Standard terminology
From MeritBadgeDotOrg
The use of standard terminology applies across BSA programs when there exists parallel organization structures, activities and methods. In essence, separate programs use different names to mean the same thing. When appearing in handbooks and other communications, standard terms often may be substituted for the distinctive title used by each different program. For example, issued guidelines for a Roundtable meeting can be applied to a Varsity Huddle or a Venturing Forum or a Sea Scout Wardroom.
Standard terms are particularly relevant between Boy Scouting and Varsity Scouting, and between Venturing and Sea Scouting:
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| — Sea Scout Manual, pg. 7, #33239C © 2002, 2004 Printing |
In some cases of standard terminology, methods may be parallel but the aims have differences between programs -- for example the team system method used in Boy Scouting differs in aims compared to Venturing. In other cases standard terminology parallels do not apply to all four programs -- for example assistant patrol leaders have no equivalencies in Varsity Scouting and Venturing.
List of standard terminology
| Unit | Boy Scout troop | Varsity Scout team | Venturing crew | Sea Scout ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth member | Boy Scout | Varsity Scout | Venturer | Sea Scout |
| Direct-contact adult leader | Scoutmaster | Team coach | Advisor | Skipper |
| Assistant adult leader | Assistant scoutmaster | Assistant coach | Associate advisor | Mate |
| Team system | Patrol method | Squad method | Group activities | Group activities |
| Youth leader training | Troop Leadership Training | Team Leaders' Training Seminar | Crew Officer's Seminar | Quarterdeck Training |
| Youth leader group | Patrol leaders' council | Team leadership | Crew officers | Petty officers |
| Top youth leader | Senior patrol leader | Captain | President | Boatswain |
| Second youth leader | Assistant senior patrol leader | Cocaptain | Vice president | Boatswain's mate |
| Youth secretary | Scribe | Team secretary | Secretary | Yeoman |
| Youth sub-group leader | Patrol leader | Squad leader | -- | Crew leader |
| Second sub-group leader | Assistant patrol leader | -- | -- | Assistant crew leader |
| Youth financial position | Scribe | Team secretary | Treasurer | Purser |
| Youth equipment position | Quartermaster | Quartermaster (equipment manager) | Crew quartermaster | Storekeeper |
| Youth new-member mentor | Troop guide | -- | Crew guide | -- |
| Youth skill instructor position | Instructor | Instructor | -- | Specialist |
| Program scope | 36 program features | 5 fields of emphasis | 6 experience areas, crew specialty | 19 special skills |
| Youth program planners | Patrol leader's council (troop) Venture patrol leader (venture patrol) | Program managers | Activity chairs | Crew leaders and activity chairs |
| Program highlight | Big event | Big event | Superactivity | Rendezvous, regatta |
| Youth review meeting | Board of review | Progress review | Crew review | Board of review |
| Awards ceremony | Court of honor | Court of honor | Recognition ceremony | Bridge of honor |
| Highest youth award | Eagle Scout | Denali Award | Silver Award | Quartermaster Award |
| Adult leader concluding remarks | Scoutmaster's Minute | Coach's Corner | -- | -- |
| Council unit leaders' meeting | Roundtable | Varsity Huddle | Venturing Forum | Wardroom |
| Adult unit committee | Troop committee | Team committee | Crew committee | Ship committee |
| Multiple units committee | District | District | District | Division |
| Local council | Council | Council | Council | Squadron |
| Area committee | Area | Area | Area | Flotilla |
| Regional committee | Region | Region | Region | Fleet |
