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Troop 24 Operating Procedures, Policies and Bylaws

 

Organization

Troop 24 is a participating member of the Lenape District, Bucks County Council, Boy Scouts of America.  Troop 24 is chartered by the Doylestown Presbyterian Church, Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

 

The Troop’s organization consists of the chartering organization, the Scouts, their Parents, Uniformed Leaders and the Troop Committee.

 

Scoutmaster and Committee Officer Selection Process

Click here for more details

Boy Scouts - Mission Statement

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Boy Scouts - Vision Statement

 The Boy Scouts of America is the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.

In the future Scouting will continue to

·        Offer young people responsible fun and adventure;

·        Instill in young people lifetime values and develop in them ethical character as expressed in the Scout Oath and Law;

·        Train young people in citizenship, service, and leadership;

·        Serve America's communities and families with its quality, values-based program.

  

Adult Leaders

Adults can become involved in Boy Scouts in three ways:

1) Become an Assistant Scoutmaster

2) Join the Troop Committee

3) Become a Merit Badge Counselor

 

All adult leaders must complete the BSA Adult Leaders Application Form.  The form must be signed by the Committee Chairman and Charter Organization Representative.

 

Troop Committee Organization and Responsibilities

The troop committee is the troop’s board of directors and supports the troop program.

 The troop committee does the following:

 

·        Ensures that quality adult leadership is recruited and trained.  In case the Scoutmaster is absent, a qualified Assistant Scoutmaster is assigned.  If the Scoutmaster is unable to serve, a replacement is recruited.

·        Provides adequate meeting facilities.

·        Advises the Scoutmaster on policies relating to Boy Scouting and the chartered organization.

·        Supports leaders in carrying out the program.

·        Is responsible for finances, adequate funds and disbursements in line with the approved budget.

·        Obtains, maintains, and properly cares for troop property.

·        Ensures the troop has an outdoor activity program (minimum 10 days and nights per year)

·        Serves on boards of review and courts of honor.

·        Review and approve all proposed Eagle projects.

·        Supports the Scoutmaster in working with individual boys and problems that may affect the overall troop program.

·        Provides for the special needs and assistance some boys may require.

·        Helps with the Friends of Scouting campaign.

·        Assists the Scoutmaster with handling boy behavioral problems.

 

If a parent is interested in joining the Troop Committee, they should speak directly with the Committee Chairman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Committee Members

Committee Positions include the following:

(the first 6 are required positions)

1. Troop Committee Chairman
2. Treasurer
3. Secretary
4. Outdoor Program Coordinator
5. Advancement Coordinator
6. Equipment Coordinator
7. Membership/Communication Coordinator
8. Summer Camp Coordinator
9. Chaplain

Please refer to the BSA’s Troop Committee Guidebook for explanation of the responsibilities of each Committee position. 

 

Terms of service for each position will be 2 years with staggered terms so that there is not a complete turn over of leadership positions in any one year.  The Chaplain will be a member of Doylestown Presbyterian Church who is selected by either DPC’s Charter Organization Representative or DPC’s pastor.  Coordinators may recruit assistant coordinators or form subcommittees with other parents to share the workload of their area of responsibility.  Members of the subcommittees will be members of the Troop Committee.

 

Committee Membership

The Scoutmaster and Committee positions will be affirmed annually in May.  If the term has ended for the Scoutmaster, Committee Chairman, Treasurer or Advancement Coordinator, these positions will be filled via the Scoutmaster and Committee Officer Selection Process (see attachment).  All other Committee Officer and subcommittee positions will be filled as openings occur and new subcommittee positions are needed.  The Committee Chairman and Charter Organization Representative must sign the Adult Leader Application of anyone becoming a Committee Member.

 

Committee Policies & Procedures

Meetings: monthly Committee Meetings will be scheduled by the Troop Committee Chairman who will provide a written agenda.  The agenda will typically include updates from the Scoutmaster, Treasurer’s report, Advancement Coordinator, and any other Committee members.  All proposed Eagle projects will be reviewed during a Committee Meeting.

 

Meeting Minutes: The Troop Secretary is responsible for taking minutes for each meeting.  The minutes from all Committee meetings will be available on the Troop web site. 

 

 

Annual Parents Meeting: An annual parent meeting will be held no later than mid October.  All parents are invited to attend.  At least one parent from each Scout’s family must attend this important meeting.   The program year schedule will be presented and review  Troop expectations.

 

Troop Committee Decision Process: BSA guidelines only allow members of the Troop Committee to officially vote on a motion for decision.  For any issues requiring motions and/or voting (such as the budget, changes to the bylaws etc.): a quorum will be recognized if the committee chair and two other committee officers are present, if the chair is not present, three committee officers must be present for a quorum to exist for any motions or voting to be valid.  When motions are brought for a vote, the Committee Chairman will ask for comments from all parents and adult leaders in attendance.  Following the comments, the Committee Chairman will ask for a vote by the Committee members.

 

Expedited Approval:  Should a need arise to obtain committee approval of an expenditure on an expedited basis, the Committee Chairman shall be authorized to contact the other key committee officers to discuss the matter and conduct a vote.  The decision and results of the expedited vote shall be RATIFIEDat the next regular meeting.

Troop Finances

Treasurer:  The treasurer will maintain appropriate accounts for all activities and purchases.  The treasurer will present a draft budget to the Troop Committee for approval at the September Committee meeting. 

Dues:  The annual dues for existing members of Troop 24 are $50.  The dues for Scouts joining Troop 24 are $75.  All yearly scout dues will be paid by October 1st.  If the Scout joins on or after January 1, the dues will be prorated. 

If dues are not paid, the troop reserves discretion to postpone advancement and activity until payment is received unless other arrangements due to special circumstances are approved by the Scoutmaster and Committee Chairperson.  Confidentiality of special circumstances will be maintained.

Annual Audit: In August of each year, an annual finance audit will be conducted by three qualified individuals who have not been actively involved in the troop financial activities.  The Committee Chairman will appoint the members of the audit team.

Troop 24 will provide opportunities to raise money to be used for scouting purposes (dues, summer camp etc).  These opportunities include but are not limited to popcorn and candy sales.  Troop 24 will maintain records for each individual boy for funds raised by these sales.  Funds raised by recycling will go into the general scout fund.

 

Scout related items: Troop 24 will supply the following scout related items for all active Troop 24 members as applicable:

1.      Boy Scout handbook

2.      Troop neckerchief

3.      Patches (activity related)

4.      Rank advancement badges

5.      Merit badges

6.      Medals or badges from camping trips

7.      Religious medals

8.      Special recognition awards

9.      Eagle plaques

Equipment

 Troop 24 will purchase and maintain an inventory of equipment including tents, backpacks, stoves, tarps, tables, ropes, water jugs, coolers, cooking equipment and utensils and other accoutrements as needed.

The equipment coordinator will present a budget to the Troop Committee for their approval by no later than the November Committee Meeting.  The equipment coordinator will have an account that they can draw upon specifically for equipment purchases only.

Scoutmaster Responsibilities

The scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the public image and program of the troop.  The Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters work directly with the Scouts.  The importance of the Scoutmaster’s job is reflected in the fact that the quality of guidance will affect every youth and adult involved in the troop.  The scoutmaster’s duties include:

·        Train, mentor and guide Scout leaders.

·        Work with other responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys.

·        Use the methods of  Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting.

·        Work with the Senior Patrol Leader, the Troop Leadership Council and Assistant Scoutmasters to develop the annual Scouting program.

·        Meet regularly with adult leaders to coordinate efforts in support of the program.

·        Meet regularly with the troop leadership council for training and coordination in planning troop activities.

·        Attend all troop meetings or when necessary, arrange for a qualified adult substitute.

·        Attend troop committee meetings

·        Conduct periodic parent sessions to share the program and encourage parent participation and cooperation.

·        Take part in the annual membership inventory and uniform inspection, charter review meeting, and charter presentation.

·        Provide forecasted budget items to Treasurer

Troop Parent Responsibilities:

The role of parents within Troop 24 is to be supportive of the Troop’s efforts and to provide the atmosphere Scouts need to learn and excel.  Parents are expected to:

·        Participate in monthly Troop Committee meetings, open to all adults.

·        Consider becoming a uniformed leader, or an officer of the Committee

·        Participate in camping trips and activities as much as possible.  On these trips, ALL parents are adult leaders, not just those in uniform.

·        Show support to both the individual Scout and the Troop by attending all Troop Courts of Honor (especially the Family Banquet) and the Strawberry Festival in June.

·        Assist in all Troop fund-raisers and other such activities.  All such assistance lowers the cost of the program we offer to the Scouts and, therefore, lowers each family’s cash outlay for their Scout(s).

·        Sign up as a Counselor for relevant Merit Badges.  Most, if not all, badges earned outside of summer camp are through counselors directly affiliated with Troop 24.  This makes it easier and more comfortable for the Scout, but does not restrict him from making arrangements with counselors outside of the Troop.

·        Do their share of driving for trips.

·        All parents need to fill out vehicle insurance driving form with proper documentation on record to drive any scout on Troop 24 trips.

·        Review the Troop 24 Calendar of Events, mark important dates on your own calendar so the whole family knows what is happening and when.

·        Actively follow their Scout’s progress (or lack thereof) and offer encouragement and a push when needed, but don’t do it for them.  Troop Adult Leaders are available for consultation whenever necessary.

Scout Responsibilities

Troop 24 Scouts will

·        Follow the Scouting Principles in everyday life

·        Live the Scout Oath and Law.

·        Do a Good Turn Daily.

·        The Scout is expected to be an active participant in Troop 24’s activities.

·        Attend Scout Sunday at Doylestown Presbyterian Church or other place of worship approved by Scoutmaster

·        Complete service time as noted below

·        Participate in the Strawberry Festival and submit at minimum the required amount raised.

 

 

Scout Service Requirements

·        Service to Charter Organization and Community evidenced by a minimum of two hours twice a year (once in the fall and once in the spring), opportunities to be set up by Service Coordinator

·        Assisting other Scouts in completion of Eagle project (does not count toward #1)

·        For any Scout of rand 1^st class and above, assisting other Scouts in all aspects of scouting and assisting with signing off on requirements.

 

Reverence:

 

Troop 24 follows the BSA Scout law that a scout is reverent and will incorporate the practice of giving thanks to a higher power through ecumenical prayer and to show respect for all faiths.

 

Special Needs:

 

Troop 24 is open to boys of all abilities, please see the Scoutmaster and Troop Committee Chair to assist with any accommodations.