DRAFT

Troop Bylaws
January 3, 2005
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
TROOP 1997
Gary Memorial United Methodist Church Daniels Road, Ellicott City, MD21043

Table of Contents

Section 1. Introduction

Section 2. Troop Organization

Section 3. Troop Uniform

Section 4. Troop Meetings

Section 5. Ceremonies and Protocol

Section 6. Troop Campouts

Section 7. Troop Finance and Dues

Section 8. Troop Planning

Section 9. Advancement

Section 10. Discipline

Section 1. Introduction

Section 1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose

The Troop 1997 BYLAWS exist to establish and codify Troop policies, procedures, and guidelines in concert with BSA Policy as espoused in the Boy Scout Handbook, the BSA Troop Committee Guide, and other official BSA publications. Some information contained herein is in addition and supplemental to the Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America and is intended to provide specific guidelines for Troop 1997 operations.

1.2 Scope

The Troop 1997 BYLAWS describe how Troop 1997 does things under the higher policies of the BSA rules and guidelines. In the event that any guideline set forth in this document contradicts a guideline set forth in any official BSA publication, the BSA publication will take precedence. Any contradiction should be reported to both the Scoutmaster and the Troop Committee for reconciliation.

These BYLAWS apply to all registered members of Troop 1997, both Scouts and Scouters; and to all authorized guests of members of Troop 1997, when engaged in any sanctioned troop activity.

1.3 Annexes

Annexes may be a part of the BYLAWS, but may be updated individually and distributed separately, subject to Committee approval, without effect on the rest of the BYLAWS. Annexes should be used to address more detailed guidance for a specific or particular area. All approved and published annexes will have the same import as the BYLAWS themselves.

1.4 Responsibility

The Troop Committee is responsible for the content of Troop 1997 BYLAWS and for all modifications to the same. Any registered member of the Troop or a parent of a Scout may make recommendations for changes or enhancements to this document. All recommendations for change or enhancement to the BYLAWS shall be made in writing to the Troop Committee Secretary to be publicized within a Troop Committee Agenda with sufficient advance notice so that the families of the Troop may review the proposed changes for comment prior to consideration by the Troop Committee. Adopted additions or changes to the BYLAWS will be communicated to all registered members and Scout families at the time of the adoption. Annually, at the beginning of the Scout Year (defined below), the Troop Secretary shall convene an ad hoc subcommittee (not less than three) to reprint and distribute (or send electronically) updated BYLAWS that incorporate the changes adopted by the full committee in the course of the previous year.

Section 2. Troop Organization

2.1 The Troop

2.1.1 The Troop will be composed of one Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), one or two Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPLs), and one or more patrols, each with a Patrol Leader (PL) and Assistant Patrol Leader (APL).

2.1.2 The SPL is elected to his position twice a year, one election (for the Fall/Winter term) will be conducted at Summer Camp, and the other election (for the Spring/Summer term) will be conducted in February. The elections for SPL will be conducted by a quorum of registered Scout members of the troop present at the meeting during which the election is held. An announcement preceding the February election will be made at least one week prior to the election. Included in this election notice will be a list of those scouts who have met the criteria for SPL. No such announcement will be made for the Summer Camp election; however, the same list of eligible SPL candidates will be presented to the Troop before the election at Summer Camp. The election at Summer Camp will take place immediately after the induction of the new 1st year Scouts from the “Trailblazer” Patrol (See 2.2.2 Below). Candidates for the position of SPL and ASPL must be at least Star rank, have previously completed Junior Leader Training (or commit to doing so within 90 days), and are subject to the approval of the Scoutmaster. No Scout can hold the position of SPL for two consecutive terms without Scoutmaster approval, which can only be granted when there are no other qualified Scouts wanting to stand for the SPL election. A new SPL takes his post on or about March 1st or September 1st following his election.

2.1.3 The SPL appoints one, or two, ASPLs. Like the SPL, ASPLs are subject to Scoutmaster approval.

2.1.4 The following troop positions of responsibility will be appointed by the SPL after approval by the Scoutmaster: Troop Librarian, Troop Scribe, Troop Historian, Troop Bugler (or Troop Musician), Troop Quartermaster, Troop Chaplain, and other troop positions as may be created by the SPL in consultation with the Scoutmaster. All of these selections should be reviewed with the affected PL(s) prior to conclusion so that no Patrol suffers an undue burden because of Troop positions.

2.1.5 The Scoutmaster will appoint Troop Guides, Troop Instructors, Den Chiefs, the OA Representative, and other positions as needed.

2.2 The Patrol

2.2.1 As described in the Boy Scout Handbook, each patrol shall consist of no more than nine scouts who enjoy scouting together, but should contain no fewer than five Scouts in order to efficiently use troop camping equipment.

2.2.2 Each year when the Troop accepts incoming bridging WEBLOS, a “Trailblazer” Patrol will be created to accommodate these new Scouts. The Scoutmaster shall select a Scout, of no less than Star rank, to be a Troop Guide and to act as the “Trailblazer” Patrol Leader. This Patrol will exist from the period of WEBLOS bridging to the Saturday at Summer Camp, whereupon the “Trailblazer” Patrol shall cease to exist. After lunch that day, the Troop shall assemble by Patrol and the “Trailblazer” Patrol will be formally adopted into the Patrols of the Troop by a rotating draft of its members. First pick shall be afforded to the Patrol with the fewest members (in the case of equal numbered Patrols, the PLs shall flip a coin for priority), and proceed in a manner that brings the smallest Patrol up to the number of the next sized Patrol. Then, these two Patrols (or three or more in the case of equal numbered smaller Patrols) will select additional draftees until all “Trailblazer” Scouts are distributed amongst the Patrols in an effort to make the Patrols equal in their number of Scouts. In the event that the number of “Trailblazer” Scouts to be distributed within the Troop is large enough to cause any of the existing Patrols to exceed nine members, then the Scoutmaster will work with the Troop leadership to create a new permanent Patrol (redistributing members from within existing Patrols so that when the “Trailblazer” Patrol members are drafted into the Patrols of the Troop, no Patrol exceeds nine members). The Scoutmaster must approve the selection process and will strive to maintain a balance of membership and character amongst the Patrols of the Troop.

2.2.3 All Scouts will be members of a patrol, except the SPL and his one or two ASPLs who are temporarily out of their patrols while serving as SPL or ASPL and the Troop Guide assigned by the Scoutmaster to be the Patrol Leader of the “Trailblazer” Patrol.

2.2.4 Each patrol will have one Patrol Leader (PL), one Assistant Patrol Leader (APL), and shall have other positions of responsibility assigned by the PL as follows: Patrol Scribe, Patrol Quartermaster, Patrol Cook, Patrol Assistant Cook/Cleaner and other patrol positions as may be created by the PL in consultation with the SPL and Scoutmaster. The APL may also be assigned one of the specific patrol duty positions. In the “Trailblazer” Patrol, the Troop Guide Patrol Leader will rotate the duties of the new Scouts to provide training opportunities for the new Scouts.

2.2.5 PLs are elected to their positions twice a year, coinciding with election of the SPL, by members of their patrol present at the meeting during which the election is held. Candidates for the position of PL must be at least First Class rank, and are subject to the approval of the newly elected SPL and Scoutmaster. Additionally, it is recommended (although not required) that candidates for the position of PL either have attended Junior Leader Training or be willing to do so during their tenure. No Scout can hold the position of PL for two consecutive terms without Scoutmaster Approval, which can only be granted when there are no other qualified Scouts wanting to stand for the PL election. The new PLs will assume their roles on or about September 1st or March 1st.

2.2.6 The PL appoints an APL, subject to SPL and Scoutmaster approval, and can fill other positions of responsibility in his patrol (as identified in item 2.2.3 above) from members of his patrol in any manner he chooses, with SPL and Scoutmaster approval. However, care should be taken to allow all Scouts an opportunity to contribute in as many different capacities as possible, over time, in an effort to enhance their experience, learn all (or as many as possible) of the other positions, and to provide for leadership growth.

2.2.7 The Troop will have an informal Venture Patrol. This Venture Patrol will vary in size and composition in accordance with the activities that are planned and conducted exclusively for Venture Patrol Scouts. The Venture Patrol will not assemble as a Patrol for normal meetings, Courts of Honor, or Troop wide outings; it exists as a functional entity in order to provide for high adventure training and outings that are not open to the entire Troop because of BSA or sponsor age or skills restrictions. The types of high adventure training and outings that the Venture Patrol will typically experience include (but are not limited to): Philmont, Sea Base, Grand Canyon, overnight Canoe Trips, overnight Bike Trips, etc. An Assistant Scoutmaster for Venture Patrol activities will be assigned the main responsibility of working with the Outdoor Planning Coordinator to do the long range planning and reservation/application work necessary for most high adventure trips. Additionally, this ASM will be responsible for devising and conducting the necessary training trips and activities to insure that Venture Patrol members (and the Scouters) selected to attend high adventure training are physically and mentally fit to be able to conduct high adventure training in a safe and fun way.

2.2.7.1 Normally, Venture Patrol activities will be restricted to Scouts that are either 14 years of age or older or Scouts that have completed the 8th grade. Some high adventure activities may be open to younger Scouts that have completed specific training (for instance – water based activities may be open to Scouts that have completed the Lifesaving Merit Badge).

2.2.7.2 Because Troop 1997 recognizes that not all boys in Scouts are motivated to achieve rank but still benefit from the Scouting experience, Venture Patrol activities will not be limited by rank or achievement (except in cases where specific skills accomplishment is a necessary prerequisite for participation).

2.2.7.3 Because Venture Patrol activities are special and require a higher degree of motivation, physical fitness, mental acuity, and emotional stability, participation in these activities is tied to the disciplinary record of each Scout. In cases where there is a limited number of available slots or opportunities for participation and the number of otherwise eligible Scouts exceeds the capacity for a specific trip, the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster for Venture Patrol activities will consider present discipline issues in selecting participants.

2.2.7.4 Additionally, because Venture Patrol activities are special and because the Troop needs the participation of older boys (especially in a Boy led Troop), participation in these trips and activities is tied to each Scout’s record of Troop activity participation (which will include attendance at regular and special Troop meetings, outings, Summer Camp, and other activities where attendance is taken and recorded by the Troop or Patrol Scribes).

2.3 Patrol Leaders’ Council

2.3.1 The Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) is the planning and decision-making team within the troop made up of the Troop’s junior leaders.

2.3.2 The PLC, with guidance from the Scoutmaster and his adult assistants, prepares plans and suggestions to present to the Troop to complete their annual program planning held in September (It is advisable that this process start right after Summer Camp when the rest of the Troop goes on break before the start of the new school year).

2.3.3 Within the framework of the annual plan, the PLC plans the monthly campout, and other outdoor activities as scheduled during the year, as well as the weekly meetings leading up to those campouts and outdoor activities. Additionally, the PLC plans for conducting Merit Badge Training for all non-eagle required merit badges. (Note: the Advancement Chair of the Troop Committee conducts Eagle Required Merit Badge planning. Also, care should be taken to not have the PLC plan for any Merit Badge training that can normally be conducted at Summer Camp.)

2.3.4 In addition to planning, the most important thing members of the PLC do is to provide junior leadership to the rest of the troop. For this reason, time during the PLC should be set aside to conduct informal discussions of troop and patrol leadership, morale, and potential disciplinary issues.

2.3.5 The PLC addresses the needs and concerns of each Scout, each patrol, and the troop as a whole, in its decision-making and planning process.

2.3.6 As the top junior leader in the troop, the SPL, with the advice of the Scoutmaster, leads the PLC and chairs its meetings.

2.3.7 Besides the SPL, other voting members of the PLC include: ASPLs, PLs and Troop Guides.

2.3.8 Each Patrol is represented by its PL on the PLC. The Troop Quartermaster, Troop Scribe, Troop Historian, and Troop Librarian are further represented by the ASPLs vote.

2.3.9 Although he has no vote, the Troop Scribe should attend PLC meetings to keep a log of each meeting. Other Scouts in positions of responsibility may be invited to PLC meetings on an as needed basis. (See section 4.2, Patrol Leaders’ Council Meetings).

2.4 Adult Scouters

2.4.1 Scouters are the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Chartered Organization Representative, Troop Committee Members and any other registered adult. It is highly encouraged that all Scouters attend or take the following minimum training: Youth Protection, First Aid, Safety Afloat, and Safe Swimming. Additionally, it is recommended that the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Chartered Organization Representative, and Troop Committee Members attend District or Council training appropriate with their positions and responsibilities. The Troop Committee Training Coordinator can be consulted for appropriate course information, timing, and location.

2.4.2 (Note: Any adult may become a registered adult Scouter in the troop by initially filling out and submitting a form with registration fee and then may maintain their registration by paying the annual registration fee. An adult must be a registered member of the troop in order to participate as a Committee Member, Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Merit Badge Counselor, or to attend camp outings [other than special occasions when guests that are non-registered adults and children are allowed].)

2.5 The Scoutmaster (SM) and Assistant Scoutmasters (ASMs)

2.5.1 The SM and ASMs are the adult leaders responsible for the image, conduct, and execution of the program(s) of the Troop. These are the adults that generally spend the most time with the Scouts at meetings, outings, campouts, summer camp, and special activities. Duties include:

  • Train and guide the boy leaders of the Troop.
  • Work with other registered adults to bring Scouting to the Troop.
  • Foster the ideals of Scouting through the program and by example.
  • Meet with and oversee the PLC to provide training, guidance, and coordination.
  • Attend all Troop meetings, outings, campouts, summer camps, and special events or arrange for a qualified registered adult substitute.
  • Attend Troop Committee meetings and provide necessary liaison between the Troop and the Troop Committee.
  • Meet with parents and encourage parent participation.
  • Enforce the standards and conduct of the Troop as espoused by BSA and the Troop Committee.
  • Assist in the annual membership inventory, uniform inspection, charter review meeting, and charter presentation.

2.5.2 The SM will be selected using the 7 step recruiting guide located in Chapter 5 of the BSA Troop Committee Guide, as modified, within these BYLAWS by the Troop Committee. (Note: At this time, Joe Pecoraro has volunteered to act as the Troop SM on an interim basis to get the troop up and running. When the Troop Committee is fully functional, but not more than one year from the adoption of these BYLAWS, a permanent SM will be selected.)