(Revised February 2002)

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This "Troop Guide", prepared for the parents and scouts of Troop 145. It explains the troop organization, program plans, and policies. This guide reflects the current program of the troop and desires of the existing Scouts. Periodic changes by Scouts, Scoutmaster, and Troop Committee to this guide will be distributed to you to keep it as current as possible. They, along with the guide itself, should be kept in a safe place where you can refer to it.

Membership in Troop 145, either as a Scout, Scouter, or Committee Member constitutes an agreement to adhere to the policies and procedures contained in this guide. Initial acceptance and approval of this guide was by the Troop Committee, Scoutmaster, and Patrol Leader's Council. Additions, deletions, and changes may be made at any time with the approval of a majority of the following combined personnel: Troop Committee, Scoutmaster, and Patrol Leader's Council. All Scouts are encouraged to bring any boy that expresses an interest in scouting to any of our scout functions. See Troop Discipline Item 1.

Chartered Organization and Meeting Place

Scout units are sponsored by some type of organization such as churches, civic groups, PTA, Booster Clubs, etc. The sponsoring organization is responsible for providing a suitable and safe meeting place, storage facilities, and responsible leadership. Troop 145 is chartered by, and meets at Northern Hills United Methodist Church.

Insurance

Troop 145 is covered by the basic insurance policy carried by the Alamo Area Council on all registered Scouts and Scouters. This policy is a supplemental policy to your own health insurance, yours being the primary.

Troop Meetings

Troop meetings are usually held each Tuesday from 7:00 pm-8:30 p.m. Parents are strongly encouraged to drive their scout to and from the meetings. Please be on time to deliver and pick up your scout. We, the adult leaders, do not like to baby sit past the allotted time. We too have families who are waiting for us to get home.

Troop Committee

The troop committee is made up of adult volunteers that register as Scouters and serve in various capacities such as Committee Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Advancements, Transportation, etc. They provide the planning and support essential to maintain an effective scouting program. Troop 145 recharters each year in March. An annual rechartering meeting will be scheduled to accomplish this important function. All parents are invited and encouraged to attend. A forum of simple majority of registered members is needed for each meeting. Troop committee meetings are usually held at the church during the first week of each month. They are not normally held on Tuesdays, so not to interfere with the troop meeting time.

Transportation

Parents are expected to support the troop by providing transportation to and from troop activities. As many of the "better" camping grounds are over 50 miles away, transportation can be burdensome and expensive if not equally supported by all. Please furnish the following information to our Transportation Chairman as soon as possible: Kind, Year and Make of Vehicle, number of passengers your vehicle will hold with seat belts, owner’s name, driver’s license number, Public Liability Insurance Coverage; Public Liability - each person amount, each accident amount and Property Damage amount.

Parents are also encouraged to sign up as Merit Badge Counselors on some of the over 100 merit badges available. A parent survey will be given to every parent to fill out. Please check all areas in which you have a personal skill or knowledge in to help Scouts and examine them to insure they have satisfactorily completed all of the requirements for what they are trying to achieve. For specific requirements on a particular merit badge, look in your son's Scout Handbook. To sign up, or for additional information, contact the Scoutmaster or any member of the Troop Committee. Parents are strongly discouraged from acting as merit badge counselors for their sons without prior approval of a simple majority of the Troop Committee. An additional sheet is attached on Merit Badge Counseling Guidelines issued by the Alamo Area Council.

Campouts

If you would like to visit, we would love to have you come. We ask that you check with us in advance so we can let you know what would be the best time for you and us. For the most part, every minute of our campouts are full of programmed activities and as such unexpected visits by parents may disrupt this schedule. Unscheduled visits at mealtime present problems since meals are preplanned and bought for before the campout. Parents, in addition to those registered as Scouters, will be invited to accompany the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmasters as guests whenever possible.

Troop Equipment

Troop 145's equipment is stored in a shed at the church. When the Troop Quartermaster issues this equipment to the patrols, it is their duty to assume responsibility for it. Any equipment issued to a patrol that gets damaged, lost or destroyed will be replaced by whomever is responsible for it. An equipment checkout form is used to sign out all troop equipment and is maintained by the Quartermaster.

Library

The Troop 145 Library contains at least one copy of each merit badge book required for advancement to Eagle Scout. Other merit badge books are also available. All of the troop library materials will be available for checkout on a first come, first served basis.

Each Scout is required to be in proper uniform for each scout activity. Class A uniform consists of a scout shirt with the proper badge of rank and insignia; scout shorts/scout pants (jeans okay in winter); scout belt and scout socks. During the summer months, a scout t-shirt may be worn in lieu of the scout shirt. The Class A is required at troop meetings, formal functions, including recruitment activities, public activities, Board of Reviews, Court of Honors and Eagle Ceremonies. Scouting T-shirts and scouting Golf Shirts are approved for general scouting activities. Any scouting uniform is approved for work details. Civilian clothes at scouting functions are not approved. Civilian wear at Summer Camp is allowed with the exception that the T-shirts should be scout related, plain or approved by the Scoutmaster.

Troop Structure

1. The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is the elected head of the troop. He is the leader of the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) and may have a staff consisting of, but not limited to an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL), Scribe, Historian, Librarian and Quartermaster. The SPL must be a Star Scout or higher with at least 2 years tenure in Boy Scouts. Both the SPL and ASPL must agree to attend JLT Training within 60 days of their election.

2. A Patrol Leader (PL) is the elected head of a patrol. He is selected by scouts in the troop (if a patrol has enough members to run for office each patrol will elect their own leader from within the patrol). The PL must be a First Class Scout or higher with at least 1 year tenure in Boy Scouts. His assistant may be any rank, but preferably a Tenderfoot or higher as the leadership of the patrol will logically fall to the assistant in the PL's absence. The Patrol Leader must agree to attend JLT Training within 60 days of his election.

Troop Elections and Terms of Office

Troop elections are held every 6 months. The term of office is 6 months. All troop members should consider the following when nominating and voting. The candidate must:

1. Submit written notification to Scoutmaster for consideration for elected positions. This notification is required 2 weeks to 1 month prior to the elections.

2. Demonstrate that he lives by the Scout Oath and Law.

3. Demonstrate positive leadership potential.

4. Have satisfactory participation for 6 months prior to the election.

5. Advance according to his own growth agreement schedule.

6. Accept the responsibility of the office to which he is elected.

Understand that if a conflict of interest develops, he may of his own volition, or that he may without prejudice, be asked to resign his office.

8. Serve no more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

9. Agree to attend JLT Training within 60 days of his election.

Training

One of the main duties of a Scoutmaster is to "train and guide boy leaders". Training will be held within 60 days of a troop election. During this training each boy learns what his job is. He is given a job description and informed as to what is expected of him. The Scoutmaster may utilize other adults to assist in this training.

Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC)

The boy leadership of the troop must regularly meet at a Patrol Leaders Council meeting for planning and conducting the troop's activities. The PLC will meet after the Scoutmaster and the PLC agree upon a date to be announced. The PLC is composed of the following voting members: SPL, ASPL, and the PLs. The Scoutmaster and at least one other adult will attend this meeting to continue to train the boys and help with coordination in planning troop activities; however, the Scoutmaster is not a voting member of the PLC. The Scoutmaster's purpose is to advise, offer suggestions, and interact with the Troop Committee and the wishes of the PLC.

During the first PLC following elections a six-month plan is discussed and activities are placed on a planning form or calendar to submit to the Troop Committee for approval. The Troop Committee either approves the plan or makes alternative suggestions for the PLC to consider. At its monthly meetings, the PLC organizes and assigns activity responsibilities for the next month's troop meetings. This is where the fine-tuning is done. A detailed Troop Meeting Plan will be prepared during this meeting. Each patrol leader and the Scoutmaster will be given a copy of each troop meeting planning form. ANY PARTICIPATION INVOLVING ADULTS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE SPL, WITHOUT EXCEPTION. The Troop Committee interacts with the PLC through the Scoutmaster.

Troop Discipline

When a majority of a Patrol feels that the Scout elected by them to serve as their Patrol Leader is not representing them or is failing to provide their Patrol proper leadership, they may present their case to the PLC. The PLC will discuss the situation with the Patrol Leader and if the situation is unresolvable may, after approval of the Scoutmaster, request the PL's resignation. Likewise, when a PL feels that he cannot secure the cooperation or support of a member of his patrol and has attempted to correct the situation by discussing it with his SPL, he may request that the Scout appear before the PLC. Depending upon the seriousness of the situation, the PLC may recommend anything from a verbal caution to a period of restriction from troop activities. All PLC recommendations are subject to review and approval of the Scoutmaster.

1. Scouts must attend the Patrol Meeting and Troop Meeting prior to an outdoor function or campout.

2. All Scouts must be on "Best Behavior" at any Scout Function.

3. Absolutely no fighting!

4. Absolutely no abusive language!

5. No hazing, taunting or initiations allowed.

6. No rough games and/or activities indoors or outdoors. If game is in question, see Scoutmaster or adult for a ruling.

7. It is up to SPL, ASPL, and PL’s to keep control of troop and patrol functions (meeting, games, and outdoor activities).

Misconduct on outdoor activities will result in a&b below and immediate removal from the activity. Parents will be called to pick up their Scout.

9. Deliberate destruction of meeting place and/or equipment will result in suspension. A formal apology to the institution will be required. Parents will be notified and will be expected to pay for any damages.

10. CONSEQUENCES:

A. First offense will warrant a verbal warning from Scout Leaders.

B. Second offense will result in a conference with the Scoutmaster.

C. Third offense will merit a conference with a Board of Review.

D. The Board of Review will determine additional disciplinary action such as: suspension of troop meeting attendance or outdoor activities per board recommendation (not less than two months).

E. Removal from troop roster.

It is the duty of Troop 145 to see that every Scout achieves the rank of 1st Class Scout if he so desires. After that, with the support of the Troop, the Scout is on his own for the Star, Life, and Eagle ranks.

Patrols are encouraged to have 1 patrol meeting during each month. These meetings are for advancement and to prepare for the troop program. At least ½ of the patrol must be present for it to be called a patrol meeting. Additional meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the Patrol Leader; however, he should be cautioned not to "saturate" his patrol members' free time. It should also be noted that there must be 2 deep adult leadership at the patrol meeting.

The following procedures shall be followed when a Scout starts working on merit badges: After deciding that he is capable of earning a particular merit badge, he should read the entire merit badge book. The Troop Library contains books for all required merit badges for Eagle, and others donated by the Scouts or purchased by the Troop. Many city libraries have most of the books; however, some may be badly out of date. Merit badge books may be purchased at the Council Office of NW Military Drive and Lockhill-Selma in Castle Hills.

The Scout should fill out a merit badge application and present it to the Scoutmaster who will review it to insure the Scout's eligibility. (Some merit badges have other merit badges as prerequisites.) The Scoutmaster will then present the Scout with a list of merit badge counselors. When contacting a Counselor, the Scout should ask for an appointment. Once an appointment is made, be sure to keep it and have the merit badge application and pamphlet with you. Broken appointments will not be tolerated. Some Counselors have certain procedures to be followed when working under their guidance and may not accept prior work completed. On all work completed on any merit badge, be sure to have documented evidence of your accomplishments if you expect to receive credit for it. Once your application has been approved, you must turn it in to the Scoutmaster who will give it to the Advancement Chairperson. You will receive the merit badge at the next scheduled Court of Honor. Parents are discouraged from acting as Merit Badge Counselors for their sons without prior approval of simple majority of the Troop Committee. As stated earlier in this Guide, see attached for Merit Badge Counseling Guidelines.

Service Projects

The troop periodically organizes work projects to benefit the community. These projects allow the Scouts to earn service hours towards advancement.

Boards of Review

Boards of Review are scheduled each month to interview Scouts who have completed all requirements for advancement to the next rank. All advancement acknowledged by a board will be recognized at the next troop meeting and formally honored at the next Court of Honor.

Boards of Review for advancement will be conducted by at least three members and no more than six members of the Troop Committee. The Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters or Scouts cannot sit in on any of these boards. Board of Reviews are held once a month, usually preceding the Troop Committee meeting. Boards of Review may also be held for Scouts that are not advancing. The purpose of this review is to find out why the Scout is not advancing and what assistance may be given him from the troop.

Individual Responsibilities

Participation: All Scouts are expected to participate in all Troop activities and to support the Troop during fund raising drives. A Scout will be considered active in the Troop and Patrol if he meets the following criteria:

1. Attend 75% of all troop and patrol meetings. An excused absence does not count against him.

2. Attend 50% of all other Troop and Patrol activities. Excused absences do not count against him.

3. In the event a Scout is unable to attend a regularly scheduled activity, it will be required that he make a courtesy call to advise the Troop of extenuating circumstances. The point of contact is the PL for Patrol activities to include Troop meetings. The point of contact for all other activities is the SPL. The Scoutmaster can be notified if the SPL is unavailable. It is the responsibility of each individual Scout to initiate this contact.

Any Scout absent for more than 2 consecutive meetings who has not notified Troop leadership of the cause will be contacted by the Troop leadership to determine reason for inactivity. Note: Excused absences are generally construed as participation in organized sports, school activities, church activities, and significant family activities. Absences will be evaluated on an individual basis by the Scoutmaster Corp.

Conflicting Interests: Throughout the year, Scouts are engaged in other activities that may conflict with the Troop's program. All youth programs are endorsed and each Scout is encouraged to get involved in any program where he has an interest provided he is not over-committed. In those instances a Scoutmaster conference is encouraged. A Scout that is elected is obligated to assume the responsibilities of his office. If a Scout's other interests detract from Troop activities, the scout may be asked by the Scoutmaster to resign his office. This request will not be prejudicial to him in future elections, nor in Troop activities. His resignation will provide the Troop and his Patrol the opportunity to obtain the leadership required at all activities. An SPL or PL is not a leader if he is not there to lead.

Telephone Calls: Your telephone number is listed on a roster, which is updated periodically to provide each Scout with the telephone numbers of other Scouts. A Scout should normally contact his PL for assistance, not the Scoutmaster. If he cannot answer the question, the Scout may call the SPL. If the SPL cannot answer the question, he may then contact the Scoutmaster or one of his assistants.

Uniforms: All Scouts are expected to "acquire" a uniform within a reasonable time after registering with Troop 145. Scouts that have outgrown their "experienced" uniforms are encouraged to recycle them to other Scouts by turning them in to the Troop Uniform Pantry for re-issue to scouts who have yet to acquire a uniform.

Dues: Troop 145 collects $3.00 per scout monthly as dues. Any Scout not current on his dues will be asked to get his dues up to date before being allowed to attend an outdoor function or other Troop activity as well as advance in rank.

Health and Medical Record: To give evidence that a Scout is physically fit to participate in camping, hiking, swimming, and other competitive sports, each Scout is to have on file with the Troop, a current (not more than one year old) health and medical record completed by the Scout's personal physician. Any medication the Scout is required to have should also be noted and given to the Scoutmaster before leaving for any outdoor activity. The Scoutmaster or designated leader is responsible for dispensing the prescription. Each Scout is required to have an Activity Permission and Medical Authorization form, signed and notarized, on file before participating in activities. A form is attached in the event you have not already received one.

Individual Equipment: It is quite natural for a Scout to be excited about scout equipment "to go camping", and it is common for him to feel that he needs one of each item right away. A list follows which will give you an idea of what items are needed and when in his scout career they are needed.

Uniform: Within 30 days

Scout Handbook: Within 30 days

Notebook and Pencil: Within 30 days

Canteen: By first hike or campout

First Aid kit: By first hike or campout

Raincoat/Poncho: By first campout

Sleeping bag (or 3 blankets): By first campout

Flashlight: By first campout

Mess kit: By first campout

Backpack: By first campout (Check with Scoutmaster Corp for suggestions)

Compass: After achieving Tenderfoot

Pocketknife: Not until earning Tote-N-Chip

Air mattress: Optional

Sewing kit: Optional

This list is not all-inclusive; however, it does represent the major items. A complete line of scout equipment is available for sale at the Council Center at NW Military and Lockhill-Selma in Castle Hills. Experienced adults in the Troop can assist you with specific questions concerning items you may wish to purchase. Many items are available from other sources.

1. A Scout must receive approval from his Scoutmaster or other committee approved leader to make an appointment with a counselor. This approval should be based on his knowledge and readiness to work on the merit badge. The Scoutmaster or leader should recommend an approved counselor to contact.

2. Scouts must be expected to call a counselor in all non-summer camp merit badges. In selected circumstances at merit badge centers, scouts are expected to phone or mail reservation and introduce themselves to counselors on site.

3. The counselor should have a minimum of two (2) contacts with the Scout. The first is to tell the Scout what is to be expected of him, and the second (or additional contacts) is to have the scout demonstrate his knowledge of this subject to the counselor’s satisfaction.

4. Upon approval by the Merit Badge Counselor, the merit badge card will be returned to the Scoutmaster for final review that an approved counselor has signed the card, and for recording in the troop records. The Scoutmaster will sign the "council record" portion to indicate completion of this step.

5. Merit Badges will not be available from the Musselman Scout Shop unless and Alamo Area Council advancement report, accompanied by the signed merit badge application, is presented.

6. Counselors will not accept reservations or calls from adults.

7. Counselors will limit their final review to a maximum of 5 Scouts.

IMPORTANT YOUTH AND COUNSELOR PROTECTION GUIDELINES:

1. The Boy Scouts of America is an organization dedicated to building character, citizenship, and improving personal fitness. But the Boy Scouts of America is not immune to problems, one of which is child abuse, a problem that affects all ethnic and economic backgrounds.

2. Because ours is a movement that impacts the lives of so many, we have both an opportunity and responsibility, an opportunity to enhance the lives of our members and a responsibility to protect our young people from those who would endanger them.

3. For this reason, the Boy Scouts of America has established program policies that serve the duel purposes of protecting the youth members as well as providing leaders protections from unfounded allegations of abuse.

"ONE ON BOY-ADULT ACTIVITIES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED BY THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA"

THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY FORM OF CHILD ABUSE IN OUR PROGRAM AND WILL TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO REMOVE ANY OFFENDERS FROM MEMBERSHIP IN THE B.S.A.

We have read, discussed and understand all material in this Parent’s Guide. We will discuss any questions, which may come up immediately with the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster. We will support Troop 145 to the best of our abilities.

Scout Parent(s)

Date Date

Name Phone #

As a parent you can help!

Check the item(s) that apply where you can help Troop 145:

Scoutmaster Corp.

Transportation to and from outings

Merit Badge Counselor (skill specialty)

Troop Committee Member

Summer Camp

Community Service

Other

Thank you very much!