Patrol Leader

The patrol leader is the patrol's key leader, representing the patrol at all patrol leaders' council meetings and the annual program planning conference, and keeping patrol members informed of decisions made. Patrol leaders carry out planning, leading, and evaluating patrol meetings and activities, and assure patrols are prepared to participate in all troop activities. They keep their patrol intact so they can work together and share responsibilities to get things done. It is incumbent upon them to be a good example for the members of their patrol and the rest of the troop.

Position Facts

Selection: Elected by the members of their patrol
Reports to: Senior Patrol Leader
Required Attendance: 80% of all troop meetings, PLC meetings, outings, fundraisers, and service projects. If your attendance is below the standard, you can be removed from office and/or lose credit.

Responsibilities

Plan and lead patrol meetings and activities
Help their patrol members succeed by keeping them informed, advancing in rank, and attending troop activities
Represent the patrol at all patrol leaders' council meetings and the annual program planning conference
Assign duties and tasks to patrol members
Ensure that their patrol is prepared for troop meetings and outings
Work with other troop leaders to make the troop run well
Live by the Scout Oath and Law
Set a good example by showing Scout spirit and wearing the uniform correctly

Patrol Leader Handbook

Scouting America produces a Patrol Leader handbook. You will be given one of these when you start your position- it’s a valuable resource, and you should read it!

The Patrol Meeting

A patrol meeting is a gathering of the members of a patrol. It’s your patrol’s time to plan and prepare, learn and practice skills, rank up, play games, and work on special projects.

The Importance of Patrol Meetings

Patrols are the glue that holds Scouting together. As a PL, patrol meetings are your opportunity to strengthen your team. Do you want your patrol members to be informed of goings-on in the troop, have razor-sharp scout skills, and rank up towards Eagle? Do you want to have clean and organized gear, National Honor Patrol awards, and lots of Patrol Spirit? Well-run patrol meetings are the key to all of that.

What can you do during a patrol meeting?

At the start of every meeting:

PL reports what was decided at the last PLC
Share announcements/reminders
Brainstorm ideas for next month’s program to share at the next PLC
Help patrol members prepare for the next outing

As needed:

Plan your duty roster and menu for the next trip
Work on special projects assigned by the SPL
Teach or practice scout skills
Help patrol members with requirements
Patrol Quartermaster shares their report
Clean/organize/repair patrol gear
Build a patrol flag or practice your patrol cheer
Do a uniform inspection
Work on the National Honor Patrol award

Fun ideas, for after the important stuff is done:

Do a mini service project for the VFW (rake leaves, pick up trash, sweep)
Read part of the scout handbook or Scout Life magazine
Play a game outside
Sew patches on your uniforms
Find a good turn to do in the neighborhood
Practice a skit to do at the next Court of Honor
Make your own patrol woggles (neckerchief slides)
March your patrol up the street to the park
Play cards or a board game
Celebrate a patrol member’s birthday
Go sledding
Learn a new knot that isn’t in the scout handbook
Cook and eat a meal together
Plant something outside the VFW
Sharpen your pocketknives

Preparing for the Meeting

Start by checking the calendar and your notes from the last PLC. Make note of anything you need to discuss, prepare for, or announce.
Figure out which things from the “as needed” category you need to do.
Choose one or two fun activities to add in
Determine what (if any) supplies or prep you need to do for the meeting, and delegate if necessary
Prepare your meeting plan (see the example on the next page)
If possible, send out the plan ahead of time
Remind your patrol members the night before the meeting

Running the Meeting

Start on time
Review the plan with everyone
Be careful not to get distracted or let activities run too long
Don’t let your patrol members have side conversations or talk over you
If plans are made or something needs following up on, be sure to write it down

Example Patrol Meeting Plan

Coffee Patrol Meeting

10/23/2024, 7pm

Location: VFW

Plan:

Patrol leader’s report (5 mins)

Next PLC ideas brainstorm (10 mins)

Prepare to run troop meeting activity next week (15 mins)

Choose grubmaster to plan November camping menu (5 mins)

Re-pack patrol tents (10 mins)

John teaches first aid for Second Class requirement (15 mins)

March to the park and play a game of basketball (30 mins)

Resources