Troop Guidelines

Receive: Troop 95 Neckerchief (Presented at Cross-overs). Troop 95 Patch (for Neckerchief). Boy Scout Handbook. Boy's Life Subscription. Registration to Yankee Clipper Council (Greater Lowell District)

TROOP MEETINGS:

Westford United Methodist Church, Graniteville.

Every Thursday evening (unless there is no school that day) 7:00 - 8:00 PM .

Troop Meetings are conducted by the Junior Leaders of the Troop.

Courts of Honor - Rank Advancements, Merit Badges, and other awards will be presented at Formal award ceremonies, conducted approximately quarterly. Parents are encouraged to attend.

Attendance is recorded at all meetings & Troop activities.

SCOUTS IN "GOOD STANDING" IN THE TROOP MEET THE FOLLOWING:

Attendance at a minimum of 50% of regular Troop meetings.

Dues paid up (unless dues have been waived).

Proper wearing of Scout uniform.

Sets good example for others to follow.

Good Scouting spirit.

No Smoking, No Drugs, and No Drinking are allowed.

TROOP ADULT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS:

SM: Scoutmaster

ASM: Assistant Scoutmaster(s)

TROOP SCOUT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS:

JASM: Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. Must be between 16-18 years old. Can be made an Assistant Scoutmaster on 18th Birthday.

SPL: Senior Patrol Leader. Top Junior Leadership job in the troop. The SPL is in charge at all Troop meetings and activities. Must be at least a Star Rank Scout. Must have a 75% attendance record for the past six months at meetings and Troop activities. Must be a "Scout in Good Standing." Elected by Scouts in the Troop.

ASPL: Assistant Senior Patrol Leader(s) Assists the SPL with Troop Leadership and may take the place of the SPL if absent. Gives direction to Quartermaster, Scribe, Historian, Librarian, and Instructor(s). Must be at least a Star Rank Scout. Must have a 75% attendance record for the past six months at meetings and Troop activities. Must be a "Scout in Good Standing." Elected by Scouts in the Troop.

Quartermaster: Works with an Adult Member of the Troop Committee to keep track of all equipment owned by the Troop. Keeps track of who has borrowed what and ensures that it is all returned and properly maintained.

Patrols (several):

PL: Patrol Leader. Must be at least a First Class Scout (may be waived). Must have a 75% attendance record for the past six months at meetings and Troop activities. Must be a "Scout in Good Standing." Elected by Scouts in the Patrol.

APL: Assistant Patrol Leader. Must be a least a Second Class Scout (may be waived). Must have a 75% attendance record for the past six months at meetings and Troop activities. Must be a "Scout in Good Standing." Elected by Scouts in the Patrol.

ADDITIONAL TROOP LEADERSHIP POSITIONS:

Librarian: Maintains the Troops Library of Merit Badge Pamphlets and other Scouting books that are available for Troop members to borrow.

Historian: Maintains the Troops photo album by taking and collecting items as well as photographs at Troop outings and other Troop Activities. Also newspaper articles, trophies, flags, and awards the Troop has won.

Scribe: Documents and maintains the Troop meeting agendas and plans that are developed by the Troop Leadership Committee. Records attendance at Troop Meetings as well as Troop Activities. May write up activity reports for publication in the Troop Newsletter.

Troop Guide: Must be at least a First Class Scout. The role of the Troop Guide is to work with the New Scout Patrol and its Patrol Leader to teach Scouting Skills that lead up to the rank of First Class. "Big Brother to the New Scouts."

Den Chief(s): The Den Chief works with a den of Cub Scouts. He helps at Den Meetings, helps the Cub Scouts earn achievements, and serves as a Scout Role Model for the younger boys. Working with the ASM for New Scouts, he also acts as a recruiter by bringing graduating Webelos Scouts into the Troop.

Venture Chief: The Venture Chief functions similarly to a Patrol Leader. The Venture Chief represents the Venture Crew at TLC meetings. Venture Chiefs are elected by the Venture Crew.

Instructor(s): Usually an older Scout who is proficient in one or more advancement skill, which he teaches to other Scouts.

TROOP LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE (TLC):

Purpose: The purpose of the Troop Leadership Committee is to plan and execute the operation of the weekly Troop meetings. Planning is required so the Troop has adequate time scheduled to prepare for Troop Activities and also to adequately provide for teaching skills that are identified. The TLC is in practical terms the "Scout Leadership" of the Troop.

Meetings: It is the goal of the TLC to meet on a monthly basis to plan the Troop meetings, however additional meetings are sometimes required. In general the meetings are held on Thursday evenings following the regular troop meeting.

Membership: The TLC consists of:

Scoutmaster (and Assistant Scoutmasters, as required)

Senior Patrol Leader Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders

All Patrol Leaders (Assist. Patrol Leaders, as required)

Scribe

PATROL ELECTIONS:

Must be announced three weeks in advance. Scouts eligible for election should be identified at that time by the Advancement Chairman. Election must be conducted by secret ballot. Election will be decided by simple majority vote. Assistant Scoutmaster must be present as overseer(s). New Patrol Leaders will assume leadership after a two week training/transition period. Elections are to be held no more frequently than every 6 months.

VENTURE PATROL:

The purpose of the Venture Patrol is to tailor a Scouting Program that will challenge and excite the Troops older Scouts. Venture Scouts are generally those who have attended other Troop Activities for several years, earned many merit badges, and have attained senior Scout Ranks (if not Life or Eagle). In general the Venture Patrol Activities are planned and executed by the Scouts in the patrol with the guidance and assistance of an Adult Coordinator(s). Parents are encouraged to volunteer to be the Adult Coordinator or to help another parent in the coordination task. Venture Scouts, because they are older and more mature, are capable to substantially more responsibility than younger Scouts. This means that the Adult Coordinators allow the Venture Scouts much more responsibility in the planning and executing of the Venture Activities.

Scouts Eligible to join the Venture Patrol: Must be in the 9th grade. Must be at least Star Rank

Each Venture Activity: Must have an Adult Coordinator. Must be approved by the Scoutmaster and Troop Committee. Drivers of Automobiles must be at least 21 years old; no Venture Scouts may drive with Scouts as passengers. As with all other Troop Activities, all Venture Scout Activities not held in the usual Troop Meeting Place require a Local Tour Permit. (This does not apply to routine meetings.)

ORDER OF THE ARROW ELECTIONS (OA):

Order of the Arrow elections are conducted annually by members of the Order of the Arrow. Scouts that are elected must go through an ordeal within one year or else must be re-elected to OA. All OA membership costs are paid by each Scout.

UNIFORM:

Required for Troop meetings: Class A - Scout Shirt with proper insignia and rank; Neckerchief and slide, or Bolo (Star Rank and Above); Scout belt is optional. Scout Handbook, notebook and pen or pencil

Must be worn properly: Clean and pressed; Buttons buttoned; Shirt tucked into trousers; Sleeves not rolled or pushed up

Inspections: Uniform inspections are held periodically however, an annual formal inspection is required for Council/National re-chartering of the Troop. Equipment Inspections may be scheduled for special activities (e.g. "very-cold weather" activities in particular)

Class B: - Troop T-shirt or other scout shirt. Used at outdoor activities.

DUES:

Dues may be waived for the whole troop if troop finances allow.

$2.00 per month.

Dues may be paid weekly, monthly, or yearly and may be paid from Troop Scout Accounts. (Scout Accounts are covered later).

The Troop does not collect dues during July and August.

A Scout's dues (if applicable) must be paid up in order to maintain "Good Standing" for rank promotion and to be allowed to participate in Summer camp, camping trips, and other Troop activities.

Financial hardships which preclude payment of dues and other expenses should not prevent a boy from joining or participating in the Troop. Such circumstances should be brought to the attention of the Scoutmaster who will then waive payment of dues and expenses (including food costs for camping trips). These costs can be paid for out of the Troop treasury, various Council programs, or other resources.

PATROL CORNERS (OR OTHER PATROL MEETINGS):

Scheduled and conducted by the Patrol Leader or APL to:

Conduct Patrol Business or activities. Plan for Troop activities.

Teach Scouting skills.

Patrol corners at Troop meetings are conducted in the main meeting room and are NOT in any closed rooms.

TROOP OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:

The Troop's goal is to have at least one outdoor activity per month.

To Attend:

Must be a Scout in "Good Standing."

Must have a Medical Form on file with the Troop.

Must have a signed permission slip for the activity.

New Scouts:

Must be accompanied by a parent or guardian on their first overnight activity. This is required to familiarize the new Scout as well as the Adult Leadership with each other.

Attendance will be recorded.

Non-members of the Troop:

Participation by non-members of the Troop (Scout's brothers, sisters, friends, etc.) is permitted under the following guidelines ONLY:

Guest(s) must be accompanied for the entire activity by his/her parent or guardian.

Guest(s) must have a medical form on file with the Troop.

Guest(s) must submit a signed permission slip for the activity.

Must have approval of the Adult Leader that is in-charge of the scheduled activity.

Note: some Council and Regional Scouting Activities may not allow non-members to attend.

The Troop Outdoor Program is designed to emphasize camping skills:

By patrols Tenting and tarping

Menu planning Open fire cooking

Fire building and safety Washing dishes

Personal hygiene Clothing and supplies

*Saw, ax and knife - proper handling Setting up Camp

Breaking camp Proper nutrition

NO JUNK FOOD

* No Scout may carry or use any saw, ax, or knife unless he possesses a current "Totin' Chip" card. "Totin' Rights" can be taken away if a Scout fails to follow the "Totin' chip" requirements. Hunting and survival knifes are not allowed on Scout activities.

Annual Troop Planning Meeting:

The annual Troop planning meeting is usually held in early September and is for the purpose of planning the Troop activities for the full year ahead (Sept. to Sept.).

The Extended Leadership of the Troop accepts inputs from individual Scouts as well as Patrols. The extended Troop leadership attends the planning meeting to select monthly activities.

Normally 3 activities with all Webelos are planned; two outdoor activities and one special troop meeting (for recruiting).

Once the preliminary calendar is prepared it must be submitted to the Troop Committee for approval and it is then published to all Troop members. (This is also required for Troop re-chartering.)

SUMMER CAMP:

To attend:

Must be a Scout in "Good Standing."

Must have attended at least 50% of Troop meetings.

Must have attended at least 50% of Outdoor Activities.

Must NOT present a discipline problem.

Must have progressed towards advancement during the year.

Must have a Medical Form on file with the Troop.

PATROL COMPETITION:

Honor Patrol of the month - overall - and are based on:

Attendance at Troop meetings and activities.

Uniform inspections.

Awards and rank advancements.

Patrol flag.

Scoutmaster discretionary points: Scout spirit. Exemplifying the Scout Oath and Law. Best Patrol of an outing/activity.

SCOUTMASTER'S CONFERENCES:

Required for rank advancement.

Conducted by Scoutmaster or Assistant Scout Master.

Must be completed before scheduling a Board of Review.

BOARDS OF REVIEW:

Required for rank advancement.

Conducted by at least three Troop Committee Members for ranks from Tenderfoot up to and including Life Scout. Parents may also be invited to participate on Boards of Review at the discretion of the Committee Member chairing the board. Parents of Scouts being reviewed should not be on that board.

Advancement to Eagle requires a special Board as specified by National Boy Scout Headquarters.

Boards should not interfere with conduct of Troop meetings.

ANNUAL LUMINARY FUND-RAISER:

Troop 95's luminary candle sale involves many activities by which a Scout can help support the Troop - sales, distribution, sorting bulk shipments of candles and bags into orders, etc.

ALL SCOUTS ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE.

The price of Luminary Kits is set on an annual basis

Commissions:

Each kit yields $ 1.00 to the seller's scout account (see below).

Plans and procedures for the Luminary Fund-Raiser are updated and approved by the Troop Committee on an annual basis. A fund raising form must be submitted to Council.

OTHER FUND RAISERS:

Other Fund raising events can be proposed periodically throughout the Scouting year, such as the popcorn sale. Persons desiring to plan and execute a fund raiser should contact the Troop Committee Chairperson for agenda time at an appropriate meeting so their plan can be reviewed and approved by the Troop Committee.

Fund Raisers for specific Scouting Activities can be organized. Some examples are Venture Scouting Activities, Regional or National Scouting Jamborees, etc. Funds raised for specific Scouting Activities must be deposited with the Troop Treasurer, although the amount raised would be identified for the specific activity.

All Fund Raisers must meet BSA Fund Raising Guidelines and require a Fund Raising Form to be submitted to the Council.

SCOUT ACCOUNTS:

Commissions or shares earned from Troop Fund-Raisers are deposited in the seller's Scout Account. These funds are available to a Scout to pay dues, Summer Camp Fees, and other Activity Fees. Funds may also be used to purchase Scouting equipment, uniforms, etc. A Scout wishing to access his Scout Account should see the Troop Treasurer.

TROOP COMMITTEE:

Any interested adult is eligible, contact the Troop Committee Chairperson to volunteer. See list of positions below. The troop committee meets monthly from September to June.

NEWSLETTER:

The Troop 95 Newsletter is published monthly. All Parents, Scouters, and Scouts are welcome to submit articles or volunteer to help with writing and publishing the newsletter.

TROOP TRADITIONS:

Troop funding of certain expenses that have become a Troop 95 tradition are included here as a reference so that new parents and scouts will have the benefit of this knowledge. It should be noted that although these items have been traditionally funded by the Troop Committee they must continue to be approved on an annual basis.

Mother's ribbons and pins denoting Rank of Scout.

Eagle Kits (up to a maximum of $150) are provided by the Troop for each Scout that is promoted to the rank of Eagle Scout. It is intended to cover the cost of National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) membership, Troop plaque, and Eagle presentation kit.

Junior Leadership Training (JLT) expenses for Scouts (up to 3 Scouts/yr.) are paid by the Troop. The week-long JLT training, which is a residential Lone Tree program, is not funded by the troop but can be subsidized if approved by the troop committee in advance.

Polaris Training expenses for Adult Scout Leaders (up to 3 Scouters/year) are paid by the Troop.

At Cub Scout cross-overs the Troop will present each new Scout with a blank green neckerchief. When the Scout attends his first Troop meeting, and has filled out an application for membership, he will be presented with a Troop 95 patch (for the neckerchief) as well as a Boy Scout Handbook.

ADULT LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER POSITIONS:

Scoutmaster

Assistant Scoutmaster(s)

Committee Chairperson

Assistant Committee Chairperson

Unit Commissioner

Commissioner

Charter Organization Representative

Secretary/Newsletter

Treasurer

Fund-raising Chairperson

Advancement Coordinator

Webelos Recruiter(s)

Merit Badge Counselor(s)

Webmaster (for web site)

Committee Member(s)

Updated 9-17-06