TROOP 514 ELECTION INFORMATION

Troop 514 will hold its elections at troop meetings in February and August each year. (See current calendar for exact dates) All Scouts are encouraged to attend this important meeting to vote on the Troop leadership for the next 6 months. To avoid some confusion that has surrounded elections in the past, the following is an explanation of the procedure so the Scouts (and their parents) are prepared for it.

The only positions which are actually elected are the Senior Patrol Leader and the leaders of each individual patrol. All other Positions of Leadership are appointed by the SPL in consultation with the Scoutmaster. This is the way that Boy Scouts of America recommends that troop leadership be chosen, and this is the way it has always been done in Troop 514, although some Scouts have believed that they could “run” for various positions.

Candidates for Senior Patrol Leader should be at least 15 and ideally will have had White Stag training. They must be willing to commit to attend and lead all troop functions, including weekend outings and PLC meetings and retreats, and demonstrate Scout Spirit at all times. Because this is a significant time commitment, the SPL will serve a term of 6 months beginning with the SPL elected in August 2007, rather than the previous 12 month term.

Candidates for Patrol Leader must also be willing to commit to attend all troop functions, including weekend outings, weekly troop meetings, and PLC meetings, and to demonstrate Scout Spirit at all times. In the event that a Patrol Leader is not available for a particular event (which should happen very infrequently) he must assure that his Assistant Patrol Leader or another member of his patrol can attend in his place. In order to give more Scouts an opportunity to serve as Patrol Leader, and to assure that Scouts try a variety of leadership positions, it is recommended that Scouts who have previously served as Patrol Leaders not run for that position a second time.

After Patrol Leader elections and the SPL election are completed, Scouts may submit their names to the new SPL as candidates for the Positions of Leadership. (Scribe, Historian, Librarian, Chaplain’s Aide, Quartermaster, Instructor, Guide, OA Rep, etc.) Candidates for any leadership position in the troop should also clear their calendar to attend the PLC training which will be held within 2 weeks of when the new PLC is named. (Consult the current calendar) This is mandatory training.

The other Positions of Responsibility are awarded to those Scouts who need to serve in a POR for rank advancement. If a Scout is unsure whether or not he needs a POR, he can consult with the Assistant Scoutmaster assigned to his patrol or with the Troop Advancement Chairman.