Troop 515 Buckeye • TROOP BYLAWS (Approved March 2011)
Boy Scouts of America
Grand Canyon Council
Firebird District
Troop 515
Bylaws
First edition
Approved March 2011/Amended April 2011
Page 16
Troop 515 Buckeye • TROOP BYLAWS (Approved March 2011)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION
II. ORGANIZATION
- Mission
- Objectives
- Youth Leadership
- Adult Leadership
III. MEETINGS
- Troop Meetings
- Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) Meetings
- Troop Committee Meetings
IV. TROOP COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES AND OPERATIONAL RULES
- Yearly Planning Meetings
- Committee Elections
- Scoutmaster Selection
- Modifications and Addendums to the Troop Bylaws
- Troop Committee Voting Rules
V. UNIFORMS
- Field Uniform (Class A)
- Utility Uniform (Class B)
VI. FINANCES
- Dues
- Delinquent Dues
- Membership and Registration
- Fundraising
- Scout Accounts
- Troop Expenses
VII. POLICES
- Behavioral
- Disciplinary Action
I. INTRODUCTION
Troop 515 BYLAWS establishes troop policies, procedures, and guidelines as expressed in 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 guidelines for Troop operations.
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 always take precedence. These Procedures apply to all members of Troop 515 and to all authorized guests, when engaged in any sanctioned troop activity. The Troop Committee is responsible for the content of Troop 515 BYLAWS and for all modifications to the same.
II. ORGANIZATION
Started on December 3rd, 2007, Troop 515 is a traditional, community unit of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and is part of the Firebird District of the Grand Canyon Council. The chartered organization and meeting location of the unit is Odyssey Preparatory Academy at 6500 South Apache Rd., Buckeye, Arizona 85326.
Mission
To facilitate the development of boys scouts into men of strong character via tempering them with the skills, knowledge and experience of the outdoors, leadership and citizenship as outlined within the scout law and promise.
Objectives
Scouting has three objectives (Aims of Scouting); character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. The methods by which the aims are as follows;
ADVANCEMENT: Boy Scouting provides steps in overcoming obstacles through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence and self-reliance.
IDEALS: The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan. The Boy Scout measures himself against these high ideals and continually tries to improve.
PATROLS: The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in small group interaction and participating in citizenship by placing responsibility and teaching boys how to accept it.
OUTDOORS: It is in the outdoors that Scouts share responsibilities, learn group interaction, test their outdoor skills and practice conservation.
ADULT ASSOCIATION: An adult who is willing to be a positive role model by listening, encouraging, and taking a sincere interest, can make a profound difference in a scout’s life.
PERSONAL GROWTH: Boys grow as they participate in community service projects, do Good Turns for others and participate in the religious emblems program. Scoutmaster conferences help each Boy Scout to determine his personal growth experience.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Every Boy Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations which helps him accept the leadership role of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.
UNIFORM: The uniform makes the Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Scout's commitment, gives the Scout identity in a world brotherhood and provides a way for Scouts to display what they have accomplished.
Youth Leadership
Scouts who hold leadership positions at any level should fulfill their responsibilities with an attitude of honor and servitude. If unable to attend any or fulfill duties at troop activities, elected leaders should notify the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmasters and appointed leaders should notify those whom they are subordinate. The SPL, ASPL, and each PL must notify the Scoutmaster and/or PLC Assistant Scoutmaster advisor if unable to attend a PLC meeting; an excuse for absence must be for good reason or illness.
All youth leadership positions up for election, appointment, or reappointment every six months (see “Election and Appointment Process”). The Scoutmaster may hold Troop Leadership Training after each election/appointment meeting and before the new leadership term begins to explore the duties and responsibilities of the various leadership positions.
If duties of the office are not adequately performed and/or regular attendance in troop meetings/outings is insufficient, the position will appointed to another scout by the Troop Committee per the recommendation of the Scoutmaster. Causes for removal of a scout from office during the term can occur for the following reasons:
· Failure to attend three consecutive meetings.
· Failure to attend two consecutive outings.
· Failure to attend two PLC meetings (SPL, ASPL, PL, and Scribe only).
· Failure to carry out the required duties of his position.
· Failure to follow known BSA policies or troop Behavior Policies after ample warnings
Patrol Leaders Council
The scout leadership team is called the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), which is under the supervision of the Scoutmaster and advisement of an Assistant Scoutmaster. The PLC rotates leadership every six months via elected and appointed positions. Membership includes the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL), Patrol Leaders (PL), and Troop Scribe (TS). The PLC facilitates and conducts all Regular Troop Meetings and outings, which is primarily led by the Senior Patrol Leader. (See “Positions and Descriptions” under “Youth Leadership.”)
One time per month a green bar meeting is held. The PLC plans troop meetings and outings for the following month. If the Senior Patrol Leader cannot attend a PLC Meeting, the Assistant Patrol Leader is to facilitate the meeting in his place. Likewise, a Patrol Leader must notify his Assistant Patrol Leader to attend the meeting in his place if he is going to absent. The main responsibility of the PLC is to program each meeting using the Regular Troop Meeting Plan by selecting appropriate skills, games, materials, instructors, facilitators, and guest speakers. The Troop Scribe must record and submit to the adult troop Secretary all the information using Regular Troop Meeting Plan templates for reproduction.
Eligibility for Troop Positions
Senior Patrol Leader (SPL):
Rank of Star or above, served as a Patrol Leader in Troop 515, six months active membership in Troop 515. Demonstrates Scout Spirit and upholds the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Scoutmaster approval.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL):
Rank of First Class or above, served as a Patrol Leader in Troop 515, six months active membership in Troop 515. Demonstrates Scout Spirit and upholds the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Scoutmaster approval.
Scribe, Troop Guide and Instructor:
(Same as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader)
Patrol Leader (PL):
Rank of Scout or above, Demonstrates Scout Spirit and upholds the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Scoutmaster approval.
Assistant Patrol Leader:
(Same as Patrol Leader)
Librarian, Historian, Quartermaster, Chaplain Aide, Bugler, Webmaster and Den Chiefs:
Second Class rank or above. Scoutmaster approval.
Election and Appointment Process
All elected and appointed candidates must meet the Eligibility for Positions requirements unless waived by the Troop Committee. Election and appointments for six-month offices shall be held in August and February. Candidates eligible for leadership positions per Scoutmaster approval are announced one week prior to election/appointment meeting. If a candidate is absent during the election/appointment meeting, he must state his intent in writing and appointees if elected. The election and appointment process shall be conducted as follows:
· Secret ballot vote for Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) by youth members of the entire troop.
· Secret ballot vote Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) by youth members of the entire troop.
· Secret ballot vote for Patrol Leader (PL) by respective members of each patrol.
· Appointment of Assistant Patrol Leader (APL) by the newly elected PL with Scoutmaster approval.
· Appointments of Troop Guide and Instructor by the newly elected SPL with Scoutmaster approval
· Appointments of Scribe, Librarian, Historian, and Quartermaster by the newly elected SPL with Scoutmaster approval.
· Appointments or reappointments of Chaplain Aide, Bugler, and Den Chiefs by Scoutmaster
· Appointment of Order of the Arrow and Troop/Team Representative by Scoutmaster
Troop Positions and Descriptions
Senior Patrol Leader; Preside at all troop meetings, events, activities, and annual program planning conference, Chair the patrol leaders’ council, Appoint boy leaders with advice and consent of the Scoutmaster Assign duties and responsibilities to other you leaders, Work with eh Scoutmaster in training youth leaders, Set a good example, Wear the Scout uniform correctly, Live by the Scout Oath and Law, Show and help develop Scout spirit.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader; Be responsible for training and giving direct leadership to the following appointed youth leaders: Historian, Order of the Arrow Troop/Team Representative, Scribe, Librarian, Instructor, Quartermaster, and Chaplain Aide, Help lead meetings and activities as called upon by the senior patrol leader, Guide the troop in the senior patrol leader’s absence, Perform tasks assigned by the senior patrol leader, Function as a member of the patrol leaders’ council, Set a good example, Wear the Scout uniform correctly, Live by the Scout Oath and Law, Show and help develop Scout spirit
Patrol Leader; Plan and lead patrol meetings and activities, Keep patrol members informed, Assign each patrol member a task and help them succeed, Represent the patrol at all patrol leaders’ council meetings and the annual program planning conference, Prepare the patrol to take part in all troop activities, Show and help develop patrol spirit, Work with other troop leaders to make the troop run well, Know what patrol members and other leaders can do, Set a good example, Wear the scout uniform correctly, Live by the Scout Oath and Law
Troop Guide; Introduce new Scouts to troop operations, Guide new Scouts through early Scouting activities, Shield new Scouts from harassment by older Scouts, Help new Scouts ear the First Class rank in their first year, Coach the patrol leader of the new-Scout patrol on his duties, Work with the patrol leader at patrol leaders’ council meetings, Attend patrol leaders’ council meetings with the patrol leader of the new-Scout patrol, Assist the Assistant Scoutmaster with training, Coach individual Scouts on scouting challenges, Set a good example, Wear the uniform correctly, Live by the Scout Oath and Law, Show and help develop Scout spirit, Teach basic Scout skills.
Instructor; Instruct scouting skills as needed within the troop or patrols, Prepare well in advance for each teaching assignment, Set a good example, Wear the uniform correctly, Live by the Scout Oath and Law, Show and help develop Scout spirit.
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster; Function as an assistant Scoutmaster (except for leadership responsibilities reserved for adults 18 and 21 years of age or older), Accomplish any duties assigned by the Scoutmaster, Set a good example, Wear the uniform correctly, Live by the Scout Oath and Law, Show and help develop Scout spirit.
Assistant Patrol Leader; Help the patrol leader plan and lead patrol meetings and activities. Help the patrol leader keep patrol members informed, Help the patrol leader prepare the patrol to take part in all troop act ivies, Lead the patrol in the patrol leader’s absence, Show and help develop patrol spirit, Represent the patrol at all patrol leaders’ council meetings in the patrol leader’s absence, Work with other troop leaders to made the troop run well, Set a good example, Wear the Scout uniform correctly, Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
Den Chief; Serve as the activities assistant at den meetings, Meet regularly with the den leader to review the den and pack meeting plans, If serving as a Webelos Den Chief, help prepare boys to join Boy Scouting, Project a positive image of Boy Scouting. , Set a good example, Wear the Scout uniform correctly, Live by the Scout Oath and Law, Show and help develop Scout spirit
Scribe; Attend and keep a log of patrol leaders’ council meetings, Record attendance and dues payments of all troop members, Record advancement in troop records and on the Troop/Team Advancement chart, Set a good example, Wear the Scout uniform correctly, Work with the appropriate troop committee members responsible for finance, records, and advancement, Live by the Scout Oath and Law, Show and help develop Scout spirit, Handle correspondence appropriately.
Librarian; Establish and maintain a troop library, Keep records on literature owned by the troop, Add new or replacement items as needed, Have literature available for borrowing at troop meetings, Maintain a system to check literature in and out, Follow up on late returns, Set a good example, Wear the Scout uniform correctly, Live by the Scout Oath and Law, Show and help develop Scout spirit.
Quartermaster; Keep records of patrol and troop equipment, Keep equipment in good repair, Keep equipment storage area neat and clean, Issue equipment and see that it is returned in good order, Suggest new or replacement items, Work with the troop committee member responsible for equipment, Set a good example, Wear the Scout uniform correctly, Live by the Scout Oath and Law, Show and help develop Scout spirit.
Historian; Gather pictures and facts about past activities of the troop and keep them in scrapbooks, wall displays, or information files, Take care of troop trophies and keepsake, Keep information about troop alumni, Set a good example, Wear the Scout uniform correctly, Live by the Scout Oath and Law, Show and help develop Scout spirit.
Order of the Arrow Troop/Team Representative; Serve as a communication link between the lodge or chapter and the troop/team, Encourage year-round and resident camping in the troop/team, Encourage older-Scout participation in high-adventure program, Encourage Scouts to actively participate in community service project, Assist with leadership skills training in the troop/tea, Encourage Arrowmen to assume leadership positions in the troop/team, Encourage Arrowmen in the troop/team to be active participants in lodge and/or chapter activities and to seal their membership in the Order by becoming Brotherhood members, Set a good example, Wear the Scout uniform correctly, Live by the Scout Oath, Scout Law, and OA Obligation, Show and help develop Scout spirit.
Chaplain Aide; Keep troop leaders apprised of religious holidays when planning activities, Assist the troop chaplain or religious coordinator in meeting the religious needs of troop members while on activities, Encourage saying grace at meals while camping or on activities, Lead worship services on campout, Tell troop members about the religious emblems program for their faith, Set a good example., Wear the uniform correctly, Live by the Scout Oath and Law, Show and help develop Scout spirit.