BSA Troop 824
Prince of Peace & St. Stephen Martyr Parishes www.bsa824.org Page 1
Chesapeake, VA 23 January 2012
Table of Contents
Boy Scouts of America 1
Troop 824 1
Operating Procedures 1
Purpose 5
Mission of Troop 824 5
Organization of the Troop 6
Troop Committee 6
Troop Committee Chairperson 7
Troop Leadership 7
The Scoutmaster 7
Assistant Scoutmasters 7
Merit Badge Counselors 7
Fast Facts for the Merit Badge Counselor 9
Youth Membership 9
Youth Leadership Positions 9
Uniform Requirements 9
Troop Meetings and Activities 10
Religious Services 10
Code of Conduct 10
Introduction 10
Troop 824 Code of Conduct. 10
Discipline 11
First Offense 11
Second Offense 11
Third Offense 12
Code of Conduct for Adults 12
Safety 13
Program 14
Objectives 14
Troop Meetings 14
Activities 14
Transportation 14
Food Purchases 15
Advancement 16
Purpose 16
Rank Advancement 16
Scout’s Responsibilities 16
Scoutmaster’s Conference 17
The Role of the Scoutmaster Conference 17
When and Where to Hold a Scoutmaster Conference 17
Types of Scoutmaster Conferences 17
Board of Review 18
Purpose 18
Who Conducts the Board of Review? 18
The Eagle Scout Board of Review 18
When and Where to Hold a Board of Review 19
Types of Boards of Review 19
How to Hold a Board of Review – see Appendix D 19
Appeal Procedures 19
The Board of Review and the Healthy Troop 20
The Board of Review and the Healthy Scout 20
Merit Badges 21
Patrols 21
Purpose 21
Membership 21
SPL, Patrol Leader and Troop Guide Requirements 21
Patrol Meetings and Activities 21
Parents' Responsibilities 22
Finances 22
Budget 22
Discretionary Spending 22
Advancement Chair Expenditures 22
Scout Store funds. 22
Audits 23
Dues 23
Checking Account Cash Cards 23
Troop Fundraisers 24
Troop Equipment 24
General 24
Troop Trailer 24
Recreational Equipment and Materials 25
Order of the Arrow 25
Order of the Arrow Background 25
Revision to Policy 25
Appendix A – Troop Committtee Position Descriptions 26
Committee Chairman 26
Committee Vice-Chair 26
Treasurer 26
Advancement Chairman 27
Equipment Chairman (Quartermaster) 27
Secretary 27
Outdoor Chairman 28
Fundraising Chairman 28
Webmaster Chairperson 28
Scout/Hospitality Parent 28
Eagle Scout Coordinator 29
Training Committee Chairperson 29
Religious Emblems Trainer/Chaplain’s Aide 29
Committee Members - 29
Appendix B – Parent/Scout Acknowledgement Form 30
Parent and Scout Acknowledgement and Signature 30
For Troop 824 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 30
Appendix C – Permission Slip 31
Appendix D _ Board of Review Procedures 32
How to Hold a Board of Review – 32
The Tenderfoot through First Class Boards of Review 33
Possible Questions 33
The Star and Life Boards of Review 34
Possible Questions 34
The Eagle Scout Board of Review 34
Possible Questions 35
The Eagle Palm Board of Review 35
Possible Questions 35
Duty to God 36
Appendix E – Equipment Inventories 37
Troop Trailer Equipment 37
Patrol Box Inventory 39
Purpose
The official policies of the Boy Scouts of America are the guiding principles adhered to by the members of Boy Scout Troop 824. The Troop 824 Operating Procedures expound upon, but do not alter, the official BSA policies. The Troop 824 Operating Procedures provide scouts and their parents or guardians with information concerning the operation of Troop 824 and expectations of Troop 824 members.
Mission of Troop 824
As an annually chartered ministry of Prince of Peace Catholic Church and St Stephen, Martyr Catholic Church, the mission of the Boy Scouts of America and Troop 824 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. This is done by instilling in our Scouts the qualities of the Scout Oath and Scout Law, training them in citizenship, and developing them in personal fitness. Boy Scouting, one of the traditional membership divisions of the BSA, is available to boys who have earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old or have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old. The program achieves the BSA's objectives of developing character, citizenship, and personal fitness.
Organization of the Troop
The Troop consists of the Scouts, Scout Leadership, Troop Leadership (adult) and the Troop Committee. More detailed information about this Committee can be found in Appendix A, Troop Committee Positions.
Upon approval to serve as a volunteer, individuals are expected to complete BSA Youth Protection training prior to registering as an adult leader or scout parent.. This training can be done through the BSA's www.MyScouting.org.account The Boy Scouts of America seeks to create a safe environment for young people and adult leaders to enjoy the program and related activities; BSA Youth Protection training helps to preserve that environment. As a ministry of Prince of Peace Catholic Church and St Stephen, Martyr Catholic Church, all adult volunteers MUST also complete a Volunteer sign up form, CPS Background Check and VIRTUS youth protection training sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. Additionally, all adult volunteers MUST remain current in their VIRTUS training. A Schedule of VIRTUS classes can be found at www.virtus.org. Forms for the background check can be found on the troop website.
All registered adult leaders are also required to obtain the appropriate training for their registered position within 6 months of registration or prior to any required training for a specific outing or activity. Beginning in 2012, adults who have not completed training for their troop position will not be re-chartered for that position in 2013 and beyond.
Troop Committee
All registered adults are members of the Troop Committee and have voting privileges. Any adult may apply to be considered for an open position by being nominated and selected by a majority vote of the Committee.
Assistant Scoutmasters are approved by the Scoutmaster, Committee Chairperson and Charter Organization Representative.
The Scoutmaster position is selected from the Troop’s registered adult leaders by being nominated by the Committee Members and ratified by a majority vote of the Troop Committee.
A Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster or Troop Committee member who is not fulfilling his/her obligations or not abiding by the rules of the Troop Committee, BSA Policies or Charter Organization Policies may be asked to resign by vote of the Troop Committee at a meeting fully and openly advertised at least seven days in advance and to which all committee members have been invited.
The Troop Committee’s responsibilities are to:
Ø Assist the Scoutmaster in recruiting Assistant Scoutmasters.
Ø Ensure quality leadership is recruited and trained.
Ø Provide adequate meeting facilities.
Ø Advise Scoutmaster on policies relating to the Boy Scout program and the chartered organization.
Ø Carry out the policies and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America.
Ø Guide Leaders in carrying out the Boy Scout program.
Ø Be responsible for finances, adequate funds, and disbursements in line with the approved budget plan.
Ø Obtain and maintain Troop property.
Ø Provide adequate camping and outdoor programs.
Ø Ensure that qualified adult leadership is assigned in case the Scoutmaster is absent or is unable to serve.
Ø Operate the Troop in a manner which insures permanency.
Ø Ensure positive encouragement is provided to Scouts to abide by the code of conduct and safety rules and to participate as fully as they are able.
Ø Encourage parental involvement in the Committee by informing parents of participation opportunities and promoting active involvement to the extent possible.
Troop Committee Chairperson
The Troop Committee Chairperson shall:
Ø Organize the Committee to see that all functions are delegated, coordinated, and completed.
Ø Guide and nominate all Committee Positions. See Appendix A.
Ø Maintain close relationship with the Charter Organization's Representative and the Unit Commissioner.
Ø Ensure that Leadership and Committee have training opportunities.
Ø Interpret national and local council policies to the Troop and ensures these policies are being followed.
Ø Work closely with the Scoutmaster in preparation of the agenda for the Troop Committee meetings.
Ø Call, preside at, and promote attendance at Troop Committee meetings.
Ø Ensure Troop representation at District Roundtable meetings.
Ø Secure qualified individuals for camp leadership.
Ø Arrange for charter reviews and re-charters the Troop annually.
Ø Is selected by the committee through nomination and elected to the position with a majority vote.
Troop Leadership
All appointed Troop Leaders are expected to provide an excellent program for their Scouts. They will not segregate themselves with other Leaders leaving the Scouts without assistance and programming for advancement. Having been appointed a Leader; all will work together in unity as a Troop.
Program development is the task of the Scoutmaster. The planning and conduct of Troop meetings and other activities is left to the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), made up entirely of Scouts with guidance and counsel of the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters.
The Scoutmaster
The Scoutmaster will:
Ø Foster concepts and themes of Boy Scouts of America.
Ø Work with and through responsible adults to give Scouting to boys.
Ø Recruit Assistant Scoutmasters subject to the Committee Chairpersons and Charter Organization Representatives’ approval.
Ø Train and guide Assistant Scoutmasters (Patrol Advisors) to assist with running the Patrols.
Ø Help boys to grow by encouraging them to learn for themselves.
Ø Guide boys in planning the Troop program.
Ø Train and guide boy Leaders to run their Troop.
Ø Encourage parental involvement in troop activities by informing parents of participation opportunities and promoting active involvement to the extent possible.
Ø Ensure Troop representation at District Roundtable meetings.
Assistant Scoutmasters
Assistant Scoutmasters are typically assigned to a Patrol and are responsible to the Scoutmaster in the following capacities:
Ø Serve as an advisor and resource person for the Patrol.
Ø Support the Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader with advice and counseling.
Ø Serve as the Troop Leader in the absence of the Scoutmaster.
Ø Assistant Scoutmasters may also be assigned to a special function as needed.
Merit Badge Counselors
A merit badge counselor is both a teacher and a mentor to the Scout as he works on the merit badge. Merit badge counselors should be satisfied that each Scout under their guidance meets all the requirements set forth for the merit badge. In this sense, a merit badge counselor is an examiner. In a larger sense, the real opportunity for a counselor lies in coaching—helping Scouts over the different hurdles of the requirements and helping make them aware of the deeper aspects of the subject from their knowledge and experience.
The merit badge counselor may help a Scout by providing instruction and guidance on the subject matter. However, the counselor must not complete the Scout's work on the requirements. The counselor needs to test the Scout to ensure that he has completed all the required work but may not modify the merit badge requirements in the process. This standard ensures that the advancement requirements are fair and uniform for all Scouts.
The merit badge counselor assesses the Scout's knowledge to ensure he has completed all the required work—no more, and no less. You may not add to, delete from, or modify the merit badge requirements in any way, although certain considerations can be made for Scouts with disabilities.
A merit badge counselor must always ensure that a Scout has a two deep leadership or a "buddy" present at all instruction sessions. Working on merit badges is especially enjoyable when Scouts work together, and the BSA encourages this by making the buddy system a part of the merit badge program. Together the two meet with merit badge counselors, plan projects, and keep their enthusiasm high. The Scout's buddy could be another Scout, a parent or guardian, brother or sister, relative, or friend. The Scout should bring a buddy to all his appointments with his counselor.
As a merit badge counselor, your duty is to be satisfied that each Scout who comes to you meets all the requirements for the merit badge you are coaching. You do this by helping Scouts overcome the different hurdles of the requirements and making them aware of the deeper aspects of the subject through their learning experience. You may tell about your own experiences to help positively reinforce the subject matter. However, you may not tack on new requirements or extra work. While you may guide and instruct a Scout on the subject matter, he must do the work himself.
As each requirement is completed, you will test the Scout individually, with his buddy present. Using a blue card, update this card as the Scout completes each requirement. When the young man has completed all the requirements, you sign off on the blue card and the Scout returns the completed card to his unit leader.
Any adult leader registered by the troop and approved by the Elizabeth River District Advancement Committee may be a merit badge counselor. Scouts are encouraged to ask adults with special skills to become counselors to assist the Troop.
To qualify as a merit badge counselor, a volunteer must:
· Register annually with the Boy Scouts of America.
· Be at least 18 years old.
· Be of good character.
· Be proficient in the merit badge subject by vocation, avocation, or special training.
· Be able to work with Scout-age youth.
· Be approved by the district/council advancement committee.
· Complete Merit Badge Counselor’s Training conducted by the District.
To register with the Boy Scouts of America, a potential merit badge counselor must complete the BSA's Adult Application form (No. 28-501Y; available in Spanish as No. 28-502S) and submit it along with the BSA Merit Badge Counselor Information form (No. 34405) to Troop Advancement Chairman who in turn submits to the BSA Tidewater Council office. Renewal of this registration annually is necessary to continue as a merit badge counselor.
Fast Facts for the Merit Badge Counselor
· A merit badge counselor can counsel any Scout, including his own son—although this is discouraged in order to offer a Scout the chance to meet a diverse group of outstanding adults.