Troop 403 - Guides

20. Boy Scout Investiture Ceremonies

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:32:20 -0400

(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.

19. PARENT PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:30:24 -0400

*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)

18. FORMS and FEES

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:29:41 -0400

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.

17. TRANSPORTATION

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:09:48 -0400

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

16. COMMUNICATIONS

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:08:06 -0400

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.

15. ORDER OF THE ARROW

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:07:31 -0400

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.

14. TROOP LEADERSHIP

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:06:36 -0400

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.

13. PROCEDURES FOR EARNING A MERIT BADGE

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:05:48 -0400

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.

12. MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:05:06 -0400

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.

11. ADVANCEMENT

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:04:19 -0400

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.

10. SPECIAL EVENTS

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:00:19 -0400

Troop 403 frequently participates in special events such as community service projects, parade participation, ushering UT football and men's and women's basketball games, district campouts, field trips, and merit badge workshops. All of the activities and meetings necessary to prepare for these events count as regular troop activities. Scouts should make every effort to attend these special events and are responsible for understanding all instructions pertinent to the event and for working together to earn their way.

In order to broaden the camping program to match individual scout development, efforts will be made to offer special campouts or high adventure experiences. Participation in these events may be limited by age or rank requirements to ensure mastery of scout skills.

09. CAMPING PROGRAM

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:59:44 -0400

Troop 403 conducts a full program of camping activities year-round. About ten campouts occur during the year. All known dates for campouts appear on the Troop 403 Calendar and monthly in the Troop Tidbits, our troop newsletter. Every attempt is made to collect all permission forms and fees two weeks in advance of any planned activity. Any scout not turning in the appropriate forms and fees by the posted due date will not be allowed to participate in that specific activity. Telephone calls are no substitute for turning in forms and fees. "Telephone reservations" are not accepted!

Campouts and other activities will be held rain or shine, and will only be canceled in the event of unsafe conditions or lack of participation. A scout should be prepared to adequately protect himself from adverse weather conditions.

08. TROOP FINANCES

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:58:56 -0400

Troop 403's goal is to finance normal, expected expenditures by all members of the troop equally. At re-chartering time, each boy and adult will pay according to the fee schedule posted in the appendix section of this document. Any new member joining during the year will pay the full BSA Insurance fee and a prorated amount for the BSA National fees. Enrollment at any time after the first of the month will be paid on a prorate basis, including that month.

During the year, Troop 403 participates in approximately ten "troop only" campout activities, in addition to special merit badge workshops, district events, and the Lost Pines Winter and Summer camp programs. A scout participating in all of these activities could spend in excess of $250.00 in fees. This financial obligation should not to be taken lightly. It is the responsibility of the scout to earn the money to finance his scouting experience. The troop offers several fundraising opportunities which not only make money for the troop, but allow the individual scout to earn money toward defraying some of his activity fees and troop project fees. Scouts should learn not to depend solely on parents for financial assistance. Limited camperships are available through the Capitol Area Council for the Lost Pines Winter and Summer camp programs.

07. UNIFORMS

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:57:52 -0400

Troop 403 encourages every scout and adult leader to wear their full uniform proudly. It is a symbol that marks him/her as belonging to a select group. The uniform and the person who wears it is respected in the community. Scouters should wear their uniforms to every troop activity unless otherwise instructed.

A proper Class A uniform consists of:

*Scout shirt with insignia properly placed

*Scout pants (long or short) or denim pants (long or short) in either blue or black

*Scout belt

*Troop neckerchief and slide

*Scout socks (if scout shorts are worn)

06. PARENT PARTICIPATION

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:57:03 -0400

Parents join Troop 403 when their son joins. It is necessary to understand that parents who put their son in scouting, but do not participate themselves, constitute a threat to the existence of the program. Too many non participating parents can drag a troop down by having too few adults to support the boys, causing leader "burn out". This can lead to events having to be canceled due to lack of support. ALL parents are busy, but all parents can help. Being "too busy" is not a valid excuse for not supporting your troop. More specifically, it is not a valid excuse for not supporting one's son! Adult leaders use substantial amounts of vacation and personal time in supporting troop activities.