TROOP 395 POLICY January 2014 THREE FIRES DISTRICT SOUTHERN SHORES FSC BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA (www.troop395.org) I. GENERAL TROOP POLICY The Boy Scout Program is designed to help young men become citizens of fine character by being physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. Active participation in Scouting includes growing into responsible manhood and learning to be of service to others. The Troop 395 Committee has adopted certain policies to ensure that a quality program is developed and maintained for our youth. Our objective is to design a workable program, which appeals to the majority of the Scouts in Troop 395. In order to ensure that a Scout and his parents/guardians review the Troop 395 policies, we ask that each Scout along with a parent or guardian sign the attached Troop 395 Policy Acknowledgment and return it to one of the Troop's adult leaders for inclusion in the files. A. Meetings All regularly scheduled meetings of Troop 395 are to held in a set location on a set day of the week and time. Currently this is at the Hamburg Senior Citizen's Center on Sunday evenings, beginning at 6:30 PM and ending at 8:00 PM. Troop 395 welcomes and encourages adult participation in sponsored activities because parents and guardians have a vested interest in their son's growth and development. Therefore, all parents and guardians of Scouts in Troop 395 are considered members of the Troop Committee. Regularly scheduled monthly meetings of the Troop Committee will usually occur in conjunction with the first organized and regularly scheduled Scout meeting each month, if there is a variance it will be announced the month before. B. Annual Dues Annual Scout dues are due and payable at the first meeting in December each year. Scouts joining after January will pay a pro-rated registration fee from the month of registration to December 31st. Annual Scout dues are allocated in the following manner: National Registration (currently $25.00) Boys' Life Subscription (currently $12.00) Troop 395 Program Support (balance of annual dues) Annual dues for registered adult leaders are also due and payable at the first meeting in December each year. Adults registering after January will pay a pro-rated registration fee from the month of registration to December 31 st. C. Courts of Honor Courts of Honor for Scouts and their families will be held at least two (2) times per year. The purpose of Courts of Honor is to recognize Scouts for their achievements since the last Court of Honor. Parents and families are strongly encouraged to attend all Courts of Honor with their Scouts. Page 1 of 7
II. BOY SCOUT REQUIREMENTS A. Equipment Uniforms should be worn at all Scout functions. Class A uniforms should be worn at all Troop and Patrol meetings unless otherwise directed in advance by an adult leader or by the Senior Patrol Leader with the consent of an adult leader. "Class A" uniform consists of wearing the following: Scout uniform shirt Scout belt Scout pants or Scout shorts Scout socks (of the appropriate length) Durable shoes (no open toe shoes) "Class B" (or activities) uniform consists of wearing a Troop 395 red T-shirt (purchased from the Troop Treasurer) along with other scout appropriate clothing. During travel to an outing, Scouts are expected to wear their "Class A" uniforms. Each Scout is expected to bring to all Troop meetings, Patrol meetings, and campouts, their Boy Scout Handbook, a notebook, and a pen or pencil. Clothing or other items of wearing apparel depicting or supporting values contrary to the aims of the Boy Scouts of America are forbidden at any Scout function. A Scout dressed in such inappropriate attire for a Scout function may be asked to leave. B. Attendance Each Scout is encouraged to attend as many Troop meetings as possible. A Scout who misses several Troop meetings may be asked to meet with the Scoutmaster regarding the Scout's situation. Each Scout is encouraged to participate in all Troop-authorized fundraisers (in fulfillment of the 9th point of the Scout Law -- "A Scout is Thrifty"). Training - All boy leaders are encouraged to attend Troop, District and Council junior leader training programs. In general, the Troop will normally pay the full cost of all such training opportunities. C. Troop Accounts An individual Troop account is established for each registered Scout in Troop 395. Seventy percent (70%) of all funds collected via fundraisers will go into the Scout's own Troop account; the remaining thirty percent (30%) will go into the Troop account. Funds accumulated in each Scout's individual account may be used either of the following ways: to offset any or all campout/outing expenses to offset Scouting expenses (e.g., Eagle Scout ceremonies, the purchase/acquisition of Scout uniforms, uniform parts, camping equipment, etc.) 2. Use of individual Troop account funds for offsetting expenses related to campouts and outings is authorized by the parents/guardians on the Troop Permission Slip which is required for a Scout s attendance at each separate campout/outing. Page 2 of 7
3. Reimbursement from individual Troop account funds to offset Scouting expenses will be made by check after presentation of an itemized receipt to the Troop Treasurer. 4. Under no circumstances will funds from a Scout s individual Troop account be disbursed as general spending money. Appropriate Scouting-related disposition of any outstanding individual Troop account funds will be made to the parent(s)/guardian(s) when a Scout leaves the Troop. 5. If a Scout is not active for two consecutive recharters (two years), the funds in his individual troop account shall be transferred to the Troop's account for general troop use. D. Campouts and Outings When on a Troop-authorized campout or outing, Scouts are expected to act in accordance with the Scout Oath, the Scout Law and the Outdoor Code. When on Troop outings, Patrols are expected to camp together in an orderly manner. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Continued inappropriate behavior after counseling may result in the Scout's parents being contacted with the Scout then being sent home at the parents' expense. Patrol cooking fires are permitted where conditions warrant. An information sheet and Permission Slip will be sent home with each Scout two (2) meetings prior to each outing. The Scout must return the Permission Slip (signed by his parent/guardian) to the appropriate adult leader no later than the Sunday before the outing begins. Last-minute cancellations will generally NOT EXCUSE a Scout's financial obligation for that outing because of advance planning and preparations that are necessary for each event. Alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs are not permitted at any Scout function. Fireworks of any sort are also prohibited at any Scout function. Firearms and their use are prohibited except on an officially approved firing range with properly trained personnel. No personal firearms are typically allowed. In order to promote fire safety, every Scout must earn "Firem'n Chit" rights by passing a fire safety test from the Boy Scout Handbook which includes knowing the Outdoor Code. A Scout will not be permitted to use matches or build fires without having earned the Firem'n Chit card. In order to promote wood tool safety, every Scout must earn "Totin' Chip" rights by passing a test from the Boy Scout Handbook which includes demonstrating wood tool safety and knowing the parts of an axe. Some outings may require special training prior to the outing taking place. Training usually takes place during Troop meetings the week or two before the actual outing. It is important that the Scouts and Adult leaders for the outing be in attendance. III. PATROL REQUIREMENTS A. Each Patrol should plan and carry out organized outings as scheduled by the Patrol Leaders Council and approved by the Troop Committee. B. Each Patrol should have a Patrol name and insignia (incorporating standard names as designated in Scout catalogs), flags, call, yell and assigned Patrol positions. Page 3 of 7
C. Each Patrol is responsible for maintaining its own Patrol Box, with equipment/supplies being requested from the Troop Quartermaster as needed. D. Any Patrol not meeting the above minimum requirements may be disbanded with the Scouts being assigned to other Patrols. E. A Patrol member may request a transfer to a new Patrol at any time. The transfer must be approved by the Patrol Leader of the new Patrol, by the Senior Patrol Leader and by the Scoutmaster. IV. TROOP LEADERSHIP A. Responsibilities A Scout holding a leadership position must be responsible in fulfilling his duties as outlined in the Boy Scout Patrol Leaders handbook, or he may be asked to resign his position. A Scout asked to resign from a leadership position will not be eligible to hold another leadership position for six (6) months from the resignation date or as determined by the Scoutmaster. Senior Scout leaders, Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL), and other assigned Troop positions, should plan and participate in required meetings, including, but not limited to, Patrol Leader Council (PLC) and Troop meetings. The Senior Patrol Leader should prepare a Patrol Leader Council agenda, which shall be approved by the Scoutmaster. Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders should plan and participate in required meetings, including, but not limited to, Patrol meetings, Patrol Leader Council (PLC) meetings and Troop meetings. Patrol Leaders are required to prepare a Patrol meeting agenda, which shall be approved by the Senior Patrol Leader. B. Scout Leadership Position Requirements Must be registered with Troop 395 for a minimum of three (3) months. Elections are usually held prior to the first scheduled Troop meeting in January and during summer camp. The Senior Patrol Leader is usually elected during summer camp; Patrol Leaders are elected at Summer Camp and at the Troop meeting in January. Minimum requirements to hold leadership positions in Troop 395 are the following: Senior Patrol Leader shall be 14 years of age be Star Rank elected by the Troop Senior Patrol Leader generally serves for a 12-month term Assistant Senior Patrol Leader(s) appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader six-month to one-year term, at the discretion of SPL and with the consent of the Scoutmaster) Patrol Leader elected by Scouts in each Patrol six-month term Page 4 of 7
Troop Guides appointed by the Scoutmaster minimum six-month term Other Troop Leadership Positions appointed by the Scoutmaster for six-month term includes librarian, Troop Quartermaster, historian and Troop Scribe C. Scoutmaster Review - Scouts completing the requirements for rank advancement must complete an advancement review with the Scoutmaster prior to having a Board of Review. This review is scheduled after the Scout has completed all of the requirements for that rank. D. Requirements for a Board of Review - Because growth and development are primary aims of Scouting, all Troop 395 Boards of Review for rank advancement shall be conducted by adult Troop leaders. There shall be a minimum of three (3) adult leaders on each Board of Review, which should not include a parent of the Scout being reviewed. The Scout participating in the review shall be dress in full "Class A" uniform for the Board of Review. Completion of the Scoutmaster review and completion of the Board of Review permits the Scout to advance to the next level of rank. Page 5 of 7
V. ADULT LEADERSHIP The sponsoring organization has the penultimate responsibility to assure that adequate adult leadership and safeguards are provided on each outing. The mandatory minimum requirement is that there is "two deep" leadership at all Scouting functions. There must be at least two adult leaders in attendance at Patrol meetings, Troop outings, Merit Badge sessions, and other Troop/Patrol functions. In addition it is recommended that the adults consider some of the following BSA provided training, A. Youth Protection - All adults, regardless of their official standing as a leader within the troop, are strongly encouraged to participate and to maintain current BSA Youth Protection certification. At least one adult leader on each outing must have such current BSA Youth Protection certification. B. Two-Deep Leadership - The principles of two-deep adult leadership, as defined by the Boy Scouts of America, shall be in effect on all outings. C. Multiple Registrations - Individual adult leaders are encouraged to have and maintain multiple within the BSA organization registrations (e.g., at the district, council and/or national levels). However, there shall be at least one BSA-registered adult troop leader (approved by the chartered partner organization) in attendance at all outings. Adults who are not officially registered in some capacity that includes Troop 395 shall not be considered sufficient for the purposes of this requirement. D. Outdoor Leadership Skills - (OLS) Outdoor skills training for adult leaders to help provide a safe and fun outdoor event. One OLS trained adult leader is required for each outdoor outing. E. Other Training - It is recommended that adults participate in training provided by the BSA. Committee member training, Scoutmaster training, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, Youth Protection, Wood Badge, and Merit Badge Counseling are some of the training that is provided. Trained leadership is required for Quality Unit Awards. F. Advancement 1. Primary responsibility for advancement in basic Scouting skills (thru First Class rank) rests with the troop's boy leadership. When necessary (e.g., swimming or discussions with a public official), adult supplemental assistance may be required. An adult related to any Scout should refrain from approving that Scout's advancement in basic Scouting skills unless such advancement is approved in advance by the Scoutmaster. 2. An adult related to any Scout should refrain from approving that Scout s merit badge unless the adult in question is the only available counselor for a particular merit badge. In such a case, it is strongly suggested that the adult work with a group of Scouts simultaneously on that merit badge subject in addition to his/her own Scout. VI. ENFORCEMENT A. Any Scout deviating from these Troop 395 Policy statements or not living by the Scout Oath and the Scout Law may be asked to meet with the Scoutmaster to resolve the problem. B. If the Scout and the Scoutmaster are unable to resolve the problem, the parents of the Scout may be contacted with the expressed hope of obtaining a satisfactory resolution. C. If, after joint consultation involving the Scoutmaster, the parents or guardians and at least 5 other members of the Troop Committee, a satisfactory resolution still cannot be reached with the Scout, in the best interests of Troop 395 the Scout may be asked to resign from the Troop. Page 6 of 7
TROOP 395 POLICY ACKNOWLEDGMENT My son and I have read the Troop 395 Policy statements and agree to be bound by the Policies as outlined. Date Signature of Parent/Guardian Printed name of Parent Date Signature of Scout Printed name of Scout This Troop 395 Policy Acknowledgment must be returned at the next regularly scheduled meeting of Troop 395. Page 7 of 7