Scouts are elected to Troop or Patrol leadership positions at the semi-annual Troop Elections which are typically held in October/November and April/May. This allows 1-2 months for the newly elected position holders to learn their responsibilities from the prior position holder.
Election Process
- Approximately one month prior to an election, Scouts will have the opportunity to volunteer to run for a Troop or Patrol position.
- The list of candidates for each position will be shared with all Scouts in the Troop at the meeting immediately before the scheduled Troop Elections. This is also the last opportunity for Scouts to declare their candidacy for a position.
- During the Troop Election Meeting, each Scout will have the opportunity to present to the Troop to convince their fellow Scouts to vote for them. Once all the Scouts running for a position have finished presenting, the Troop votes and selects the Scout to fill the position.
- Following the Troop Election, the newly elected Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leaders identify Scouts to fill any open Required Elected Positions (as necessary).
- Scouts who have been newly elected to their positions:
- Work with the Scouts who currently fulfill the position to learn their job responsibilities,
- Review their new position’s roles and responsibilities from Scouting.org, and
- Take any relevant Troop Training courses for their position.
- Scouts will be inducted into their positions at the end of the meeting immediately preceding their start of term AND recognized at the Court of Honor nearest to the start of their term.