Scout Leadership
In the Boy Scouts of America, a Scout leader refers to the trained leaders (men or women) of a Scout unit. Adult leaders are generally referred to as "Scouters," and the youth leaders are referred to by their position within a unit (e.g. Den Chief, Patrol Leader, Boatswain). In all Scouting units above the Cub Scout pack and units serving adolescent Scouts, leadership of the unit comprises both adult leaders (Scouters) and youth leaders (Scouts). This is a key part of the Aims and Methods of Scouting. In order to learn leadership, the youth must actually serve in leadership roles.
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Adult Leadership
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The Boy Scouts of America have always relied on volunteers to make the organization run. Among the volunteers who provide troop level adult leadership and support, there are Scoutmasters and their uniformed adult leadership (including assistant Scoutmasters and unit chaplain), and committee members. All positions require adults to join the troop by registration. The registration process for adult leaders includes a personal reference and criminal background check, nomination by the committee chairman, followed by appointment by the chartering organization and concluding with acceptance by the district executive (a professional Scouter who is an employee of the local Scout council). There is training for all positions, but all start with Youth Protection Training.
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Scout Leadership
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A properly run Scout Troop is run by a Senior Patrol Leader, who is elected by the troop, and their assistant, who may either be elected or appointed. These and the other youth leaders are advised and supported by the adult leaders.In a Scout troop, youth leaders include: Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders, scribe, quartermaster, librarian, chaplain aide, bugler, historian, den chief, Troop Guide, Order of the Arrow representative, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, and instructor. The Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Adult Leaders' main roles are to give advice to the SPL, supervise the scouts, and deal with paperwork. "Scouts are youth-led."
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