Troop 433 Bylaws

We, the members of the Winslow Troop 433 Committee, wish to ensure the quality of the troop program and the welfare of the troop. Troop 433 Committee will utilize these Bylaws, as our primary guide along with the BSA Guide to Safe Scouting and the BSA Troop Committee Guidebook when clarification is required. Where policies differ, the Scouting Manuals have priority, unless the local rules are more stringent.

I.   Membership on the Troop Committee

   1)      All parents/guardians of troop members are welcome to attend committee meetings.

    2)      Members of the troop committee must be registered adults and approved by the committee to qualify for voting privileges.

    3) The existing committee will vote to approve all new committee members with a majority.  The vote may be held at any          regularly scheduled committee meeting and then submitted to Committee Chairperson and Charter Representative.

II.   Meetings

    1) No fewer than eight (8) regular monthly committee meetings will be held during the Charter year of April through March 31. 

    2) Special committee meetings may be called at the discretion of the committee chairperson with notification to as many   members as is possible.

    3) A schedule of meetings will be given at the beginning of the year for Committee meetings; with exceptions made for holidays and other scheduling needs.  Members will agree to a best-fit time.  The secretary will be responsible for notifying absent members.

    4) Members absent from three (3) consecutive meetings may be asked to vacate their position on the committee.

    5) Regular troop meetings will not be held when school is canceled due to inclement weather

    6) Regular troop meetings will not be conducted during vacation periods.

III.  Voting 

    1)      Valid committee votes will require that at least a quorum of the committee members be present.

     2)      A Quorum shall be defined as four (3) out of five (5) of the executive board plus two other members

    3)  Simple Majority will rule.

    4) The Chairman may vote only in the case of a tied issue..

IV.  Leader Training

 

    1) All new adult leaders and committee members' must be trained within six months of being, approved, and provided the District offers the necessary training.

    2) If the District does not offer training within the required six (6) months, new members should attend the next scheduled training session nearest the District or they may be removed from the charter roster.

V.  Committee Positions

   1) The committee shall review and approve all positions at the beginning of the charter year.

    2) The Executive officers of the committee shall not serve in the same position for more than two consecutive years.  

   2) Vacancies shall be filled as they occur with committee approval.

   3) Regular committee positions and their respective duties shall include the following:

 

Chairman:

• Organize the committee to ensure that all functions are delegated, coordinated and completed.
• Maintain a close relationship with the chartered organization representative and the scoutmaster.
• Ensure that troop leaders and committee members are informed of training opportunities and training obligations are fulfilled.
• Serve as liaison between the troop committee and the District and / or Council.
• Work closely with the Scoutmaster in preparing troop committee meeting agendas.
• Call, preside over, and promote attendance at monthly troop committee meetings and any special meetings that may be called.
• Secure a minimum of two (2) adults for camp leadership. At least one must be a trained committee or adult troop member.
• Arrange for charter review and recharter annually.
• Plan the charter presentation program with the Scoutmaster.
• Chairperson has the right to call executive meetings.

Secretary:

• Keep minutes of the committee meetings
• Handle publicity with the Patrol Leaders' Council.
• Prepare notices of troop events and activities as needed.
• Conduct the troop resource survey. 

 

Treasurer:

• Handle all troop funds.
• Pay bills on recommendation of the Scoutmaster and authorization of the troop committee.
• Maintain checking and savings accounts.
• Assist in the training and supervision of the troop scribe in record keeping.
• Receive troop income from the troop scribe after each troop meeting.
• Maintain record of troop finances
• Supervise money-earning projects, including obtaining proper authorizations such as money earning permits.
• Maintain and update individual scout accounts
• Supervise the camp savings plan.
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting or delegate if unable to attend.
• Lead in the preparation of the annual troop budget.

 

Outdoor/activities:

 

Scoutmaster:

 

• Help procure and maintain camp equipment.

• Work with troop quartermaster on inventory, storage, and proper maintenance of troop equipment.

• Help in securing permission to use camping sites.

• Serve as transportation coordinator for troop outings.

• Encourage monthly outdoor activities or special activities.

• Promote attendance at troop campouts, camporees, and summer camp to reach the goal of an outing per month.

• Update the committee at least annually regarding troop equipment.

 

Advancement:

• Encourage scouts to advance in rank
• Arrange and conduct regular boards of review, making time available on regular troop and/or committee meeting nights.
• Coordinate a minimum of at least two (2) courts of honor annually.
• Assist in the planning of Eagle Courts of Honor.
• Develop and maintain a merit badge counselor list.
• Make a prompt report on the appropriate form to the council service center when a board of review is held and secure badges.
• Work with the troop scribe to maintain all scout advancement records.

 

VI.  Merit badge Counselors

    1) The committee member in charge of advancement will assist in developing and maintaining a merit badge counselor list for the troop.

    2) The blue cards should be given to the merit badge counselor at the beginning of the badge, signed by the Scoutmaster.

    3) Merit Badges requiring the use of Firearms will only be taught by NRA Certified instructors (consult Council).

 

VII.  Camping Leadership

    1) Camping leadership shall be provided by the scoutmaster and / or assistant scoutmasters whenever possible.

    2) If additional adult leadership is needed, trained committee members shall be requested to serve.

    3) Troop 433 committee strongly encourages the involvement of adult family members.

    4) Open communication should be maintained amongst all involved leaders prior to submission of tour permits.

    5) No changes to Scouts activity will be allowed after the tour permits has been submitted except for safety and liability concerns. Parents will be notified by written notice, including time departure, destination, and pick up times and emergency number's. Any changes before departure will be communicated to the parents.

 

VIII.  Fundraising and Finances

    1) The Troop 433 committee strongly encourages a minimum of four (4) fundraising events yearly, including participation in at least one Council sponsored event annually.

    2) Scout accounts shall be established for each scout participating in fundraising event(s).

    3) The committee shall determine the individual percentage amount to be allocated to scout accounts from each fundraising event. [1]

    4) Any money attained through sales and / or fundraising events that remains in a scout participation account would revert back to the troop’s general fund when a scout is determined by the committee to be inactive.[2]

    5) All money in a scout participation account will be unavailable to the scout until that scout has turned in all moneys due from fundraising event(s) or other debts.

    6) The boy members of the troop may set dues rate.  Payment of dues is encouraged/expected at the time of each regular troop meeting.

    7) A Scout must be active and participate in the troop for a six-month period to be eligible for scholarship or campership funds.

    8) All moneys, product(s), merchandise and / or fundraising supplies must be paid for or returned to the troop or fundraising coordinator in a timely manner.  A written notice will be sent to the family after 30 days.

    9) All problems and / or discrepancies with scout participation accounts shall go before the committee for resolution.

  10) The committee may resolve to use the funds in a scout’s account for the purpose of reducing the scout’s debt to the troop.

  11) The treasurer of the troop committee shall be responsible for maintaining and updating records of scout participation accounts. 

 

IX.  Service Projects

    1) All service projects will be reviewed by the scoutmaster, Committee chair, and committee for approval and to the chairperson and committee approval.

    2) The troop will hold at least one (1) service project for the benefit of the chartered organization per year.

X.  Uniforms

·         The committee encourages the official Troop uniform (class-A shirt and troop neckerchief or bolo tie at minimum) be worn by all scouts, the scoutmaster and assistant scoutmaster(s).

·         In the absence of official uniform pants or shorts, scouts should be attired in properly fitting, clean, intact (unripped) pants / shorts.

·         The wearing of the Boy Scout uniform (BSA shirt and troop neckerchief at minimum) is expected at all troop meetings, courts of honor, boards of review, and all other scout functions unless specifically instructed otherwise by the scoutmaster or assistant scoutmaster(s).

·         The scoutmaster shall conduct at least one (3) formal uniform inspection per year.

 

  XI.  Active Participation

" Active Participation" shall be defined, for the purpose of rank development requirements, as a scout who is registered with the troop, listed on the charter, with fees paid.  A scout who is temporarily unable to attend Troop meetings on a regular basis should maintain monthly contact with the Scoutmaster and/or his Patrol leader.  Maintaining contact is the SCOUT’s responsibility.

XII.  Medications

    1) Any scout who needs to bring medication to any scouting event must bring the medication in its original container with label and instructions and give it to his adult leader, who shall be responsible for its safe-keeping.  Parent(s) and/or guardian(s) must enclose written permission for the leader to dispense the medication.  Any scout attending a regular council-sponsored camp (e.g. Camp Hinds or Bomazeen) must submit their medication to the health officer of said camp.

    2) The scout for whom it is prescribed may keep inhalers and Epi pens, with the appropriate permission and knowledge of the adult leadership.  The adult leadership MUST be informed prior to the event.

 

XII.  Behavior Expectation

    1) All members of Troop 433 and Troop 433 Committee are expected to behave in a manner that is not in conflict with the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, and the Scout Ideals.

    2) Possession, use, and/or distribution of cigarettes, lighters, alcohol, or any other unlawful chemical substance will not be tolerated.  Such action shall be reported to parent(s), guardian(s) as well as the appropriate law enforcement agencies.  And the scout will be subject to discipline by the committee.

     3) Pyrotechnics (e.g. firecrackers, bottle rockets, lighters, etc.) are contraband and will be confiscated by adult leadership.  The scout will be subject to appropriate discipline by the committee.  Knives, axes, firearms and other ballistic devices are to be used ONLY as part of the program, and by the rules of the program.  Such items will be confiscated if used inappropriately and the scout will be subject to discipline by the committee.

     4) Foul language, disrespect for others, fighting, careless horseplay, equipment abuse will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

     5) At the discretion of the ScoutMaster or Assistant Leader or the Committee, electronics, games, cards may be used during long car trips.  If they are allowed, use will be only during the journey and may be allowed for one hour before bed.  Headphones should be used with music and scouts should not disturb others with noise.  Drivers and leadership are NOT Responsible for boy’s electronics or other possessions.

     6) If a scout behaves in an unacceptable manner, there will be a discussion between the scout and his patrol leader.  The boy leadership will review Code of Conduct (Addendum A).  If a satisfactory outcome cannot be achieved with the above action, the boy leadership will consult with the adult leadership for guidance.

     7) If a scout behaves in a manner that is considered (by the scoutmaster, assistant scoutmasters) to be physically detrimental to the other persons or property, that scout will be removed from participation and shall be required to be picked up by his parent or guardian.

     8) Troop is not responsible for scouts giving rides to other scouts.  Official troop transportation arrangements will be offered only from adults 21 and over. 

     9) ONLY adults will operate motorized equipment used at troop functions 21 and over.  During troop functions boys will not be permitted to ride on or in motorized equipment unless specifically allowed under BSA rules, within a BSA approved program.

   10) A scout who has been suspended from troop activities as outlined above will not be allowed to participate in any further troop functions or activities until the involved scout and his parent(s) or guardian(s) meet with the troop committee. 

Amendment Procedure

    1) Amendments to these bylaws shall require a simple majority vote of at least a quorum of the chartered committee members.