Positions of Responsibility
From MeritBadgeDotOrg
Positions of Responsibility (PoR) are leadership roles that Scouts perform. Some of them are appropriate for advancing to Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks.
In order to advance to the rank of Star, Life, and Eagle Scout, you must hold one of the following leadership positions for a certain amount of time. For Star, you must hold one of these positions for 4 months or more and for Life and Eagle you must hold them for 6 months or more.
Position of Responsibility qualifies advancement for:
= Star, Life, and Eagle ranks
= Star and Life ranks only
- / = Star/Life when PoR is in a Venturing crew, and Eagle only when held in a Scout troop (such as Historian)
= Venturing Pathfinder and Summit Awards
= Sea Scout Ordinary, Able, and Quartermaster ranks
Contents |
Cub Scout/Webelos den
- Denner
- A Denner is a Cub Scout or Webelos Scout who is elected to be the temporary youth leader of his den. All Tiger, Wolf, Bear, as well as Webelos Dens should elect a Denner.
- Assistant Denner
- The Assistant Denner helps the Denner at den meetings and fills in for the Denner when the Denner is not available. The Den Leader may establish a practice of the Assistant Denner becoming the Denner in the next term.
Boy Scout troop
Patrol Leader's Council
- Senior Patrol Leader
- The senior patrol leader (SPL) is elected by the Scouts to represent them as the top youth leader in the troop. He runs all troop meetings, events, activities, the annual program planning conference, and the patrol leaders' council meeting. He appoints other troop youth leaders with the advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster.
- Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
- The assistant senior patrol leader (ASPL) 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 leadership to other youth leaders in the troop.
- Patrol Leader
- The patrol leader is the elected leader of his patrol. He represents his patrol on the patrol leaders’ council and appoints the assistant patrol leader.
- Venture Patrol Leader
- The patrol leader is the elected leader of his Venture patrol. He represents his patrol on the patrol leaders’ council and appoints the assistant patrol leader. He is led by the Assistant Scoutmaster - Venture under the direction of the Scoutmaster. Serving as Venture Patrol Leader can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star and Life but not Eagle.
- / Troop Guide
- The troop guide works with new Scouts. He helps them feel comfortable and earn their First Class in their first year. He teaches basic Scout skills and works with the patrol leader at patrol leaders’ council meetings. Serving as Guide can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop or a Varsity Scout Team, but in a Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship it only counts for Star and Life.
- Effective January 1, 2016, if using the new requirements for a rank, this is a valid position of responsibility for Eagle in Boy Scouts and Venturing. The position doesn't exist within a Varsity team.
Other troop leadership positions
- Assistant Patrol Leader
- The assistant patrol leader is appointed by the patrol leader and leads the patrol in his absence. He represents his patrol at patrol leaders’ council meetings when the patrol leader cannot attend. The assistant patrol leader position does not count towards leadership requirements for Star, Life, or Eagle.
- / Quartermaster
- The quartermaster keeps track of troop equipment and sees that it is in good working order. He keeps records on patrol and troop equipment, makes sure equipment is in good working condition, and issues equipment and makes sure it is returned in good condition. (Appointed by the SPL) Serving as Quartermaster can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop or a Varsity Scout Team, but in a Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship it only counts for Star and Life.
- Effective January 1, 2016, if using the new requirements for a rank, this is a valid position of responsibility for Eagle in all areas.
- Scribe
- The scribe keeps the troop records. He records the activities of the patrol leaders’ council and keeps a record of dues, advancement, and Scout attendance at troop meetings. (Appointed by the SPL)
- / Historian
- The historian preserves troop photographs, news stories, trophies, flags, scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia. (Appointed by the SPL) Serving as Historian can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop, but in a Varsity Scout Team or a Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship it only counts for Star and Life.
- Effective January 1, 2016, if using the new requirements for a rank, this is a valid position of responsibility for Eagle in all areas.
- Librarian
- The librarian oversees the care and use of troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor lists. (Appointed by the SPL)
- Instructor
- The instructor teaches Scouting skills.
- Chaplain Aide
- The chaplain aide works with the troop chaplain to meet the religious needs of Scouts in the troop. He also works to promote the religious emblems program. (Appointed by the SPL)
- / Den Chief
- The den chief works with the Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, and den leaders in the Cub Scout pack. Helps Cub Scouts advance through Cub Scout ranks and encourages Cub Scouts to join a Boy Scout troop upon graduation. Serving as Den Chief can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop or a Varsity Scout Team, but in a Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship it only counts for Star and Life.
- Effective January 1, 2016, if using the new requirements for a rank, this is a valid position of responsibility for Eagle for all areas.
- Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
- The junior assistant Scoutmaster (JASM) serves in the capacity of an Assistant Scoutmaster except where legal age and maturity are required. He must be at least 16 years old and not yet 18. He is appointed by the Scoutmaster because of his leadership ability.
- Order of the Arrow Representative
- The Order of the Arrow Representative is a youth liaison serving between the local Order of the Arrow (OA) lodge or chapter and his troop. In his unit, he helps meet the needs of the unit and will serve as a communication and programmatic link to and from Arrowmen, adult leaders and Scouts who are not presently members of the Order. (Appointed by the SPL)
- Webmaster
- Effective January 1, 2010
- Outdoor Ethics Guide
- Effective January 1, 2016
- Bugler
- The Bugler should be able to make appropriate bugle calls, as requested, at troop activities. (Appointed by the SPL) Serving as Bugler can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star and Life but not Eagle.
- Musician
- Boy Scouts or Venturers who are members of bands, drill teams, or drum and bugle corps affiliated with a unit or a local council may also wear the musician badge special insignia.
- Scouts BSA ranks requiring a Positions of Responsibility
- Star rank #5 "While a First Class Scout, serve actively in your troop for four months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility (or carry out a Scoutmaster approved leadership project to help the troop)"
- Life rank #5 "While a Star Scout, serve actively in your troop for six months in one or more of the positions of responsibility (or carry out a Scoutmaster approved leadership project to help the troop)"
- Eagle Scout rank #4 "While a Life Scout, serve actively in your troop for a period of six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility..."
- See also: National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) - a fun, six-day outdoor learning course.
Venturing crew
Crew Officers
- Crew President
- The Crew President serves as the youth leader of the crew, he or she is elected by the youth members.
- Vice President - Administration
- The administrative vice president is elected by the youth members and is the administrative officer of the crew. He or she leads the recruiting efforts and manages the recognition of the crew.
- Vice President - Program
- The program vice president is elected by the youth members and is the administrative officer of the crew and manages the development of a good program, based on meeting the needs of the members.
- Crew Secretary
- The Crew Secretary serves as the record-keeping youth leader of the crew, he or she is elected by the youth members, and is responsible for attendance records, written correspondence, records, and minutes showing decisions, plans and publicity.
- Crew Treasurer
- The Crew Treasurer serves as the youth financial officer of the crew, he or she is elected by the youth members, and is responsible for keeping accurate records of the income and expenditures of the crew's funds.
Special crew officers
- Crew Guide
- The Crew Guide serves as an individual mentor for new Venturers, assisting in their understanding of the Venturing program and participation in crew activities. (Appointed by the Crew President)
- Crew Quartermaster
- The Crew Quartermaster keeps track of crew equipment and sees that it is in good working order. He or she issues equipment and makes sure it is returned in good condition. (Appointed by the Crew President)
- Crew Historian
- The Crew Historian collects and preserves memorabilia, press releases, photo, and and other data of historical significance to the crew. (Appointed by the Crew President)
- Musician
- Boy Scouts or Venturers who are members of bands, drill teams, or drum and bugle corps affiliated with a unit or a local council may also wear the musician badge special insignia.
- Den Chief
- To qualify as a Crew Den Chief, the Venturer must have achieved at least First Class rank as a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout. The den chief works with the Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, and den leaders in the Cub Scout pack. Helps Cub Scouts advance through Cub Scout ranks and encourages Cub Scouts to join a Boy Scout troop upon graduation.
- Webmaster
- Effective January 1, 2016, if using the new requirements for a rank, this is a valid position of responsibility for Eagle.
Sea Scout ship
Quarterdeck Petty Officers
- Boatswain
- The boatswain is the youth head of the Sea Scout ship. He or she runs all meetings and activities. The boatswain should share the responsibilities of leadership with the other elected ship members and be aware of the needs interests of ship members. The boatswain also appoints an activity chair for each activity and directs the development of the ship's operational plan.
- Boatswain's Mate - Administration
- The boatswain's mate for administration is the second highest-ranking youth leader of the Sea Scout ship. He or she should take over for the boatswain when necessary. The boatswain is in charge of recruiting new members into the ship by attracting and admitting new members. The mate for administration conducts opening and closing ceremonies and recognizes youth for awards and advancement.
- Boatswain's Mate - Program
- The boatswain's mate for program is the third highest-ranking youth leader of the Sea Scout ship. This leader should collect ideas for ship activities and maintain a file of all activities and trips. The boatswain's mate for program should also assist the activity chair in running a successful activity.
- Crew Leader
- When a ship is large enough to necessitate multiple crews, the crew leader helps lead and maintain the crew. Crew leaders act as the liason between the quarterdeck officers and the crews.
Other Petty Officers
- Assistant Crew Leader
- The assistant crew leader is an assistant of the crew leader and takes over for the crew leader when necessary.
- Yeoman
- The yeoman is the record-keeping leader of the Sea Scout ship, who keeps minutes for every meeting, issues reminders, handles publicity, and tracks attendance and membership.
- Purser
- The purser is the youth financial officer of the ship. With guidance from the adult committee treasurer, the purser tracks and manages income and outcome using a yearly budget.
- Storekeeper
- The storekeeper is the youth equipment manager of the Sea Scout ship. He or she keeps track of all ship equipment and maintains an inventory list.
- Activity Chair
- The activity chair is a temporary leader assigned for each ship activity. The chair of the activity should, with the input of the ship and the aid of the boatswain's mate for program, plan to ensure that the activity is successful. This may include creating an agenda, tracking a signup list, and/or appointing a committee. This position must be held once for Ordinary, twice for Able, and thrice for Quartermaster.
- Webmaster
- Effective January 1, 2016, if using the new requirements for a rank, this is a valid position of responsibility for Eagle.
- Chaplain Aide (Sea Scouting)
- The Chaplain Aide (Sea Scouting) works with the unit chaplain to meet the religious needs of Scouts in the ship. He also works to promote the religious emblems program.
Exploring post
Post Officers
- Post President
- The Post President is the youth head of the Exploring post. He or she delegates specific responsibilities to other officers and participants, and encourages and follows up to be sure that their jobs have been carried out.
- Administrative Vice President
- The Administrative Vice is a second highest-ranking youth leader of the post along with the Program Vice President.
- Program Vice President
- The Program Vice is a second highest-ranking youth leader of the post along with the Administrative Vice President.
- Post Secretary
- The Program Vice is the youth record-keeping leader of the post.
- Post Treasurer
- The Treasurer is the youth financial officer of the post.
Other post leadership positions
- Activity Chair
- Activity Chairs are youth participants suited to the activity need and leadership experience. They are appointed by the Post President.
Learning for Life group
Leadership units teach personal skills, cultural diversity, character attributes, and planning, and are designed to be presented by a teacher, post advisor, or other qualified trainers.
See also
References
| Crew Officers: | President • Vice President - Administration • Vice President - Program • Secretary • Treasurer |
|---|---|
| Special crew officers: | Crew Guide • Quartermaster • Historian |
| Other crew officers: | Musician • Den Chief |
| Advisers: | Advisor • Associate Advisor(s) • Crew Committee Secretary • Crew Committee Treasurer |
| Quarterdeck officers: | Boatswain • Boatswain's mate for administration • Boatswain's mate for program • Crew leader(s) • Yeoman • Purser |
|---|---|
| Other youth officers: | Assistant crew leader(s) • Specialist • Media Specialist • Activity chair • Chaplain Aide • Storekeeper • Bugler |
| Officers: | Skipper • Mates • Ship Committee Secretary • Ship Committee Treasurer |
