(On an attractively draped table, place a long candelabrumwith 12 white candles for the I2 points of the Scout Law. Behindthe candelabrum place three longer candles - a white one in thecenter and a green one on each side - for the three parts of theScout Oath. Use a red candle as a lighter. Position the U.S. andtroop flags in their appropriate places. The chairman of the troopcommittee presides.)

Chairman: We are going to welcome a new Scout and hisparents to our troop tonight. Patrol Leader (name) ofthe Patrol, please bring forward Candidate (name).Senior Patrol Leader (name) will please escort thecandidate's parents to the front. Thank you.

*Troop Committee Chairman

*Troop Committee Secretary

*Troop Committee Treasurer

*Troop Committee Member (multiples available and can hold specific positions)

*Serve on the Board of Review (must be a registered Committee Member)

*Troop Registrar

*Troop Advancement Coordinator

*Scoutmaster

*Assistant Scoutmaster (multiples available)

*Troop Quartermaster

*Re-chartering Coordinator

*Popcorn Sales Chairman

*Fundraiser Coordinator

*Special Events Coordinator

*Outdoor Activities Coordinator

*Ushering Coordinator (for UT football and men's and women's basketball games)

REGISTRATION Upon enrollment in the troop, scouts will receive an official BSA "Scout Application". Adult leaders will be provided with an official BSA "Adult Registration Application". These forms must be properly filled out, with membership fees enclosed, to complete the registration process. All new scouts and adult leaders must be registered. These forms are available from the Scoutmaster or the Committee Chairman.

PERMISSION FORMS Permission forms for campouts, troop/patrol activities, or special events are handed out at meetings as far in advance as possible. All forms and fees must be turned in by the posted due date. A scout will not be allowed to participate in an activity if he does not turn in the required forms and fees by the posted due date. This is necessary in order to arrange for transportation, purchase food, and secure equipment.

It is up to each scout to coordinate with the other members in his patrol and the adult leaders for transportation to participate in scout activities requiring drivers. Adequate transportation is defined as "having a seat belt for each passenger". Riding in the back of pickup trucks is prohibited at all times.

Troop 403 has a "driver gas money" reimbursement policy available. Reimbursement is determined by the following equation:

Distance to the activity (given a dollar amount that has been included in the activity fee)

Multiplied by the number of persons attending the activity

As in most organizations, communication is essential to troop operations. The troop distributes an annual calendar of troop activities. A monthly newsletter is distributed to all scouts and adult leaders on the second Monday meeting of each month providing up-to-date information and any schedule revisions. READ IT! Scouts are responsible for listening to instructions at meetings, understanding them, and remembering them. Scouts are responsible for transmitting messages and sharing the newsletter with their parents. PARENTS--please ask your son if there is anything you need to know about.

The Scoutmaster is responsible for communication of information to the Senior Patrol Leader, the adult staff, and the Troop Committee.

The Order of the Arrow is a special brotherhood of scouts dedicated to service. OA members are elected by their peers within the troop for consideration as an OA member. Once elected, the OA candidate has one year to complete his "ordeal" during a recognized OA Assembly. Requirements to be considered for election to the OA include:

*First Class rank or above

*Scoutmaster's approval for consideration

*Demonstrate "Scout Spirit"

*15 days camping experience, with six of those being "long-term" (i.e.. Summer camp)

The Scoutmaster or Advancement Coordinator will prepare a list of eligible candidates. The troop conducts one election each year in February. If practical, an OA Election Team from the Tonkawa Lodge will conduct the election ceremony. Only half of the eligible candidates can be elected during the ceremony. The election is by secret ballot and a scout must receive a majority vote of the members present in order to be declared an "OA Candidate". The troop may elect one adult annually to OA membership.

Troop 403 is organized into several operating units: patrols, the Patrol Leader's Council, adult leaders, and the Troop Committee.

Patrols are groups of 6-8 scouts which represent the smallest democratic unit of the troop. Patrols are organized so that boys at higher and lower experience levels are mixed throughout each patrol.

The Patrol Leader's Council is comprised of the Senior Patrol Leader, the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, all Patrol Leaders and Troop Guides. Assistant Patrol Leaders attend PLC meetings if the Patrol Leader cannot attend. PLC meetings are the first Monday of each month. The PLC's job is to plan and run the programs of the troop, under the guidance of the adult leaders.

A scout wishing to work on a merit badge should contact the Scoutmaster or the Advancement Coordinator to get a "merit badge counseling form" and determine the counselor with whom the scout will work. If possible, the scout should try and locate any other scouts interested in earning this merit badge with him.

The scout/scouts will meet with the counselor, as needed, to complete the requirements. Once the counselor is satisfied that the scout understands and has met the requirements, he/she will sign a "merit badge worksheet", retain his/her part, and forward the worksheet to the Troop Advancement Coordinator.

One important way that parents can support troop activities is by becoming a merit badge counselor. Adults should review the merit badge offerings listed in the Official Boy Scout Handbook. If an individual is confident that they possess a working knowledge and skills appropriate to a specific subject, they should secure a copy of the merit badge pamphlet to become familiar with the requirements that must be completed in order to earn the merit badge. Merit badge pamphlets can be obtained at the Capitol Area Council BSA office. If the adult desires to become a merit badge counselor, he/she must complete an "Adult Volunteer Leader Application" and register with the troop.

Upon enrolling in Troop 403, a scout may immediately begin to work on any merit badge offered by the Boy Scouts of America. Keep in mind that all Eagle required merit badges must be earned and awarded after a scout has reached his eleventh birthday. Participation and attendance in meetings and campout programs offer many opportunities for rank advancement within the scouting program. It is the responsibility of each scout to work at a pace to which he is comfortable. Scouts need not be intimidated by the fact that other individuals may be completing merit badges or rank advancement at a faster rate. Adult leaders however, may counsel with individuals who appear to have stalled in their scout accomplishments. Please review the requirements for rank advancement as stated in the Official Boy Scout Handbook. Remember, a scout cannot earn merit badges or rank advancement after his eighteenth birthday. Scouts and/or parents should visit with the Scoutmaster, the Advancement Coordinator, or other adult leader if there is concern about a boy's scouting experience.