Senior Patrol Leader
The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is the top youth leader in the Troop, elected by the Scouts to represent them. The SPL is usually Star rank or higher, with leadership training and experience. It reports to the Scoutmaster.
What the SPL does
- Presides at Troop meetings, events and activities, and at the annual program planning conference.
- Chairs the Patrol Leaders' Council (the SPL, Assistant SPL and Patrol Leaders) and Green Bar (everyone who holds a position).
- Appoints Scout leaders with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster, and assigns duties to them.
- Works with the Scoutmaster to train Scout leaders.
- Sets a good example, wears the uniform correctly, and lives by the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
- Reports to the Scoutmaster at the end of the term, in summary form, on what was accomplished and learned.
How the SPL is elected and which positions the SPL appoints are in the leadership policies. At the start of each term, the people in these positions are given access to a shared drive with the meeting planning resources, attendance sheets and agendas.
Credit expectations
These are the minimum levels for each category. A Scout earns full credit with a total of at least 15 and no 1 in any category.
| Expectation | Basic (3) | Target (4) | Excels (5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preside at Troop meetings, activities and annual planning | 75% of meetings, 1 activity, 1 Court of Honor | 85% of meetings, 2 activities, 2 Courts of Honor | 95% of meetings, 3 activities, 2 Courts of Honor |
| Chair Patrol Leaders' Council meetings | 3 meetings, or 2 plus the annual planning meeting | 4 meetings, or 3 plus the annual planning meeting | 6 meetings, or 4 plus the annual planning meeting |
| Appoint Scout leaders and assign duties | Some delegation at meetings and activities | Good use of delegation at meetings and activities | Exemplary delegation to plan and lead meetings and activities |
| Work with the Scoutmaster to train Scout leaders | Led 1 ILST topic | Led 2 ILST topics | Led 3 ILST topics |
Scoring is explained under How credit works. Every position also has a Scout Spirit category, judged by the Patrol Advisor.