Boy Scout Troop 265 Handbook Flint River Council Tussahaw District Locust Grove, GA www.lgtroop265.com Third Publication 2013 Updated June 2013
Boy Scout Troop 265 Handbook Contents I. Purpose......................................... 3 II. General Information............................... 3 III. Behavior and Discipline............................ 4-5 IV. Troop Finances................................... 5-6 V. Meetings........................................ 6 VI. Scout Leadership................................. 6 VII. Adult Leadership................................. 7-8 VIII. Uniforms....................................... 8 IX. Equipment...................................... 8 X. Campouts....................................... 9-10 XI. Advancement.................................... 10 XII. Transportation..................................... 10 XIII. Medical Forms................................... 11 XIV. Troop Committee................................. 11 XV. Troop Organization Chart........................... 12 2 I. PURPOSE
The troop handbook is provided for all Scouts and Parents of Troop 265. It has been prepared by the Troop Committee and Scouts of Troop 265 for use by all members of our Troop. This was done to remain consistent in all matters of operation, to assist the parents and Scouts, and to reduce any confusion regarding established rules and guidelines. Please take the time to review this material. This handbook was not intended to replace any policies or requirements defined in BSA National Policies concerning Troop operations and safe scouting. National Boy Scout policies shall always be referred to first for any policy. This handbook is to define specific troop operation as approved by the committee. II. GENERAL INFORMATION Each Scout is expected to live by the Scout Oath, Scout Law and the Outdoor Code. Any scout not doing so to the best of his ability is not considered a Scout and may be asked to leave the Troop. Any Scout who misses four consecutive Troop meetings and outings without an excused absence will have his Troop office (if any is held) recalled. Any Scout with 6 consecutive unexcused absences will be considered inactive. To ensure successful patrols, regular attendance is strongly encouraged. Rank advancement depends on demonstration of Scout Spirit, a large part of which is a commitment to Scouting as evidenced through regular attendance and participation. The Chain of Command is (please see pg. 11 for Troop organization chart) Patrol Leader or Assistant Senior Patrol Leader or Assistant Scoutmaster or Assistant Every Scout should use the above Chain of Command when he needs: An excused absence any appeal information concerning Troop activities Board of Review Board of Reviews (BOR) will be held the first and third Monday of each month. Boy Scouts may only advance one rank per BOR. Request for BOR must be made by emailing Laura Byerly @ lbtbrn1@yahoo.com and James Collett @ au4life2@gmail.com. BOR will be done by Committee members only except in emergency situations. Each committee member will have BOR training within 6 months of joining the committee. Boards of Review will be limited to 3 each Monday. 3 Each participating Scout and adult should furnish a valid email address, phone number and mailing address to the Troop committee. In turn, this will be shared with
those active in T265. If at any time your email changes, please notify the Committee Chair and Secretary as soon as possible. III. BEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINE Each Scout is expected to live by the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan and the Outdoor Code. Any scout whose behavior at Troop meetings, campouts or other Troop activities is not in accordance with the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan and the Outdoor Code will be subject to disciplinary action and may be asked to leave the Troop. Discipline will be handled by the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC). The purpose of disciplinary action is to foster an understanding of Scout Spirit. Discipline may include but is not limited to: Sitting out activities Special Reports Extra projects reflecting the values and purposes of the Scouting program Monetary reimbursement for damages caused Written or Verbal apologies Probation from current or future activities or campouts Conferences with Scoutmaster Expulsion from Troop Scouts who act in a manner that is not in the best interest of the Troop (including dangerous or destructive behavior, persistent disruptions, misbehavior) may be taken home or his parents may be called to come and get him, regardless of time or location. At that time, Scoutmaster or the Adult in Charge will discuss the reasons for expulsion with his parents. A flagrant act of disobedience or misbehavior may result in immediate expulsion. If parents do not come, authorities may be called if behavior is warranted. There will be no electronics allowed at meetings. If a Scout is using an electronic device during meeting time (iphone, ipod, cell phone, handheld video game, etc) it will be taken away by the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster in charge. The goal of disciplinary action is to integrate the Scout into the Scouting program. However, problems arise that will necessitate the permanent removal of a Scout from the Troop. Together the Scoutmaster, Parents and Troop committee will work toward a solution with the Troop and Scouts best interest in mind. If a Scout is asked to leave a Troop activity a fourth time, he will be expelled from the Troop. 4 An appeals process is available via the Chain of Command. Decisions will be made based on the behavior code and Scout philosophy as outlined in the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan and the Outdoor code. In the event the Scout being brought before the
Patrol Leaders Council has a close relative in the council, that Troop leader will be excused from the proceedings. IV. TROOP DUES, FEES AND FINANCES Dues are a great way for Scouts to practice meeting financial obligations. Paying dues on a regular basis gives a Scout a sense of responsibility. The dues should not be done in a manner that would keep a Scout from joining the Troop. Dues are $3 per week payable by cash or check. Dues are expected to be paid on time at the start of every meeting. Dues are not allowed to be paid in advance by the parent. Each Scout is responsible for earning his own money to pay his Scout dues. In the event of missed meetings dues will still be calculated weekly and will be expected in full upon return. Dues will not be calculated for any week that the Troop does not meet or for Court of Honor. In the event that you wish to leave the Troop, please notify your Patrol leader as soon as possible so that we may take you off the roll. Dues will continue to accumulate and will be expected to be paid until the Troop is notified that you will not be returning. All dues must be paid by the last meeting of the month for the Scout to remain in good Standing with the Troop. Failure to pay dues may prevent a Scout from participating in the next monthly outing or advancing in rank. Scouts that are continually behind more than two months in dues will receive a Scoutmaster Conference to counsel the Scout to assist in getting him caught up. The advantage to paying dues weekly allows an easier assimilation to the Troop functions and business. Therefore no reason to prorate or calculate dues. New Scouts will be responsible for paying their recharter fee the first year they are a member of our Troop which is included in the $50 sign up fee. This fee includes the Scouts first year recharter and neckerchief. Scout accounts are set up for each Scout s fund raising efforts. 100% of the Scouts portions of the popcorn sales are distributed to his Scout account. Scout accounts can be used to pay for camping fees and summer camp registration. If you wish to use Scout Account money for any activity or dues please email the Treasurer the Scout Account use request form or bring it to a Troop meeting. If you need to know how much money is in your Scout account please see the Treasurer at any meeting or send an email request to au4life2@gmail.com. A Scout may add money to his account at anytime during the year. Money collected from fund-raising events is considered the sole property of Troop 265. The split of fund-raising money between the T265 General Fund and the boys will be 50% to 50% unless a different split is reviewed and approved by the Troop 265 adult committee. Any alternate split approved will be reported to the Troop. Money collected will be disbursed at our discretion following Troop policies. Fundraising money must be paid in full on or before the date it is due. Outstanding fundraising money will prohibit a Scout from participating in Troop activities until such time as the money is paid in full. 5
If a Scout s registration expires and he does not re-register at the time of re-charter he will be considered inactive. If a Scout is classified as inactive due to unexcused absences (6 consecutive) or expired registration, his Scout account will be placed back in to the Troop s general fund. If an active Scout transfers out of Troop 265 into another Troop, it is the responsibility of his parents to make a request for transfer of his Scout account within 6 weeks of his departure. Request must be made to Troop treasurer in writing, providing Scouts name, address and new Troop number to write the check to. If a new Troop is not yet known, a 3 month extension will be given (upon request) to give time to locate a new Troop. Scout accounts are considered the property of Troop 265 and will be transferred to a new Troop only, not to the parents. All dues and miscellaneous funds collected will go into the Troops general fund, unless specifically designated by the Troop committee. Funds will be dispersed at the discretion of the Troop committee for general equipment and Troop needs. If at any time fees (dues, campouts, summer camp, etc) become a hardship please see (person to be named). Our troop wants every boy to be able participate in our events and do not want money issues to keep a Scout from participating. V. MEETINGS Meetings are weekly on Monday nights from 7pm until 8:30pm at Strong Rock Christian School. Meetings will be held outside unless severe weather. Each Scout should bring backpack, water bottle, poncho, handbook, rope, first aid kit, pen, and small notebook to each meeting. Troop meetings and other Troop activities will run using the Patrol Method. Once attendance has been taken, anyone not present will be considered absent for the entire meeting. (In other words, a tardy will be considered an absence for attendance purposes-exceptions made if parent is working late) VI. SCOUT LEADERSHIP Scout leadership is selected by members of the Troop. Elections for every position except Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) are held every 6 months. Senior Patrol Leader is not an elected position. At the end of the current Senior Patrol Leaders term the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader will be promoted to SPL. Leadership positions and qualifications are posted on our website at www.lgtroop265.com Scholarship money will be available for up to four boys to attend NYLT. Scholarship money will be limited to boys who are eligible to run for Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Scouts interested in applying for a Scholarship must see Sharon Snyder or Karen Robertson. 6
VII. ADULT LEADERSHIP All Assistant Scoutmasters will have Scoutmaster training, IOLS, and Youth Protection training renewable every year. All committee members will have Youth Protection training renewable every year and Troop Committee training. All Merit Badge counselors are required to have Youth Protection training. All registered leaders and Merit Badge counselors are required to fill out an application with Boy Scouts of America. Youth Protection training completion certificate is required upon turning in an Adult Leader or Merit Badge Counselor application form. All committee members must also have Troop Committee training within one year of Committee training. All Committee members are encouraged to take Scoutmaster training to better understand the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster job responsibility. All adults attending the campouts must have Youth Protection training (available online at www.myscouting.org) All adults will camp and function in the Patrol Method and must abide by the same rules as the Scouts. Adults will camp and eat as a separate Patrol near or adjacent to the Troop. No boys will be allowed to sleep with adults. No adults of opposite sex will be allowed to sleep together unless married. All money for food purchases, etc., will be handled the same as the Scouts. Adult Leaders may be asked to participate with the Scouts at mealtimes from time to time, or eat with their sons at mealtime. Participation like this is welcomed. One should use good judgment in this matter as the Patrol funds and food are limited on each campout. The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members. Adult leaders should support the attitude that young adults are better off without tobacco and may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants. All scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis, with smoking areas located away from all participants. An Adult Leader who uses excessive vulgar language or inappropriate behavior (as defined by Scouting Law) may be asked to leave the scouting function, placed on probation or asked to leave the Troop at the discretion of the Troop Committee and Scoutmaster(s). 7
VIII. UNIFORMS The Boy Scout uniform makes the Scout Troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Boy Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Scout s commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals. We are a fully uniformed Troop. Official BSA Tan Shirt, Scout Shorts (Scout pants only are acceptable), Scout Socks, Troop 265 Neckerchief (available for purchase from Troop)Slide/Woggle for neckerchief (prefer that each Scout make their own woggle), Belt, Merit Badge sash (for Court of Honor). Scout t-shirts are preferred under the Class A uniform shirt. Uniforms are required for ALL Troop meetings, Court of Honor, traveling to and from camp outs or events, Merit Badge Days, etc. Always wear Class A to any event or outing unless otherwise told by your Senior Patrol Leader. Please check the website on where uniform items are sold. During the time a Scout is in any given rank, they may be out of uniform only 10% of that time. (For example, if a Scout is Tenderfoot and the Troop has 20 meetings before he advances to 2nd Class, he may be out of uniform only 2 times.) If a Scout is out of uniform more than 10% of the time, he will not receive the Scout spirit sign-off. A Scout may make up any out of uniform by working 2 hours of community service. These hours will not apply to any rank advancement or Order of the Arrow Credit. IX. EQUIPMENT Troop will provide chuck boxes and tents up to quantity available. Scout will need to provide own personal equipment for use at campouts. A complete list of items needed is attached at the back of the Handbook. Troop tents will be utilized only. No personal tents unless otherwise specified by Scoutmaster. X. CAMP OUTS Each campout will have a deadline to sign up and pay. The deadline will be several weeks before the outing. An email reminder about the signup deadline will be sent to the email addresses we have one file. Each Scout must pay and turn in a permission slip by the deadline date. If you are unable to make the meeting but wish to attend the outing you will need to contact the Outings Chair. Grub fee may be paid at the same time as Camping Fees or paid the Monday prior to an outing. 8
All Scouts must be caught up on all fees by the last Monday of the previous month to be considered in good standing in order to attend outings. Weekly dues, all camping fees and outstanding fund-raising money must be paid in full and a completed Permission Slip turned in on or before the deadline date. All money applied to the campout is non-refundable unless extenuating circumstances such as death in the family or hospitalization. Exceptions to these rules may be made in writing (email) and sent to Committee Chair (Laura Byerly lbtbrn1@yahoo.com) AND Outings chair. No one is to leave camp without permission. Scouts must inform their Patrol Leader or other official when they wish to leave the campsite. The Buddy System must be used in Camp. No cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, firearms or fireworks will be permitted on campouts. Fixed blade knives not allowed at any camp prohibiting them. If parental requirements dictate, the Scout may be picked up before the end of the camp out. However, arrangements for early pick-up must be made between the parents and the Adult in Charge prior to departing for the campout--except in case of emergency. All purchases for food will be by the Patrol Method. Menus for the campouts are to be planned by the Patrol and approved by the Senior Patrol Leader or his Assistant. Money will be collected by each Patrol and given to the Scout who is responsible for food purchases. After the food has been purchased, there will be no refunds. Grub money can be paid to the Outings Chair at the same time as camping fees or paid to the Grubmaster the Monday prior to the outing. Grub fees must be paid in cash. Grubmaster must turn in receipt to treasurer at 1 st meeting following the outing. T265 is a boy led troop, and as such, we intend to allow them as much freedom and privacy as conditions dictates. We have found that personal growth and maturity is maximized when these recommendations are followed: A. Neither parent (or guardian) of a Scout should attend his 1st camp out. B. Males are preferred to attend campouts, including summer camps and High Adventure camps. The full adult committee may consider special, written requests for exceptions. C. Troop 265 is not qualified as a special needs troop. However, accommodations will be made to the fullest extent possible. 9
Electronics are discouraged on outings. Electronics are only allowed travelling to and from an Outing. Electronics must be left in the car during the Outing. If electronics are hindering participation, it will be locked in the Troop Trailer until the end of the outing. No adult or Troop leadership will be held responsible for any piece of electronics that is damaged or lost. There will be a cell phone always available to the Scouts in the event of an emergency situation or extenuating circumstances. No food, smellables, or aerosols allowed in tents! We will meet at Strong Rock Christian School on the Friday of an Outing weekend at 6:00pm and return on Sunday around 1:00pm (unless otherwise specified prior to the outing) XI. ADVANCEMENT AND MERIT BADGES Once a Scout has decided what Merit Badge he wishes to work on, he must first get permission from the Scoutmaster before beginning. Once permission is given, Scout needs to see Advancement Chair to obtain a blue card. Merit Badge counselor s names can be obtained from Council. The troop has registered Merit Badge counselors that work with our Troop on certain Merit Badges. Scout may ask for a list of Troop Merit Badge Counselors from the Committee. We do not work on Merit Badges during Troop meetings. We will provide opportunities throughout the year to attend various Merit Badge events. It is preferred that no parent be their Scout s Merit Badge counselor unless working with a group. No parent/guardian can sign advancement! T265 is blessed with a very good Scoutmaster and several very good Assistant Scoutmasters. As such, there will always be an adult, not related to the Scout, available to sign off on advancements in the BSA handbook. Any Scout who is First Class and above may also sign off on advancement for Scouts of a lower rank. Therefore, no credit will be given to an advancement signed off only by a Scout s parent or guardian. To encourage participation and advancement Scoutmaster Conference will be done on our monthly outings. XII. TRANSPORTATION Registered leaders and parents provide transportation for Scouts to events. When an event is planned and the number of Scouts attending is determined the Committee will make sure enough transportation is provided. All drivers must have valid license with clean driving record and insurance. No Scout will ride alone in a car with an adult that is not his parent. At time of registration parents will provide vehicle information for any vehicle that may be used to transport Scouts. This info will include: Vehicle Make/Model, Total seats, Owners name, Owners Drivers License (copy), Liability insurance amounts, Property damage amounts, Age of driver, and Annual Motor Vehicle checklist will be included. Gas $ will be included in camping fees for distances further than one hour. 10
XIII. MEDICAL FORMS As soon as possible after registration an Annual Medical History should be submitted to the Troop secretary. This form is required for ALL outings and campouts. Parts A and C may be filled out by the parent and is acceptable for all outings with the exception of Summer Camp. Part B must be filled out by a physician prior to attending Summer Camp. These forms must be renewed every 12 months. Attendance on outings and campouts will not be permitted without medical form. These forms are available for download on the Troop website. If you have any questions please see the Troop secretary for assistance with medical forms. XIV. TROOP COMMITTEE All interested adults are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the Troop 265 Committee. Troop 265 s Committee meets on the Second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. If there is any change to meeting dates or special meetings to be held an email notification will be sent. Please refer to the Troop By Laws. 11
XV. TROOP ORGANIZATION CHART Handbook updated March 2012 by Troop Committee. 12