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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.
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.
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.
Addendum A
TROOP CODE OF CONDUCT
It's up to the scouts to help each other remember and
to try to obey the rules. Everyone slips at one time or another, so
don't become tattle tales on minor instances. Reprimands and / or
punishment will be handled with the cooperation and supervision of the
adult leader.
GENERAL TROOP RULES:
·
Listen to and work in cooperation with your Junior leaders. They are
expected to lead maturely and to help the Senior Patrol Leader plan and
organize troop meetings and activities
·
Fights and arguments are to be directed to boy leadership first.
Adult leadership is available for guidance when needed.
·
NO SWEARING.
·
Be on time for all meetings, troop activities, etc.
·
No throwing objects, shooting, hitting with objects.
·
Show respect by keeping your hands off other people's property and other
people.
·
Name-calling and put-downs don't show scout spirit. Don't do it.
MEETING
RULES:
·
Scouts are expected to have at least the minimum uniform, a uniform should
be worn if you have one.
·
No running or wandering outside of the meeting room. Scouts will stay in
the meeting room except for a troop activity.
·
Only one person should be talking at a time.
·
Scouts shall not leave the meeting until dismissed by the Scoutmaster.
·
Chairs should be kept on all four legs.
·
Non-scout hats off in the building.
CAMPING RULES:
Take only you fair
share at mealtime.
Clean your own
dishes after each meal. No eating in troop tents.
Stay out of tents except for sleeping, resting or if you need
to get something.
No wandering off for any reason, applies to leaders, before
leaving the site for any reason, scouts or leaders should tell the person
above them on the chain of command. Adults should tell the adult they are
leaving in charge.
Obey duty roster. Furthermore, be a help to another scout if
you see he needs assistance.
Respect the land at all times. Help improve it and never do
anything to destroy it, such as cutting live trees.
A quiet time will
be set for each camping trip at 10:00 pm. Bedtime for all awake scouts is
11:00 pm.
Scouts retiring to their tents for any significant period of
time should tell a leader.
If you don't attend
the two prior meetings, you won't have the skills or the information you
need in order to participate on camping trips outings. This rule applies to
all scouts, unless they contact their patrol leader prior to the
meeting they will be missing.
Electronics, games, cards can be used for one hour before the
boys go to sleep in their tents. Headphones are to be used with music
and scouts should not disturb others with noise,
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