Troop Bylaws BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA TROOP 15 Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Duluth, Minnesota Section 1. Introduction Section 2. Troop Organization Section 3. Troop Uniforms Section 4. Troop Meetings Section 5. Ceremonies and Protocols Section 6. Troop Campouts Section 7. Troop Finances Section 8. Troop Planning Section 9. Advancement Section 10. Discipline Section 11. Fundraising Section 12. Scout Accounts Table of Contents
Section 1. Introduction 1.1 Purpose 1.2 Scope Troop 15 BYLAWS establishes troop policies, procedures, and guidelines as expressed in the Boy Scout Handbook and other official Boy Scouts of America (BSA) publications. Some information contained herein is in addition and supplemental to the charter and bylaws of the Boy Scout of America and is intended to provide guidelines for Troop operations. The Troop 15 BYLAWS describe how Troop 15 does things under the higher policies of the BSA rules and guidelines. In the event that any guideline set forth in this document contradicts a guideline set forth in any official BSA publication, the BSA publication will always take precedence. Any contradiction should be reported to the Troop Committee chair. 1.3 Annexes Annexes are additions to the BYLAWS. Individual parts of the BYLAWS may be updated and distributed separately, subject to Committee approval, without affecting the rest of the BYLAWS. 1.4 Responsibility The Troop Committee is responsible for the content of the Troop 15 BYLAWS and for all modifications to the same. Recommendations for changes or enhancements to this document should be made in writing to the Troop Committee for consideration. The Charter Organization (Lakeside Presbyterian Church) holds the responsibility for providing a meeting space for Troop meetings, storage space for Troop equipment and supplies, and a charter representative liaison between the Troop and the Charter Organization. 1.5 Reviewing Bylaws A review of the bylaws will be made annually during the yearly planning meeting, typically in August.
Section 2. Troop Organization 2.1 Troop 2.1.1 The Troop will be composed of one Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), one or two Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPL s) and one or more patrols, each with a Patrol Leader and an Assistant Patrol Leader. 2.1.2 The Senior Patrol Leader is elected to the position once a year in September, by members of the troop present at the meeting during which the election is held. A oneweek notice of the forthcoming election is required which must include a list of those scouts who have met the criteria for SPL. Candidates for the position of SPL and ASPL must hold a minimum of Star rank, and are subject to the approval of the Scoutmaster. No scout can hold the position of SPL for two consecutive terms without the Scoutmaster approval, which is only granted when no other qualified scouts submit to stand for the SPL election. 2.1.3 Elections will also be held for the following positions within the Troop. The following positions are elected twice a year, September and February: Troop Librarian, Troop Historian, Troop Bugler, Troop Quartermaster and Troop Scribe. Scouts must be at minimum First Class rank to hold these positions. If positions remain open, the Scoutmaster may open the election to 2 nd Class rank scouts. Scouts running for an elected position should present a good record of attendance, exhibit scout spirit and a high level of responsibility. All elections are subject to Scoutmaster approval. 2.1.4 Troop Guides and Den Chiefs will be appointed by the Scoutmaster. 2.1.5 Order of the Arrow (OA) Representatives will be elected once a year by the members of the Troop. The Scoutmaster will present a list of qualified scouts meeting those requirements.. 2.2 Patrol As described in the Boy Scout Handbook, each patrol shall consist of no more than ten scouts, but should contain no fewer than five scouts in order to efficiently use of troop camping equipment. 2.2.1 Patrols will hold their own election, coinciding with SPL and ASPL elections, for the position of Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader. Patrols will be responsible for naming their patrol, having a patrol yell, and designing and making a patrol flag. 2.2.2 All Scouts will be members of a patrol, except the SPL, ASPL and Troop Guide who are temporarily out of their patrols while serving as SPL or ASPL.
2.3 PLC The Patrol Leader s Council is the planning and decision-making team within the troop made of junior leaders. It will meet once a month, preferably the first Monday of the month, for planning purposes. 2.3.1 The PLC, with guidance from the Scoutmaster and his adult assistants, prepares suggestions to present to the Troop to complete their annual program planning in August. 2.3.2 Within the framework of the annual plan, the PLC plans the monthly campout, and other outdoor activities as scheduled during the year, as well as weekly meetings leading up to those campouts and outdoor activities. 2.3.3 In addition to planning, the most important thing members of the PLC do is provide junior leadership to the rest of the troop. 2.3.4 The PLC addresses the needs and concerns of each Scout, each patrol, and the troop as a whole, in its decision-making and planning process. 2.3.5 As the top junior leader in the troop, the Senior Patrol Leader, with the advice of the Scoutmaster, leads the PLC and chairs its meeting. 2.3.6 Besides the Senior Patrol Leader, other members of PLC include: ASPL, Quartermaster, Troop Scribe, Patrol Leaders, Troop Historian and the Troop Librarian. 2.4 Adult Scouters 2.4.2 The following will be the recommended minimum amount of adult leaders/titles for Troop 15: Committee Chairperson, Committee Secretary, Committee Treasurer, Advancement Chairperson, Fundraising Chairperson, three at large Committee Members, Scoutmaster, (1) Assistant Scoutmaster 2.4.3 All Adult Scouters must complete the BSA application, and agree to participate in training for their leadership position. 2.4.4 The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the image and program of the Troop. The Troop Committee with the approval of the Charter Organization Representative appoints him/her. This individual must be trained to hold this position. Appointment of the Scoutmaster is for one year and is renewable annually with the approval of the Troop Committee.
2.4.5 If an Adult Leader is negligent in fulfilling his or her duties, or acts contrary to the principals of BSA, or is obstructive in any way towards the successful operation of the Troop, following a majority vote of the Troop Committee, the leader will be terminated from the position. 2.4.6 Although each situation will be considered individually, in general, Committee members are expected to attend at least 50% of all Committee meetings. Such meetings are held once a month. 2.4.7 Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters are encouraged to attend Committee meetings but may not vote. 2.5 Troop Committee 2.5.2 Committees shall function in accordance with the National Committee Guidelines. 2.5.3 Any parent may serve on the Troop Committee providing they register with the BSA and participate in adult leader training. 2.5.4 A person may hold multiple committee positions (up to two). Each Committee Member will serve a one year term and may hold an additional position within that term as approved by the Troop Committee. 2.5.5 Troop Committee members will be assigned to conduct Board of Reviews for all advancement ranks. At least one Committee member must be on a scout s Board of Review. The other positions may be comprised of official BSA registered adults, excluding the individual who conducted the scout s Scoutmaster Conference. Section 3 Troop Uniforms 3.1 Uniforms Troop 15 recognizes two categories of Boy Scout Uniform: CLASS A: Official BSA shirt, clean and neat, all official patches and pins neatly and properly attached; neckerchief with a slide or a BSA bola, Merit Badge sash, which is only required at Court of Honor or Eagle Court ceremonies. Optional items can include official BSA pants, socks and cap and belt. CLASS B: Troop 15 T-shirt or any T-shirt from summer camp, Camporee or other official BSA event.
3.2 Uniform Wear 3.2.1 For regular meetings Scouts should wear Class A uniform without Merit Badge or OA sashes. 3.2.2 When transporting to and from outdoor activities, Scouts should wear Class A uniforms unless approved by Tour Leader. Separate Section: Camperships Any Scout unable to comply with the uniform and/or scout expenses due to financial hardship should contact the Committee Chairperson, who will anonymously submit, on their behalf, a request for financial help to the Troop Committee. Camperships, to assist with the cost of long-term camp, may be applied for through the VAC. Section 4. Troop Meetings 4.1 General Troop Meetings 4.1.1 Troop Meetings will begin promptly at 7:00pm every Monday night at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, fellowship hall unless otherwise indicated. Meetings will adjourn at 8:30pm. Keeping in mind, when school is cancelled (due to weather closure or vacation), NO scout meetings will be held. 4.1.2 Troop meeting plans are the responsibility of the Senior Patrol Leader and the PLC. 4.1.3 As allowed for in the Troop Meeting Plan, the agenda for a regular troop meeting will typically include the following: Pre-opening/set-up Opening Ceremony Skills Instruction Patrol Meetings Inter-patrol activity Closing Ceremony Scoutmaster s minute Post-Closing/Clean-up 4.2 Patrol Leader s Council Meetings (PLC)
4.2.1 PLC Meetings are held once a month, preferably the first Monday of the month, beginning at 6:00pm. 4.2.2 See Section 2.4 of these BYLAWS, Patrol Leader s Council, and refer to the Junior Leader Handbook for a BSA description of the Patrol Leader s Council. 4.2.3 The purpose of the monthly PLC meetings, in general, is to develop detailed plans for the regular troop meetings and for any troop campout or other troop activities scheduled in the coming month. 4.2.4 An agenda for a PLC meeting may include the following: Opening (by Senior Patrol Leader) Roll Call (by Troop Scribe) Previous PLC meeting log review (by Troop Scribe) Patrol Leader s reports since last meeting Review any old business Review/finalize plans for upcoming events and new business Quartermaster Report (troop equipment) Scoutmaster s Minute and meeting adjournment 4.2.5 Additional PLC meetings can be called by the SPL for planning purposes. Such meetings must be announced in advance so that participants can make the necessary arrangements. These meetings, when called, require adult scouter support. 4.3 Annual Planning Conference (See Section 8 of this BYLAWS-Troop Planning) Section 5. Ceremonies and Protocols 5.1 Overview This section describes Scoutmaster Conferences, Boards of Reviews, and Courts of Honor. 5.2 Scoutmaster Conferences 5.2.1 A Scoutmaster Conference is a formal review of a Scout who is a candidate for rank advancement conducted by the Scoutmaster in an open, public area.
5.2.2 The Scout is responsible for initiating a Scoutmaster Conference when he is ready (See Section 9, Rank Advancement, for detailed description of rank advancement procedures.) 5.2.3 Scouts should wear a Class A uniform to the Scoutmaster conference and will have his BSA handbook available to sign off his advancement. 5.2.4 A Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster will never conduct a Scoutmaster conference for his/her own son. This avoids any conflict of interest and gives the Scout the opportunity to interact with other adults. 5.3 Board of Review 5.3.1 A Board of Review is a formal review of a Scout who is a candidate for rank advancement conducted by a board of at least three adults drawn from the troop committee. 5.3.2 The Boy Scout is responsible for initiating a Board of Review by contacting the Committee Chair. The Committee Chair will arrange for the Board of Review. The Scout should attend in Class A uniform and have his BSA Handbook. Alimit of one rank advancement is allowed per Board of Review. 5.3.3 A Committee Member will never serve on a Board of Review for his/her own son. This avoids any conflict of interest and gives the Scout the opportunity to interact with other adults. 5.4 Courts of Honor 5.4.1 A Court of Honor is a major troop ceremony usually conducted three times a year (Oct, Feb, June) for the purpose of formally recognizing scouts for rank advancement, merit badges and other awards earned since the last Court of Honor. It is an opportunity to communicate with parents of scouts and to garner their continued support of the troop program. 5.4.2 Planning for Courts of Honor are the responsibility of the Advancement Chairperson who will work with the SPL. 5.4.3 A Court of Honor requires, at the very least, an opening and a closing, as well as participation of other scouts for the presentation of awards. 5.4.4 The Court of Honor is a formal occasion. Class A uniforms with merit badge sash are to be worn and should be clean and complete.
Section 6. Troop Campouts and Activities 6.1 Rules. 6.1.1 The following rules apply on troop campouts: Food must be properly stored in containers and coolers All garbage must be secured nightly, and during the day if left unattended Wastewater must be disposed of properly Campsites must be kept clean, neat and safe Cooking equipment and eating utensils must be cleaned and stowed after each use Troop, patrol, and personal items must be stored neatly when not in use Clothing and footwear used on campouts must be appropriate for the occasion and is subject to the Tour Leaders approval All gear must be in a Scouts pack or luggage and not loose. 6.2 Unauthorized Items Brought by Scouts to Campouts 6.2.1 Items not authorized on troop campouts are: Flammable liquids, lighters, or matches No food or beverages other than water are allowed in tents Any knife not acceptable by BSA standards All electronic devices for scouts, unless approved by Scoutmaster T-Shirts and other clothing with offensive graphics as defined by the Scoutmaster Obscene material as defined by the Scoutmaster 6.2.3 Unauthorized items will be confiscated and returned to the scouts' parents upon returning from the campout. Section 7. Troop Finances 7.1 General 7.1.1 The Treasurer will keep track of all Troop funds. 7.1.2 Three categories of troop funds will be maintained: 1. General Fund (checking account) 2. Scout Fund 3. Scoutmaster Discretionary Fund
7.1.3 Treasurer will provide a written financial report at each Troop committee meeting showing new receipts and payments, by category, since the last financial report, the current balance of each category of troop funds and other reports as requested by the Troop committee, i.e. fund dispersements (checks) and income. 7.1.4 Although the Treasurer will keep track of all troop funds, the Committee will be directly responsible for budgeting and managing the Troop s general funds. 7.1.5 The Troop checkbook shall be kept track of by the treasurer. 7.2 General Funds 7.2.1 General funds finance all troop expenses incurred throughout the year. 7.2.2 Troop expenses include, but not limited to troop camping supplies and equipment, training aides and materials, administrative supplies, items purchased for resale, and other items awarded to scouts as they advance through the program (badges, patches, etc.) 7.2.3 General funds are derived primarily, from annual registration, dues and equipment fees, but also come from troop money-earning projects and donations. 7.2.4 Prior to the beginning of a new troop calendar year (August), and based upon the Troop s approved annual plan, the Treasurer, with the assistance from the scouters and other Troop Committee members, will submit a budget for the management of the troop s general funds for the coming fiscal year to the Troop Committee for approval. Specific fundraising targets will be established. 7.2.5 A copy of the approved general funds budget will be kept by the Treasurer to provide guidance in the disbursement of general funds. 7.2.6 Other than the Scoutmaster petty cash amount, all general funds will be disbursed from the Treasurer to the designated scouter or committee member, with approval from the Troop Committee. Reimbursement of purchases made will be supported by a signed receiving report, invoice, and/or proof of payment. 7.2.7 A portion of the general funds annual budget will include a petty cash amount that the Scoutmaster can draw upon throughout the year for incidental scouting purposes without special approval. Although special approval is not needed, all expenses must be justified through receipt or other verifiable documentation. The specific amount, as with most items in the general funds budget, will be a function of the number of scouts who register, or re-register in a given year.
7.2.8 Annual dues will be set by the Troop Committee when establishing the troop s annual budget and approving the troop program plan. 7.2.9 Annual dues are payable (in two parts) by October 31 and January 31 of each year. Section 8. Troop Planning 8.1 General 8.1.1 Scouts, through the PLC, and with the advice and support from the Scoutmaster, his/her assistants and members of the Troop Committee, plan and conduct troop activities, including troop meetings, troop campouts, service projects, fund raising projects, hikes, and other troop events. 8.1.2 The following resources are available in the troop library from the Troop librarian or on-line, in support of troop planning: Boy Scout handbook; Junior Leader Handbook; BSA Requirement booklet; BSA songbook; Troop Planning Kit, BSA merit badge pamphlets. 8.2 Annual Planning 8.2.1 For planning purposes, the troop year begins the Monday following Labor Day and ends the later part of August. The calendar year budget shall be prepared taking into consideration this planning. 8.2.2 The Annual Planning conference has three main objectives: Set goals for the troop for the coming year Define the calendar of events, activities necessary to achieve the goals set for the troop Identify the resources (human and otherwise) necessary to achieve the goals set 8.2.3 The plan produced by the Troop at the Annual Planning Conference is submitted to the Troop Committee by the Scoutmaster for review and approval. 8.2.4 The Troop Committee will review the annual plan produced by the PLC in terms of feasibility, desirability, community and committee support required, and establish a budget for the plan year. When approved, the annual plan is returned to the PLC for implementation. 8.2.5 Once approved, the annual plan, as represented by the Troop calendar, should be
posted on the Troop bulletin board at all regular troop meetings, and a copy of the calendar should be distributed to all scouts, adult scouters and parents at the beginning of the troop year, as well as posted on the Troop 15 website calendar. Section 9. Advancement 9.1 Many advancement requirements are taught, explained and demonstrated at regular meetings and while on camp-outs. For this reason, it is important that BSA Handbooks are required at all scout meetings and campouts. It is a scout s responsibility to keep his paperwork organized in a notebook, folder or backpack. 9.2 It should not be assumed that attendance ensures advancement. Parents should not hesitate to contact leaders with any questions concerning advancement and/or merit badge materials. 9.3 All Merit Badge requirements must be completed within one calendar year of initial Merit Badge sign-up. A scout may sign up for the same Merit Badge but ALL work shall be redone. Also, a scout MUST earn his Eagle Rank prior to turning 18 years of age, as per BSA requirement. 9.4 All financial commitments to the Troop must be paid in full prior to the Eagle Board of Review. Section 10. Discipline 10.1 General 10.1.2 A serious offense is defined as an action that risks or causes injury or damage to someone or something. Examples include acts of violence against anyone, possession of illegal substances, weapons not approved by the scoutmaster, theft, arson, sexual misconduct, hazing and vandalism. An offense requires immediate action by the Scoutmaster including but not limited to immediate removal from the scout activity. Serious offenses must be immediately reported to the VAC Scout Executive and the Troop Committee Chair. The Troop Committee will take disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the Troop. 10.1.3 Misconduct is defined as violating the Scout Law by deed, vocal action, physical gesture, and or lack of action which offends others, shows disrespect or disobedience
to those in appointed authority or causes a severe disruption on troop activities. Examples include swearing, obscene or indecent language or gestures, false statements, and insults to person or religious and ethnic customs or traditions. 10.1.4 Behavior at other than scouting events which violates local laws or ordinances or is of such a nature as to bring discredit upon the Boy Scouts of America shall be dealt with in accordance with sections 10.1.2 or 10.1.3. 10.1.5 The procedures for dealing with misconduct will follow the guidelines established by the current Troop 15 Code of Conduct agreement. 10.1.6 Activities or behavior not specifically covered here, which violates regulations, attempts to circumvent rules, poses hazards or offends the common sense and decency of others will be dealt with in a manner as offenses listed. Section 11. Fundraising 11.1 All Troop fundraisers must be approved by the Council prior to the fundraising event. 11.2 Troop Committee will approve any troop fundraising events. The proceeds from the popcorn and wreath fundraisers will be split 20/80 between the Troop general fund and the individual scout s account. For all other fundraising events, the division of proceeds between the Troop and individual scout s account will be determined individually for each fundraising event, prior to that fundraising event. Scout participation in fundraising is strongly encouraged in order for scouts to minimize troop costs as well as provide money for use in attending outings and other events. Section 12 Scout Accounts 12.1 Individual scout accounts can be used for any expenses relating to Scouting. Expenses can include but are not limited to such things as camping fees and camp equipment and uniforms. 12.2 In the event a scout, for any reason, decides he no longer wants to be a member of Troop 15, any money left in his individual account will be handled as follows. Ιf a Scout quits scouting completely; any money will be transferred into the Troop
Account, and considered a donation to the troop If a Scout quits completely, or leaves scouting due to age requirements, but has a brother in Troop 15, any funds in the scouts account may be transferred over to the account of his brother If a Scout transfers to another Troop, leaders from the new troop will be contacted and a check will be made out to that troop, for deposit in the scouts account. BYLAWS APPROVED ON: _Sept. 12 2011