Adult Leadership
Troop 279 is a “Youth Lead” troop. Our youth leaders are elected by the scouts. The Scoutmaster and all the other adult leaders are in place to ensure a safe environment, provide guidance and assistance to the youth who are learning leadership skills.
The Troop, just like any other well-run organization, must have a clear understanding of the hierarchy and roles needed to effectively run Troop 279’s scouting program. The image of the troop organization chart, depicts all the possible positions in the troop.
Troop 279 is very fortunate to have a group of adult leaders with a long scouting history and dedicated to seeing our young scouts succeed, developing each scout’s own leadership skills and helping to grow the scouts into individuals of strong moral character.
Below are all the individual adult leadership positions within the troop, describing how they contribute to the growth and betterment of the youth program.
Troop Committee
The Troop Committee work more “behind-the-scenes” to support the logistics required by the Troop. Committee members are welcome to attend monthly outings and events, but are not required to do so.
The Executive Officer (EO) is the pastor at St. James Presbyterian Church and the “EO” must be included in the unit’s charter, but is always registered as a “multiple” and pays no fee. The primary responsibility of the Executive Officer is to designate a member of the church to head its Scouting program as the chartered organization representative (COR).
The Chartered Organization Representative (COR) is the direct contact between the Troop and the Church.
Key Duties Include:
- Secure a committee chair and encourage training.
- Assist with unit rechartering.
- Encourage service to organization.
- As a member of the church, represent the interests of St. James.
Useful Links:
The troop committee chair is appointed by the COR to see that all committee functions are carried out. The troop committee chair serves as the point-person for all the “behind-the-scenes” logistics of the troop.
Key Duties Include:
- Organize the Troop Committee to see that all functions are delegated, coordinated, and completed.
- Maintain a close relationship with the COR and the Scoutmaster.
- Interpret national and local council policies to the Troop.
- Arrange for charter review and recharter the troop annually.
The Troop Secretary is the “gate-keeper” for all the troops documentation and paperwork, ensuring that it is complete, organized and usable.
Key Duties Include:
- Work with the Troop’s Committee to record and follow-up on action-items discussed at committee meetings.
- Work with the Troop’s Liberian and Historian to organize and file paperwork and literature.
- Work with the Membership Coordinator to gather and organize all youth and adult medical forms and registration paperwork.
Useful Links:
The Troop Treasurer handles all unit funds and accounts and reports the financial health of the troop at each committee meeting.
Key Duties Include:
- Maintains the Troop’s bank account, keeping track of payments, purchases and balances.
- Makes payments as needed via the troop checking account or Venmo account.
- Tracks the Troop’s council unit account and the current balance.
- Keeps the scout accounts up-to-date, updating families of outstanding balances.
Useful Links:
- Approved Troop Budget
- Unit Account Authorization
The Fundraising Coordinator supervises and maintains the fundraising events for the troop. This position works closely with the Treasurer, helping to ensure the raised funds are tracked accurately.
Key Duties Include:
- Servers as “point-person” council fundraising events that benefit the scouts (ex: popcorn sales, camp card sales, etc.).
- Helps coordinate troop fundraising events (ex: carwashes, yard-sales, pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners, etc.).
- Works with committee to report current fundraising efforts and help develop new possible fundraising activities.
Useful Links:
The Activities Coordinator helps turn the scout’s desired yearly calendar and program events into reality by handling the logistics of the venues.
Key Duties Include:
- Coordinate the scheduling (and payments, as needed) of venues listed on the monthly planner and annual calendar.
- Create and maintain the Scoutbook calendar events to match the yearly program developed at the Greenbar meetings.
- Post and maintain the Time-to-Signup sheets for each of the troop outings and major events.
- Work with scoutmasters and Troop Treasurer to update event attendance to the scout accounts.
The Membership Coordinator helps to track and grow the youth participation in Troop 279.
Key Duties Include:
- Maintain contact with Pack 279 (and other Packs) and help coordinate a successful transition of cub scouts into our troop.
- Work with the Social-Media Coordinator to advertise and promote Troop 279 on social media sites.
- Work with the Troop Secretary to gather and organize all youth and adult registration paperwork and medical forms.
The Advancement Coordinator ensures that scout advancement and awards are tracked and recognized.
Key Duties Include:
- Work with the Committee Chair to schedule boards of reviews (BOR’s) and submit advancement reports to council
- Work with the Troop Guide, helping to promote and track scout advancement (keeping scout handbooks and Scoutbook in sync).
- Work with the Scoutmaster and the Green Bar to provide all the necessary logistics for the troop’s bi-annual courts of honors (COHs).
The Social-Media Coordinator ensures that the troop has a strong online presence.
Key Duties Include:
- Work with youth Webmaster to post recaps of the troop’s activities on social media sites.
- Work with Membership Coordinator to advertise and promote Troop 279 online.
- Collect & organize the troops photos and pictures of the scouts in action.
Useful Links:
- Troop Website
- Facebook: Scout Troop 279
- Facebook: Cub Scout Pack 279
- Google Photos (ScoutTroop279@yahoo.com)
The troop committee may comprise of any number of additional roles to help aid the troop with meeting its goals in providing a quality program for its youth. While most committee members may wish to register with BSA, for general committee members, this is not a requirement. Your willingness to volunteer time is GREATLY appreciated!!
Specialized Roles May Include:
- Training Coordinator
- Order of the Arrow Advisors
- New Scout Parent Liasson
- Special Events Managers
- Others as needed…
Useful Links:
Scoutmaster Corps
The scoutmaster corps work directly with the scouts, attending outings and helping to provide a safe and positive scouting program. The scoutmasters are part of their own “adult” patrol within the troop to further guide and model the patrol method to the scouts.
The Scoutmaster works closely with the Senior Patrol Leader and the scouts to help them create the program for the troop. The Scoutmaster’s goal is to train youth leaders to run the troop by providing direction, coaching, and support. The Scoutmaster relies on the rest of the Scoutmaster Corps to help provide a robust scouting experience (advanced camping, watersports, high-adventure, etc.), striving to uphold the scouting promise to every scout.
Key Duties Include:
- Work with the youth to mentor and develop leadership skills.
- Work with assistant scoutmasters to ensure the scouts have a safe outdoor experience.
- Work with the Troop Committee to implement the scouting program and to help setup the events the scouts selected
- Enjoy watching the youth grow into responsible young adults!!
Assistant Scoutmasters are adult leaders (age 18 or over) who assist the Scoutmaster in delivering the troop’s program. Assistant Scoutmasters may be specialized in one or more program areas for the Troop.
Key Duties Include:
- Attend campouts, events and activities, providing guidance to scouts.
- Work with the scoutmaster to ensure the scouts have a safe outdoor experience.
- Enjoy watching the youth grow into responsible young adults!!
Specialized Areas May Include:
- New Scouts patrols
- Advanced Camper Experiences (ACES)
- Camp Craft and Scout Skills
- Hiking/Backpacking/Biking
- Climbing/Repelling
- Water Sports
- Any Other Program Feature Specialty
The Quartermaster (Equipment Manager) works with the Troop’s Quartermaster(s) and help inventory, store and maintain the Troop’s equipment. The Quartermaster works with the Troop Treasurer and makes equipment purchase recommendations to the committee to support the Troop’s scouting program.
The Troop Chaplain provides a spiritual tone for Troop meetings and activities, providing guidance to the Chaplain Aide. This position promotes regular participation of each scout in the activities of the religious organization of their choice and encourages scouts to earn their appropriate religious emblems.
The Eagle Project Coach(es) regularly advise scouts on their Eagle service projects. The role of an Eagle Project Coach is not to create requirements or dictate the scope of the project, but to provide guidance to a scout throughout their Eagle Project’s planning and execution process.
The Finance Eagle Coach works with Life Scouts as they develop the project plan and execute their Eagle Scout projects. The position is designed to give scouts a contact for all financial matters and to ensure that additional work is not created for the Troop Treasurer.
A merit badge counselor is the cornerstone of the Scouting program. No matter your area of expertise or interest—be it a craft or hobby like basketry, leatherwork, or coin collecting; a profession such as veterinary medicine, aviation, or engineering; or essential life skills like cooking, personal management, or communications—you can ignite a Scout’s curiosity about your subject. As a merit badge counselor, you provide your time, knowledge, and resources to help Scouts delve into topics they are passionate about.
Key Duties Include:
- Select merit badge (MB) topics (especially Eagle-required MBs) where you can help guide scouts complete the MB requirements.
- Can be combined with any other volunteer position.
Troop 279 is very fortunate to have so many adult volunteers and helpers. Thank you to all that have dedicated time out of their busy schedules to ensure that the scouts in Troop 279 are successful and have fun on their Scouting journey!!
To learn more on how to get involved, please visit our Volunteering page.
Key Duties for Scout Parents & Guardians:
- Get involved! The phrase “It takes a village…” is best exemplified in a healthy troop
- Allow your scout to grow his or her scout skills, leadership abilities and confidence independently, while helping the troop to provide a quality scouting experience.
- Help cheer and celebrate your scout’s accomplishments and the troop’s success.
