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The Boy Scouts of America, Troop 55 Guidelines, were adopted and approved by the Troop 55 Committee on July 7,1997, and as amended on April 20,1998 and March 1, 2002 Introduction: The purpose of this guideline is to encourage a high level of boy and adult participation in patrol and troop activity. The troop committee has established these guidelines so that all will be informed of the troop policies as relate to: 1. “Active” Boy Scout 2. “Active” Calculations 3. Advancement The troop adult leadership supports the patrol concept . The Scoutmaster and troop committee will ensure that “active” Scouts are assigned to patrols made up of other “active” Scouts, so that the boys can benefit from the “Patrol Method of Scouting.” The Scout uniform has been described as “a tool of many edges,” and it is integral to the sense of belonging to the patrol and the troop. It gives the Scout a reason to take pride in his appearance, and serves to display his achievements in advancement, leadership, and skills. The uniform is compatible to all Scout occasions, and it is a focus of pride in being a Scout. 1. Defining an “Active” Boy Scout: He is a Scout who: (1). is “active” in scheduled troop meetings, court of honors, and Eagle court of honors at a 70% participation level, and attendance at at least one scheduled troop campout or other outing each quarter; (2). wears the uniform to all Scout functions; and (3). shows progress toward his next rank or merit badge in each quarter of the year. “Active” Scout calculations are made quarterly on: March 1st, June 1st, September 1st, and December 1st. Boys who serve as “Den Chiefs” and boys who have attained the rank of “Eagle” are treated to some exceptions to these “active” criteria. Since outings vary from boy to boy, only those that pertain to a particular boy will be used in the calculation of his “active” status. The Scoutmaster is the ultimate judge regarding who is “active,” who is progressing, and who is to be advanced in rank. If controversy should arise, it can be referred to the troop committee chairman in writing for committee resolution or waiver. To quickly regain “active” status, a Scout can perform alternate tasks to replace requirements not met. A. Attendance at each troop meeting will count for one “active” unit of participation. B. Attendance for each campout or outing will count for one “active” unit of participation. C. Progress toward rank advancement or one merit badge quarterly will count for one “active” unit of participation. If a Scout has “active” units of participation greater than needed in one quarter, he may carry those over into the next three quarters. D. The inability to attend an unscheduled or rescheduled event will not count against a Scout’s calculation, however, attendance at such events can be used to replace missed scheduled events. Meetings attended out of uniform will not count as a unit of participation. Quarterly “Active” Calculation Worksheet: No. of troop meetings in quarter _____ No. req. outing days in quarter __1__ _____ No. of rank or MB progress units __1__ _____ Total quarterly _____ _____ If the actual units equals or exceeds the required units in all of the above catagories, the Scout is an “active” Scout. If not, the Scout must work harder in the next quarter period to re-establish his “active” status. It will be the responsibility of each boy to keep track of his activities. He is the final check on failures of others to record his participation. But, it highlights the necessity for the Troop Scribe or someone appointed in his absence to keep accurate attendance records at all Troop functions. All such attendance records must be consolidated by the Troop Scribe, and provided to the Scout Master as he requests. An “active” Scout is eligible: A. to hold elective or appointed positions of responsibility; B. for first consideration to participate in activities with limited enrollment; C. for rank advancement. Elected Positions of Responsibility: To be considered for elected positions of responsibility, a Scout must be “active” for a period of six months preceding the elections, which are held in September and March, and he must continue to maintain his “active” status to retain the position. Appointed Positions of Responsibility: To be considered for appointed positions of responsibility, a Scout must be “active” and stay “active” while serving in the position to receive credit for the service. Den Chief “Active” Considerations: A Den Chief is required to dedicate extra time and effort toward his duties as Den Chief. There is a potential conflict between a boy’s troop and cub den responsibilities. A special effort will be made to accomodate the high level of dedication required of a Den Chief. He will be given sufficient support and “active” units of credit for his Den Chief efforts. No boy who volunteers to be a Den Chief, will be asked to perform as Den Chief for more than a three month period. Eagle Scout “Active” Considerations: An Eagle Scout has reached the top of the Scout ladder. The troop recognizes the added workload an Eagle Scout incures in school and other activities outside of Scouting. To encourage his continued participation in troop activities, the troop has organized a Venture Crew for older boys and Eagle Scouts. The Eagle Scout, to remain “active” will be required to participate in one troop meeting each month. His special talents and knowledge will be use to instruct and motivate younger Scouts in other patrols at that meeting. His choice of outings can be within the realm of Venture Crew, regular troop outings, or Order of the Arrow activities. An Eagle Scout will not be required to be active by Troop standards for the purpose of earning Eagle palms. Eagle Scouts will only be required to meet the Eagle palm requirements set forth by the BSA. However, in order to hold a position of responsibility in the Troop, an Eagle Scout must meet all the requirements of an “active” Scout as set forth by the Troop Guidelines. We want to encourage boys to achieve Eagle Scout status early in their Scouting career, and not wait until the very last minute. In this way they will have time to give back to the troop, talents they have gained through the troop. Eagle Scouts at the age of 16, are encouraged to become a “Junior Assistant Scoutmaster“ and at age 18 an “Assistant Scoutmaster.” 3. Advancement Requirements: If a Scout maintains his “active” status, he must follow the apporpriate steps for advancement to the next rank or award of a merit badge. These are: Scoutmaster’s Conference: A Scout must make an appointment with the Scoutmaster for the conference. The Scoutmaster will schedule the time, date, and place for the conference. Once the conference is complete, the Scoutmaster will schedule a board of review. Board of Review: Scouts presenting themselves for a board of review must be in full uniform complete with sash and neckerchief. His current rank and all earned and awarded merit badges must be displayed on the uniform and sash. If not, the Scout’s board of review will be rescheduled to a future date. Merit Badges: To be awarded, merit badges including those started at summer camp or at merit badge university, must be completed within six (6) months. Star Scout Service Project: A Star Scout must take part in a Scout master approved six (6) hour service project. Assisting an Eagle Scout in an approved Eagle Scout project will suffice for this purpose. Other opportunities for service are encouraged. Several service projects can be strung together to make up the six hours of service. No written plan is required for the Star rank. Life Scout Service Projects: A Star Scout seeking the Life rank must plan and carry out his own six hour service project. The Star Scout will submit a written plan to the Scoutmaster for approval before the start of the project. Assisting in an approve Eagle project will not suffice for the Life Scout service project. This project must be an original effort. Assistance of other Scouts to complete the project is strongly encouraged, but it is not necessary. Eagle Scout Service Projects: Life Scouts are encouraged to begin their Eagle projects soon after attaining the rank of Life Scout. A Life Scout must submit a complete plan for their Eagle projects and have them approved by the Scoutmaster, troop committee, and a Council representative before the project begins. The process for approval of an Eagle project may take up to 90 days from the date the plan is initially submitted to the Scoutmaster until it is finally approved by the Council representative. Approval Deadlines for a Scout Approaching his 18th Birthday or which require a specific completion date: A Life Scout must submit his completed Eagle project plan to the Scoutmaster at least 90 days before his 18th birthday. A plan presented to the Scoutmaster with less than 90 days before a boys 18th birthday will not be accepted or approved. A final plan with revisions must be approved by the troop committee at least 60 days before the Scout’s 18th birthday. The approved plan will be submitted to the Council representative no later than 60 days before the Scouts 18th birthday. This will give the Council representative sufficient time to review and make required revisions to the plan, before the project is finally approved. 4. Waiver Considerations: Troop guidelines are considered by the committee to be both fair and important to the success of the troop, and therefore, waivers will be granted only when absolutely necessary. Scouts are encouraged to complete their rank and merit badge requirements on a timely basis, and keep age related requirements in mind, i.e., Life rank by 17 1/2 years and Eagle rank by 18 years. When making decisions on granting waivers, the committee will consider both the justification for the waiver, and the impact of a declination on the Scout’s ability to complete requirements for Eagle rank. A younger Scout may not receive a waiver as readily as an older Scout, since the younger Scout may still be able to meet the requirements and attain Eagle rank without receiving a waiver. However, an older Scout will be less likely to receive a waiver, even if it will prevent his earning Eagle rank, especially, if his failure to be considered “active” was largely due to procrastination or attending functions out of uniform. Scouts who are absent from meetings or outings due to attendance at required school and church related activities may receive exceptions from the committee allowing them to advance in rank, but not be eligible for elected positions of responsibility. Involvement in non-required extra curricular school activities, i.e. sports and band, is not a basis for waiver. Those Scouts can regain their active status following the sports season. 5.Responsible Positions (RP): Only “active” Scouts will be considered for RP. To advance to Star, Life, or Eagle a Scout must serve in a separate RP for each advancement for a period of four to six months. Scouts in RP are expected to to provide service to the troop. Simply wearing the badge of office does not fulfill the requirements. See the Boy Leaders web page and the BSA Junior Leader Handbook for RP job discriptions. Only Scouts who hold the ranks of Star, Life, or Eagle will be considered for position of Senior Patrol Leader. If a Scout does not perform responsibly, he will be removed from the (RP) and not receive credit. Elected (RP) Positions: These are six month positions. To be considered for elected positions of responsibility, a Scout must be “active” for a period of six months preceding the elections, which are held in September and March, and he must continue to maintain his “active” status to keep the position. Prior to holding elections for positions of responibility, eligible Scouts who indicate an interest in the position(s) will be interviewed by the Scoutmaster or his designee to determine if the Scout will have any difficulty maintaining his “active” status during the term of the (RP). If conflicts, i.e., sports and other activities, will intefere with the Scouts obligations to the position, the Scout will not be considered eligible for the position. Appointed Positions of Responsibility: These are four to six month positions, unless a longer term is specifically requested by a Scout and approved by the Scoutmaster. To be considered for appointed positions of responsibility, a Scout must be “active” and stay “active” while serving in the position to receive credit for the service. 6. Uniforms: Scouts are expected to attend troop funcitions and outings in an approved BSA uniform, unless informed otherwise by the Scout Master. Between September 15th through May 15th a Scout is expected to be neatly dressed in a class “A” full Scout uniform without neckerchief and sash. The uniform consists of the official BSA tan shirt with rank insignia and other BSA patches attached, BSA belt, and BSA pants or BSA shorts with BSA socks. Between May 15th and September 15th a Scout is expected to be neatly dressed in a class “B” uniform consisting of a troop 55 burgandy T-shirt, BSA belt, BSA pants or BSA shorts with BSA socks. On troop outings, i.e. campouts and hikes, etc., the class “A” uniform and troop 55 cap will be worn to and from outing locations. The Scoutmaster will advise the Scouts on how to wear the uniform at the outing location. It is suggested that Scouts wear their class “B” shirt under their class “A” shirt. At summer camp Scouts must wear their class “A” uniform to the dinning hall and formal formation. Troop 55 caps will be worn on troop outings if weather is appropriate for baseball style caps. Other caps are not appropriate and will not be worn at troop functions. This is for ease of identification and uniformity of appearance. Surplus Uniforms: Families are encouraged to forward used uniforms to the troop for distribution to other troop Scouts. 7. Patrol Assignments: New Scouts entering the troop are assigned to the Pedro Patrol. A Scout is assigned to another patrol by the Scoutmaster when he advances to First Class rank. The Scoutmaster will assure that the patrol method is followed by assuring that each patrol consists of six to eight “active” Scouts. Scouts who are not “active” in status will be assigned by the Scoutmaster to a patrol only when a sufficient number of active Scouts are assigned to that patrol. Scouts are encouraged to maintain or resume “active” status through enthusiatic participation in patrol activities. An “active” Scout may ask for assignment to a specific patrol as long as the request does not upset the balance of active Scouts in the patrol. 8. Parental Involvement: Adult involvement in Scouting is required. In fact, a troop cannot effectively function without it. BSA policy requires “two deep leadership” (two adults present) at all Scout functions. Troop 55 operates best with eight to ten trained Scout leaders. The load is to great for just two men. Therefore, the troop committee welcomes parental assistance. No assistance is to small. At a minimum, parents are encouraged to attend troop meetings, court of honor ceremonies, Eagle ceremonies, and troop outings as their schedules permit. Parents can give needed support for: special equipment needs, i.e. boats for water skiing and utility trailers for equipment hauling, troop activities, and by acting as merit badge .counsellors. Review the merit badge web page for a list of badges where you can give support. Let the Scoutmaster know which merit badges you can support, and he will see that you are registered with the BSA Council. 9. Troop Funding: Annually, Troop 55 assesses each Scout $40. to cover the cost of registration, Boys Life magazine, merit badges, badges of rank, and other costs associated with maintaining the troop. The troop engages annually in popcorn and candy sales to raise money to purchase troop equipment. Scouts, in arrears, will not be permitted to meet their board of review for advancement or receive merit badges. Scouts are asked to make a one-time payment of $15. as an advance toward food purchases for troop campouts. When a campout is planned, one menber of each patrol has the responsibility to purchase food for the patrol, which usually costs about $15. per Scout. The troop will reimburse the Scout buying the food for his patrol. The patrol members attending the campout will reimburse the troop for the average food cost for their patrol. By following this procedure, Scouts will not have to seek out each patrol member to receive reimbursement for food purchases. A Scout who advises his patrol leader that he will attend a campout, but does not, will still be obligated to pay for his portion of the food purchase. That is, unless he notifies his patrol leader in advance that he will not attend the campout before the food purchase is made. 10. Adult Leadership: Here we deal with committee membership and adult leader positions. The chartering organization is Little Rock First Baptist Church. The Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster(s) and the troop committee have a responsibility to both the BSA and the Church to offer a positive Scouting experience within the guidelines of both organizations. The BSA has set forth requirements for adult leadership positions. A person who is at least 18 years of age, of good moral character, and of clean background are welcome to apply for a position as an adult leader. Parents interested in adult leader positions should contact the Scout master or the committee chairman. The troop committee has the responsibility to review and approve both Scout and adult volunteers. The Little Rock First Baptist Church has established certail goals for adult leadership positions within troop 55. The church has assigned the responsibility for reviewing the fitness of potential adult leaders to the troop committee. The goal for leadership in troop 55 is that all leaders be members of Little Rock First Baptist Church. However, in some cases this may not be possible, and in that light the following guidelines have been established: 1. The Scoutmaster will be a member of the Church. a. Applicants must complete an adult application. b. The troop committee wil check all references. c. Names of applicants who are Church member will be submitted annually to the church nominating committee for approval and ultimate approval by the Church body. d. Non-Church applicants will complete a statement of Faith in Christ, sharing their conversion walk with Christ. The Scoutmaster or Committee Chairman will visit with the applicant and openly discuss their conversion and walk with Christ. e. The Committee will contact the church the applicant attends (for non-LRFBC applicants) and inquire about the applicant’s fitness for leadership and especially about the applicant’s fitness for work with boys. f. Upon acceptance of the application and determination that the applicant is fit for the position, the Chartered Organization Representative and the Committee Chairman will approve the application. g. Adult Boy Scout leaders will serve continuously as long as they possess the character qualities and fulfill the standards of service consistent with the goals of the Boy Scouts of America and the Little Rock First Baptist Church. If at any time an adult leader is judged to not meet the above expectations, the Chartering Organization Representative, on behalf of the Little Rock First Baptist Church, may remove the leader from his or her position. Additionally, the troop committee has determined that it is in the best interests of the troop if acceptance to an adult leadership position follows a three month probationary period. The probationary period allows the committee to become familiar with the applicant and the applicant to become familiar with the committee and the responsibilities of the position. Applications of adults for troop committee membership or Assistant Scoutmaster positions will be considered for approval after three months of active participation from the date the application was submitted to the Scoutmaster or Committee Chairman. During the probationary period, the applicant’s attendance at troop meetings, at committee meetings as a non-voting member, and involvment with troop functions will be evaluated. Upon completion of the probationary period, the applicant will be considered for the position by the troop committee, and if approved, will be registered with the troop. Whether or not parents are interested in holding an adult leader or troop committee position, they are encouraged to attend troop functions and committee meetings to: observe, offer assistance, and make recommendations. 11. Activities of Limited Enrollment: Some BSA activities (i.e. high adventure outings and the C.O.P.E. course at summer camp) have age requirements and a limited number of openings available. Vacancies for these activities will be offered to “active” Scouts, meeting the age requirements, before being offered to other members of the troop. 12. Scouts with Disabilities: Some of the guidelines set by the troop committee, as well as various requirements for rank advancement established by the Boy Scouts of America, may be difficult or impossible for a particular Scout to perform because of physical or mental disability. The Scoutmaster or troop committee will work with any Scout requesting an alternative requirement as a reasonable accommmodation in accordance with the advancement guidelines established by the Boy Scouts of America. To obtain such an accommodation, the Scout or his parents must make the Scoutmaster aware of the situation and request an alternative requirement. If possible, the request will be granted or an agreed accommodation will be reached. |
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