myTroop7.com
Troop 7, Boy Scouts of America
Community Church at Upper Ridgewood
Ridgewood, New Jersey
 

How We’re Organized


Chartered Organization
Troop Committee
The Scoutmaster
Assistant Scoutmaster |  Parents & the Troop  |  Patrol Leadership

The Chartered Organization

Boy Scout troops do not exist by themselves in a vacuum. Every troop is part of the youth program of an established community organization. This means that all Boy Scout troops, as well as Cub Scout packs, are "owned and operated" by such a chartered organization.

In the case of Troop 7, that organization is the Upper Ridgewood Community Church. The chartering process itself creates a firmer bond between the organization and the troop. The yearly charter renewal works to sustain this effort. Troop 7 has been chartered since 1929.

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The Scoutmaster

Think of the Scoutmaster as the Chief Operating Officer of the troop. He is the senior, adult leader responsible for delivering the troop’s program.

Serving at the pleasure of the Troop Committee, the Scoutmaster, in conjunction with the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC), the Assistant Scoutmaster(s),and the troop’s junior Scout leaders:

  • Guides the boy-led PLC in planning the troop program and leading troop meetings and events
  • Provides leadership to the troop
  • Together with the Troop Committee, sets policy for the troop
  • Trains and guides scout leaders to run the troop
  • Works with and through responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys
  • Helps boys to grow by encouraging them to learn for themselves
  • Conducts Scoutmaster conferences


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Assistant Scoutmaster

The Assistant Scoutmaster(s) also play a strategic part. If the Scoutmaster is the Chief Operating Officer, Assistant Scoutmasters (ASMs) are his vice presidents. Serving at the pleasure of the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters support the Scoutmaster and share his challenge.

The ASMs participate in the monthly PLC meetings. They provide the guidance to new scouts and help them attain the first rank in Boy Scouts: SCOUT. They also assist the boys in their further advancement.

A Scoutmaster may have as many ASMs as he wishes, depending on the needs of the troop. Each of our ASMs have specific responsibilities, some have their own Patrols to watch over, others lead specific projects, programs or events.

There is, of course, another important job as Assistant Scoutmaster may occasionally be called upon to assume: should the Scoutmaster be unavailable to serve, whether temporarily or permanently, an Assistant Scoutmaster can step in and serve in his place.

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The Troop Committee

If we think of the Scoutmaster as the troop’s Chief Operating Officer, then it follows that the Troop Committee is a combination of the chief executive organization and the board of directors for the troop.

Led by the Troop Committee Chairperson, the Troop Committee is responsible for supporting the Scoutmaster and PLC, administering troop business, establishing the troop budget and setting troop policy.

Every troop consists of a committee of adults whose main job is to support the Scoutmaster in delivering the program and help run a good troop. In addition to the Treasurer, the “chairs” on the Troop Committee typically include Advancement, Trip Coordination, Membership, Quartermaster, Fundraising, Summer Coordination, Communications and Liaison to a Cub Scout Pack.

Members of the Troop Committee also serve on Boards of Review (BoRs). As the final step before rank advancement, each Scout appears before a BoR to make his case for moving ahead. The BoR also provides each Scout before it with guidance and encouragement, while also receiving valuable feedback on the quality of the troop’s program. Each Scout must receive the unanimous approval of the BoR before he attains any rank advancement.

We welcome all interested adults to join us. You’ll often find us at troop meetings huddled in the parents lounge down the hall from the troop meeting, on the curb exchanging ideas while seeing the boys off for a weekend troop, and individually, each of us is available by e-mail or telephone to listen to your views on troop issues.

While most of us often look too busy to take some time to talk with you, and far too many of us tend to speak in “Scoutese,” please don’t be put off or afraid to ask us to translate from “Scoutese” into English. We very much want to share your ideas and passion for our sons, and for Scouting.

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Parents & the Troop

The troop can not survive without parental support. You provide additional leadership on camping trips, assist with fundraisers, and provide expertise with special knowledge gained from hobbies or work experience and overall guidance at the committee level.

Your PARTICIPATION IS CRITICAL to the survival of the Troop !!! There is an opportunity for ALL parents to participate. There are many tasks and duties to choose from. There IS one just right for you. Youth Protection Training can be your first step to make a commitment to support your son and the troop. Please sign up for this 2 hour course (2 deep leadership, adults attending all scout activities, is mandatory for BSA)

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The Patrols


Patrol Leaders Council
Senior Patrol Leaders
Asst. Sr. Patrol Leaders
Troop Instructor |  Patrol Leaders  |  Assistant Patrol Leaders
Quartermaster  |  Troop Historian  |  Bugler  |  Den Chief

Every Boy Scout troop is made up of patrols, groups of six to eight boys who work together as a team. Each patrol has two leaders. The patrol leader and assistant patrol leader, with the SPL as their head, ASPL and Troop Guide form the patrol leader's "Green Bar".

The patrols also have their own meetings, and plan their activities in concert with the troop objectives. They are responsible for maintaining a patrol flag and yell to identify each troop patrol at all scout activities. The Patrol meetings are the first Thursday in every month. The meeting time and place is set by the Patrol leaders.

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC)

The scout leaders are made up of the following: Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL), Troop Guide (TG), Patrol Leader (PL). This group of scouts main objectives are to decide what activities the troop does, to develop and run troop meetings, guide younger/newer scouts on the advancement trail, set the example for the scouts, provide guidance, support, structure, friendship and ensure scouting is fun for everyone involved in the troop.

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    • Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)

    The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is the top scout leader in the troop. He runs the Troop, not the Scoutmaster. The Boy Scouts are a boy-run organization. He has the most challenging job in the troop. He was appointed to this position because the Scoutmaster (SM) and his Assistant Scoutmaster(s) (ASM) recognized his leadership abilities. Whenever the troop comes together for a meeting or activity, the senior patrol leader is in charge. The SPL gives direction to the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL), Troop Guides (TG), Patrol Leaders (PL), Assistant Patrol Leaders (APL) and officiates at the monthly PLC meeting with the adult leaders.

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    • Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL)

    Will the SPL need help? Normally he will, and one form this help may take is an ASPL. The ASPL is responsible for training and giving direction to the quartermaster, scribe, troop historian, librarian, bugler, and instructors.

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    • Troop Instructor (TI)

    This position can only be held by an older Scout that has the skills and outdoor knowledge to teach the boys. He has the responsibility to work closely with the SPL and the Patrol Leaders to help them in making any skills presentation or to answer any questions any Scouts may have on how to do something.. They provide whatever assistance is needed or requested by the patrol leader or SPL.

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    • Patrol Leader (PL)

    The PL is the senior leader in a patrol. He is elected by the Scouts. He represents his patrol at the troop leaders 'PLC’ monthly meetings. The PL reports to the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL).

    The PL’s duties are:

    • Appoints the Assistant Patrol Leader (APL)
    • Participates in all PLC meetings.
    • Plans and steers patrol meetings
    • Helps scouts advance
    • Keeps patrol members informed
    • Sets the example
    • Lives the Scout Oath and Law
    • Shows Scout spirit
    • Ensure proper patrol identification in the troop through patrol patches, yells and flags

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    Assistant Patrol Leader (APL)

    The APL is appointed by the PL to assist him in running the Patrol, and has the responsibility to lead the patrol in the absence of the PL. He reports to the PL.

    The APL’s duties are:

    • Helps the PL plan and steer meetings
    • Helps the PL keep patrol members informed
    • Helps the patrol get ready for all Troop activities
    • Represent the patrol when the PL can not attend meetings
    • Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
    • Shows Scout spirit

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    • Quartermaster

    He is the supply and equipment "boss". He keeps a current inventory of patrol/troop equipment and sees that it is in good condition, works with patrol quartermasters, checks equipment in and out and reports to the PLC through his PLs.

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    • Troop Historian

    He collects and cares for troop memorabilia - photos, news stories, flags, scrapbooks, and awards. He also collects and files information about former scouts, leaders, and makes material available needed for programs, news stories, or troop history projects.

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    • Bugler

    The Bugler plays the bugle for all award ceremonies, camp outs, and whenever the SPL requests.

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    • Den Chief

    The Den Chief works with a den of cub scouts led by an adult den leader. He helps with den meetings, helps the cub scouts with achievements, and serves as a scout role model for the younger boys (must be a first class or higher rank scout).

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