The office of Troop Scribe should be given to a boy who is proficient in Scouting and is capable of keeping the necessary Troop records under the supervision of the Scoutmaster or one of his Assistants. The selection of an accurate business-type boy for this position relieves the Scoutmaster of many routine tasks and provides for the Scout a most valuable experience and training. Usually the Scribe retains his connection with his Patrol, although often the office is assumed by a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.

Duties Of The Troop Scribe

The Troop Scribe keeps a record of all Troop activities-the Troop "Log Book"-and minutes of the Troop Leaders' Council, including all attendance.

He keeps a record of each member of the Troop- name, age, rank, office, length of service-and a correct mailing list and telephone list of all officers and Scouts.

He keeps a record of Troop mobilization places and of plans by which its Scouts can be assembled quickly.

He conducts such correspondence of the Troop as the Scoutmaster may direct, to Scouts, Parents, new applicants, Council, etc.

He collects dues from the Patrols, keeps a record of all money received and expended and is responsible (with the Scoutmaster and a member of the Troop Committee known as the Troop Treasurer) for all Troop funds.

Every month he prepares a report of the activities of the Troop for submission to the Troop Committee and the Local Council and cooperates with the Scoutmaster in the preparation of the yearly report.

He furnishes the Local Council with publicity material about the Troop for use in Council bulletins or in local newspapers.

Troop Quartermaster

A boy with abilities along mechanical lines and with a definite interest in the technicalities of camping is usually selected for Troop Quartermaster. Most often he remains a member of a Patrol, although here also the office may be assigned to a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster,

Duties Of The Troop Quartermaster

His main duty is to take charge of all Troop equipment. He maintains an inventory of all property, cares for it so that it may not be lost, damaged or abused.

A good Bugler can add much to a Troop's pep and snap on special occasions. The soothing notes of "Taps" will linger in memory.

He takes care of its repair and checks it in and out as it is used by the Patrols.

He promotes and directs the making of Troop, Patrol and individual camp equipment by the members of the Troop.

He is responsible for the proper use and upkeep of the Troop meeting room and supervises the work of the Service Patrol, which is one of the regularly organized Patrols assigned on a temporary basis to be responsible for preparing the room for meetings and cleaning it after meetings.

In camp he is usually given the responsibility of buying the supplies for the Troop with the approval of the Scoutmaster.

Troop Bugler

A boy with special ability may be assigned the office as Troop Bugler.

He should be available to sound the necessary calls at all Troop undertakings, yet usually remains a member of a Patrol.

Distribution Of Leadership

The success of the Scoutmaster depends largely upon his efficiency as an executive. And "A good executive," it has been said, "is not the person who does the work of twenty men, but who gets twenty men to do the work."

As Assistant Scoutmasters are found and as boy leaders emerge from the ranks, the work in connection with the numerous functions of the Troop should be delegated to the various Troop Leaders-each leader assuming complete responsibility for the duties assigned to him, and, what is equally important, each leader encouraged and permitted to perform these duties without continuous "snoopervision" and interference.

The distribution of leadership should be determined in the Troop Leaders' Council. An outline of the duties involved should be developed in advance, and a suggested distribution made. It may be found that the duties divide themselves logically as follows:

The set-up of the Troop: Assistant Patrol Leaders in the bottom row. Patrol Leaders in the second row. Junior Assistant Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol Leader and the Scoutmaster.

Administration Special Activities

Troop Activities Records

Scout Advancement Property

Patrol Guidance Then after a thorough discussion and re-arrangement or addition of special duties, the scheme may be adopted and put to work. See suggested set-up on pages 138 and 139.

The Use Of Committees

Besides the usual routine of Troop activities, special events or projects may make their appearance on the Troop horizon.

Suggested Distribution Of Leadership

If a new Troop meeting room has been found, there is the decoration to be designed. The Troop may consider the start of a monthly Troop Bulletin, and immediately an editorial staff must be found. A special entertainment may be planned for the parents, for which the "local talent" should be mobilized.

To handle these projects the wise Scoutmaster will bring into play the special abilities of boys who are not already in leadership capacities but who through definite responsibilities may have their leadership tested and developed.

The method, then, would be to establish temporary boy committees to perform the jobs as they arise. The Troop Leaders' Council will appoint the boy chairman, while he in turn will be permitted to select for his committee those boys he considers best fitted to help him. In this way may be established the "Troop Meeting Room Decoration Committee," "The 'Monthly Bugle' Committee," or "The Parents' Entertainment Committee."

Of course, these committees will receive the aid and cooperation of all Troop Leaders toward making their work a success. But they should be definitely made to feel that the full responsibility is theirs.