From: "settummanque, the blackeagle" (Mike Walton)
Via: Scouts-L Youth Programs Discussion List

Larry Blumberg asked:

Brian Walter asked:

Does anyone have a pledge or oath of office for Patrol leaders, SPL and ASPL? I'd like to swear in the new Jr leaders at the upcomming court of honor.

(From my Wood Badge notes:)

"The Senior Patrol Leader directs the old and new Patrol Leaders to step forward. The old Patrol Leader will then remove (or pin or attach-- I used double-sticking tape on the backsides of the patches so that they can be attached over the previous emblem or onto the shirt) his badge of office and pin it onto the new Patrol Leader.

The Senior Patrol Leader then directs the Patrol Leaders to gather around the Troop's flag pole with their left hands on the pole. He turns to the Scoutmaster and says "Scoutmaster, the new Patrol Leaders are ready to be installed."

The Scoutmaster steps closer to the Troop's flag and says "Give the Scout sign and repeat after me please: " I promise to do my best -- to be worthy of the office of Patrol Leader -- for the sake of my fellow Scouts -- in my patrol and troop -- and in the World Brotherhood of Scouting."

Upon completion, the Scoutmaster congraduates the Patrol Leaders and instructs them to retun to their patrols and "take charge", and to also pin their appointed Assistant Patrol Leaders with their badges of office.

(This ceremony was originally found in the Cornerstone Training Guide, page 76)

You can do the same for the Senior Patrol Leader, just change the words.
The Senior Patrol Leader should "pin" his Assistant and also present patches and certificates for the rest of his Troop Staff.

I've used this ceremony with my Troops over the years and it works well and is very meaningful and short!

Hope this helps you out!

One other question: troop QM, Librarian, Scribe -- are those positions supposed to be elected or appointed, or does the troop have the option of doing either.

The Senior Patrol Leader should appoint the Troop's Quartermaster, Scribe, Librarian, Den Chiefs, Historian, Troop Guide(s), Instructor(s) and Chaplain Aide (and any Troop officers, like Webmaster). I've seen it done whereby the ASPL appoints them instead of the SPL; in either way, they are NOT elected by the members of the Troop; they serve as members of the SPL's "cabinet" in a similar way that the President appoints his Cabinet members.

Of course, just like Presidential cabinet appointees being confirmed by the Senate, the Scouts appointed by the SPL (or ASPL) should be "confirmed" by the Scoutmaster because some of those positions are used as leadership roles for Star, Life and Eagle Scout ranks.

The reference to this is found in the current Troop Leader Guidebook and in the Scoutmaster's Handbook.

Thanks for asking....and don't forget to hit that "save" key or button!!

Settummanque!

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