Adult Roles

Scout's Family: Each scout's family is expected to directly support at least 2 major activities each year. This may take the form of being a trip coordinator, adult leader on a campout, adult leader at summer camp, handling the annual re-registration ("rechartering"), Troop Committee member, Assistant Scoutmaster, member of Camp Oljato Workparty, serving as a Board of Review member or Merit Badge Counselor, or other activity. In addition, each family provides a driver for about 1/4 of the Troop's outings (that way, no family has to drive more than 1/4 of the time).

Scoutmasters: Adult guidance in day-to-day operations of the Troop is provided by the Scoutmaster (SM) and the Assistant Scoutmasters (ASM). At this time, there are 11 active ASMs, assisted by 5 Eagle Scouts. The SM and ASMs act as trip and activity leaders, with the assistance of a trip or activity coordinator (a volunteer from among the other parents in the Troop). Traditionally, all adult leaders of Troop 5 (Scoutmasters, Troop Committee members, and others) are parents, grandparents, or other close family members of current or recent Scouts in the Troop.

Troop Committee: Troop policy and administration are handled by the Troop Committee (TC), led by the Troop Committee Chair. Several TC members are responsible for special areas. These include Treasurer, Advancement Chair, Outdoor Chair, Hospitality (Courts of Honor, pot lucks, etc.), and Fundraiser (ScoutORama ticket sales, Friends of Scouting coordination, Troop fundraisers). The TC includes several members-at-large. All parents are welcome at TC meetings (generally the 3rd Thursday of the month - that's how you become a member of the TC!). The SM and ASMs are not voting members of the TC, although they are called on to provide input.

Roundtables: The Stanford District of the Pacific Skyline Council holds a Roundtable each month (first Thursday monthly) to serve as an idea exchange for adult leaders of Troops and to publicize announcements of interest concerning Council activities and policies.

Leader Training: The local Council provides a number of training programs for both adult and youth leaders. These include the video program "Fast Start", "Youth Protection" and Abuse Recognition training, Scouter Fundamentals, Wood Badge (advanced Scouter training), and Outdoor Awareness for adults. Youth leadership programs include Den Chief Training and Junior Leader Training. In addition, the Troop provides training through a Troop Leader Workshop about two weeks after officers are selected for the new term and "on-the-job" coaching by the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters. While the Council sponsors CPR and First Aid classes, both adult and youth leaders are encouraged to participate in courses given by the American Red Cross, Heart Association, courses given by their employers, or advanced courses in wilderness first aid sponsored by various outdoor organizations.

Chartered Organization: Each Boy Scout Troop is sponsored by some organization. The Chartered Organization is responsible for ensuring that the unit has a meeting place and has sufficient adult leadership who meet BSA qualifications. In units like Troop 5 which have active involvement of parents and other close relatives of the Scouts, it is relatively easy to obtain qualified Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Troop Committee Chair and Troop Committee members. Our chartered organization is the Palo Alto Rotary Club.

Chartered Organization Representative: Person appointed by the Chartered Organization to act as liaison with the troop.

Youth Protection Training: Anyone interested in participating in activities with the Scouts is required to take an on-line Youth Protection Training Orientation. Visit http://www.pacsky.org/training/yp/protection.html for information.