Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL)

The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) position is the second most important leadership position in the troop.  Please read over the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) section of this document because you will be called upon to lead the troop in the Senior Patrol Leader's absence.  It is also important to learn about how a troop is run at this higher level because you will, most likely, have an opportunity to become the SPL in the future.

The ASPL has a very unique role to play in the troop.  Many times during an activity it is the most important role.  While the SPL works with the adult leadership and troop as a whole, the ASPLs work directly with the PLs and scouts to get things done.

Here's how it works:

1. The SPL gives you direction on:

    

   a.      What he wants done

   b.      What you can use or need to use to get it done

   c.      In some cases, how it should be done

   d.      Who you can use or who should participate

   e.      When it needs to be done by

   f.        Any other information you will need.

    

2. You use what you have been given to carry out the request.  From this point on you are in charge of the activity.

3. When complete, you report back to the SPL.

Most of the time this does not mean that you do the work or even assist a patrol or scout.  Most of the time, this means that you direct, lead, and command.  Demonstrating an activity or skill is also a way of leading by example as long as patrols and scouts have an opportunity to try it on their own.

It is expected that at this point in your pathway through scouting you already have skills and knowledge to take care of yourself and a patrol.  Your focus now is on leading projects within the troop to get things done.  This is a much larger role.

To do this you can use the following:

1. Leaders and scouts:

    

   1. Subordinate Leaders:  (Other scouts in leadership positions.)  Review their roles in the troop.  They are your keys to success.  If they do not perform then you must work with them to improve.

   2. Scoutmaster & Assistant Scoutmasters: They are your sounding board for help and guidance. They should only step in when there are issues of safety involved. 

    

2. Troop meetings and activity plans developed by the scribe. (these are the monthly notes from PLC Meeting).

The ASPL is responsible to the Senior Patrol Leader

Specific Duties:

• Directing the activities of the troop as described by the Senior Patrol Leader.

• Be responsible for training and giving direct leadership of the following junior leaders:

• Patrol Leaders

• Assistant Patrol Leaders

• Troop Guide

• Historian

• Librarian

• Quartermaster

• Scribe

• Help with leading meetings and activities as called upon by the Senior Patrol Leader.

• Take over troop leadership in the absence of the Senior Patrol Leader.

• Function as a member of the Patrol Leader’s Council.

Personally:

• Set a good example.

• Wear the uniform correctly.

• Live by the Scout Oath and Law.

The success of your tenure as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader will depend on your ability to take direction from the SPL and lead smaller groups to get things done.

This page last modified: February 10, 2008