BOY SCOUT TROOP 595 

TROOP POLICY (1997-98)

A. PURPOSE: It is the intent of this policy, when used in conjunction with National Boy Scout Policy, to assist the Committee, Scoutmaster, Leadership Corps, Scouts, and parents in providing the best environment for learning Scout ideals, skills, and responsibilities.

B. MEMBERSHIP: Membership is open to all boys age ten and a half years old and over who have completed the fifth grade, or are eleven years old. This is National Policy.

C. TROOP COMMITTEES:

1. Is responsible for the support of Advancement, Equipment, Finance, Recruiting, and Programs.

2. Will appoint from the Committee Membership those responsible for the following functions: Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Outdoor Activities Chairman, and Advancement Chairman.

3. Quorom is a majority of the Committee Officers.

D. LEADERSHIP CORPS/SENIOR PATROL:

1. The Senior Patrol Leader is elected by the Scouts. The Assis- tant Patrol Leader(or assistants, no more than two) are appoint- ed by the Senior Patrol Leader. All other Troop positions are on a volunteer basis.

2. Members must be at least 14 years old and at least a First Class Scout.

3. Members will be instructed in their responsibilities at the time of their appointment.

3.1 Newly appointed members will be trained by the existing Senior Patrol, Scoutmaster, or other Committee Members.

3.2 Council training of Leadership Corps members is advised. The Committee will authorize funds on an "as available" basis.

4. Leadership Corps responsibilities include:

4.1 Program planning and implementation (all members).

4.2 Equipment (Quartermaster)

4.3 Records (Scribe)

4.4 Instruction (all members). Special areas of instruction may be assigned to individual Senior Patrol members by the Advancement Chairman or Scoutmaster.

E. PATROL LEADERSHIP:

1. Patrol Leaders are elected by the Scouts in the patrol. Age and/or rank requirements can be set be the Committee.

2. Elected Patrol Leaders can pick his Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Quartermaster, and Patrol Scribe.

3. Patrol Leaders will attend the Patrol Leaders Council meetings as held by the Senior Patrol Leader, and thus participate in Troop program planning.

4. Patrol Leaders are expected to show leadership during Troop Meetings and to plan Patrol functions which supplement the general Troop program.

5. Patrol Leaders are expected to attend a minimum of 3 Troop Meetings a month. Habitual absence from Troop Meetings will result in loss of the position.

F. TROOP MEETINGS:

1. Meetings will be held weekly from September to June, with additional meetings scheduled on an "as needed" basis, by the Committee and/or Scoutmaster.

2. Activities will be planned and implemented by the Leadership Corps with the assistance of the Scoutmaster and Committee.

3. Scouts will arrive on time.

4. No Scout will enter the meeting room until a Committee Member is present.

5. Scouts must attend 2 meetings a month to be eligible for par- ticipation in other Troop activities. The requirement can be waived by the Committee if extenuating circumstances exist.

G. DISCIPLINE:

1. Discipline is the responsibility of the Scout. It will be reinforced by the Scoutmasters, Leadership Corps, and Committee.

2. The following are considered major deviations from acceptable behavior and will result in immediate dismissal from a Troop function. A second offense will result in suspension or expulsion from the Troop as determined by the Committee.

a. Willful disregard for Church property.

b. Hazing or harassment of another Scout.

c. Stealing

d. Possession of drugs or alcohol.

e. Vandalism of any type.

3. A Scout who has been suspended from the Troop must appear before the Committee with a parent to apply for reinstatement. The reinstatement of the Scout is not automatic and will be by a vote of the Committee.

H. HONOR PATROL:

1. Honor Patrol will consist of Scouts showing exceptional growth in Scouting.

2. Honor Patrol members will be eligible for a special outing planned with the help of the Outdoor Activities Chairman.

3. Honor Patrol outings are held every two years.

4. Honor Patrol is chosen by a point system which will take into account: attendance, advancement, Scout spirit, and Scout participation in other activities as defined by the Outdoor Activities Chairman.

I. UNIFORMS: Class A uniforms are required for regular meetings, unless stated otherwise. Class A uniforms are required for Board of Review, Court of Honor, and any other formal Troop function.

Note: Troop will assist Scout in acquiring shirt, if needed, through exchanges and fund raisers.

J. TRIPS-CAMPING-OUTINGS:

1. Scouts must regularly attend Troop meetings at a rate of 2 per month to be eligible for participation in special trips, camps, or outings; unless the Committee has approved the absences or they were due to illness.

2. Adult supervision is required. The Committee is responsible for securing adequate supervision for all activities. A minimum of 2 adults for every 10 Scouts is recommended.

3. Council permission will be obtained by the Scoutmaster as necessary.

4. Fees over and above those covered by the Troop will be announced to the Scouts prior to the activity.

5. Troop outings will have prior approval of the Committee.

6. Patrol outings will have prior approval of the Scoutmaster.

7. To be eligible to attend summer camp, a Scout must have approval from the Scoutmaster. Note: Trips and outings may include, but are not limited to: Scout shows, swimming, hiking, canoeing, Klondike Derby, camping, bike hikes, service projects, picnics, summer camp, backpacking.

K. ADVANCEMENT:

1. Advancement is the responsibility of the Scout.

2. The Scoutmaster, Leadership Corps, Advancement Chairman, Com- mittee members, or other designated leader will present the opportunities for advancement, however the Scout is responsible for his own personal growth.

3. Rank advancement required a Board of Review. Board of Reviews for Tenderfoot through First Class will be held monthly by a committee selected from the Leadership Corps by the Advancement Chairman. A Star and Life Board of Review will be held an "as needed" basis, by a minimum of 3 Committee Members.

4. Eagle Board of Reviews are District and Council functions.

5. Scouts who are not advancing at a normal rate will be counseled by the Advancement Chairman and appropriate Board of Review.

L. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Treasurer 1.1 Records all financial transactions of the Troop/

1.2 Maintains records for two accounts.

1.2.1 Troop account- consists of funds to be used for general Troop expenses as outlined in section L-5.

1.2.2 Individual Scout accounts- consists of funds that are credited to individual Troop members which can be drawn upon to finance personal Scout activity fees and expenses.

1.3 Will provide a monthly statement to the Committee on the balance of the Troop account and an itemized listing of the individual balances to assist the Committee in the planning of future programs and expenses.

1.4 An Individual Scout account will be forfeited to the Troop if; the Scout has stated a desire to leave the Troop, his parents have been notified, and the Scout has subsequently been a nonparticipant for 6 months. A Scout that is 18-21 years old and remains with the Troop, will be able to maintain an account to be used for scouting purposes.

2. Scout Registration

2.1 Initial registration fees will be paid by the new Scout at the time of his registration. No Scout will be regis- tered until his fee is paid.

2.2 Registration fees in subsequent years will be paid by the Troop. 3. Dues

3.1 Dues are a Scout's responsibility. They are $1.00 per week based on a 12 month year. Dues can be paid weekly, monthly, or yearly.(Fiscal year September 1 to August 31)

3.2 Dues are collected by the Patrol Leader or Patrol Scribe and recorded by the Troop Scribe.

3.3 The Scribe will prepare a Quarterly Report of delinquent dues in March, June, September, and December. This list will be submitted to the Committee for review.

3.4 Upon the Committee's receipt of the Quarterly Report, the parents of all Scouts owing in excess of 6 months dues will be notified by mail. The Committee may than elect to transfer funds from the Scout's individual account to the General Troop Fund to cover the unpaid dues.

3.5 Scouts owing in excess of 6 months dues on March 1, will not be chartered for the following year.

3.6 Modification of dues responsibility is possible in cases of extreme financial distress and is a Committee decision to be made on a case by case basis. It is the Scout's or his parents responsibility to request such Committee action.

4. Sales

4.1 Money required for Troop expenses not covered by dues will be raised via Committee approved sales.

4.2 Sales will be conducted in accordance with National Policy.

4.3 Money collected from sales will be returned to the Treasurer or other Committee appointed collector, by the announced due date.

4.4 If the Troop Account is at an acceptable level, a percent- age of the sale profits, calculated on an individual basis can be added to the Individual Scout Account. This per- centage will be determined by the Committee prior to the sale.

4.5 A Scout's individual sale profits will first be utilized to cover any delinquent dues prior to entering his account.

5. Troop Purchases

5.1 Awards earned by the Scout will be purchased by the Troop.

5.2 Boy's Life is provided for all second year and above boys. Only one subscription per family.

5.3 Scout Leader Training fees can be covered by the Troop pending Committee approval.

5.4 Troop banquet and picnic expenses for Scouts, Scoutmaster, and other official guests (as determined by the Committee) will be paid by the Troop. Family and other guests fees will be set by the Committee based on the actual cost of the event.

5.5 Troop equipment will be purchased as needed and as funds are available. It is suggested that expenses over $20.00 have Committee approval, but the Scoutmaster is authorized to purchase any necessary items in an emergency without Committee approval.

5.6 The Troop will supply official neckerchiefs for the Flying up ceremony.