PLC Cheat Sheet

The PLC – Simplified

While not difficult, understanding the roles of the Patrol Leader Council (PLC) can feel overwhelming. It’s no small task, and at the same time, it’s a pretty big responsibility. Therefore, understanding what’s expected is important.

This page bypasses the details and focuses on the key aspects of the PLC to help get you started.

However, don’t stop here. All of our Youth Leaders, especially those on the PLC, are still encouraged to Check out our Youth Leader page and all of the other pages that describe the roles of our leaders. They provide even more details to help the Scouts.

Each section below includes a link to a separate page that provides more information about the topic listed. Be sure to check them out!

• Our troop holds PLC meetings once a month. They are typically held on the first Monday of the month, right before the troop meeting.
• The PLC meeting is run by the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and other youth leaders.
• Expected attendees are:
  • Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
  • Assistance Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL)
  • Patrol Leaders (PL)
  • Troop Guide
  • Troop Scribe
  • Assistant Patrol Leaders (APL) (If their respective patrol leader cannot attend)
• At the conclusion of the meeting, there should be a solid plan for the current month’s events.
• The meeting should also include plans for upcoming months…especially for outings and other activities that require additional planning.

• The SPL should plan the meeting’s agenda BEFORE the meeting.
• Use the BSA’s meeting agenda as a guide.
• The SPL should share the meeting’s agenda with the Scoutmaster (SM) and other PLC members before the meeting.
• The agenda should include a meeting assessment at the end with the SM and PLC members.

• Establish a plan for each troop meeting to ensure that the youth leaders are prepared to lead the Scouts.
• Use the Troop Meeting Agenda as a guide.
• The typical troop meeting should include the following:
  • SM/PLC Pre-Meeting Conference
  • Preopening Gathering
  • Opening Ceremony
  • Group Instructions
  • Skills Instructions
  • Breakout Groups
  • Game/Challenge
  • Closing Ceremony
  • Post-Meeting Recap

• Each month has an assigned theme and a matching “Program Feature”, as indicated on the troop’s annual calendar.
• The BSA’s Program Features pages provide information that can be used at troop meetings and at outings/events.
• The PLC should use this information as a guide when planning meetings and events.

• One of the troop’s goals is to have a day, weekend, or week-long activity each month. The BSA calls these the “Main Event”.
• These activities typically require additional planning, so they must be planned several months in advance.
• Each Main Event should have a purpose. Ideally, it would go with the month’s theme.
• The theme’s Program Feature Page provides guidance on planning the Main Event.
• The Main Event can range from simple to advanced. The activity should match the audience.
• The PLC should remember that each patrol is free to plan their own Main Event each month. It doesn’t always have to be a single troop event.

• Each troop meeting should include an activity or skill challenge. Outings should include multiple.
• Try to pick an activity that matches the theme, if possible.
• Don’t repeat the same activities each week. Mix it up, and try new things.
• Plan ahead! Many activities require extra items and planning. Don’t wait until the end of the meeting to pick an event.