/)

BEFORE FIRST MEETING

SCO_481 SCOUTING ORGANIZATION (12:20 minutes)

SCO_472 AIMS & METHODS OF SCOUTS BSA (8:30 min)

SCO_479 ROLE OF THE UNIT KEY 3 (7:00 min)

SCO_480 ROLES OF SCOUTMASTER & SP LEADERS (13:00 min)

SCO_484 TROOP MEETING (10:10 min)

TOTAL TIME: 50.30 Minutes

FIRST 30 DAYS

SCO_478 PATROL METHOD (10:00 min)

SCO_471 ADVANCEMENT (10:00 min)

SCO_477 PATROL LEADERS COUNCIL MEETING (11:00 min)

TOTAL TIME: 31 MIN

FIRST 60 DAYS

SCO_476 OUTDOOR PROGRAMS (10:00 min)

SCO_482 TROOP COMMITTEE (14:00 min)

SCO_485 SCOUTS BSA UNIFORMS (11:30 min)

TOTAL TIME: 35:30 MIN

POSITION TRAINED

SCO_473 ANNUAL TROOP PROGRAM PLANNING (14:00 min)

SCO_474 INTRODUCTION TO MERIT BADGES (8:00 min)

SCO_475 OUTDOOR ETHICS (7:30 min)

SCO_800 HAZARDOUS WEATHER TRAINING (31:00 min)

SCO_530 JOURNEY TO EXCELLENCE (13:00 min)

TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR 13.30 MIN

Additional Must Haves

• Learning Plan: Scouts BSA - Scoutmaster Position Specific Training 192 minutes (most included above)

• Learning Plan: Program Safety 152 minutes (most included above)

• Learning Plan: Scouts BSA - Scoutmaster - Position Trained (most included above)

• S11 Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills - IOLS (https://scoutingevent.com/?OrgKey=BSA082) Cost can be expensed to the Troop

• Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and AED

Additional Nice to Haves

• Wilderness and Remote First Aid

• Wood Badge

• National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)