Troop 87 Policies & Procedures Manual Phoenix District Sam Houston Area Council Boy Scouts of America Charter Organization Cypress Creek Christian Church 1
Welcome! Introduction Welcome to Troop 87. We are a member ofphoenix District, Sam Houston Area council, Boy Scouts ofamerica. Our Charter Organization is Cypress Creek Christian Church, Spring, TX. 1. Purpose The purpose ofthis manual is to explain how Troop 87 functions. 2. Policies and Procedures Troop 87 shall follow the BSA "Troop Committee Guidebook" (TCG), and "Guide to Safe Scouting" (GSS), as may be amended by BSA. We have added certain procedures, guidelines, and infom1ation specific to our Troop 87. 3. Mission Statement The mission and goals oftroop 87 are consistent with the goals ofthe Boy Scouts of America. Our specific goals are listed below to emphasize those which are especially meaningful to Troop 87. We strive to develop leadership qualities in each boy, by constantly working toward and refining the meanjng ofa boy-led troop". We accomplish this goal by actively engaging each boy in meaningful opportunities to lead his peers, while receiving advice and counsel from the adults and by following the precepts of Scouting's "Patrol Method". We work diligently to provide an environment which encourages the boys to live the Scout Law: "A Scout is TruStw0l1hy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent." We strengthen citizenship characteristics in the Scouts by teaching and practicing appropriate attitudes and actions relative to our rights and responsibilities as United States citizens, which includes regular participation by Scouts in Community Service Projects. We leam and engage in appropriate, respectful practices relative to the United States Flag. We teach Scouts to be proficient and confident with vmious skills including camping, cooking, basic survival, first aid, and practical knots, all following the Scout Code. "As an American, I will do my best to - Be clean in my outdoor manners, Be careful with fire, Be considerate in the outdoors and Be conservation minded." 2
We provide an environment that emphasizes fun within a safe, challenging environment. We encourage learning, leadership, responsibility, achievement and strive to create a fun program for the Scouts. We tailor our programs to provide the opporhmity for each Scou(to earn merit badges and advance rank, at a rate consistent with the individual Scout's ability, desire and maturity. We encourage each Scout to strive for the rank ofeagle, in preparation for success in adult life. We practice the "EDGE" method (Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, Enable) whereby older Scouts are encouraged to become Troop Guides and mentor younger Scouts. We give back inutlediate and formal recognition of a Scout's accomplishments at a Court of Honor. We encourage older Scouts to pursue other opportunities in Scouting, including Order ofthe Arrow, Venture Crews, Sea Scouting and Adult Leadership positions. 4. Charter Organization and Chartered Organization Representative (TeG pages 7-8) S. Troop Committee Organization & Responsibilities (TCG pages 13-18) A. Scout Account - The Treasurer shall maintain the individual "Scout Account" Balances providing a monthly copy ofthe Scout Account to the Committee Chairman along with a monthly Treasurer's report on Troop funds I transactions that have taken place in the previous month. B. Check Approval - For all expenditures over $500.00, the Treasurer shall obtain Committee Chairman or his designate approval. C. Committee Check Approval - For all Troop related expenditures over $500.00; the Committee Chairman shall obtain Committee approval. D. BOR Notification - The Advancements Coordinator shall notify the COnUTIittee Members of any Boards ofreview or Eagle Boards of Review, so that Members may have an opportunity to pmticipate in the BOR. E. Advancements Recordation - The Advancements Coordinator shall record all advancements into "Troop Master" and Scoutnet. 6. Troop Committee Meetings (TCG pages 33-34) A. Meeting Dates - Committee Meetings shall be held on the first nonholiday Monday of each month.....j
B. Quorum - Shall consist of a minimum of five eligible Troop Committee Members, plus the Corrunittee Chainnan or his designate. Decisions shall be by simple majority. C. Rep0l1s shall be made at every meeting by the Ad~lt Leaders of each troop activity. 7. Scoutmaster and Troop (TCG pages 9-12) A. Scout Meetings - The Scouts shall meet Monday nights at 7:00 pm in the Children's Center, 6823 Cypresswood, second floor. B. Courts of Honor - The Troop shall have alleast three Courts of Honor per year, whereby Scouts are recognized for their achievement and advancements. Scouts shall be dressed in full "Class A" lmiform including their Merit Badge Sash. Family members are encouraged to attend. C. Uniforms at Scout Meetings - Troop 87 Scouts and Adult Leaders shall wear to all meetings a "Full Uniform" or "Class A Uniform"; consisting of a Scout shirt, Scout pants/shorts, Scout belt, Scout Socks and Troop 87 neckerchief unless otherwise directed by the Scoutmaster. 8. Recruiting and Selecting Adult Leaders (TCO pages 19-22) A. Removal - The Charter Organization, the Charter Organization Representative, and the Troop Committee reserve the right to remove any person from Adult Leadership. 9. Troop Finances (TCO pages 23-26) A. Dues - Annual dues are payable in November of each year. B. Fundraising - Scouts are encouraged to participate in Troop sponsored fundraising events, which include: Troop 87's annual garage sale Popcorn Sales Scout Fair ticket sales Concession sales A portion of funds raised shall be allocated to the "Scout Accounts" of those Scouts who participated in the fundraiser, in accordance with their efforts. The monies earned help support the Troop and pay for the individual Scout's camping and Summer Camp expenses. C. Scout Account - Money earned by the Scout shall be accounted for in his "Scout Account". Upon leavil)g in good standing, a Scout may designate any remaining funds in his Scout account to any other Boy Scout affiliate organization; otherwise the funds shall be combined into the general fund of Troop 87. & MK 4
10. Advancement (TCO pages 27-32) A. BOR Uniform - A Scout shall attend his BOR in full "Class A" or "Field" uniform, consisting of a tucked in Scout shirt, Scout pants, Scout belt, Troop 87 neckerchief, closed-toed appropriate footwear with Scout socks, and Merit Badge Sash. 11. Outdoor Programs, Rechartering, Training, & BSA Policy (TCO pages 35-42) 12. Discipline Policy (GSS, pages 1-4) A. Discipline Policy - All Scouts shall read, sign, and date the Troop Discipline Policy, attached, and return it to the Committee Chairman. 13. New Issues Issues that arise not clearly defined by rules or guidelines established by the Boy Scouts ofamerica or in the Policies and Procedures Manual, shall be addressed in the following manner: Committee Chairman will be notified immediately of the issue Committee Chairman will research the issue and gather input from Scouts, Parents, Committee Members, Charter Organization Representative and Phoenix District Council, as appropriate. Scoutmaster will research the issue and gather input from the Scoutmaster Corps. Senior Patrol Leader will research the issue and gather input from the Scouts. The Scoutmaster will call a meeting with the Committee Chairman and Senior Patrol Leader. The issue will be discussed. A simple majority vote ofthe three persons will decide the issue. Meeting notes will be documented and become pai1 of the Troop records. If required, the Policies and Procedures Manual will be updated by the Committee. 14. Changes The procedures for changes in Policies and Procedures shall be: Any proposed change shall be put on the agenda at least thirty days before the Committee Meeting, and all Board Members and Scoutmaster Corp notified. Scoutmaster Corp and Scouts shall discuss the change and report to the Committee of their opinion of the change. Committee Members shall vote on the proposal. A simple majority vote of the quomm present is required for approval. 5
I -,- Approved this ~6--<fay.--.-J# 0 [Novem, ber' 2011. ~~f :::~ Troop Com A GS 6