Unit Chaplain

From MeritBadgeDotOrg

Troop Chaplain

The Troop Chaplain or Team Chaplain is appointed by the committee chairman to provide spiritual tone, guide the chaplain aide, give spiritual counseling, and promote the regular religious participation of each member.

Unit committee position

• Troop Committee in a Boy Scout troop
• Team Committee in a Varsity Scout team

Team Chaplain

Responsibilities

• Provide a spiritual tone for troop/team meetings and activities.
• Give guidance to the chaplain aide.
• Promote regular participation of each member in the activities of the religious organization of his choice.
• Visit homes of the Scouts in time of sickness or need.
• Give spiritual counseling service when needed or requested.
• Encourage Scouts to earn their appropriate religious emblems.
• Report to the troop/team committee each month.

Qualifications

Adult leaders must possess the moral, educational, and emotional qualities that the Boy Scouts of America deems necessary for positive leadership to youth. They must also:

• Abide by the Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Scouter Code of Conduct.
• Subscribe to the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle.
• Reside within the USA or a U.S. territory, or be a U.S. citizen residing outside the USA.
• Respect and obey the laws of the United States of America.
• Be 21 years of age or older for primary leadership positions.
• Be 18 years of age or older for assistant leadership positions.
• Complete Youth Protection training (YPT) before application is processed and renew training as required.
• Review the disclosure information related to the BSA’s background check process and complete and sign a Background Check Authorization form.
• Take leader position-specific training.
• Hold only one position within the same unit. The chartered organization representative may multiple as the committee chair or a committee member.

The adult leader application process will not be complete until Youth Protection training has been completed and a criminal background check has been obtained.

References

• 36 BSA Monthly Troop Programs with Troop Meeting Plans (free & online), Printed: Vol I - Vol II - Vol III - Resources
• Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) - Troop Meeting Planner - Campfire Planner - Resource Survey - Troop Committee Challenge
• Senior Patrol Leaders Handbook - Patrol Leaders Handbook - Scoutmaster Handbook - BSA Nameplates

• Applications: New Unit - Adult Application
• Fundraising, Popcorn, and the importance of Individual Youth Accounts
• Advancement - Advancement Report - First Class-First Year - Advancement Campout - Merit Badge Day - Individual Record

Online or classroom Leader Training

Youth protection (MANDATORY) – every registered adult must be re-certified every year at my.scouting.org, where they can also complete the following courses:

• Before the First Meeting
• First 30 Days
• Position Trained

• Other training opportunities: Roundtable – University of Scouting – Teaching EDGE

Outdoor Leader Training

In addition to fulfilling other requirements, some unit leaders need outdoor-specific training.

• BALOO – To have a Pack campout, or a Webelos Den campout, at least one unit leader must be BALOO trained.
• Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills – Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters -- at least one must be trained to have a campout.
• Wood Badge – Advanced Leadership skills for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venturing, district and council Scouters.
• Seabadge – Advanced Leadership skills for unit, district and council Sea Scouters.

Other outdoor-related links

• Camping Links
• Outdoor Awards Links

Boy Scout Troop Committee
(Adult Leaders)

Troop Committee Chairman	Secretary	Treasurer	Advancement Chair
Equipment Coordinator	Activities Chair	Membership Chair	Training Chair
Fundraising Chair	Public Relations Chair	Friends of Scouting Chair	Scouting for Food Chair
ScoutParent Unit Coordinator	Chaplain	New Member Coordinator
Reports to: Chartered Organization Representative		Advisers: Scoutmaster & Assistant Scoutmaster(s)

Troop Positions of Responsibility
(Youth Positions)

Senior Patrol Leader  Asst.(s)	Quartermaster	Junior Asst. Scoutmaster(s)	Order of the Arrow Rep.
Patrol Leader(s),  Venture Patrol Leader,  Asst.(s)	Historian	Instructor(s) & Troop Guide(s) & Outdoor Ethics Guide	Chaplain Aide
Scribe	Librarian	Den Chief(s)	Bugler & Musician
Advisers: Scoutmaster,   Troop Committee Chair,   Assistant Scoutmaster(s)

Varsity Team Committee

Reports to:	Chartered Organization Representative
Lead by:	Team Committee Chairman
Members:	Committee Secretary • Committee Treasurer • Advancement Chair • Equipment Coordinator • Activities Chair • Membership Chair • Training Chair • Public Relations Chair • Friends of Scouting Chair • Scouting for Food Chair • Fundraising Chair • ScoutParent Unit Coordinator • Chaplain
Program Advisers:	Advancement • High-Adventure/Sports • Personal Development • Service • Special Programs and Events
Advisers:	Team Coach • Assistant Team Coach(es)