A. MEMBERSHIP
- In order to become a Boy Scout, you must be a boy who has completed the fifth
grade or who has earned the Arrow of Light, or be 11 years of age but not yet 18
and complete the Boy Scout joining requirements.
- A Scout must be a registered member to wear the Scout uniform.
- Each Scout must maintain active status to be eligible for advancement, election to Troop office, or appointment to a Troop leadership position. Active status is defined as:
- Attending at least two thirds of all Troop functions since his last rank,
excluding excused absences AND
- Payment of all Troop dues and fees on time.
- A Scoutmaster's conference with at least one parent present may be required if:
- A Scout is absent from all Troop activities for one month or
- A Scout misses four consecutive monthly campouts or
- A Scouts behavior warrants it, per the Troop 199 Discipline Policy.
- After completion of the Scoutmaster's conference noted in item 4, the Scoutmaster will make a recommendation to the Troop Committee. The Troop Committee will then decide what additional action, if any will be taken.
- To become a Boy Scout, all applicants must fulfill the joining requirements as stated in the Boy Scout handbook.
- All adult leaders must meet requirements set forth by the BSA before assuming
leadership in Troop 199.
B. REGISTRATION AND DUES
- New Troop members are responsible for the National BSA registration fee of $7.00 plus the BSA insurance fee of $1.00, or $1.00 transfer fee if the applicant has an unexpired membership certificate.
- Subscription to Boys' Life Magazine is not required, but is encouraged. If Boys' Life magazine is desired, $7.80 should be added when paying the BSA registration fee and insurance, and during the annual Troop recharter.
- The Troop Dues are due by the first meeting of each quarter.
- Troop Dues are $6.00 per Quarter or $24.00 per year. Dues are used for payment of National BSA registration and insurance at recharter time as well as other normal expenses incurred in operating the Troop.
- Beginning with recharter in March 2000, the above dues will apply. In an effort to encourage the boy to earn part of the money for his dues, credit may be given to each Scout on a per hour or percentage basis as determined by the Troop Committee, for participation in fund raisers. Family members can earn credit for their son by also participating in fundraising activities. Any credit eared will be added to his "Scout Account" to first pay for dues. Any excess credit may be applied to Activity fees or Camp fees. The $6.00 dues at the beginning of each quarter, will be reduced by the amount of his work credits previously earned.
- For new and transferring Scouts, the current quarter's dues will be due in full upon joining the Troop.
- Weblos, who are current members of a Pack and graduate into the Troop, will pay the current quarters dues at the time of transfer. The Troop will pay the transfer fee.
- Scouts are encouraged to earn the money to pay for their dues, equipment, activity fees, ect. Some of the Troop Fund Raising functions provide opportunities for a Scout to earn money to be credited to his "Scout Account" with the Troop. The funds may be used to pay dues, camp fees, purchase BSA equipment, ect. If a Scout leaves the Troop, any balance remaining in the "Scout Account" can be transferred to the new Troop or he can obtain reimbursement for Official Scout items purchased by presenting a receipt to the Troop treasurer. At no time will cash be distributed to the Scout. If a former Troop member returns to the Troop, any previously forfeited balance will not be reinstated.
- Scouters (Adult Leaders, Committee Members) are responsible for paying for their annual registration.
- All adults are encouraged to attend and participate in Troop Committee meetings or any Troop function.
TROOP ACTIVITIES
- The Troop schedules approximately 50 activities per year, which may include:
- Weekly meetings on Monday from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM except Christmas week, Spring Break, Summer Camp, or for holidays for which school is dismissed.
- Scout Show.
- Scouting for Food.
- Campouts of which some are Troop events and others are in conjunction with the District or Council.
- Long-term (one week_ Summer Camp at an official BSA camp.
- Fund raising activities. These activities ate to be shared by all the boys in the Troop. Each boy is expected to participate in at least two-thirds of these activities. Fund raising allows the Troop to provide the program at a lower cost to the family and enables the Scout to earn some of his expenses.
- At least two Courts of Honor are scheduled during the year.
- Special Eagle Courts of Honor.
- Parents night.
- The Troop will follow BSA Youth Protection Guidelines during each and every activity. At least one adult accredited in Youth Protection will be in attendance at each activity or the activity will be canceled.
- All activities must have ample adult leadership and supervision (minimum of two adults for every activity).
- UNLESS SPECIFIED BY SCOUTMASTER, the approved uniform is required at all Troop activities.
- All Scouts are expected to bring pencil, pad, and the Official Scout Handbook to all Scout functions.
- Attendance will be taken by the Troop Scribe and recorded. Attendance is used to determine active status and participation for campouts and advancement.
D. CAMPOUTS
- The Troop will schedule one activity per month. Campouts will make-up about two-thirds of these activities. The Troop normally leaves the Church of Christ main building on Friday between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM and returns between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM on Sunday.
- A minimum of two adults must be at each campout at all times.
- Scouts must attend at least two meetings per month in order to participate in the campouts. Exceptions must be approved by the Scoutmaster.
- The program for each campout will include a non-denominational Devotional Service conducted by an adult, assisted by the Chaplain Aide. Attendance in full Scout uniform is required.
- The Scout must bring his food money (usually $5.00 - $7.00) to the Troop meeting preceding the campout.
- Each Patrol will plan their menu and have it approved by the Scoutmaster two weeks prior to the campout. All Scouts will adhere to their patrols menu. Parents should advise the Scoutmaster of special dietary needs as soon as they are known, not immediately prior to the campout.
- Volatile fuel on campouts is restricted for use with adult supervision only and should be limited to fuel for lanterns and cooking stoves. Fuel will be provided by the Troop. Parents should insure that Scouts do not bring any flammable fuel to campouts. Tent heaters are prohibited. No lanterns or other flames are allowed in
tents.
- Only registered Scouts may attend campouts, except parents or other invited adults or prospects for the Troop. Non registered prospects must complete the Boy Scout application and have parent's permission.
- Swimming and other water activities will be allowed only with qualified and approved adult supervision. No Scout may participate without a life preserver until he passes current BSA swimming requirements (Scouts First Class or above have met the requirements, others must qualify before participating). A Scout may be
required to demonstrate swimming proficiency. BSA Safe Swim Defense policies will be adhered to. EXCEPTIONS WILL NOT BE MADE.
- Coast Guard approved life preservers are required for all boating activities. BSA Safety Afloat policies will be adhered to.
- Knife and tool safety will be observed at all times.
- Scouts must not carry a knife unless they have earned the "Totin Chip". The privilege to carry a knife may be taken away for unsafe conduct.
- Sheath knifes are not allowed (blade must fold up). Blades cannot exceed a length of 5 inches.
- All Scouts attending either Summer Camp or High Adventure (such as Philmont)
must have current physical exam forms.
- The Troop will ALWAYS leave the campground or facility in better condition than when the Troop arrived. All Scouts and Scouters must understand there will be no littering. Burnable trash may be burned in a campfire. Trash not burned will be carried home or to a designated disposal point.
- The Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster may evict or restrict any Scout from further participation for unacceptable conduct. This may include sending a boy home. If the event is more than 50 miles from Sanger, or the parent cannot pick the boy up when less than 50 miles from Sanger, the parent is financially responsible for whatever public transportation is deemed necessary by the Scoutmaster for the safe
return of the boy. In such case, the adult leadership will contact the parent/guardian, or other contacts noted on the health form, prior to sending the boy home. Such an offense will require a Scoutmaster conference with the Scout and at least one parent at the first meeting following the incident.
E. ADVANCEMENT
- Each Scout is expected to advance at least one rank per year up to the rank of Life Scout.
- Tenderfoot to First Class rank requirements may be signed off by an adult leader or a Scout designated by the Scoutmaster (normally Star Scouts and above).
- Merit Badges must be signed off only by a registered Merit Badge Counselor.
- A Board of Review will be conducted to determine if a scout is eligible for rank advancement. The Board of Review will be scheduled and planned in advance. Attendance records and advancement records will be furnished in sufficient time to be studied by the Board.
"Scout Spirit" is required for each level of rank advancement. "Scout Spirit" includes active participation, and an eager, helpful, and supportive attitude. Scouts who demonstrate poor attitudes may be restricted from advancement by the Scoutmaster or the Board of Review. Older Scouts are expected to exemplify this "Scout Spirit" to and for younger Scouts.
- There will be no hazing in Troop 199.
F. TROOP ELECTIONS
- Elections will be held twice per year in June and December.
- Each Scout must meet the active status requirements as outlined in section A.3. to be eligable for Troop office.
- To be elected to office, a Scout should have the following:
- Senior Patrol Leader must be Star Rank or higher and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader must have First Class rank or higher.
- The Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader should have the rank of First Class or higher (except leaders of New Scout Patrols, who will be assigned by the Troop Guide).
- Troop Scribe, Quartermaster, Chaplain Aide, Librarian, Bugler and Historian should have the a rank of Second Class or higher.
- Should there not be enough eligible Scouts under these rules to fill Troop offices, the Scoutmaster may establish alternate requirements, as necessary, to fill that term of office.
- Once elected, all Junior Leaders are expected and encouraged to attend Troop Junior Leader Training.
- Scouts declining a nomination for an office without sufficient reason, as determined by the Scoutmaster, shall not be eligable for any other office or appointed position for that term.
- Scouts who are eligable will announce their intention to run for a specific Troop office. Beggining with SPL, each candidate may present his qualifications, interest, and motivation for seeking the position. Election shall be by secret ballot. A Scout who is not selected for SPL may then run for ASPL. After Patrol elections, the above process is repeated for Scribe, Quartermaster, Librarian, Bugler, Historian and Chaplain Aide.
- If no Scout runs for a particular office, nominations will be taken for that office.
- The term of office is 6 months; January through June and July through December.
- A Scout may not hold office for more than two consectutive terms.
- A quorum of two-thirds of the active members must be present before the election will be conducted.
G. UNIFORMS
- The approved BSA uniform shirt and neckerchief are required with a belt and uniform shorts or long pants being recommended.
- The Activity uniforms, such as official Troop T-shirts, may be worn when designated by the Scoutmaster.
- The official uniform, as designated by the Scoutmaster, must be worn to and from campouts/functions and during the Devotional Service.
- New members are given two months to aquire a proper uniform. Older Scouts are encouraged to give their "experienced" uniforms to the Troop Quartermaster to be made available to new Scouts.
- Only BSA or Troop approved neckerchiefs will be allowed.
- Socks must be worn with shoes.
- Menbers of Troop 199 are expected to be proud of their uniform and to wear them proudly. Uniform shirts are to be tucked in and buttoned.
- Hats other than Scout hats are not to be worn with the scout uniform.
- Uniform inspections will be held periodically.
H. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SCOUTS AND SCOUTERS
- All Scouts and Scouters are required to subscribe to the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
- All Scouts and Scouters are required to exhibit "Scout Spirit" which is defined as the daily living of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
- The use of alcoholic beverages or foul language is absolutely prohibited at all Scout Functions.
- When authorized by the Scoutmaster, clothing other than the uniform may be worn at scout functions. At no time eill clothing that bears advertisement for alcohol or tobacco, or sexually explicit slogans, foul language or other inappropriate statements (as determined by the Scoutmaster) be allowed at Scout functions.
- The use of tobacco by Scouts is prohibited.
- The use of tobacco by adults should be with discretion per BSA policy.
- Adults should set the example and not be disruptive or distracting during Troop meetings.
TROOP 199 DISCIPLINE POLICY
This policy was developed and is set forth by the Patrol Leaders Council.
If a Scout breaks the rules outlined in the Troop Policy (June 1, 1995), one or more of the following four steps will take place.
- The scout will be given a verbal warning.
- The Patrol Leader will have a conferance with the Scout.
- The Senior Patrol Leader will have a conferance with the Scout.
- The Scout will be removed from the meeting or function and will be required to attend a Scoutmaster Conference with a parent before he can attend another Scout function.
Return to Troop 199 Homepage
Last Updated: 11-Oct-00
Created by: Danny Carman
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