Adult Leadership Opportunities

Although we are a youth-led organization, we are also a parent-supported organization. We need your help for the youth program at Troop 71 to run smoothly and effortlessly! Without dedicated parents volunteering in various leadership roles, our troop suffers. It is vital that we continuously recruit new parents to assist in supporting our troop’s needs. Currently, we have a great set of leaders, but they won’t be here forever! A smooth transition is much easier to accomplish when you can work alongside the person that you are taking a role over from. Please consider one of the positions listed below and let us know that you are interested in joining our current group of awesome leaders … you won’t regret the time spent with your child!

All leadership roles require an adult application, background check authorization, and the completion of appropriate training for your position.

Not sure how much time you have to commit to the troop right now? Our Scouter Reserve Corps helps when and where they can with no regular commitment to the troop’s leadership. This is a great way to begin your involvement as an adult leader with “no strings attached”. The primary role of these leaders is to assist with adult supervision during activities and campouts.

Do you prefer helping out “behind the scenes” or would you prefer that your commitment to the troop is only on a monthly basis? The Troop Committee has a position for you! The committee is a cross between a board of directors and a parent support group. It sets troop policies and handles the administrative functions of the troop. Members regularly attend a monthly committee meeting, as well as Scout Boards of Review. Specialized functional positions are available within the committee to support specific needs (outlined below). Committee members-at-large serve as support to any of the logistic needs of the troop. The primary role of these leaders is to assist with logistics in operating the youth program.

The Committee Chair is the top leadership position in the troop and works to maintain a close relationship with the charter organization. This person is responsible for coordinating the logistical needs of the troop in support of the program developed by the Scoutmaster and the youth leadership. The Chair presides over the troop committee, prepares the meeting agenda, addresses program and policy needs, and prepares the annual charter review. The Chair is also responsible for securing top-notch, trained leadership for the troop. Currently, the Committee Chair position is held by Mr. Boerner.

The Troop Committee has many functional roles that are available to adults who have a specific skill set that can help with our program.

• Activities Coordinator: This committee member coordinates with others to research, schedule, and secure reservations for activities that the youth leadership request. They encourage the youth leadership to provide the troop with a balanced, safe, and exciting program. They report back to the committee monthly.

• Advancement Coordinator: This committee member encourages Scouts to make progress on their ranks and badges. They work with the Troop Scribe to maintain all Scout advancement records in Scoutbook. They serve as a coordinator to staff and schedule Boards of Review when requested by a Scout. They arrange to have all necessary advancement recognition available for Courts of Honor throughout the year. They partner with the Life-to-Eagle Coordinator to ensure that records for Life Scouts are accurate and complete to support their advancement to Eagle Scout. They report back to the committee monthly.

• Equipment Coordinator: This committee member works with the Quartermaster and Scoutmaster to ensure that all troop tools, materials, and supplies are available and in good working order. They maintain the troop trailer(s). They make recommendations for the purchase of new equipment to the committee and secure these items with authorization. They report back to the committee monthly.

• Facilities Coordinator: This committee member maintains the facilities that have been entrusted to the troop’s care (Camp Kishwaukee and the Sherman R Cook Memorial Park). They work with the Plano Rotary Club and the Plano American Legion to provide for the needs of each facility. They coordinate use schedules for each facility for use by internal and external groups. They maintain the buildings and surrounding structures with the assistance of the parents and community volunteers. They report back to the committee monthly.

• Finance Coordinator ("Treasurer"): The treasurer handles all troop funds. They pay bills with the authorization of the troop committee. They maintain checking and/or savings accounts, supervising money-earning projects in coordination with the fundraising coordinator, supervise the Scout Points accounting system, and prepare the annual budget review. They report to the committee at each meeting on the troop’s finances.

• Fundraising Coordinator: This committee member identifies appropriate fundraising activities with the support of the troop committee. Each money-earning activity may be granted its own fundraising coordinator position on the committee. They secure necessary approvals to proceed with the project and coordinate the actions needed to support a successful fundraiser. They publicize to the troop and community the specifics of the money-earning project. They report back to the committee monthly.

• Life-to-Eagle Coordinator: This committee member meets as needed with Eagle Scout candidates prior to the initiation of their Eagle Scout Project. This meeting should serve as an idea gathering and planning session to guide the Scout toward success. They review the Eagle candidate’s project proposal prior to their meeting with the troop committee and the District Eagle Advancement representative. They help Life Scouts plan their merit badges to accomplish that portion of their advancement on time. They review the Eagle candidate’s final application package prior to submission to the District Eagle Board of Review. They work with the Eagle Scout, their family, and the Scoutmaster to help with organizing the Eagle Scout Court of Honor. They report back to the committee monthly.

• Public Relations Coordinator: This committee member coordinates with the troop to ensure troop events are announced to the public in a timely manner. They maintain a good relationship with the community by publicizing interesting troop activities through various public media channels. They report back to the committee monthly.

• Records Coordinator ("Secretary"): The secretary keeps the minutes from each meeting and publishes meeting notices. They prepare parent/leader information and make it available to support the program. They report the minutes of previous meetings and assist in maintaining accurate leadership information on the troop’s website.

• Social Network Coordinator: This committee member supports the efforts of the Troop Webmaster in maintaining the troop’s website and Facebook page. They train others in how to send email and create calendar events from within Scoutbook. They report back to the committee monthly.

• Training Coordinator: This committee member maintains records and identifies appropriate training that is necessary for youth and/or adult leaders to be compliant with the Guide to Safe Scouting. They research and present training opportunities for continued education and encourage all leaders to be position-trained. They report back to the committee monthly.

Are you ready to work directly with our membership on a weekly basis to execute the program that is developed by our youth leaders? The primary role of these leaders is to support our youth leaders and maintain health & safety during programs.

The Scoutmaster is the adult responsible for working directly with the Scouts; providing direction, coaching, and support. The Scoutmaster has three basic roles: 

1. 1. 1. providing Scouts with the tools and skills for them to effectively run the troop

      2. making sure that the rules and policies of the BSA are followed

      3. being a good mentor and positive role model.

Currently, the Scoutmaster position is held by Mr. Crawley for the boys' troop and Ms. Tully for the girls' troop.

The Scoutmaster cannot fulfill this commitment alone. They rely on a trusted group of assistants to fully support the day-to-day needs of our youth membership.

• Assistant Scoutmaster (21+): This member of the Scoutmaster Corps is an adult leader (over the age of 21) who helps in delivering the promise of Scouting. They can serve the troop by coaching and demonstrating specific skills, guiding a particular patrol, or advising Scouts in certain positions. They serve as part of the two-deep leadership requirements for Scouting events and can fill-in when the Scoutmaster is unable to be present.

• Assistant Scoutmaster (18-21): This member of the Scoutmaster Corps is an adult leader (between the age of 18-21) who helps in delivering the promise of Scouting. They can serve the troop by coaching and demonstrating specific skills, guiding a particular patrol, or advising Scouts in certain positions. They cannot serve as part of the two-deep leadership requirements for Scouting events. 

• Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (16-18): This member of the Scoutmaster Corps is a youth leader (between the age of 16-18) who has been appointed by the Scoutmaster to coach and demonstrate specific skills, guide a particular patrol, or advise Scouts in certain positions. They have often previously served as the Senior Patrol Leader. They cannot serve as part of the two-deep leadership requirements for Scouting events.