Parent Information Parent Information MeetingMeeting

Karen EvansKaren EvansTroop 575Troop 575

April 10, 2007April 10, 2007

Tonight’s ObjectivesTonight’s Objectives

• Review:

- The Scout Oath/Law & the 3 Aims of Scouting

- The Organization of Scouting

- How Scout Troops function

Tonight’s ObjectivesTonight’s Objectives• Review:

– The Troop Committee and their responsibilities

- Scout Advancement

- Miscellaneous/Questions

What is the Scouting Program What is the Scouting Program Trying to Achieve?Trying to Achieve?

Since 1910, the mission of the BSA has been to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Scout OathScout Oath

On my honor, I will do my best

To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;

To help other people at all times;

To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake , and morally straight.

Scout LawScout Law

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,

cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

The 3 Aims of ScoutingThe 3 Aims of Scouting

1. Growth in moral strength and character.

2. Participating in Citizenship.

3. Development of physical (body), mental (the mind) and emotional fitness (self control, courage, self respect).

Accomplishment of the 3 AimsAccomplishment of the 3 Aims

1. Ideals: Are spelled out in Oath and Law. A Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve.

2. Patrols: This method gives Scouts an experience in group living and participating in citizenship. Places responsibility on young shoulders.

Accomplishment of the 3 AimsAccomplishment of the 3 Aims

3. Outdoors: Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is here that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another. It is here that skills and activities practiced at Troop meetings come alive with purpose!

Accomplishment of 3 AimsAccomplishment of 3 Aims

4. Advancement: Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps to overcome them through the advancement method. Each Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he overcomes each challenge. The Scout is rewarded for each achievement (self confidence and reliance, ability to help others).

Accomplishment of 3 AimsAccomplishment of 3 Aims

5. Adult Association: Boys learn from the example set by their adult leaders. Troop leadership may be male or female.

6. Personal Growth: Planning activities and progress towards goals makes Scouts experience personal growth. The “Good Turn” concept is a major part of this.

Accomplishment of 3 AimsAccomplishment of 3 Aims

7. Leadership Development: Every Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared leadership and total leadership situations.

8. Uniform: The uniform makes the Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community.

The Organization of ScoutingThe Organization of Scouting

-Founded by Robert Baden-Powell (England, 1908)

-BSA incorporated (1910)

-Chartered by Congress (1916)

The Organization of ScoutingThe Organization of Scouting

National Council (BSA)

Region

Local Council (Longs Peak)

District (Arapahoe)

Chartered Organization (SHM)

Troop Committee

Troop

The Organization of Scouting:The Organization of Scouting:Charter OrganizationCharter Organization

• Owns the Troop

• Provides a meeting place

• Selects a charter organization representative who is a member (Chuck Schafer)

• Maintains a close liason with the Troop Committee as well as SHM

How Scout Troops FunctionHow Scout Troops FunctionTroop

Committee

Scoutmaster

Assistant Scoutmasters

(ASMs)

Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)

Assistant Senior Patrol

Leaders (ASPLs)

Patrol Leaders

Assistant Patrol Leaders

OA Troop Representative

Instructors Quartermaster Scribe LibrarianHistorian

How Scout Troops FunctionHow Scout Troops FunctionScoutmaster (Cliff Brown):

-Responsible for the image and program of the troop.

-Trains and guides boy leaders.

-Works with other responsible adults to bring Scouting to the boys.

How Scout Troops FunctionHow Scout Troops FunctionScoutmaster (Meetings):

-Meets regularly with the PLC for training and coordination in planning troop activities.

-Attends all troop meetings, or assigns a designee.

-Attends all troop committee meetings.

-Takes part in uniform inspection.

How Scout Troops FunctionHow Scout Troops FunctionScoutmaster:

-Conducts Scoutmaster conferences with the boys.

-Assures new members are properly registered (Carrie Maag-Brown).

-Delegates responsibility to other adults (particularly ASMs).

-Supervises troop elections for Order of the Arrow.

How Scout Troops FunctionHow Scout Troops Function

Assistant Scoutmasters (ASMs)

-Each assistant Scoutmaster is assigned specific program duties and reports to the Scoutmaster.

-Provide required 2-deep leadership.

-Responsible for troop membership growth (Tom Roling).

-Patrol advisors??

How Scout Troops FunctionHow Scout Troops FunctionPatrols:

-A group of 6-8 boys who work together. Each patrol elects its own boy leader (patrol leader).

-Within the larger community of the troop, the patrol is the Scout’s family circle.

-Patrol members help each other develop a sense of pride and identity. They share in the satisfaction of accepting and fulfilling group responsibilities.

How Scout Troops FunctionHow Scout Troops Function

Youth Leaders:

-Senior Patrol Leader (SPL): Top junior leader in the troop. Leads PLC, appoints other junior leaders in conjunction with SM, assigns specific responsibilities as needed. Elected position that is a 6 month term.

How Scout Troops FunctionHow Scout Troops FunctionAssistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPLs):

-Fills in for the SPL in his absence.

-In conjunction with Scoutmaster, responsible for training and giving direction to quartermaster, scribe, OA troop rep, historian, librarian and instructors.

How Scout Troops FunctionHow Scout Troops FunctionThe Patrol Leaders’ Council:

-Meets once per month.

-Responsible for planning and conducting the troop’s activities.

-The troop committee interacts with the PLC through the Scoutmaster.

How Scout Troops FunctionHow Scout Troops Function

Annual Program Planning Conference:

-The troop’s activities are selected and planned at the annual program planning conference. We do this in August.

The Troop CommitteeThe Troop Committee

-Is the troop’s board of directors and supports the troop program.

-Ensures that quality adult leadership is recruited and trained.

-Provides adequate meeting facilities.-Advises the Scoutmaster on policies related

to Scouting.-Supports leaders in carrying out the

program.

The Troop CommitteeThe Troop Committee

-Is responsible for finances, adequate funds, and disbursements in line with the approved budget plan.

-Obtains, maintains, and properly cares for troop property

-Ensures the troop has an outdoor program (min. 10 days and nights per year).

-Serves on boards of review and courts of honor.

The Troop CommitteeThe Troop Committee-Supports the Scoutmaster in working with

individual boys and problems.

-Provides for the special needs and assistance some boys may require.

-Helps with the FOS campaign.

-Meets monthly at individual members homes.

Committee ChairpersonCommittee Chairperson

-Organizes the committee: all functions must be delegated, coordinated and completed.

-Maintains a close relationship with the chartered organization rep and the Scoutmaster.

-Interprets national and local policies to the troop.

-Prepares troop committee meeting agendas.

Committee ChairpersonCommittee Chairperson

-Call, preside over and promote attendance at monthly committee meetings.

-Ensure troop representation at monthly roundtables.**

-Secure top-notch, trained individuals for camp leadership.

-Arrange for charter review and rechater annually.

SecretarySecretary-Currently vacant

-Keeps meeting minutes and sends out committee meting notices.

-Prepares a newsletter of troop events and activities.

-Conducts the “troop resource”survey.

Activities CoordinatorActivities Coordinator

-Assists trip/event coordinators in securing their plans.

-Promotes attendance at troop campouts to reach the goal of an outing per month.

-Helps secure tour permits.-Reports to the troop committee at each

monthly meeting.-Assures “post trip assessment” forms are

completed.

Advancement ChairpersonAdvancement Chairperson

-Works with Scribe to maintain all Scout advancement records.**

-Develops and maintains a merit badge counselor list.

-Develops and maintains a troop roster.-Makes prompt reports on correct forms to

the council service center when a troop board of review is held. Secures badges and certificates.

Board of Review ChairpersonBoard of Review Chairperson

-Assures that boys/parents understand what is expected for boards of review (BOR).

-Assures there is a sign-up sheet for BORs.

-Assures we have 3 committee members present to conduct all BOR meetings (held once per month).

-Reports at each monthly troop committee meeting.

TreasurerTreasurer

-Will be vacant in May.

-Handles all troop funds. Pays bills on recommendation of Scoutmaster and authorization of troop committee.

-Maintains checking/savings accounts.

-Supervises money earning projects.

-Reports to troop committee at each monthly meeting.

Fundraising ChairpersonFundraising Chairperson

-Currently vacant.

-Assures coordination of all of our fundraising events: popcorn sales, Gold C books, grocery scripts, etc.

-Reports at monthly committee meetings.

Training CoordinatorTraining Coordinator

-Currently vacant.

-Ensures troop leaders and committee members have opportunities for training.

-Responsible for BSA Youth Protection Training within the troop.

-Encourages periodic junior leader training.

-Maintains training database to assure all troop leaders are properly trained.

Equipment CoordinatorEquipment Coordinator-Supervises and helps troop procure

camping equipment.

-Works with quartermaster on inventory and proper storage and maintenance of all troop equipment.

-Makes periodic safety checks on all troop camping gear.

Eagle CoachEagle Coach

-Assists boys with the planning and carrying out of their Eagle projects.

-Periodically provides class instruction on the “journey from Life Scout to Eagle”.

-Is also our webmaster!

Eagle Awards ChairpersonEagle Awards Chairperson

-Assures all materials that Eagles are to receive from the district are delivered to the Eagle’s family.

-Maintains our Eagle “photo gallery”.

-We need a replacement for our incumbent.

Scout AdvancementScout Advancement

1. The Boy Scout learns. (A Scout learns by doing).

2. The Boy Scout is tested. (Patrol Leader, Scoutmaster, ASMs, Committee Member). The SM maintains a list of those qualified to give tests and to pass candidates.

3. The Boy Scout is reviewed. (After completion of all requirements for a rank, he has a board of review.)

4. The Boy Scout is recognized. (Formal Court of Honor).

A Word About BORsA Word About BORs-Scout must come in full uniform. Must be able to

recite Scout Oath, Law and Motto.

-Not a time to retest the Scout.

-Determine the Scout’s attitude and his acceptance of Scouting ideals.

-Boy will know whether or not he has earned rank advancement at the conclusion of BOR.

Scout AdvancementScout Advancement

Scout

Tenderfoot

2nd Class

1st Class

Star

Life

Eagle

The Merit Badge ProgramThe Merit Badge Program

-There are more than 100 merit badges to choose from.

-A boy must earn at least 21 merit badges to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

-Some merit badges are “Eagle Required” (there are 12).

-Get Blue Card signed by Scoutmaster before beginning work on a merit badge.

Eagle Required Merit BadgesEagle Required Merit Badges

CampingCitizenship in the Community

Citizenship in the NationCitizenship in the World

CommunicationsEmergency Preparedness or Lifesaving

Environmental ScienceFamily Life

First AidPersonal Fitness

Personal ManagementSwimming or Hiking or Cycling

Troop WebsiteTroop Website

www.troop575.org

Troop SurveyTroop Survey

1567 East Riverbend Street

Superior, Colorado 80027

Questions/Comments?Questions/Comments?