Troop 322 By-Laws

It is the intent for Troop 322 to operate under the guidelines established by the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America, Circle 10 Council and the Tawakoni District. Our objective is to offer an opportunity for youth to learn by participating in an organization that strives to develop strong character, strong leadership abilities, habits, and attitudes of good citizenship, good sportsmanship, team spirit and pride in growing strong in mind and body.

Troop 322 was first chartered in the 1960s and has been in continuous existence ever since. During this period of time the troop has had many different Scoutmasters who have given their time, talent and personal interest in the furthering of the Scouting ideals. As of 2003, there have been approximately 40 Eagle Scouts who have graduated from its ranks - a testimony to the program and the commitment of its leaders. With this continuing commitment to the Scouting program, we hope to instill qualities of leadership and character that will help guide Scouts for the rest of their lives.

This document is the operating policy for Troop 322 and is provided for the parents and Scouts as guidelines to the general operation of the troop. It is important that Scouts and their parents be familiar with this document, especially sections 1, 2 and 7.

Troop 322 strongly supports the B.S.A. concept of a boy-led Troop. The Troop is a big team led by the Senior Patrol Leader, and is made up of Patrols; each led by a Patrol Leader. Teamwork is required by all Scouts to make the strongest possible troop.

The Troop Leadership Council and the Troop Committee provide support for the Troop. Through these groups, adults and Scouts provide the planning and oversight required to help the Troop function smoothly.

2 – MEMBERSHIP, SCOUT MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES

2.1 – MEMBERSHIP

The facility, available troop equipment, and adult leadership will limit membership in Troop 322. A Scout must be active to remain on the Troop roster. A Scout will be considered inactive if he does not attend any Troop meetings, camping, service projects, or special events for three calendar months.

2.2 - REGISTRATION

Registration for new Scouts or transfers into Troop 322 can be done at any time. For Webelos Scouts, registration is usually done after completion of the Scout's Webelos year and/or Arrow of Light rank in conjunction with the Crossover Ceremony. Requirements are that boys be at least 11 years old or have earned the Arrow of Light. Anyone who is at least 18 years old must register as an adult.

The process for registering a new Scout or a transfer is as follows: The boy and at least one parent must come to one of the regularly scheduled Scout meetings on Monday night. At that time the following forms need to be completed.

Medical Information

Adult Resource Survey (one for each parent)

Acknowledgement of Bylaws

Transferring Scouts should also bring a transfer application filled out and signed by the previous troop's advancement chairperson. This sheet should include all available records and dates for rank advancement, merit badges, leadership positions and any noteworthy awards and honors. These records should be as complete as possible. If the Scout advances to the rank of Eagle, these records must also be verifiable. The district and national advancement committees check a Scout's records very carefully.

2.3 - Troop Meetings

The troop meets in the fellowship hall of Grace Presbyterian Church located at 1914 Joe Ramsey Blvd in Greenville. The meetings start promptly at 7:00 p.m. and end promptly at 8:30 p.m. Boy Scout troops, unlike Cub Packs, meet all year around. Refer to the annual calendar and other troop communications for further information.

The Boy Scout Handbook is required at each meeting. Every attempt will be made to dismiss the Troop on time, but, on occasion, activities or cleanup may run over. Parents are asked to bear with the Scoutmaster so that each Scout can complete activities and his share of cleanup tasks.

2.4 - Patrol Meetings

Patrol meetings are held as needed during weekly Troop meetings. These meetings are directed by the Patrol Leader, and are used to plan the Patrol’s part in Troop activities.

2.5 - Troop Leadership Council

The Troop Leadership Council (TLC) is the governing body for the troop. This group consists of the Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Scribe, all Patrol Leaders, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters. The TLC is responsible for planning the weekly meetings and monthly campouts and seeing that they are executed properly. The TLC meets once a month.

2.6 - Court of Honor

The Court of Honor is one of the most important family gatherings for the Troop. This is a time when the Scouts are recognized for their achievements over the past several months. . It is very important that parents attend the Court of Honor to encourage their sons as they progress in Scouting. Troop 322 will hold two Courts of Honor per year.

2.7 - Monthly Meeting SCHEDULE

Mondays Regular troop meeting 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Monday after campout Troop Leadership Council (TLC) 6:00-6:30 p.m.

Troop Committee meeting 6:30-8:00 p.m.

(No regular troop meeting on night of TLC)

As Required Court of Honor (two times per year)

Note: The date, time and location should remain constant but may change due to special activity requirements or conflicts that cause adult leaders to be unavailable.

2.8 - DUES

The main purpose for dues is to help Scouts learn responsibility. It is encouraged that the Scouts earn their own dues money. For active Scouts, dues will be $3.00 per month. To encourage participation in the Troop, dues for Eagle Scouts will be on a voluntary basis. Dues are payable on any meeting night of the month - preferably, the first one. Dues are required to be current before the Scout can advance in rank or receive any merit badges at the next Court of Honor.

This money will be used for re-registration, Boys' Life Magazine, awards, Merit Badge costs, and other Troop needs. Before a rank advancement is awarded the Scout must be paid up "in full" on his dues. Should a Scout quit or become inactive, any funds in that Scout's personal account will be used to pay any outstanding dues, fees or debts with the remainder reverting to the Troop.

Financial hardships may be brought to the attention of the Troop Committee for special consideration.

2.9 - Camping

Generally, the troop will participate in camping activities at least once a month. Scouts are encouraged to attend as many campouts as possible to learn and apply Scouting skills.

Troop 322 will camp in all types of weather. Safety of the Scouts is the foremost consideration during all outings so unnecessary risks are never taken. It will be up to the discretion of the adult leadership as to whether the campouts will be called off due to weather

2.10 - PHILMONT

When treks to Philmont are available, the maximum crew size is 12. Up to 9 Scouts will be included. In order to insure 2-deep leadership, 3 adults will make up the rest of the crew. Up to 2 alternates will also be selected, in case one of the first 9 Scouts cannot attend.

To be eligible to join a Philmont crew, a Scout must meet the following requirements:

· Either complete 8^th grade before the trek, or

· Be 14 by January prior to the trek.

· Must have earned the rank of Star before the trek.

If more than 9 Scouts that meet these requirements want to go on the trek, the following priorities will apply:

· First priority will be given to Scouts who have not yet participated in a Philmont trek

· Second priority will be given to older Scouts who may not have another chance to go to Philmont

· Third priority will be given to Scouts who are active, show maturity according to expectations during the activities, have the physical abilities to make the challenging trek, meet the Philmont weight requirements, and rank.

Final selection will be determined by the Troop Committee with input from the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters.

2.11 - OTHER ACTIVITIES

Special Council, District and Troop projects are held throughout the year with all Scouts expected to participate as a Troop. These projects vary from Scout expositions to participation in community functions such as parades and conservation projects.

2.12 - Information about activities

Information about Troop activities will be provided verbally at the weekly meetings, at least 2 weeks prior to the outing. Information will also be included in the newsletter, and additional information such as flyers or maps will be provided as needed. Scouts can also obtain specific information from their Patrol Leaders.

3 - ADVANCEMENT

3.1 - Overview

Rank advancement is a central theme of the Scouting movement and is an indicator of the individual boy's involvement in the program. If the program is successful and the Scout is involved, advancement comes naturally. A Scout can work on Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class ranks at the same time, but the ranks must be awarded in order. (If a Scout completes a requirement for First Class but is not yet Tenderfoot, then that requirement can be marked off in his handbook. No matter how the Scout finishes the requirements; he will be awarded the ranks only in the Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class order.) With the exception of Merit Badges, Star, Life and Eagle rank requirements may not be worked on at the same time.

3.2 - ADVANCEMENT PROCESS

Rank advancement is a shared responsibility of the Scout and the adult leaders. The adult leaders are there to help advise Scouts and to see that a good program is offered through the boy leaders. It is the Scout's responsibility to see that his advancement requirements are signed off. There are several steps involved in the advancement process that must be done in order for a Scout to earn the next rank:

1 – The Scout attends troop functions

2 – The Scout completes the requirements for the various ranks

3 – The Scout gets the appropriate signatures in his handbook as the

requirements are completed

4 - The Scout requests and attends a Scoutmaster's conference with the

Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster

5 - The Scout requests a Board of Review via the Scoutmaster or Assistant

Scoutmaster and attends a Board of Review

6 - The Scout receives informal recognition of advancement at the next troop

meeting.

7 - The Scout receives formal recognition of advancement at the next Court of

Honor.

It should be especially noted that the Scout requests everything to be done. He is expected to take charge and be responsible for his advancement. It is important for parents to help the Scouts by checking their sons' progress and encouraging them to contact those adults or boy leaders that can help them complete rank requirements. Parents cannot vouch for completion of rank requirements, but they can help the Scouts learn what is needed to advance. Parents can also encourage their sons to read and understand the Scout Handbook.

Before a rank advancement is awarded the Scout must be paid up "in full" on his dues.

3.3 – UNDERSTANDING THE RANK REQUIREMENTS

Rank requirements vary widely from Tenderfoot to Eagle. The advancement requirements are summarized in the Scout handbook. A Scout is expected to read and understand the material in the Scout Handbook that relates to a rank before the Scout earns that rank.

It should be noted that there are sign-off lines after each requirement. Each Scout is responsible for obtaining those signatures and dates upon completion of the requirement. To receive full credit, the dates obtained must include the month, day, and year. B.S.A. requires these signatures and dates. Omission may be cause for the rejection of applications for Eagle by the National Headquarters.

3.4 - Service Hours

Service hours are required as part of rank advancement. The Scoutmaster or the Service Project Committee Chairman before service project accomplishment must approve projects. Credit will be discussed before each project. Participation in Eagle projects is credited at one half the time actually worked. Attendance alone will not guarantee credit. The Scoutmaster or his designated representative will determine if a Scout's performance warrants credit.

3.5 - Scoutmaster’s conference

The Scoutmaster’s conference is a time when the Scout and the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster get together and review the Scout’s progress and discuss his future expectations as a Scout. The purpose is for the leaders and Scouts to get to know each other better and to set realistic goals for the next step toward Eagle. This conference may be held at any time after the rank requirements are completed and prior to a Scout’s Board of Review. The Scout is to bring his Scout Handbook with all the proper signatures and dates to the conference. The conference can normally be conducted on the regular troop meeting night. However, the Scout should let a Scoutmaster know before the Scout meeting night so time can be allotted.

3.6 - Board of Review

When a Scout has completed all the requirements for a rank, he requests a Board of Review through the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster will assign available members of the Troop Committee or Assistant Scoutmaster to provide the review board. The Scoutmaster may sit as an adult advisor to make sure the Board of Review is conducted properly. Boards of Review will be held as needed on regular Troop meeting night.

The purpose of the Board of Review is:

To make sure the Scout has completed the requirements for the rank.

To see how good an experience the Scout is having in the unit.

To encourage the Scout to progress further.

Additionally, the Board of Review provides "quality control" on advancement within the unit, it provides an opportunity for the Scout to develop and practice those skills needed in an interview situation, and it is an opportunity for the Scout to review his accomplishments.

The Board of Review is NOT a retest; the Scout has already been tested on the skills and activities required for the rank. However, the members of the Board of Review should ensure that all the requirements have been "signed off" in the Scout's handbook. Additionally, the members should ensure that leadership and merit badge records are consistent with the requirements for the rank.

The Board of Review is an opportunity to review of the Scout's attitudes, accomplishments and his acceptance of Scouting's ideals. If necessary, it is also the time to discuss with him his lack of progress, and to try to help him get back on track.

The Scout must wear a full C